Restaurant dining has always been a joyful experience for me. In terms of aesthetics – at lunch, I enjoy the respite from my workday and at dinner, conversations with my husband or friends. Regarding the food, in both cases I like trying new dishes as well as appreciating old favorites. But in these last [...]
Q: I am caring for my husband who has dementia and I am exhausted. How can I better take care of myself while caring for him? A: Caring for a loved one is a beautiful and loving thing to do, and it is also exhausting. It can be both things at one time and [...]
Q: Where can I find free tax preparation this year for seniors? A: Free tax preparation services are available for seniors aged 60 or older, and to anyone with income of $60,000 or less, regardless of age. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has operated a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for over 50 [...]
In the past five years I have had four primary care physicians. No, I am not a difficult patient, I am the product of changing dynamics in the practice of primary care. Five years ago, I had a primary care physician I really liked. She listened to me and provided good quality care. However, [...]
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 taking on the role of [...]
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 that 60–80% of visits to [...]
Many years ago, my father-in-law Danny, who was in his late 70s, was hanging new kitchen cabinets. Part of the job meant moving some of the ceiling tiles. When he moved the tile directly above the kitchen sink, he happened upon a paper bag holding $8,000 in cash. His wife, Mary, was apoplectic when he [...]
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 uncommon for siblings to disagree [...]
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 about one in three men [...]
I will be attending two celebrations of life this month. The first is for my friend Margaret. I wrote about her in one of my recent columns, about her surprise 90th birthday party with 50 of her friends and neighbors. Margaret died in December, a week before she was scheduled to go on a trip to [...]
