August 2026 Edition
August 2026 Edition
What do we owe our Elders? What do they owe us? I have been thinking about this after a visit with my mom, who is 90 and in need of round-the-clock care. There are no easy answers to this question. Because I can’t be with her or with my aging aunts and uncles every day, I try to reach out as much as I can. During the pandemic, one of my cousins established a family Zoom meeting. We’ve had it for six years, every Sunday with few exceptions. The conversations have changed as my mother can no...
On a clear August 2015 morning, I met longtime family friends in the parking area of Knik Glacier Tours. Charles and Jimmie, ages 84 and 82, had done this tour more than a dozen times, but it was to be my first experience, and they were taking me along as their guest. In preparation for this trip, they told me about their first experience with Knik Glacier back in April 1976 with the Alaska Prospector’s Society. A rather large group had organized a day trip with a guide to see the glacier....
Aug. 1 National Girlfriends Day. A good day to recognize your platonic girlfriend or possibly your romantic partner, who you might refer to as your girlfriend. Aug. 2 National Sisters Day. If you are lucky enough to have a sister or more than one, honor her by letting her know you love her unconditionally and are thankful for her companionship. Aug. 7 National Purple Heart Day. The oldest U.S. military decoration in existence, it is awarded in the name of the president to service members who...
Robert “Bob” Campbell Reeve, one of Alaska’s most legendary bush pilots, fundamentally shaped Alaska aviation by founding Reeve Aleutian Airways in 1947, operating initially with a surplus Douglas DC-3 C-47 Skytrain purchased from the U.S. Air Force. His airline would serve the remote and weather-torn Aleutian Chain for more than half a century, becoming a vital link for communities otherwise cut off from the world. Born in Waunakee, Wisconsin, on March 27, 1902—a year before the Wright...
Editor's Note: National Centenarian's Day is Sept. 22. The day honors those who've celebrated 100 birthdays or more. We're publishing profiles of people who have hit this milestone. The Alaska Commission on Aging is working with the Governor's Office, Pioneer Homes and Long Term Care Ombudsman to celebrate Alaska's centenarians. After we published this story, Betty Calhoon died. We mourn her and send condolences to her family. Betty L. Calhoon says she was born on a lucky star. That's because...
Ground was broken in June on an Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery in Salcha. It will become the first State of Alaska Veterans Cemetery and the northernmost veterans cemetery in the nation, providing a final resting place for thousands of Alaska veterans and their eligible family members, according to a news release from the Alaska Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. Currently, eligible veterans can be buried at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery on JBER in Anchorage or the Sitka...
A lifelong friend, who is my age, retired last year. A sibling, four years older, retired two years ago. Another friend, who is self-employed, has set up a way to bring in income with her stock picks, which pay regular dividends. These examples have made me think about my own future. So much of our financial security is riding on our good judgment. No future without a present I knew when I decided to be a journalist, I was entering a field with notoriously low pay except for a few in the...
Fall prevention is key to retaining independence for older adults. Falls are a significant contributor to premature morbidity (lack of wellness) and mortality (death) in seniors. Loss of mobility, self-confidence and independence due to falls creates an enormous financial and emotional burden on seniors. Sobering statistics One-third of adults aged 65 years and older experience a fall each year and the risk increases proportionally with age. Non-fatal falls continue to pose a significant social...
There are almost too many things to remember when you change residences. This month’s article will help with how to manage your Medicare coverage before, during and after a move. The Medicare Information Office provides a checklist of items to complete, helping your move be free from additional aggravation and frustration. Moving into or out of Alaska If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you will not need to make changes to your Medicare when moving within the U.S. since Original...
Domestic pets have gone through changes over the years from being a part of the family to actually being family. Now, ads on television and in print highlight dogs saying "Mom, I like this food best!" In a world in turmoil, especially dogs and cats, become our children who don't talk back or beg for expensive toys, and do provide companionship, love and exercise. Like human health insurance, pets now need insurance for routine visits and specialized treatment as they age-just like us. Common...
A new study has found that older adults entering skilled-nursing facilities may have a hidden health benefit from the shingles vaccine. Researchers found that those who received the recombinant shingles vaccine (RZV) had a lower risk of developing dementia over the following four years compared with those who were not vaccinated. Older adults admitted to skilled nursing facilities are at higher risk for both dementia and shingles. The findings, which were published in the Annals of Internal...
From icy walkways to long distances between towns, our state presents unique challenges. One of the most important tools for protecting yourself and your loved ones is a figurative jumper box for the heart. It is called an AED, which stands for automated external defibrillator. This small device can save a life during a heart emergency, and knowing how to use one could make you a hero in your community. An AED is a portable machine that helps a person whose heart has suddenly stopped beating...
This is part 1 of 3 of a couple rediscovering each other after their children moved out. Husband Bruce and I arrived in Bangkok from Alaska at 11:30 p.m., at the tail end of a 31-hour marriage stress test that doubled as our empty-nester adventure kickoff. Premium Plus on Delta did its best to help-blankets, slippers, toothbrushes, and surprisingly good vegetarian lasagna. Compression socks, it turns out, are part of the official midlife adventure uniform: deeply unsexy, but better than blood...
