Ask Joan: AgeSpan hosting Power of Pets fundraiser
If you’re a regular reader of this column, you probably know that in addition to being an advocate for older adults in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore, I’m also an animal lover. My two dogs, Willow and Max, are not just pets, they’re a part of my family. Pets give us unconditional love, companionship…
Ask Joan: Disability placards and license plates can be real game changer
Q. Although my 79-year-old older sister quit smoking a few years ago, she has COPD, which makes it hard for her to walk long distances. I keep telling her she should get a handicapped pass for her car, to make it easier for her when she shops, etc. She says it’s too hard to get…
Ask Joan: It’s OK to be cautious when it comes to foodborne illnesses
Q. I’ve been avoiding eating lettuce since hearing that people are getting sick from eating it. My best friend says I’m overreacting. Shouldn’t older adults be extra careful to avoid this new parasite? A. The news reports about this summer’s Cyclospora outbreak have certainly been scary. Hearing about so many people getting sick across the…
Ask Joan: Many options to staying hydrated in the summer
Q. All summer long I have been seeing reminders on the news and at my local senior center about drinking enough water, but I don’t really get that thirsty and I find water really boring to drink. Any advice on how I can get more fluids? A. It’s certainly been one of those summers where…
Ask Joan: Mobility challenges can be eased with the right equipment
Q. My husband’s ability to walk has been declining over the last few years due to surgeries and medical conditions. He can still walk, but going longer distances on unsteady surfaces, like ballparks, is getting to be a challenge. Besides using a cane, what are the options out there for people who don’t yet need…
Ask Joan: Onset of dementia makes navigating finances more difficult
Q. After my uncle passed away, my cousin discovered that he had opened multiple investment accounts in the last year or so of his life. It was like he was going into the bank or making transactions every few days! It’s been a mess to sort out. My uncle was always careful with his money,…
Ask Joan: Keep cool when the heat wave hits
Q. With all the hot weather we’ve been having this summer, I keep seeing warnings on the news about checking on elderly neighbors. I do have some older folks in my neighborhood. What should I be watching for in a heat wave? A. We’ve certainly seen some hot days so far this summer. Your instinct…
Ask Joan: Vigilance, simple precautions minimize the risk of tick bites
Q. I heard on the news that there is a new disease you can get from ticks that makes you allergic to meat. It sounds terrible! My husband and I don’t go for hikes in the mountains anymore, but we have been going for walks around our town common this summer. Should we be worried…
Ask Joan: Out-of-state visit to in-laws requires some thought, planning and communications
My in-laws moved out of state to be closer to my husband’s sister. We used to see one another quite often, so it’s been an adjustment. We’re planning our first visit to their new home this summer with our two kids, who are aged 11 and 14. Any tips for making it a smooth visit?
Ask Joan: No magic cure for weight loss: Exercise and eating better still the key
Q. As my husband has gotten older (he just turned 65) he’s struggled with his weight, and it has kept him from doing things he used to enjoy. I keep hearing about a new miracle drug that everyone’s taking to lose weight, but my husband thinks he’s too old to try it. What do you…
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