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Creamy, tangy ranch dressing, a beloved condiment that has become a staple in American households, has a fascinating origin story rooted in the rugged wilderness of Alaska. Its creation can be traced to the early 1950s when a plumber-turned-cowboy found himself cooking for hungry work crews in the remote Alaska bush. In 1949, Nebraska-born Steve Henson arrived in Anchorage to pursue a career as a plumbing contractor. While working on remote job sites, he took on the additional role of camp...
How many Alaska seniors have wings? Hmm, perhaps that's not the best way to phrase it. How about, "How many Alaska seniors are snowbirds?" Better. It's an interesting question because we all know at least a couple of snowbirds. Heck, maybe even you are a snowbird, but that doesn't really tell us much about the big picture. Turns out that counting snowbirds is a bit of a sticky wicket. "Snowbirds are hard to measure because they either remain residents and therefore aren't counted as...
Women LISTEN is an Anchorage-based group of women dedicated to the mission of supporting women living with cancer by focusing on sharing information, offering emotional support and practical ideas while advocating for people with cancer, and connecting women in meaningful ways. Those who are new to the cancer journey, as well as longtime survivors, celebrate courage, give voice to fears, provide helpful tips and help smooth the path for women who have experienced the trauma of hearing the...
The Social Security Administration (SSA) scrapped a service change in April that would have exacerbated their customer service challenges by forcing Alaskans to have to go in-person to a Social Security office in Anchorage, Juneau, or Fairbanks for routine services that have been handled over the phone. As a result of AARP’s strong advocacy, applying by phone at 800-772- 1213 and confirming your identity in the process remains an option for people claiming all types of benefits. Once you're receiving benefits, you don't have to prove your i...
Government imposter scams, where criminals pose as government employees, are one of the most common scams. Pretending to be from Social Security is one of the top government imposter scams. In 2023, Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) received 73,626 reports of Social Security impersonators and related scams, a 13.7% increase from 2022. Here is what a Social Security imposter scam looks like: You receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be from Social Security. The phone number may be spoofed to look like i...
Dear Readers: We invite you to contribute to a new column "I used to ..." where you can regale us with a story of your most memorable time living in Alaska. And tell us what you're doing now to cope with not being able to do what you did! I met my husband Bruce Ware, on the M/V Columbia parting out and my first impression of him was, "Must be from Haines, they don't make hippies like that anymore." But he was from Tenakee Springs and was biking down to California "to party with the hippie chicks...
Q: Coming back home after visiting my mom opened my eyes to the various challenges that older individuals face- challenges I had not fully recognized before. I've also noticed growing strain in our relationship as she ages. How can I improve our communication, especially when I need to discuss concerning behaviors? A: I appreciate you sharing your reflections after a visit with your mother. It is natural to feel a sense of concern as we navigate the complexities that come with aging and...
After a brain injury, stress management is crucial for recovery and well-being. -Calm is an app that offers a variety of breathing techniques, calming exercises, and sleep resources. -The Hatch sound machine provides sleep sounds while a user falls asleep and a sunrise alarm for gentler wakeups, reducing the need to look at a bright phone first thing in the morning. -Another tool to help with stress management is Loop earplugs, specifically the Quiet and Engage models, which minimize background...
Alaska’s voter-approved mandate for paid sick leave has not yet gone into effect, but some lawmakers are already trying to reduce the number of workers who would benefit from it. A bill pending in the Alaska Legislature, House Bill 161, would exempt businesses with fewer than 50 employees, a change from the 15-employee threshold in the labor-rights initiative that voters approved in November. The bill would also drop seasonal workers from the mandate for accrued paid sick leave. The bill was introduced on March 28 by Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R...
In this month's article, I will discuss Medicare's coverage of durable medical equipment, which is called DME for short. It is equipment that helps you complete daily activities. This category is also sometimes labeled more inclusively as DMEPOS for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies. Medical equipment to help you daily Durable medical equipment (DME) are items that help you complete your daily activities including a variety of items, such as walkers, wheelchairs,...
I am a Certified Medicare Counselor working under SHIP. My office is in the Soldotna Senior Center, and I serve the state via phone. If you are local, I can help you as a walk-in. I am here Mondays through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call with your Medicare questions, 907-262-2322....
Thomas McCarty, a 71-year-old audiologist, celebrated two milestones in April. He entered his 14th Boston Marathon and raised more than $15,000 for cancer research in the process. McCarty is part of a program in which participants in the famous 26.2-mile race can raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in lieu of qualifying with a speedy time. The Boston Marathon is known for having a high barrier to entry and elite runners rubbing shoulders with more mortal athletes. McCarty started...
Older adults are expressing their discontent with medication barriers. A large majority of older Americans feel that health insurance, including Medicare, should cover anti-obesity medications, according to a new University of Michigan study. More than half of older adults who meet criteria for obesity said they were interested in trying one of these drugs to manage their weight. Current law prevents Medicare from covering medications to treat obesity, and most private plans don’t cover the m...
