Author: Veronica Reed

Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Older Americans Month: Learn to ‘champion your health’
ByVeronica Reed May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

Each May, Older Americans Month is a chance to recognize the older adults who make our communities stronger and to celebrate our changing attitudes about aging. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” is a reminder to us all to take an active role in our well-being. Taking care of your health can feel overwhelming at…

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Community | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging | Volunteering

Volunteers Recognized at AgeSpan Appreciation Luncheon
ByVeronica Reed May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Volunteers shared smiles and stories at a luncheon held in their honor to celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month. More than 200 people attended the event, which was held at Salvatore’s Restaurant on May 1, 2026. It was an opportunity for volunteers, staff, and members of the AgeSpan Board of Directors and Advisory Council to come together…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Knowing the signs of stroke can be a lifesaver
ByVeronica Reed May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

Q. My father recently suffered a stroke. He woke up feeling funny and thought he slept on his arm wrong. Luckily, my mother is a nurse and knew to call 911. He’s doing well now, but it got me thinking, do most people know the signs of a stroke? A. I’m so glad to hear…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging | Scam Alert

Ask Joan: Don’t fall for those online scammers’ tactics
ByVeronica Reed May 5, 2026

Q. A good friend of mine nearly lost thousands of dollars to a scammer. Luckily, she got suspicious when her social media “friend” asked her to send him some money for an emergency. He asked her to send it to him in bitcoin. Is this common? A. Yes, unfortunately scams involving bitcoin are becoming more…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | For Families and Caregivers | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Advance care planning easier on loved ones
ByVeronica Reed April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Q. My daughter is a hospice nurse, and she often finds herself in the middle between family members who can’t agree on care decisions for her patients who are dying. Shouldn’t families in that position already have a plan? A. In a perfect world, we would all feel comfortable sharing our wishes about death and…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Dealing with allergies as we get older
ByVeronica Reed April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Q. I love it when the weather starts to get warmer, but this year I have been feeling so stuffy and tired. I’ve never been tested by a doctor, but I think I may have seasonal allergies. Do you have any tips for a retiree who wants to avoid sneezing through spring? A. Just when…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Grief is eased by sharing with others
ByVeronica Reed April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Q. My older sister died about a year ago and my brother-in-law has been having a really hard time. We are all still grieving, but sometimes he says things that worry me. They had been married for more than 50 years and the other day he told me he just doesn’t want to live without…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Caring for grandchildren keeps older adults healthier
ByVeronica Reed March 30, 2026

Q. A friend was telling me recently that grandparents who take care of their grandchildren are healthier. My daughter and her family live about 45 minutes away, so we don’t care for our two grandchildren on a regular basis, but we do have them overnight and on weekends here and there. We get a lot…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Health Worker | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Social workers deserve kudos for serving others
ByVeronica Reed March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

National Social Workers Month, which is celebrated each March, has a special significance for us here at AgeSpan. Social workers play an important role in the work we do to help older adults stay independent and safe in communities that support them. It’s something I’ve been reflecting on personally because I’m also a social worker…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging | Volunteering

Ask Joan: Many retirees ask, ‘What comes next after retiring?’
ByVeronica Reed March 17, 2026March 23, 2026

Q. I retired last year, at 65, but I am starting to think I stopped working too early. There’s a lot about working that I don’t miss, including working 40 hours a week, but I do miss having a routine and feeling productive. Should I consider going back to work? Does that sound crazy? A….

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