Q. It seems like the costs of everything is increasing these days: food, clothing, transportation and so many other things. It’s difficult to keep my own household finances in place and now I’m trying to help my aging parents manage their expenses. Not only are they...
Ask Joan: Home Care Services
Q. My brothers and I take turns calling and checking on our parents on a daily basis. Our parents are both in their 80s and have some health issues. We have started to notice that they may not be able to continue to stay in their home without some assistance. One of...
Ask Joan: The need for age-friendly communities
Q. I’ve lived in Massachusetts my whole life and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I feel a real “sense of community” in my town, where we work together to keep our neighborhoods safe and welcoming. As I get older, I’m noticing things that make staying in my...
13th Annual LGBTQ+ Elders Conference goes global online
Join others from across the globe for the 13th annual virtual conference: LGBTQ+ Elders in an Ever-Changing World. AgeSpan is hosting this popular event in partnership with Good Shepherd Community Care, the LGBTQIA+ Aging Project Fenway Health, and the Salem State...
Celebrating Older Adults With “50 Over 60” List
AgeSpan’s mission has always been to amplify the voices of older adults and ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their life to the fullest in the community of their choice. This year, we mark our milestone anniversary, “50 Years of Inspiring Aging: Celebrating...
Ask Joan: Social connections affect how we age
Q. My father made it a point to attend church and a men’s study group every week for as long as he was able. I always admired his dedication to his faith and his friends, and it made me realize that I might need to do a bit more of that myself. It’s sometimes hard to...
Ask Joan: Celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives
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...
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: Some advice for dating later in life
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...
Ask Joan: Simple ways to manage holiday blues
Q. I do love the holiday season, but since my wife passed away a few years ago, I sometimes struggle and feel a bit depressed. A friend of mine called it the “holiday blues”, but it seems wrong to feel sad when everything is supposed to be joyful. Do you have any...