Articles from the October 1, 2015 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 29
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Juneau cuts senior sales tax exemption
To the dismay of many, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly voted at its Sept. 20 meeting to severely curtail the city’s senior citizens sales tax exemption. The vote was 7 to 2. The sales tax exemption will no longer apply to purchases o...
Congress changes billing rules for hospital 'observation care'
Here is some Medicare bad news, disguised as good news. Congress has finally moved to change the laws about observation care, a problem that’s been vexing seniors for years because the laws are unclear. This has forced millions of seniors to face h...
OPAG hires new executive director
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. has hired James Bailey as its new executive director. Bailey has a long history in teaching and administration in Anchorage, going back to 1974. He first visited the...
Senior Voice wins national media awards
Older Persons Action Group, Inc., earned honors for its monthly, statewide publication “Senior Voice” in the 24th annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for...
A legislative update and legal clarification
I am writing this article for three reasons. First, in response to a statement made by Jonathan J. David in his article, “Deed helps avoid costly trusts, probate” in the June 2015 Senior Voice, which states “However, in the event your daughter prede...
Outrageous scam stories are sadly true
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog on lottery scams and the vulnerability of seniors to this type of scheme – whether by phone, mail, or email. Since then, I have received more reports from victims. Community partners throughout the state have all m...
Medicare Part D open enrollment: Time to shop
What’s new for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage for 2016? There will be 19 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available (versus 24 in 2015). No Medicare Advantage Plans will be available; 54 percent of Alaskans are eligible for Extra Help but not al...
This popular pain reliever has deadly side effects
Tylenol is popular. It is known generically as “acetaminophen” or “paracetamol,” and is one of the leading pain relievers in the entire world. It’s probably in every medicine cabinet (including mine), right next to my ibuprofen. Most people kn...
Stay safe while the trick or treaters are out for fun
Kids love Halloween, but adults… maybe not. Seniors who live alone may feel vulnerable opening their doors to strangers. And if you choose not to spend a small fortune on treats, will your house get egged? Then again, some adults like to decorate t...
Feel like gambling with your Social Security payouts?
Fall is here and we are expecting another mild winter; happy days for me – the less snow we get the fewer times I have to have my roof shoveled. I haven’t heard from any readers about the “fi...
Health fairs around the state in October
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. continues their fall series of health fairs around the state this month, featuring free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and more. These tests can help you learn about your health and detect potential pro...
Seeing the light on state spending priorities
I was pretty hard on the well intending elected officials who are trying to expand Medicaid to the uninsured in the in my article last month. My objections were based on my concern for the cost to...
'Stand Down' event for homeless veterans is Oct. 23 in Anchorage
The 23rd annual Stand Down for Veterans in Need will be held on Friday, October 23, at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, North Terminal. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to officials, “Stand Down is an annual p...
New procedure shows promise to improve reading vision
No more reading glasses? It may now be possible to get rid of your reading glasses permanently. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has now approved a new inlay procedure that can correct presbyopia...
Free training and support for family caregivers
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in October. This month’s topic is “Proper Body Mechanics and Back Safety.” Oct. 6, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Oct....
Better living through functional training
Long-time Anchorage fitness expert and frequent Senior Voice contributor Bonnie Murphy has released her book, "Young Longer: Functional Fitness to Renew Your Strength, Balance, and Energy for Your Bes...
Stories run wild when zoo volunteers gather
Sit three people together who have long-term relationships with the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, and stories begin to flow, randomly, bouncing off one another. That's what happened recently on a grey...
Brothers donate writings, photos to Sealaska archives
A Juneau resident and his brother have made a significant donation to Sealaska Heritage Institute that includes letters and essays penned by the late Native rights leader William L. Paul, Sr., for...
Senior summit in Homer, Oct. 9
Homer Senior Citizens, Inc. presents the Second Annual Southern Peninsula Senior Summit, Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Homer Senior Center. This year the event focuses on Alzheimer’s disease education, with presentations by leading p...
Dental care grants available in Mat-Su and Anchorage
Mabel T. Caverly Senior Center and Services in Anchorage is expanding its DEAP program to seniors in the Mat-Su Valley, thanks to a grant from United Way. The program provides small grants, up to $900, for dental emergency care for seniors age 55...
Disaster strikes steamliner Princess Sophia
One of the last ships scheduled to leave Southeast Alaska in the fall of 1918 met with disaster only a few days into her voyage. On October 23, Canadian Pacific Railway steamship Princess Sophia...
Joyce Randolph, last of 'The Honeymooners'
From "I Love Lucy" and "All in the Family" to "Married with Children" and "Seinfeld," structuring a sitcom around four lead characters often proved a successful formula. "It was the perfect format...
Weatherization improves your home and budget
In 2013, RurAL CAP weatherized the home of Lucky and Amy Ivey in Anchorage. They received a new furnace, hot water heater, a sump pump, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, vent for their kitchen stov...
Your Social Security questions answered by the experts
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 (Oct. 13 and 27), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior C...
Networking for Anchorage-area senior service providers
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Interagency Breakfast, sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, is an opportunity...
