Ask Joan: Including Elderly Relatives on Family Vacations
Q. Now that summer is finally here, I am planning a vacation with my husband and two teenaged children. We decided to ask my in-laws to join us. They are in their late 70s and we have never traveled with them, but they are both very active. What should we think through to make sure…
Ask Joan: Having those Difficult Conversations
Q. My aunt and uncle live out of state, so I don’t see them very often. On a recent visit, I noticed that my aunt was having trouble remembering specific words. She also asked me the same questions a few times. My uncle and cousins have also noticed these things, but don’t know how to…
Ask Joan: Real ID Deadline Creates Opportunities for Scammers
Q. My husband and I got our REAL IDs years ago when it was first announced that we will need them to fly on a plane. But recently, I received an email saying that my REAL ID was canceled and that I needed to go online and fix the error. I told my husband about…
Ask Joan: Some Medications can Impact Sun Sensitivity
Q. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I am spending more time out in my garden. My daughter keeps telling me I should be careful about being in the sun, but I have spent every spring and summer in my garden for years. Do I really need to start worrying about the sun now? …
AgeSpan Music Series Brings Neighbors Together
There’s something about a favorite song that can connect us to the past – and to each other. That was the feeling during a recent music program coordinated by AgeSpan at the Andover Housing Authority. Residents of Stowe Court, Chestnut Court, and Grandview Terrace in Andover gathered in the community room to sing along to…
Ask Joan: Power of Community Shows in Impact of Lawrence Partnership
This week in my column, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge an organization that is making a real difference in the City of Lawrence: the Lawrence Partnership. The mission of the Lawrence Partnership, to build a resilient, inclusive and equitable local economy, aligns perfectly with AgeSpan’s mission, to ensure everyone has the…
Swinging into Action: AgeSpan Annual Golf Classic Raises Funds for Emergency Needs
A beautiful day on the links for a great cause! Many thanks to the sponsors, players, volunteers, and other supporters who helped make the AgeSpan 2025 Annual Golf Classic a big success. The event, which took place June 2, 2025, at the Haverhill Country Club, raised more than $100,000 for the DiStefano Family Care Fund,…
Ask Joan: It’s OK to Raise a Concern About Questionable Medicare Billings
Q. My husband has Parkinson’s and has been seeing a physical therapist. We have grown to really like this young man, and the PT is helping my husband with his symptoms. But when we got our last Medicare statement, it looked like he has been billing for days when he wasn’t here. What do you…
One Less Worry: Grab and Go Meals Offer Relief for Busy Caregivers
For an older adult who is caring for a family member, managing multiple doctor’s appointments, or simply juggling the many demands of daily life, cooking and eating healthy meals can fall to the bottom of the priority list. That was the case for Susan Hriczo, who drives her husband into Boston daily for cancer treatments….
Ask Joan: Choosing a New Primary Care Doctor
Q. I have been seeing the same primary care doctor for the last 18 years. I really feel like he understands me and knows my health history. I recently learned that he will be retiring soon. How do I go about choosing a new doctor after all these years? As we age, having a doctor…
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