Q. I live a few hours away from my great-aunt, so I don’t see her often. Lately, I have been concerned about her safety and wellbeing. The last time I saw her she had some bruises that she didn’t want to talk about. When I brought it up with the neighbor lady...
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Ask Joan: Understanding the warning signs of Alzheimer’s
Q. My father is 79 and is generally in good health. However, I’ve noticed he is sometimes forgetful and doesn’t always remember where things are around the house. Just last week, he was confused about what day it was. I don’t want to assume something more serious is...
Ask Joan: Help with arthritis pain, management is available
Q. I have been recently diagnosed with arthritis. Sometimes it’s hard for me to stand, and my husband is having a harder time helping me around the house. Are there other resources that can help people in a situation like mine? A. I am so sorry to hear you are in...
13th Annual LGBTQ+ Elders Conference goes global online
Join others from across the globe for the 13th annual virtual conference: LGBTQ+ Elders in an Ever-Changing World. AgeSpan is hosting this popular event in partnership with Good Shepherd Community Care, the LGBTQIA+ Aging Project Fenway Health, and the Salem State...
Ask Joan: Taking care of our mental health
Q. Lately, I have been feeling more and more overwhelmed and anxious, and I’m concerned something more serious might be happening. I am 79 and caring for my husband, who has been seriously ill for several months. I don’t mind caring for him, but some days are pretty...
Celebrating Older Adults With “50 Over 60” List
AgeSpan’s mission has always been to amplify the voices of older adults and ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their life to the fullest in the community of their choice. This year, we mark our milestone anniversary, “50 Years of Inspiring Aging: Celebrating...
Ask Joan: Social connections affect how we age
Q. My father made it a point to attend church and a men’s study group every week for as long as he was able. I always admired his dedication to his faith and his friends, and it made me realize that I might need to do a bit more of that myself. It’s sometimes hard to...
Aging Unbound: Jo Leary
The desire to help others was instilled in Jo Leary at a young age. When she was a child, Leary would go out with her mother to visit some of the older adults in her neighborhood. They’d check on these friends (some of whom were younger than her mother) to make...
Ask Joan: Volunteering a great way to give back
Q. My mother benefited from volunteer meal delivery service when she was no longer able to cook for herself, and I’ve always been so grateful for the help she received in her last years. Now, I want to do more to give back and help others, especially older adults...
Ask Joan: Options counseling for caregivers
Q. I am 76 years old and the primary caretaker of my wife, who has Alzheimer’s. While I love my wife and want to help her, there are days when I am exhausted and struggling, especially when I’ve been up all night with her. Our doctor suggested trying an adult day...