Barbara and Dearie welcome your questions on topics ranging from retirement and being “young-old” all the way to end-of-life issues.
As our loved ones age, new questions arise when families must navigate a wide variety of options. We hope to help answer some of these questions.
Barbara
Barbara Green has practiced as a geriatric social worker for more than 25 years. She is experienced in counseling families and older adults through the expected age related changes and is knowledgeable in the field of dementia and mental health care.
Dearie
Dearie is fictive, but speaks much as Barbara’s own mother, now 94 years old, has over the years. Their conversations reflect an intimate mother-daughter shared history as well as the many conversations Barbara has had with other older women. Dearie remains fiercely independent with a “take it as it comes” outlook.
Recent Letters
- Aging
- Assisted Living
- Caregiving
- Early Memory Loss
- Friendship
- Health
- Letters
- Relationships
- Retirement
- Rural Communities
Pills and More Pills
I have so many medications for all my aches and pains. But it is hard to keep track of everything …..
Read more…What Me Worry?
My neighbor is in her 70’s and her husband is older and ill. She is under a good deal of stress with this situation but some of the neighbors step up to help with their needs as they arise. My concern is that she is becoming increasingly paranoid about everything to do with communications…
Read more…HELP, WE NEED SOMEBODY
My mother needs some help with household chores, but she is refusing. How can I get her to accept a home care aide?
—- Helpless
Read more…Thinking Ahead
Hello, Dearie,
I am seeking someone who can help my family plan for my elderly father’s care. He is currently in assisted living in Vermont but will run out of money in the next couple of years ….
— Far Away
Read more…I’d like to see my friend, but…
Dearie:
A close friend was recently placed in a memory care unit by her family. I would like to visit her but feel uncomfortable. I don’t know what to say or do with her. Please help me.
— Gone Missing
Read more…