Ask Joan – Weekly Q and A Column

Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Caregivers Connect | Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | For Families and Caregivers | General | General Ideas and Support | Resources

Ask Joan: Options counseling for caregivers
ByJane Albert April 16, 2024April 22, 2024

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 health program, but I wonder…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | General | Healthy Aging | Making Connections

Ask Joan: Celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives
ByJane Albert April 8, 2024April 16, 2024

Q. Now that our kids have grown up and have families of their own, my husband and I are considering getting a dog. It’s been several years since we had a family pet, but we both agreed we miss having a four-legged friend around the house. We’ve thought about adoption and have been visiting shelters. What…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely
BySusan Geier April 1, 2024April 1, 2024

Q. I have so many fond memories of our family’s vacations, and since I’ve been on my own, I have taken some road trips with friends. While I’m no world traveler, I enjoy getting out and visiting new places. In fact, I’m thinking about taking a trip by myself. I hear it can be a great…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | General | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Older adults in the workforce
ByJane Albert March 25, 2024March 25, 2024

Q: I’m 67, and lately people have been asking when I am going to retire. I am happy working full time and see no reason to stop. I enjoy getting up each day and spending time with my coworkers and clients. Is that so unusual? Should I have to think about retirement just because I’m over…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Getting a good night’s sleep
ByJane Albert March 18, 2024March 18, 2024

Q. My wife and I have many things in common, but getting a good night’s sleep is not one of them. She never seems to have any issues falling asleep and then staying asleep. However, I find it harder and harder to go to sleep or stay asleep all night. I have heard that this is…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Grandparents / Kinship Caregivers as Parents | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Intergenerational activities benefit us all
ByJane Albert March 11, 2024March 11, 2024

Q: A friend and I recently attended an arts program at a local senior center that brought together older adults and high school students. It was such a great experience, and it made me realize how lucky I am to regularly spend time with my own grandchildren. Some of my friends either don’t have grandchildren or…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging | Making Connections | Resources | Volunteering

Ask Joan: Thousands of older adults served by Meals on Wheels
ByJane Albert March 4, 2024March 4, 2024

Dinner each evening is often a time to gather with family, catch up on our day and enjoy a delicious meal. For others, mealtime can be stressful and lonely, especially for those of us who don’t have enough to eat. In fact, many people find themselves choosing between buying food or paying for medication or…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | For Families and Caregivers | General | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Learning how AI can help in daily life
ByJane Albert February 26, 2024February 27, 2024

Q. I’ve been hearing a lot about artificial intelligence in the news, and it sounds a lot like something out of science fiction movies. My kids recently gave me a digital assistant (a voice-activated device connected to the internet) for my home and told me it may be helpful since I live alone. It seems…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Communicating with your health care providers
ByJane Albert February 20, 2024February 20, 2024

Q. I’ve been diagnosed with some complicated health conditions and have many appointments with both my primary care doctor and other specialists. Lately, I’ve been very frustrated because it takes so long to make an appointment and then I have to wait months to be seen. In my last appointment, I waited more than an…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Changing Aging | General | Making Connections

Ask Joan: Some advice for dating later in life
ByJane Albert February 12, 2024February 12, 2024

Q. I was divorced two years ago after a long marriage. Lately, I have been thinking about what it might be like to be in a relationship again. My friends are encouraging me to get out there and date, but at 67, the thought of starting over makes me nervous. I’ve been out of the dating…

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