Ask Joan: Winter safety tips can ease the challenges
Q. My parents are in their 70s and still living in my childhood home. They’re very independent but I do worry about them more during the winter months, when it might be harder for me to get to them if they need help. Are there ways that we can be more prepared for an emergency?…
Pfizer Volunteers Deliver Joy through Holiday Wish Project
Holiday cheer was in the air at AgeSpan’s Lawrence headquarters, as employees from Pfizer delivered hundreds of gifts for older adults and their families. For more than a decade, the Holiday Wish List Project has been providing gifts for those who might otherwise be forgotten during the holidays. This year, 145 older adults and children…
Ask Joan: Surviving our feelings during the holidays
Q. My mom is in her 80s and has always loved the holidays. This year, she says she’s just not in the mood to celebrate. Should I be concerned about this? How should I handle it? A. The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also bring up feelings…
A Tablet, a Team, and Peace of Mind: E. C. Davis’ AgeSpan Journey
Now that the winter months are here, E. C. Davis knows she’ll be spending more time at home. At age 90, she is careful about venturing outside when the weather might be slippery. But she’s not worried about staying entertained because she has puzzles and games that she can play on the tablet she received…
Ask Joan: Lifelong learners deserve plenty of applause
We had a wonderful celebration of lifelong learning at our recent AgeSpan Annual Luncheon and Inspiring Lifelong Learning Awards event – honoring five remarkable older adults from the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. I always enjoy having the opportunity to gather with volunteers, partners, staff, and supporters to recognize the work we’ve done together and…
Ask Joan: Celebrating National Home Care and Hospice Month
Q. I know November is National Home Care and Hospice Month, and I’d like to recognize the people who do that kind of work. Can you share what they do and how they help older adults stay independent? A. I’m happy to have the opportunity to share a little bit about the AgeSpan Home Care…
Stuck in the Middle: Dawn Marie Lopresti’s Search for Accessible Housing
After nearly a year of uncertainty, 61-year-old Dawn Marie Lopresti is finally getting a home of her own. She’s moving into an apartment through the Beverly Housing Authority after spending 11 months at Prescott House Nursing and Rehabilitation in North Andover. She knows she was lucky to stay there so long – not because she…
AgeSpan’s Annual Meeting & Inspiring Lifelong Learning Awards
AgeSpan celebrated the accomplishments of the past year and honored five exceptional older adults at the Annual Luncheon and Inspiring Lifelong Learning Awards event. More than 275 people attended the gathering, which took place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA. Our Inspiring Lifelong Learning Honorees included Pastor José Estrada of Haverhill, John Hamilton of Salem, Robert Kinsman…
Ask Joan: New GUIDE Program focuses on dementia, caregivers
This week, I’m excited to share some wonderful news about a new program at AgeSpan that will make a real difference for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The GUIDE Program, which stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, is a new initiative that provides compassionate, person-centered care for people with dementia and greater…
Ask Joan: Staying warm this winter on a fixed income
Q. Now that the weather is getting colder, I have been worrying about my heating bill. I am a 78-year-old widow on a fixed income, and I have always been careful about keeping the heat low, but I don’t know if that will be enough this year. Do you have any tips for saving money…
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