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Q:  Sometime in October you had an article about the gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. That article focused on preventative measures for folks who use natural gas. How are things going in the aftermath of this accident? A:  As we move from crisis to restoration for those affected, we are stronger and more…

Q:  Last month I had my annual Medicare Wellness checkup. My physician ordered a comprehensive fasting blood test. I just received the results which showed my blood sugar level was higher than the normal range. In the letter I received I was told to start exercising more and change my diet. There is a history…

Q:  I received a call last week from Social Security informing me I had not provided them correct information and had been fraudulent in receiving benefits not entitled to me. They were very aggressive on the phone and started asking me all kinds of questions. I got so nervous and upset I hung up on…

Q:  My mother always handled the family finances. After she passed away my father was not capable of assuming responsibility for paying the household bills. He was really depressed and started declining cognitively. I have been coming over once a week to help him out. I just received a job promotion which will involve a…

Q:  Fortunately I do not live in any of the towns that were recently impacted by the devastating gas explosions. I am concerned for myself and several older relatives who live nearby if this situation was ever to occur again. Are there steps people should take if they believe there is a gas leak in…

Q:  For more than two weeks I have been bombarded by mailings from different companies providing insurance to individuals on Medicare. I start getting irritated when I receive multiple flyers from the same company. When I turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare I chose a supplemental plan. Is it safe to assume I can…

Q:  I live in Newburyport and feel so bad for what happened in Lawrence and the other towns with the gas explosions. I am curious the impact that had on agencies like yours who work in Lawrence. Can you shed some light on how an agency like yours responds to such an immediate tragedy? A:  …

Q:  I will be returning to my hometown over the holidays. I have several older relatives (in their late 70s and 80s) who live in the area. I have heard there may be a few problems, people are concerned for their welfare. I am trying to gather information before I make the trip. How do…

Q:  My 92 year old mother lives in her home receiving 24 hour care. The two private workers have been with her for 18 months and are very responsible but I still worry. She lives in an area that is rarely in the direct path of a hurricane but often receives residual effects of a…

Q:  I have been widowed for a long time, a good friend is in the same situation. We are left out of some social events because we no longer have a partner. Neither of us really want to get married again but have talked about finding someone we could go out to dinner with and…