Senior Advocate

Q:  My mother has Alzheimer’s disease and we recently moved her in to live with my family and I. She gets very agitated with me. How can I help her feel calmer at my home? A:  First, I will say thank you for moving her into your home and [...]

Q: My doctor thinks some of my physical complaints are because of anxiety. How can I know if anxiety is causing my pain? A: Anxiety often has physical symptoms, and yet many people do not realize the impact that your emotions can have on physical health. Studies have reported [...]

Q: My mother remarried 10 years ago and now I have an adult step sibling. My step sibling does not agree with me on how to help our parents as they age. How can I better work with him as our parents need more help? A: It is not [...]

The benefits of exercising as we age are tremendous. It helps reduce fall risk, control joint swelling, improves mood and stamina and has many more health benefits. And yet for most people, inactivity increases as they age. By age 75, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports [...]

Q: My biggest fear is losing my independence as I age. What can I do now to help keep my independence longer? A: Losing independence is one of the top fears people experience as they get older. We live in a society that values independence, being self-sustainable and not [...]

The holiday season may bring joy, excitement, anticipation, and busy schedules. For others, it may include feelings of loss, sadness, and stress. No matter what you feel, chances are it is a time filled with emotion. When it ends, it can often be met with a sense of letdown. For [...]

There is so much push for New Year’s resolutions and for a fresh start in the New Year. We often hear: New Year, New You! But we have to question why a new you is even necessary! There are certainly some things from this past year I would like to [...]

The holiday season means very different things to different people. I recently commented to a friend that I love the holidays and was surprised by their response. They told me they find it very difficult because growing up it was such a time of stress in their family. The memories [...]

Q:  I live alone, and am worried about getting sick. Do you have any suggestions on how I can take care of myself if I do get sick? A:  Illness can be a very scary time. Especially now, with so many viruses going around and worrisome information on the news [...]

Q: It feels like so many different illnesses are going around. How can I continue celebrating the holidays without getting sick from being around people? A: There are several viruses going around right now and some days it does feel like everyone is sick around us. COVID infections, the [...]

Q: My mom has progressed dementia. What can I buy her for the holidays this year? A: When someone has progressed dementia their memory loss is severe and traditional gifts may no longer be appropriate or useful. However, wanting to do something nice for your mother to recognize holiday traditions [...]

The Thanksgiving holiday is a great excuse to talk about what you are grateful for. The holiday name means “to give thanks” and was originally celebrated as a day to give thanks for the previous year’s harvest. Now it has evolved to a gathering where people usually go around [...]

Q:  What are over-the-counter hearing aids? Are they the same as prescription hearing aids? A:  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed in August to allow over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to the public. No prescription is needed and no fitting by an audiologist is required. This is a [...]

Q:  My father passed away this year and I am dreading the holidays. How can I get through this without being so sad? A:  The year after a loved one’s passing is filled with firsts. The first birthday, the first Thanksgiving, the first of every event without your father [...]

Q:  I am caring for my mom who lives with us and my two young kids. Besides that, I also work a full-time job. How can I better balance my work and caregiving responsibilities? A:  First, I want to let you know that you are not alone in this. According [...]

Q: What do I need to do to prepare for the upcoming flu season? A: The flu season begins in October and usually peaks between December and February. Older adults are more likely to have slower immune response and have higher risk of infection and complications from the flu. In [...]

Q: I am always forgetting people’s names right after I am introduced to them. What does this mean and what can I do about it? A: Many people can relate to this issue. You are introduced to a new person at a party and immediately you cannot remember what [...]

Q: My husband has dementia, and I am finding it challenging at home. How can I arrange my home to help him function better? A: There is a lot of information on how to create a home environment that is more friendly and comfortable for people with dementia. It [...]

Q: My father is in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay. He is complaining and wants to go home, but we cannot care for him at home until he gets stronger. How can I make him understand he needs to be there? A: Having rehabilitation in a [...]

Q: I am worried about my elderly neighbor. She hardly comes outside anymore, and I am afraid she is not able to take care of herself. What can I do to help? A: It is wonderful to hear neighbors caring about each other and noticing when there are changes [...]