Ask Joan: Volunteers are at the heart of AgeSpan
More than 300 people regularly donate their time and talents serving others through our agency’s programs and services. These volunteers of different ages and backgrounds have together donated more than 190,000 hours of service this past year. I feel fortunate that our agency benefits from their generosity, and what better time to recognize their efforts…
Ask Joan: Get into the swing with pickleball
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. A: Why…
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? A: So much of our lives are online today so the need to protect yourself and…
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? A: Drinking alcohol is common among older adults, and nearly half of adults aged 65…
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 before we approach them? A: It…
Meals on Wheels a vital connection to seniors
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 adults aged 60 and older who aren’t able to leave…
Seeking SHINE volunteers: Your chance to help others
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 Everyone on or eligible for Medicare) has an opportunity for you to train to be…
Hoarding is about the person, not the ‘stuff’
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 underlying mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Friends, neighbors,…
What to know about long-term care insurance
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 nursing-home care, home health care, and personal or adult day…
February and heart health
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 pressure, high cholesterol levels in the blood, and smoking all elevate your…
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