Meet AgeSpan Nutrition Intern Karlene Rhuda
As she wraps up her internship with the AgeSpan nutrition program this spring, Karlene Rhuda is grateful for the experience. Under the mentorship of AgeSpan Dietitian Michelle Zelikman, she’s learned a lot about what it takes to be a community dietitian and about the impact that organizations like AgeSpan can have on older adults in…
Ask Joan: Older Americans Month: Learn to ‘champion your health’
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…
Volunteers Recognized at AgeSpan Appreciation Luncheon
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…
Ask Joan: Knowing the signs of stroke can be a lifesaver
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…
Ask Joan: Don’t fall for those online scammers’ tactics
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…
Ask Joan: Advance care planning easier on loved ones
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…
Ask Joan: Dealing with allergies as we get older
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…
Family Caregiver Support Program Volunteer Mentors: Bea’s Story
When Bea Stankard became her mother’s caregiver years ago, she had to figure things out on her own. As part of the sandwich generation, caring for her own family and her aging mother, she didn’t always know who to call when problems came up. “There were times I really felt like that sandwich you took…
Ask Joan: Grief is eased by sharing with others
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…
ECCF Funding Helps DiStefano Family Care Fund Meet Urgent Needs
For most of us, a broken tooth or a higher-than-expected heating bill is an inconvenience. For an older adult living on a fixed income, it can quickly become a crisis. That’s where the DiStefano Family Care Fund makes a difference. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), AgeSpan will continue…
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