Astrograph- Wednesday

Personal change will give you a boost. Getting fit or taking the time to pamper yourself and do things that make you feel good should be a priority this year. Indulge in playtime, and improve your appearance and demeanor.

GEMINI ( May 21- June 20) :

If you take care of your responsibilities first, you’ll have more fun later in the day doing the things you’ve been looking forward to. Timing is everything, and romance is highlighted.

CANCER ( June 21- July 22) :

Spend time with someone who brings out the best in you. Being a team player will bring good results and rave reviews. Your popularity will grow if you reach out and offer help.

LEO ( July 23- Aug. 22) :

Think and do. If you spend too much time talking or trying to iron out your differences with someone, you will not get anything done. Personal gains can be made.

VIRGO ( Aug. 23- Sept. 22) :

Take part in what’s going on around you. Whether you join a group, get together with your peers or attend a lecture, you will learn from the experiences and knowledge shared.

LIBRA ( Sept. 23- Oct. 23) :

Home improvements can be made. A practical approach will help you achieve your goal. Don’t hire someone when you can do the work yourself.

SCORPIO ( Oct. 24- Nov. 22) :

Taking a day trip with someone you enjoy spending time with will lead to interesting conversations and plans. If you collaborate, good ideas will turn into something concrete.

SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 23- Dec. 21) :

Listen to what others say, but don’t get involved in gossip. Meddling in other people’s affairs will result in a backlash that could hurt your reputation. Positive action brings good results.

CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22- Jan. 19) :

You’ll have a good handle on what’s doable, so don’t listen to someone trying to get you to invest in something

that isn’t right for you.

AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20- Feb. 19) :

Keep your thoughts to yourself to avoid getting into an emotionally disruptive discussion. Stay focused on making personal changes that will enhance your appearance and well- being.

PISCES ( Feb. 20- March 20) :

Share your feelings, plans and concerns with someone you care about. You will get the comfort and help you are looking for if you are honest and heartfelt.

ARIES ( March 21- April 19) :

Uncertainty will make you question what you are doing and why. If you feel emotionally drained, consider your options. A slight change is all that’s required to improve your life.

TAURUS ( April 20- May 20) :

Keep a level head when dealing with partnerships or people trying to get something from you. Strive for equality in order to maintain your position, integrity and reputation. DEARJ.>> Unsolicited advice is unheeded at best and offensive at worst. Perhaps you should send them a column about meddlesome in- laws straining a marriage. All kidding aside, of course their not- so- subtle hints are annoying. The phrase “too many cooks” comes to mind. Your husband needs to be the one to intervene by speaking with his parents. He should tell them that this marriage is just between you and him and that it is up to the two of you — and no one else — to find the right recipe. DEARANNIE>> This is in response to the recent letter from “Sad Nana With So Much to Be Thankful For.” Her husband is dying, and her children are helping with hospice care.

Under Medicare, she may be entitled to the hospice benefit, which entails more than just a weekly hospice nursing visit. She needs help from a home health aide, and she may be able to get one through this benefit. The aide would bathe him, dress him, help him get up or down, make his bed, clean his room, throw in a load of his laundry, etc.

She also may be entitled to a social worker for assistance with other community resources and emotional support for her and her children.

Hospice volunteers can come during certain time windows, so “Sad Nana” would know they are coming and could get out of the house for her own appointments, go for a walk or just take a nap ( as she is probably sleep- deprived).

Many families benefit from a hospice chaplain, someone who is used to dealing with the spiritual issues surrounding death and dying, which your own clergy may be uncomfortable discussing.

I am sad to hear that the needs of “Sad Nana” and her family are not being met by hospice. Hospice care is a wonderful benefit that Medicare and most insurance providers offer at the end of life. It supports patients and families. DEARRETIRED>> I’m printing your letter in case anyone in a similar situation has not considered or looked into the possibility of home hospice care. Thank you, nurse. DEARANNIE>> We have a situation in our family, and it may be a problem in other families. Maybe you have an answer to help us all. I voted my conscience in the most recent presi- dential election, but I feel I am being punished by my daughter and her family, who didn’t agree with me. She had an exceptional education, which I believe should have included consideration of others’ opinions.

Not too much has been said directly, as we both know that too much damage would be done should we broach the subject of the current political situation. Indeed, I have told her that I will not argue with her and that I hope we can “agree to disagree.”

I am afraid her lack of respect for my opinion will cause lasting damage to my relationship with my grandchildren. I love them all so much and am not sure what to do except to hope that time will heal. Do you have any suggestions? DEARMUST>> Your daughter is still speaking to you, and she isn’t broaching the subject of politics. To me, that sounds an awful lot like agreeing to disagree. So I’m not sure where your uneasiness is coming from here. Perhaps you feel that she’s silently judging you for your beliefs. She’s probably not, but even if she is, so what? She still loves you. Parents and children need not share the same voting record to share the same values. Focus on fertilizing the common ground between you two. Let her know how much she and your grandchildren mean to you. With love and time, any coldness will thaw.