Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Question: Last year, my extended family agreed to celebrate the holidays on Zoom due to the pandemic. Things went very well, but we would have preferred being together in person. Now, I am feeling pressure to return to our...
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO I am excited to announce that Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore has rebranded as AgeSpan. Since 1974, our agency has focused on the needs of older adults. Over the years, we have increased the number of programs and...
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO Question: My husband says he does not want the flu vaccine this year. He experienced some side effects from his COVID-19 booster, so now he is convinced the same thing will happen if he receives a flu shot. He has several chronic medical...
November is National Diabetes Month, but how much do you know about diabetes? Most of us have heard that it’s a serious disease that involves an imbalance of the body’s blood sugar and can require some people who have it to take insulin. But did you know that diabetes...
Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO Question: I have my annual physical check-up scheduled next month. Every year, my doctor sends me for a mammogram, although these have never revealed any abnormalities. I am in my mid-70s and find the procedure somewhat uncomfortable. At my...
November is the month when we focus on two vital and related issues: family caregivers and Alzheimer’s disease. All too often, we see caregivers with a mindset of having to “go-it-alone.” They focus on their immediate caregiving obligations and how they alone can...
Question: I am very much part of the “sandwich generation,” squeezed by responsibilities on both sides! I find myself struggling to care for my elderly aunt, who lives with me and has severe arthritis. In addition, I work two part-time jobs. I can’t afford to cut my...
Joan Hatem-Roy Chief Executive Officer Question: Every day, my mailbox is filled with advertisements about insurance plans to supplement my Medicare. I’m satisfied with my current Medicare plan, so why am I being hounded nonstop? Answer: Companies that offer...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Question: My elderly mother is currently in the hospital with both COVID-19 and a urinary tract infection. She has slowly been making progress and will soon be discharged. She remains frail and sleeps a great deal of the...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Question: I have a friend who says he feels “hopeless” about the world and life in general. He refuses invitations to get together, seldom gets dressed, and has even stopped watching his favorite sports teams on TV. How can...