Heart attacks are a major health concern for older adults. Knowing what to watch for can save your life or the life of someone you care about. While a heart attack can happen suddenly and without warning, it can also start with small symptoms that are easy to miss. It's critical to recognize these signs and know what actions to take. The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. This often feels like a heavy weight, tightness, or squeezing in the middle of your chest. It...
When I think of Mother's Day, I think about the woman who always encouraged me to go after what I wanted. My mom believed in education, independence, and making the most of opportunities-values she passed on to me from a young age. So, when her memory started to slip and things became more uncertain, I knew it was my turn to step in. It happened quickly. She had been living in Idaho, and at first the signs were subtle, repeating herself, forgetting details, growing more anxious. Then I got a...
1. Keep a routine. Consistency helps reduce confusion and anxiety. Keep meals, rest, and activities on a regular schedule whenever possible. 2. Simplify the environment. Clear clutter, use labels or photos on drawers and doors, and create calm, easy-to-navigate spaces. 3. Be patient with communication. Speak slowly, use simple sentences, and offer reassurance instead of correction when your loved one is confused or upset. 4. Take care of yourself. You can’t care for someone else if you're running on empty. Make time for breaks, ask for help, a...
We all know that exercise is good for us. Maintaining a regular exercise routine helps your heart, lungs, muscles, even your social and mental health by being part of a fitness community in your neighborhood, at your local gym or senior center. While moving to get your blood flowing is important, slowing down and taking recovery time also matters. You can reap the benefits of recovery through red light therapy, percussive massage tools, or with restorative yoga. Restorative yoga is a gentle...
A series of training videos specifically made for rural caregivers came out last month to a warm reception among service providers. "These are amazing! Wonderful for quick on-point training or a 6-month refresher," said Mary Beth Westland, chief operating officer for Mat-Su Senior Services in an email to other caregiving agencies. The project is the brainchild of Jennifer Garrison, who works in home- and community-based programs for Catholic Community Service in Juneau. While at a Title VI...
The Valdez Senior Center Inc. is offering tours through the Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruise company in May. The dates are May 19, May 23, May 27 and May 30. Seats are $41 for members of the senior center. The tour goes to the Columbia Glacier. “Each year, the company gives senior center members a discounted tour rate for select dates in the early season,” said Haden Bricker, activities coordinator and office assistant at the Valdez Senior Center. If people are interested in joining these tours they can contact the senior center off...
My husband Gary had lived in the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home for two years on Memorial Day 2024. I planned to join him as usual to attend the 11 a.m. Memorial Day program. With our grandson sweating away in Army basic training in Fort Moore, Georgia, the holiday had even more significance. During the Sunday sermon the day before, the pastor had brought several interesting things to light about celebrating Memorial Day. Then first thing Monday morning, I found the entry in my daily...
If you are hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” a lot lately, that’s because May brings with it the commencement ceremonies happening at high schools and universities across the state. This month is also a time to reflect on the sacrifice of military personnel killed in battle. Americans also associate Memorial Day weekend with the official start of summer, and that’s no different in Alaska, where you may have noticed scenic byways getting more congested with tourists … Many coastal communities have shorebird festivals, such as the Cooper River Del...
May is a special time as we celebrate Older Americans Month. This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging,” focusing on how society perceives and approaches aging. The Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA) is highlighting senior issues throughout the month on our Facebook page. We invite you to follow us for daily updates on activities and issues affecting seniors across Alaska. Staying connected is easy: simply search for "Alaska Commission on Aging" on Facebook. Save the date! Monday, May 12 from noon to 1 p.m. the American Aging Assoc...
May 1-31 Nationwide Older Americans Month. May 11 Nationwide Mother’s Day. May 3 Anchorage The Anchorage Genealogical Society is having its spring seminar. The AGS will have a slate of speakers with a variety of knowledge about genealogy, including presentations about German and Scottish genealogy, recording your family history on your phone, learning about DNA, the Mayflower Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution. The keynote speaker is Claire Gebben. Gebben is an award-winning author, historian, and genealogist. She is a public s...
Fifty-five years ago this year, John Denver performed "Take Me Home, Country Roads" for the first time in public at The Cellar Door music club in Washington, D.C. Released as a single in April the following year, "Country Roads" (as it's fondly known) quickly became a pop sensation. With its catchy, sing-along melody and heartfelt lyrics, the hit song resonated across borders-national and international-even though it paid tribute to a single U.S. state, West Virginia. Evoking deep nostalgia and...
Some years back I had a new client whose husband had recently passed away. She had gone to her broker to see about changing some things on their investment account, and was told she only had control of half of it. She was confused, and asked me why they would restrict her access to this joint account. She kept referring to that account as the “ten-com” account, which I did not understand until I finally got her to show me the account statement. After her name and her husband’s name, it said...
