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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | For Families and Caregivers | General | Healthy Aging | Medicare Resources | New to Caregiving

Ask Joan: New GUIDE Program focuses on dementia, caregivers
ByVeronica Reed November 18, 2025

This week, I’m excited to share some wonderful news about a new program at AgeSpan that will make a real difference for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The GUIDE Program, which stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, is a new initiative that provides compassionate, person-centered care for people with dementia and greater…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | For Families and Caregivers | General | Healthy Aging | New to Caregiving

Ask Joan: Getting more comfortable as a caregiver
ByVeronica Reed November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

Q. My wife was recently diagnosed with early-stage dementia. I have had to help her with things here and there as her condition has developed, but I never expected to be her caregiver. In my generation, men just didn’t learn how to do a lot of these things. How can I adjust to this new…

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Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | New to Caregiving

Wandering Tips for Caregivers
BySusan Geier April 3, 2020November 18, 2021

6 in 10 people with dementia will wander. A person with Alzheimer’s may not remember his or her name or address, and can become disoriented, even in familiar places. Wandering among people with dementia is dangerous. However, there are strategies and services to help prevent it. Who is At-Risk of Wandering? Anyone who has memory problems and…

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Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | General | Grandparents / Kinship Caregivers as Parents | Long Distance Caregiving | New to Caregiving | Scam Alert | Self Care for the Caregiver

Beware of fraudulent offers for COVID-19 testing
Byjgirodat March 30, 2020

Beware of fraudulent offers for COVID-19 testing from door-to-door, grocery store, telephone and mail order offerings— It is probably a scam! Lawrence, MA: The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (MA SMP) Program warns the public to be wary of anyone other than a treating physician who is offering you coronavirus testing. Be particularly suspicious of anyone offering…

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Caregivers Connect | Long Distance Caregiving | New to Caregiving

The Trip I Didn’t Plan – Packing my Bags for Caregiving
Byjgirodat December 9, 2019April 24, 2024

Small indicators are often the keys that open caregivers’ eyes to their parents decline. It is a new reality about their aging and no longer being able to manage their lives as before. Many times, it is easier to look the other way and pretend nothing has changed. However, a care crisis will most likely…

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Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | General Ideas and Support | Grandparents / Kinship Caregivers as Parents | New to Caregiving | Self Care for the Caregiver

5 Quick Tips to Handle the Holidays!
Bychession December 6, 2019

My caregiving journey is challenging, but I do not journey alone, and my best is enough. Family Caregiver Holidays can be wonderful. And, holidays can be stressful – especially if you are a caregiver. Here are five quick tips to help you manage the season. 1. Plan any special events around your routine. When possible,…

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New to Caregiving | Self Care for the Caregiver

Working Women and Caregiving
Bychession March 8, 2019

Women, particularly those over 40, increasingly find themselves in the role of caregiver to an aging parent, often while raising their own children AND working outside the home. Many find themselves without much of a support system as they work to balance daily demands. They often suffer career setbacks and lose wages and benefits as…

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New to Caregiving | Self Care for the Caregiver

Who cares for caregivers when they get sick?
Bymdrouin January 11, 2019

Caregivers are not immune to common illness, e.g., a cold, flu, stomach virus. In fact, the stresses of caregiving often increase their risk of getting sick and may compromise their recovery. Physicians and other healthcare providers should recognize that their patients may be juggling caregiving responsibilities as well as caring for themselves when sick. Here…

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Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia | General Ideas and Support | Grandparents / Kinship Caregivers as Parents | Long Distance Caregiving | New to Caregiving | Resources | Self Care for the Caregiver | What’s New Out There

“Do I Have Rights as a Caregiver?” Understanding the CARE ACT
Bychession December 4, 2018

As we close out the year and get ready for 2019, it’s important that caregivers are recognized for all the support they give daily to their loved one, and to make sure they understand their rights. Most caregivers know the sacrifices they make but many may be unaware of a newly enacted law that gives…

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New to Caregiving | Resources

Let’s talk about End of Life and Advance Care Planning
Bybartlett April 2, 2018

Because it’s always too soon until it’s too late. Whether it is denial, avoidance or procrastination some of us just plain don’t want to deal with an issue that is as intensely emotional as considering completing End of Life wishes documents. Unfortunately as the saying goes “It’s always too soon until it’s too late”. We are…

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