Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. It feels like every day there's a new online scam targeting my parents. Do you have any tips on how they can stay safe? A. Scammers are becoming increasingly crafty, and older adults are particularly vulnerable, especially...
Ask Joan: How to Stay Motivated in the Winter
Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer Q. As the days get shorter and the cold sets in, I find myself struggling to stay motivated. I want to stay active and make the most of the time with my family during the winter months. Do you have any advice for staying engaged...
Ask Joan: Gratitude makes life a lot easier
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...
Ask Joan: Here’s a tool to assess well-being
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...
Ask Joan: Vibrant, supportive network available for veterans
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...
Ask Joan: Overcoming guilt as a caregiver
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....
Ask Joan: AgeSpan has some questions for you
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....
Ask Joan: Picking a health care proxy important but difficult decision
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...
Ask Joan: The Benefits of Meditation
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...
Yoga, Alzheimer’s, and Caregiving
A 2014 study, The Effect of Chair Yoga in Older Adults with Moderate and Severe Alzheimer’s Disease, published in Research in Gerontological Nursing, was recently a focus of a Yoga U article, Yoga May Aid in Treatment of Stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and More,...