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I am one of the Older Persons Action Group's newer board members, and would like to provide a brief introduction. I am a lifelong Alaskan, who completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degree at UAA in social work. I worked at the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, where I was able to pursue my passion to support individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and older Alaskans in need of community services. I worked as a care coordinator, outreach specialist,...
If you’re considering purchasing a subscription service as a gift, there are a few things you need to know before you start. Whether you're looking to elevate someone’s entertainment, simplify their mealtime, or pamper them with the latest trends, subscription services have got you covered. But be sure you’re making a wise investment. Do your research Research the company you're interested in by checking their social media accounts, consumer reviews and business ratings on BBB.org. Be sure to look for any red flags, such as complaints or scams...
Editor’s note: AGEnet President Marianne Mills testified to the Alaska State Senate Finance Committee in Juneau on Feb. 20. Here is the text of her testimony. My name is Marianne Mills and I am the president of AGEnet, Alaska’s association of senior service providers. AGEnet stands for Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network, primarily made up of private non-profit organizations founded in Alaska. AGEnet’s goal is to help older Alaskans age in place, supporting them to live safely in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and avoid...
AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age. The more money you have for retirement, the more choices you have as you age. This year AARP Alaska is focusing on helping people young and old prepare to be financially fit in retirement. We want people to think about retirement, learn about Social Security, and keep the money they have saved away from scammers. In April, AARP Alaska is hosting a four-part webinar series: saving for retirement, protecting yourself from scams, retiring as a state employee and i...
Q: I care for three other people and am having difficulty tracking medical appointments and medication management for each of them. Are there any useful apps for my phone that could help me? A: In this fast-paced world, caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed with various responsibilities and tasks. Fortunately, the advancement of technology has brought forth a plethora of apps that can assist caregivers in managing their duties efficiently. These apps not only provide practical solutions,...
Vaccinations may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease There now may be new steps a person can take to lower their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Getting your recommended routine vaccinations may provide hidden health benefits, according to new research. In a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found that after receiving the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine there was a 30% reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Similar results were observed in individu...
For individuals who would like notifications when motion is detected in their home, when a door is open, or if someone is in need of assistance, an alerting device can be helpful. The SMPL Wander Alert system has a pager that will vibrate, flash and sound an alarm when sensors are triggered. There are door sensors, motion sensors, help pendants, call bells and more that can be connected to one pager each with a different alerting sound. This alerting device is wireless, does not require...
If you or a loved one are receiving in-patient medical care, there comes a time when that care will end. Hopefully, this is because the patient is ready for discharge, but sometimes, the patient is notified that care will be discontinued, possibly due to a notice from Medicare. You have a right to appeal this decision. What if my medical care ends too soon? If you are receiving care in a hospital or non-hospital setting and you learn that your care is going to end, you have the right to a fast,...
It's March again, the month when we ditch our winter blues, welcome springtime, and ... talk about colon cancer? It's not the most thrilling topic for a conversation starter, but knowledge is power and in this case, it could be lifesaving for you or someone you love. What is colon cancer? Colon (or colorectal) cancer starts in the large intestine, which is an essential part of your digestive system. It usually develops slowly over time, beginning as noncancerous growths called polyps. Regular screenings are crucial because early detection can...
March health fairs feature health education and affordable comprehensive blood tests. See the entire schedule and pricing at www.alaskahealthfair.org, with more events being added as arrangements are made. Schedule an appointment online or simply walk-in at any of our public events. March 2 Meadow Lakes Community Health Fair, Meadow Lakes Elementary School, 1741 Pittman Rd., 8 a.m. to noon. March 9 Anchorage Community Health Fair on O'Malley, 1801 O'Malley Rd., 8 a.m. to noon. March 16 Anchorage Willow Crest Elementary, 1004 West Tudor Rd., 8...
New wearable robotics for Parkinson’s disease “Freezing,” a temporary, involuntary inability to move, is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 9 million people worldwide. When individuals with Parkinson’s disease freeze, they suddenly lose the ability to move their feet, often mid-stride, resulting in a series of staccato stutter steps that get shorter until the person stops altogether. These episodes...
Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired's Elijah Haines, pictured, will conduct two low-vision clinics in Fairbanks, March 11 and 12, at the Golden Towers Building. A certified orientation and mobility specialist, he will assess and match people with the best possible device for their condition. Center for the Blind staff will also be in Fairbanks on March 21 and 22 to make presentations and home visits. Reserve your spot (home visit appointments fill fast) by calling Pete McCall,...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following support group meetings in March: March 1, Soldotna Senior Center, discussing direct services models, 1 to 2 p.m. March 5, Tyotkas Elder Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. March 19, Kenai Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. March 21, Sterling Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. March 29, Nikiski Senior Center, with overview presentation on home health nursing, 1 to 2 p.m. Support meetings allow you to share your experiences as a caregiver, or support...
