Q: I’ve heard a lot about the game of pickleball, and people seem to love it. In fact, I’ve got friends who played once and got hooked. They say it’s a game for any age and not just for athletes. I’m wondering if this is something I should try as a 71-year-old woman....
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Ask Joan: Protecting your passwords from scammers
Q: I try to keep up with technology and be smart about sharing personal information online, but every day it seems I read stories about hackers and scammers stealing data. What advice do you have about staying safe online? Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO of AgeSpan A: So much of...
Ask Joan: Consuming alcohol as we age is common but may come with new risks
Q: My husband and I usually drink a few glasses of wine each week along with the occasional beer, but I’ve heard different things about risk factors around drinking and aging. We are in our early 70s – what should we know? Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO of AgeSpan...
Difficult to gauge the level of need for seniors
Q: My siblings and I have begun to notice our parents are no longer able to manage living on their own. While they have some health issues, it doesn’t seem serious enough for a nursing home, but they do need help. What options are there? What do we need to know...
Meals on Wheels a vital connection to seniors
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO Across the United States, 1 in 4 older adults lives alone and feels lonely. Meals on Wheels is a vital program that delivers more than a daily, hot meal. Our trained, volunteer drivers provide a meal, a friendly visit, and a daily safety check for...
Seeking SHINE volunteers: Your chance to help others
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO You know your community best. That’s why we want your help to support your neighbors as they enroll in Medicare for the first time, review plan options, or troubleshoot problems. Your local SHINE program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of...
Hoarding is about the person, not the ‘stuff’
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO Hoarding is not about the stuff someone has in their home. Hoarding behavior is a complex issue and more common than the public might think. The “stuff” is a result of underlying issues. A high percentage of people with hoarding behavior have...
What to know about long-term care insurance
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO Q. I am still working full time, but I am starting to plan for life after retirement. I have heard about long-term care insurance, but I’m not sure if it’s right for me. Do you have any information about it? A. Long-term care insurance covers...
February and heart health
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO February is National Heart Health Month and recent news stories have also turned a spotlight on cardiac arrest and the importance of CPR to save lives. One-third of people who died in 2020 in the U.S. were killed by heart disease. High blood...

Healthy aging: Embracing life after menopause
When it comes to healthy aging, menopause doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. We’ve all heard jokes about hot flashes and night sweats, but life after menopause (defined as 12 months without a menstrual cycle) is often the start of a different journey....