Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. I know how important it is to be grateful during this time of year, but are there actual health benefits to practicing gratitude year-round? A. Absolutely! Gratitude is much more than a holiday tradition—it’s a powerful...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. I am a caregiver for my mother. Are there any resources available that can help assess her overall well-being and quality of life? A. It’s wonderful that you’re thinking about your mother’s overall well-being, not just her...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. My husband, a veteran, and I recently relocated to the area to be closer to family. What resources are available locally to support veterans? A. Our region is home to a vibrant and supportive network for the nearly 32,000...
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. I’ve been caregiving for my parents for several years, helping them stay in their home by cooking meals, shopping, assisting with bathing, managing their medications and medical appointments, and offering emotional support....
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...