wellness

Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | Community | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Celebrate your local friends during National Senior Center Month
ByVeronica Reed September 29, 2026September 29, 2026

This week in my column, I’d like to recognize an important resource in our community that offers more than you might think: your local senior center. September is National Senior Center Month, and this year’s theme is “Happier Birthdays Happen Here.” It’s a good reminder that a happy birthday isn’t really about the cake –…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Some steps to take to prevent falls at home
ByVeronica Reed September 22, 2026September 29, 2026

Q. One of my neighbors recently fell at home and ended up in the hospital. I have been praying for her recovery. But since we’re the same age, it’s also been a wake-up call for me. What are some things I can do around my own home to prevent a fall? A. I join you…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Suggestions for soon-to-be first-time grandparents
ByVeronica Reed September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

Q. My daughter and her husband just announced they are expecting a baby! My husband and I are over the moon about becoming grandparents for the first time. We know a lot has changed since we had our children. Any advice for new grandparents? A. Congratulations! You and your family are about to embark on…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | For Families and Caregivers | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging | PCA

Ask Joan: Caregivers must balance life’s stresses with helping out
ByVeronica Reed September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

Q. My good friend has been in and out of the hospital recently and just returned home after a stay in a rehab. Her wonderful daughter has been taking care of her, but it’s been hard for her daughter to balance caregiving and her job. My friend is on Medicaid and is nervous about accepting…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | For Families and Caregivers | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: What to bring when heading to the hospital
ByVeronica Reed September 1, 2026September 8, 2026

Q. A recent visit to the hospital with my wife turned into an overnight stay. I wanted to stay with her, but I didn’t have my own medications, so I had to leave early and come back the next day. She’s home and doing well now, but the experience got me thinking that I should…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: AgeSpan hosting Power of Pets fundraiser
ByVeronica Reed August 25, 2026August 25, 2026

If you’re a regular reader of this column, you probably know that in addition to being an advocate for older adults in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore, I’m also an animal lover. My two dogs, Willow and Max, are not just pets, they’re a part of my family. Pets give us unconditional love, companionship…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging

Ask Joan: Disability placards and license plates can be real game changer
ByVeronica Reed August 19, 2026

Q. Although my 79-year-old older sister quit smoking a few years ago, she has COPD, which makes it hard for her to walk long distances. I keep telling her she should get a handicapped pass for her car, to make it easier for her when she shops, etc. She says it’s too hard to get…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging | Nutrition

Ask Joan: It’s OK to be cautious when it comes to foodborne illnesses
ByVeronica Reed August 12, 2026

Q. I’ve been avoiding eating lettuce since hearing that people are getting sick from eating it. My best friend says I’m overreacting. Shouldn’t older adults be extra careful to avoid this new parasite? A. The news reports about this summer’s Cyclospora outbreak have certainly been scary. Hearing about so many people getting sick across the…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | General Ideas and Support | Healthy Aging | Nutrition

Ask Joan: Many options to staying hydrated in the summer
ByVeronica Reed August 4, 2026

Q. All summer long I have been seeing reminders on the news and at my local senior center about drinking enough water, but I don’t really get that thirsty and I find water really boring to drink. Any advice on how I can get more fluids? A. It’s certainly been one of those summers where…

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Ask Joan - Weekly Q and A Column | General | Healthy Aging | Resources

Ask Joan: Mobility challenges can be eased with the right equipment
ByVeronica Reed July 30, 2026July 30, 2026

Q. My husband’s ability to walk has been declining over the last few years due to surgeries and medical conditions. He can still walk, but going longer distances on unsteady surfaces, like ballparks, is getting to be a challenge. Besides using a cane, what are the options out there for people who don’t yet need…

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