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...
Ask Joan: Thousands of older adults served by Meals on Wheels
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...
Ask Joan: Learning how AI can help in daily life
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...
Aging Unbound: Larry Giordano
What do you get when you take a foster kid from Everett, put him in the Air Force, and send him to Germany where he develops a passion for the martial arts? You get Larry Giordano, a person filled with discipline, respect, and a strong sense of civic duty. His...
Ask Joan: Communicating with your health care providers
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...
Ask Joan: Heart Health and Stress
Q: I am 76 years old and try to be mindful about my health. There is a history of heart disease in my family, so I walk with friends and watch what I eat, but I hear more and more about the negative effects stress has on us. I know there’s no way to avoid it, but what...
Aging Unbound: Jackie Stern
Jackie Stern's journey into advocacy took root years ago, inspired by a personal experience while living in Pennsylvania. Faced with a medical emergency requiring an ambulance, she was taken aback when the subsequent bill deemed her situation non-emergent, leaving her...
Ask Joan: Dry January gaining traction
Q: I’ve been looking to make some lifestyle changes this New Year, and I’m curious about Dry January. I’ve heard my friends mention it, but I don’t know a lot about it. Can one month really make a difference? What are your thoughts? A: I’ve heard of a lot of...
Ask Joan: Staying active in winter
Question: This time of year, I often become restless. I want to exercise more to work off that energy, but the winter weather makes it harder to do that outdoors. Do you have any suggestions? Answer: I know the feeling! When it's cold outside, it can be hard to get...
Aging Unbound: Maxa Schutzbank Berid
Maxa Schutzbank Berid, 81, has explored the vastness of our world with an unwavering passion. Her travels have taken her to exotic destinations such as Tibet, Bhutan, and much of Africa. From traversing European landscapes to hiking mountains in the Annapurna Circuit,...