Senior Advocate

Q: I am worried about my grandkids starting school again with the COVID numbers going up and the Delta variant spreading. I am worried for their safety and for mine. What can I do to help feel calmer and stay safe? A: I think many of us thought this school year would feel safer and [...]

Q: I recently had a fender bender and another near miss accident. I am worried and do not want to lose my license. Are there any tips on how to stay a safe driver as I get older? A: Staying safe on the road is always important and I applaud you for recognizing that you [...]

Q: I always feel like I have a running list of things to do, and I can never catch up. How can I better manage this feeling that I am always behind on my tasks? A: Feeling like you always have a to-do list that you can never complete is quite common. Sometimes the anxiety [...]

Q: I started my retirement during the COVID pandemic. Now it has suddenly hit me how different my day-to-day routine is, and I am feeling a little lost. How can I better adjust to retirement? A: Retiring is a big life change, and it is normal for it to take time to fall into a [...]

Q: I am worried about wildfire season. What can I do to protect my home? A: There are many ways you can prepare your home and yard to make it as safe as possible to prevent fires from spreading to your house. While there are some things we cannot prevent, we do have the ability [...]

Q: I care for my wife who has dementia, and this past year has been difficult doing it all alone at home. Now that we are vaccinated, what do I need to know about hiring help for my wife? A: Caregiving for a loved one with dementia can be stressful and confusing in normal times. [...]

Q:  I do not drive, and I am worried about wildfire season. What do I do if I need to evacuate? A:  It is important to think ahead and have a plan in place on how to handle an emergency. I applaud you for wanting to know ahead of time what your options are in [...]

Q: I noticed that I started drinking alcohol more during this past year and I am worried it is too much. What are some tips on how I can cut back on my drinking? A:  Many people increased their alcohol intake during the pandemic to cope with the anxiety, stress and isolation that they felt. [...]

Q: It is so hot out that I am having trouble sleeping at night. How can I stay cool? A:  We have already had our first heat wave of the summer and chances are it will not be the last. It can be helpful to prepare throughout the day to maintain cool in your home [...]

Q: I realized that I have a hard time saying “no” to people. I feel like I am always bending backwards to help everyone else, and it is exhausting me! How can I learn to set better boundaries? Personal boundaries are the limits and rules that we set on our relationships. It sounds like you [...]