Joan Hatem-Roy Chief Executive Officer Question: My sister's husband died several months ago. When she applied for the survivor benefit from his pension, she was told she wasn't eligible to receive further funds because her husband had chosen a higher payout when he...
Hiring Home Help for a Parent
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q: My mother is currently in a skilled rehabilitation facility, recovering from a fall. She will be ready to be discharged in a week and will need assistance when she returns home. I received a list of agencies that provide...
Crossing the generational digital divide
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many of us into necessary contact with new forms of technology. Many adults work from home, using video conferencing such as Zoom, Teams or Skype, while much of education has moved online. All...
Visiting after the COVID-19 vaccine
Q: My 95-year-old grandmother resides in a long-term care facility that is scheduled to get the first round of COVID vaccinations in the next two weeks. My parents, both in their middle 70s, live at home and aren't sure when they will get vaccinated. Does this mean I...
Helping a parent through the grieving process
Q: My father passed away this past winter after a long illness. I miss him every day. My mother seems to be stuck in the grieving process and withdraws from other family members and friends. Is this normal? What can we do to help? A: The experience of grief differs...
Looking after parents from a distance
Q: I plan to make a trip back to the area after the holidays to visit my elderly parents. I realize traveling is not recommended now, but I feel a need to check on them. My mother hasn't sounded like herself during our calls, and my father doesn't always want to be on...
Holiday activities can agitate those with dementia
Q: My widowed sister moved in with our mother a year ago. Mom has Alzheimer's disease, and it became evident she could no longer safely live alone. Things were going very well until right after Thanksgiving. My sister started decorating for Christmas, and my mother...
Gratitude needed in challenging times
Q: My mother moved in with us a few years ago when my father passed away. My two adult children have returned home having both lost their jobs due to the pandemic. My daughter and son are not dealing well with all the changes in their lives, and my elderly mom is...
Staying in contact with virtual visits
Q: My mother lives in an assisted living facility that currently has an outbreak of COVID-19. Previously, only outside visits were allowed, and now even those have been suspended due to the lockdown status. My mother knows people in the building are sick, but she...
Tips for holiday shopping during the pandemic
Q: Due to my age and chronic health conditions, I have been extremely careful over the last nine months to avoid contracting COVID-19. I only go out when it is necessary, but with the holidays approaching, I don’t know how I’m going to get my gift shopping done. My...