Ask Joan: Staying connected to grandkids away at college
Q. My granddaughter just headed off to college. I am so proud of her! I have always lived nearby and we’re very close. How can I keep our connection now that she’s off at college? A. Heading off to college is a big milestone. Congratulations to your granddaughter! It’s wonderful that you’ve built a special…
Ask Joan: Don’t feel overwhelmed by Medicare deadlines
Q. I can’t believe it, but I am about to turn 65. I am not signed up for Social Security just yet, since I am still working. I know I will have to sign up for Medicare, and I have been trying to learn about my options, but I find it so confusing. Where should…
Ask Joan: Not a fun conversation, but talking about wills is important
Q. I just learned that my best friend and her husband don’t have wills. I couldn’t believe it! What should I say to convince them that this is something they really need to do? A. Wills aren’t the most pleasant things to talk about, but they are so important. Good for you for pursuing this…
Ask Joan: Power of Pets more than just a fundraiser
This week in my column, I want to let you know about a special event that raises funds to meet a growing need in our community – supporting older adults in keeping and caring for their pets. AgeSpan’s Power of Pets fundraiser will be held Wednesday, September 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at BareWolf…
Ask Joan: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about fire safety
Q. The recent news about the fire at the Fall River Assisted Living Community has me so upset. I can’t imagine how the families of those who lost their lives must be feeling. I hope there will be changes so nothing like this every happens again. For those of us who may need to choose…
Ask Joan: Sometimes the Hardest Thing to Do Is Ask for Help
Q. My parents are in their 70s and living on their own. They both have some health issues, so I help them with appointments, errands, and tasks around the house. I love spending time with them, but I also have my own busy family, and lately I have been feeling overwhelmed. Is it wrong to…
Shoveling Sand Against the Ocean: Marian LeBlanc’s Struggle with Homelessness
When 71-year-old Marian LeBlanc stood at the podium at the Massachusetts Statehouse and told her story, she hoped it would reach people who could bring about change – for herself and the growing number of others like her. The former teacher and grandmother joined other AgeSpan clients at this year’s Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless…
Ask Joan: When the Doctor Suggests Strength Training
Q. At my most recent checkup, my doctor suggested I start doing strength training. I am in my late 60s and consider myself pretty active. I go for walks, either by myself or with friends, several times a week. Do I really need to start lifting weights at my age? A. First, congratulations on staying…
Bradley Cooper’s Caregiving: A Beautiful, Heartbreaking Look at America’s Invisible Workforce
The story of caregiving in America is everyone’s story. That’s how one expert sums up Caregiving, the powerful new documentary that premiered on PBS in June. Produced by actor Bradley Cooper following his own experience caring for his father as he battled lung cancer, the documentary shines a spotlight on work that is universal and…
Ask Joan: Tips for Staying Cool this Summer
Q. My 80-year-old mom lives by herself in an older home that doesn’t have central air conditioning. She does have window units in her bedroom and family room, but she rarely uses them because she is worried about the cost of her electric bill. This summer has been so hot, I have been worried about…
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