Hoarding Disorder Awareness Week in Massachusetts
Between 2-6% of the population struggles with hoarding behavior making it a highly common mental health issue. Because this is such a common and often misunderstood mental health diagnosis, Governor Baker has proclaimed May 25 – May 29, 2020 Massachusetts’ second annual Hoarding Disorder Awareness Week. Eileen Dacey, Program Manager and Clinical Specialist for the…
Explaining the pandemic to someone with Alzheimer’s disease
Q: My elderly mother who has Alzheimer’s disease lives about 12 hours away from me. In the past I would travel down to visit her three to four times a year. Due to the pandemic I wasn’t able to be with her on Mother’s Day. Under normal conditions I would never have missed being celebrating…
Working with elders during the COVID-19 crisis
Q: I am aware your agency is considered an essential service. My late parents received help at home and I was very grateful. What has been your experience working with older adults and their caregivers during this pandemic? A: Thank you for your question. This is such a hard question to answer because everyone’s experience…
What Will We Choose to Remember About This Time?
In looking back, was it only a few months ago that we would describe life as being ‘normal’? How is it possible that we are experiencing nostalgia for things that happened only a few weeks ago – things that may not have even mattered that much. It seems embarrassingly trivial to recall what I was…
How do I deal with this sense of doom and gloom?
Q: Since I retired several years ago my social support system has narrowed considerably. I have become very emotional lately. Every day when I learn about the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 going up, how many people have passed away and the awful conditions medical personnel are dealing with. I am healthy and no…
It’s important to fill out census
Q: There is so much going on right now. How important is it for us to fill out the 2020 Census? Does this impact services for older adults like myself? A: Everyone may not realize participation in the census is actually required by law. Beyond the fact this is something we need to do the…
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
It was only a few months ago, although barely remembered now, that we were thinking about our goals or resolutions for the New Year, 2020. I was one of those people carefully choosing a plan for meeting my goals. Then the bus we did not see coming, named COVID 19, arrived with a force we…
COVID-19 means worry for pet’s future
Q: I always take precautions when I leave my home for grocery shopping by wearing a mask and keeping distance between myself and other people. In spite of all my efforts, if I get sick I worry what will happen to my pets. I live alone and have no family in the area so my…
Finding My Elixir for Calm during a Pandemic
We have been social distancing in our home for 3 weeks now. Groceries arrive through the online service Instacart and are supplemented periodically when necessary by only one of us….and it is not me. I have not ventured out of my home except to walk my dog. I would like to believe that by doing…
Clean the groceries before you put them away
Q: I know the precautions we should be taking in regards to hand washing, sanitizing door knobs, countertops, light switches and any surfaces someone is coming into contact with. Hopefully social distancing has been drilled into everyone’s head and they are paying attention. Now I have heard we should be cleaning our groceries when we…
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