Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Usually, I respond to your questions in this column. This time, however, I have some questions for you. Every four years, AgeSpan partners with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment....
Q. Before my husband passed last year, he and I spoke frequently about our health care wishes and decisions. Now that he is gone, I’m worried about who will help me with those decisions if I should become too sick to do it on my own. During a recent hospital stay, my...
Q. I’ve found that I’m becoming more anxious lately, and some of my friends have recommended meditation. I don’t know a lot about it but have heard it’s becoming more popular. Is this something worth exploring? Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer A. We’ve heard...
Q. My husband and I recently made the difficult decision to sell our home. We love our house, but our children left many years ago and we find that we have more space than we need. Maintaining this large house has also become difficult, both financially and in terms...
Q. My father was recently diagnosed with hearing loss. I live a distance from him, so our primary means of communication is the phone. He also loves to keep up with friends and family and particularly enjoys talking with his grandchildren. He is becoming very...
Question: I’ve owned cats my whole life, starting when I was a little girl in Methuen. My last cat, Milo, was with me for 15 years before I lost him to cancer last winter. I’ve missed having a pet in my home, and I think I’m ready to welcome a new one. I know they can...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer For this week’s column, I wanted to share my thanks to all of you for taking the time to read, share your insights, and spread the word about services to support all of us as we age. So many of you comment on how the information...
Question: For many years, I have been visiting my 82-year-old mother every week. We have always enjoyed good conversations about our lives, books we read, hobbies we shared and current events. I have enjoyed her energy, stories, and wisdom. Lately, it feels like she...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. About six months ago, I was walking to my car and fell in my driveway. The fall broke my hip, and I had surgery a few days later. My doctor suggested physical therapy and prescribed pain medication. It’s been an awful...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. Last winter, my beautiful wife of 54 years passed away suddenly. I miss so many things about her and am trying hard to adjust to my new life. My wife was an amazing cook, so I never wanted for a meal. Now, I’m struggling...