Do I still need to get mammogram in my 70s?
Question: I have my annual physical check-up scheduled next month. Every year, my doctor sends me for a mammogram, although these have never revealed any abnormalities. I am in my mid-70s and find the procedure somewhat uncomfortable. At my age, should I be continuing to have mammograms? Answer: According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is…
Recognition in November
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] November is the month when we focus on two vital and related issues: family caregivers and Alzheimer’s disease. All too often, we see caregivers with a mindset of having…
Where is there care for the caregivers?
Question: I am very much part of the “sandwich generation,” squeezed by responsibilities on both sides! I find myself struggling to care for my elderly aunt, who lives with me and has severe arthritis. In addition, I work two part-time jobs. I can’t afford to cut my work hours, but my aunt requires a great…
What’s the deal with Medicare supplement plans?
Question: Every day, my mailbox is filled with advertisements about insurance plans to supplement my Medicare. I’m satisfied with my current Medicare plan, so why am I being hounded nonstop? Answer: Companies that offer additional coverage for Medicare beneficiaries are trying to increase their customer base. They are prohibited from calling you or visiting you at home…
Comfort pets provide companionship to adults experiencing isolation, memory loss
By Stephen Anable, Communications Specialist Bernadette Cary, 87, is relaxing on her bed in her room at the Sutton Home for Women in Peabody, cuddling a new stuffed dog. It looks like a typical plush toy: blond, roughly a foot high, with an expression that suggests affection or anticipation. Then, abruptly, the dog comes “alive.”…
Ask Joan: The confusion around types of rehabilitation
Question: My elderly mother is currently in the hospital with both COVID-19 and a urinary tract infection. She has slowly been making progress and will soon be discharged. She remains frail and sleeps a great deal of the time but won’t require the level of medical care she has been receiving. Today, the hospital told me…
Turn to Healthy IDEAS for help with depression
Question: I have a friend who says he feels “hopeless” about the world and life in general. He refuses invitations to get together, seldom gets dressed, and has even stopped watching his favorite sports teams on TV. How can I help? Answer: Many of us feel we are experiencing difficult times. Few people would turn on today’s…
For seniors there’s help getting digital access
Question: I know several people my age, 75, who use the internet regularly, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. I’ve tested a desktop computer at the public library with the assistance of staff, but I can’t afford a computer at home. Are there any programs to help someone like me? Answer: Absolutely! Our agency is…
Falls Prevention Week: Six steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling
Question: My mother is becoming much more afraid of falling as she gets older. Some of her friends have had serious falls, and she’s worried she could be next. What can she do to ease her fears and help prevent her from falling? Answer: Your question is important and timely. This week is national Falls…
Vaccines aren’t just for children
Question: I get a flu shot every fall and have had the COVID-19 vaccination. My primary physician recently said she had reviewed my vaccination history and recommended that I get a couple of booster shots. I am in my late 70s and wonder whether this is necessary. Where can I find information about the vaccinations…
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