Ask Joan: Suggestions for soon-to-be first-time grandparents
Q. My daughter and her husband just announced they are expecting a baby! My husband and I are over the moon about becoming grandparents for the first time. We know a lot has changed since we had our children. Any advice for new grandparents? A. Congratulations! You and your family are about to embark on…
Ask Joan: Caregivers must balance life’s stresses with helping out
Q. My good friend has been in and out of the hospital recently and just returned home after a stay in a rehab. Her wonderful daughter has been taking care of her, but it’s been hard for her daughter to balance caregiving and her job. My friend is on Medicaid and is nervous about accepting…
Ask Joan: What to bring when heading to the hospital
Q. A recent visit to the hospital with my wife turned into an overnight stay. I wanted to stay with her, but I didn’t have my own medications, so I had to leave early and come back the next day. She’s home and doing well now, but the experience got me thinking that I should…
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…
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