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DEAR ANNIE: She can’t be her grieving mother’s caregiver

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: My father died two years ago after more than 50 years of marriage. Since then, my mother seems to have stopped living. She spent her entire adult life caring for my father and raising our family. She rarely did anything just for herself. My father handled the finances, made most of the decisions and was the more social one. Now my mother calls me several times a day. She asks me to make appointments, pay bills, arrange repairs and help with even small decisions. I love her and want to help. But I have a job and a family of my own. Lately, I feel more like her parent than ...

Servants’ hearts needed

Lifestyles

Since January, Jenn Engle of Howland has spent much of her spare time with folks who are facing their final chapter. As a volunteer for Heartland Hospice, which is based in Boardman, she is paired with clients in the program, offering companionship as part of their end-of-life care. Hospice ...

Bonamassa, Mule brings different shades of blues to Youngstown

Ticket

YOUNGSTOWN — The first thing I did when I got home from Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre on Sunday was check my hair. The way Joe Bonamassa and Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes were cuttin’ heads last night, I was sure I’d gotten at least a trim. The co-headlining doubleheader drew ...

Know when it is safe for you to stop taking aspirin

Lifestyles

Q. I’ve been on daily baby aspirin for 45 years after a heart scan spotted small amounts of calcium. So far, I’ve been healthy, but I have two big questions. Does the risk of bleeding diminish with long-term aspirin use? Also, is there a dangerous rebound effect if long-term aspirin use is stopped? Two doctors I’ve asked said no, but I’ve read articles saying the chance of stroke or heart attack is significant if you discontinue aspirin suddenly. A lot of us are in limbo and would love answers to these questions. A. You have asked crucial questions that are rarely addressed. As ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Metformin holds promise for skin rashes

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a skin rash (granuloma annulare), and my dermatologist said that there really isn’t a cure for it. It’s in various areas of my body — my upper back, my trunk and a few other places. The dermatologist recommended using metformin to see if this helps. All my labs are excellent, so metformin has never been something that any of my docs suggested. She even looked at my labs and said that they were great but wants to see if metformin might help. Have you ever heard of this? Should I find a different dermatologist? I’m a 67-year-old female who’s in excellent ...