Ask Joan – Weekly Q and A Column

Q.  My elderly mother has several chronic conditions although she doesn’t let this slow her down. She remains quite active in her church, local senior center and a card group. She got her flu shot in the fall and seems to think she shouldn’t have to take any further precautions. I know that several of…

Q.   I always thought of myself as a strong, independent woman. After my husband passed away I no longer feel safe in my own home. Every little noise at night makes me jump and I have trouble getting enough sleep. I do not want to move so I need to find ways to make me…

Q.  Due to my mother’s decline in both physical and cognitive health I make frequent trips to spend time with her and monitor her functional status. The last visit as soon as I opened the front door I was met with a blast of heat. The temperature in the house was up to 80 degrees. I…

Q.  I should have written to you long ago, frankly I’ve been in denial and need some direction. My parents had been very active and independent until this past year. I would stop over at the house every week to see what I could do to help them out. Now I realize they need much…