Articles from the June 1, 2017 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
By 
Grandma, will you cosign a college loan for me?
You may think student loan debt is mostly for kids. But, think again. Kids are graduating from high school right about now, and looking toward college. And that might mean they’re looking to Grandma and Grandpa for help paying the bills, either w...
Can a debt collector take your benefits directly out of your bank account?
Suppose a debt collector sues you and wins a judgment. It may get a court order to garnish money from your account or benefits received by prepaid card. But the U.S. Department of Treasury requires banks to automatically protect certain federal benef...
Helping businesses better serve seniors
With the assistance of Debbie Rinckey and Kathy Day (two women well known in the public relations/advertising/print world around Anchorage), the Anchorage Senior Friendly Project (ASFP) is on its way to exploding by bringing businesses and seniors...
Senior program funding in the state budget
During the last Alaska Commission on Aging legislative teleconference of the legislative session on May 17, members of the Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA), helmed by ACoA Executive Director Denise Daniello, and ACoA health and social services plann...
What can I leave my kids and friends?
Inheritance is an interesting package. Most of us have had something left to us from family: grandma's apple pie recipe, granddad's tools, an old guitar, a chest of drawers, even a small piece of...
Leaning on each other: A call to action
Editor's note: This is the seventh article in a series from the Diverse Elders Coalition, looking at different segments of the senior population. "How's that jade plant doing?" Joe asked me as we sat...
Health data doesn't support testosterone for men
Men over the age of 50 are being continually targeted with advertisements for testosterone replacement gels and patches. However, research is now questioning the real risks and benefits associated...
Men age 50 and older may need more vitamin D
Many women know the importance of getting screened for vitamin D levels and raising them if they are too low. However, many men over age 50 in Alaska may have low levels and need to take action,...
How about a long-eared companion?
Typically, when people think of animal companions they think of dogs and cats. But not everyone wants to, or can, walk a dog or has a secure enclosure for a dog to spend time outside. And some folks...
Programs can reduce your Medicare costs
Are you aware that Medicare works with the State of Alaska to provide assistance programs that can help with your Medicare costs? These costs can include your Medicare Part A & Part B premiums...
PTSD and its link to veterans and suicide
PTSD is a term used by laymen to explain aberrant behavior by individuals who served in combat. Is this a fair assessment or a misuse of a term that carries deadly consequences? What is this disorder...
Got the volunteer bug? Support Hospice
Hospice of Anchorage was founded in 1980 and is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization and a partner agency of the United Way of Anchorage. We typically provide all our services at no charge, except those patients that do not yet qualify for Medicare...
Alaska Health Fairs thanks you
Alaska Health Fair wishes to thank each of our dedicated and wonderful volunteers, phlebotomists and exhibitors who have helped us to put on some great community and worksite events and provide important health services to Alaskans over the past 37...
Zinc and colds; aspirin and breast cancer
Combating the common cold with zinc There is no significant difference between zinc acetate lozenges and zinc gluconate lozenges regarding their efficacy in shortening the duration of common colds,...
Free training, support for family caregivers
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in June. This month’s focus is “Improving Emergency Services for Dementia Patients,” with presentations featuring a DVD by Teepa Snow on techniques to...
Something new at any age
At the age of 101, Bettie Upright continues to show her courage to try something new. In 2016, Bettie expanded her sports of Bocce and bowling in the Alaska International Senior Games to include...
Convention will focus on Alaska's Methodist history
The Alaska United Methodist Conference will host a “Methodist History in Alaska Convention,” to be held at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, June 26-29. Presentations and discussion will focus on topics such as the Jesse Lee Home, Nome Com...
From sapling to the state's tallest flagpole
A small spruce that peered skyward in a dense forest on Prince of Wales Island in the mid-1700s found its way to Anchorage when Alaska became America's 49th state. This Southeast Alaska sapling held...
Norm Crosby, forever the malaprop master
We all use the wrong word occasionally – "that skinny dog looks emancipated" – but comedian Norm Crosby molded a career from such humorous grammatical gaffes known as malaprops. "Although I had a good...
Those Flowers for Algernon moments
I am going to begin this column with more than just a spoiler alert. If you have never read the short story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, put down this paper immediately. Go buy it, or dow...
Roku advice, internet filters and USB-C
Q. Is Roku the easiest streaming device to use? I can’t seem to get a handle on it so I can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. A. I love my Roku. My son gave me one a couple birthdays ago, and since then I’ve found many ways to enjoy it. Of cou...
Roaming freely across Cornwall
Palm trees and swans in the harbor may not seem possible in England, but in Cornwall it is. Its temperate ocean climate is the mildest and sunniest in all of the United Kingdom due to its position at...
Social Security experts answer your questions
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (June 13 and 27), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior C...
