Q: I have been trying to contact the Senior Advocates office for days with no success. Sometimes I just get a busy signal; at other times I leave a message but get no call back. Are you still there or are you having trouble with your telephones?

A: The answer to your questions is yes. Yes, we are still there, and yes, we are experiencing a major problem with our telephones. I want to extend my apologies to anyone who could not get through or who left a message and did not receive a return call.

Our main line is experiencing a static problem. While you may be able to leave a message, when we try to retrieve it, we get nothing but static.

For anyone who has called in the past two weeks and has not received a return call I would ask you to call again. You should call our secondary line, 495-7876. You might get a busy signal as it is the only line we have, so please try again. If you just want to leave a message I suggest you call before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m.

We are hoping this problem will be fixed in the next week. But please remember each of your calls is very important to us, and we will try our hardest to return your calls.

Q: My dad will be coming to live with me in my home. He has some problems with mobility, and I want to make the house as free from potential falls as possible. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do?

A: I took your question to an architect and designer who specializes in modifying homes for aging in place as well as designing universal homes — a concept that provides homes designed to serve all generations with a variety of needs.

The suggested safety measures should be helpful. One of the added benefits of making your home safe for your dad is it will also be a safer home for you and the rest of your family as anyone can take a tumble if areas are not well-lit and free of clutter.

Bathrooms account for many falls. Adding grab bars in the shower, tub and toilet areas will certainly make getting around in this room much safer. A word of caution about installation of grab bars — they must be attached directly into the studs in order to provide the strength needed when grabbed. If you don't know how to do the installation I would strongly suggest you have it done by a professional as it is well worth the money. Incorrectly installed grab bars are more dangerous than no bars at all.

If you use bath mats in the tub or shower, make sure they have suction caps to hold them securely to the bottom. Better yet, consider replacing mats with non-slip adhesive strips attached directly to the foot surface areas. Also consider a sitting bench or stool in the shower. An elevated toilet seat might also prove helpful.

In the bedroom, make sure you have a lamp or light switch that can be easily reached without having to get out of bed. Also, bedrooms as well as hallways and bathrooms should be equipped with nightlights.

Stairs can be a real problem. You should have light switches at both ends of the staircase. Handrails should be installed on both sides of the stairway and should go all the way to the top and bottom steps. Many a fall occurs on the last step or two. Do not store items on the stairs.

Added lighting aids include equipping every room in the home with a flashlight and leaving lights on when you leave the house at night so that you do not have to enter a dark house and search for lights. It is also a good idea to leave a light or two burning during the night.

Carpets and rugs have a real potential for disaster. Tack rugs and glue vinyl flooring so that they lie flat. If rugs or runners tend to slip and slide, either remove them completely or use non-slip backing to hold them in place. If your stairs are carpeted, make sure the carpet is firmly attached to the treads.

General clutter should be eliminated or at least brought to a minimum. Make sure all telephone and electrical cords are out of any pathways.

While making the inside of your house safe, don't forget the outside. Outdoor steps are often more narrow or the risers are higher or lower than indoor stairs. So that you won't miss a step, paint the edge of each step in a contrasting color to ensure it will be seen.

You might want to consider mixing the paint for the steps with a light mixture of sand to provide better traction. Lighting of walkways and outdoor stairs is also most important. Make sure all steps have a handrail that is sturdy.

— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or call 495-6250. You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.