Do you know how to spot a government impostor scam? We continue to raise public awareness about Social Security-related and other government imposter scams during the fifth annual “Slam the Scam” Day on March 7, 2024. Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information. There are common elements to many scams. Scammers often take advantage of fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pretend to be Social Security or other government employees and claim there’s a problem with your Soci...
Falling down is no joke it's a serious threat for many people. But with some simple precautions, you can keep your balance and stay upright. I've slipped up a few times myself, so I've learned some tricks to avoid taking a tumble. Let me share what's helped me stay steady on my feet. First things first, stay active. I know it's easier said than done, but exercise truly is key. Something as simple as a daily walk keeps your muscles and joints limber. Yoga and tai chi are great, too. Just be sure...
According to the National Council on Aging, five million individuals over age 65 experience sexual abuse each year, but such trauma remains the least-reported of all sexual violence. In Alaska, where sexual assault remains high (three or four times the national average) and continues to trend upward statewide, it’s still a struggle to make abuse against older Alaskans a visible epidemic requiring attention. Alaska’s Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), headquartered in Anchorage, is a statewide organization that since 1978 has responded to...
We need each other. When your "peeps" are part of a fun activity, it's like a double shot of happiness. Movement and meaningful interactions. It's more than just the people or just the activity, it's how the two blend together and create so many happy vibes. Here are a few steps to keep yourself strong and able to participate in one of, if not your all-time favorite activity. Good shoes True confession – I love shoes. They bring me joy. I have shoes for every occasion and some just waiting f...
In the fall of 2002, my husband and I attended a Pioneers of Alaska Convention dinner for 400 people in the gym of Monroe High School in Fairbanks. A Glennallen Panther banner hung on the wall along with banners from the other schools Monroe competed against. Looking at that banner instantly brought to mind several basketball memories. When our family first moved to Glennallen in the early 1960s, the Panthers (under Coach Noonkesser) played basketball with the Monroe Rams. In those days, the...
Imagine being a tiny songbird who flies across thousands of miles of boreal forest, facing frigid temperatures and snowstorms, searching for the next crop of birch or spruce seeds. All the while calling joyously to your flock mates as if you didn't have a care in the world. Look at your birdfeeder or spruce trees, and you'll likely see a flock of songbirds - common redpolls, pine siskins, or white-winged crossbills. In some winters, you may see an unexpectedly large number of them. Redpolls,...
Fairbanks Senior Center’s annual March fundraising campaign returns this year, with a goal to raise $100,000 to fight hunger and isolation. The month-long March for Meals campaign supports Meals on Wheels, which last year delivered 60,000 meals to some 400 seniors in the Fairbanks area, the senior center says, noting that over half live on an income of $19,000 or less per year. Activities scheduled throughout March include a “Lend a Hand” fundraiser at the Co-Op Market on Gaffney road; Volunteer Appreciation Week, March 11-15; “Cham...
Perhaps you remember those nights in the Fly By Night Club watching Mr. Whitekeys' "Whale Fat Follies" or "Christmas in Spenard," and laughing so hard you snorted your drink through your nose. He skewered politicians so deftly it was as if he stuck needles in a voodoo doll and they felt them. That cast parading around with a salmon around their waist or an Alaska Marine Highway ferry were portends of their problems still unsolved. How the Anchorage comedy scene must miss him. The show closed aft...
The two legendary visionaries who conceived the 1,049-mile race from Anchorage to Nome hardly could have imagined the success and changes that would happen over the next half century of the "Last Great Race." In 1964, a history buff who lived in Wasilla had an idea. Dorothy Page, secretary of the Aurora Dog Mushers Club, saw that snowmachines were fast taking the place of dog teams and mushing. She thought a sled dog race on the historic Iditarod Trail, which originally began in Seward during...
As any devoted Star Wars fan can deduce, the title of Billy Dee Williams' new autobiography, "What Have We Here?" released in February, is a nod to the actor's most famous character-Lando Calrissian. The smooth-talking caped space smuggler first greets Princess Leia with that line in 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back." While the feisty cinnamon-bunned princess may not have swooned on-screen when the charming Lando gently kissed her hand before eventually joining forces to save their galaxy...
This month's column features a probate fight over a strip joint. Now that I have your attention, I have to confess that the case, which was reported recently from the Alaska Supreme Court, has little to do with the strip joint itself. In fact, in the written decision it is merely referred to as a “Fairbanks cabaret”. A more cynical individual might suspect that the reason they called it that, and made no reference to the fact that the establishment was fairly well known to be a place where wom...
Dear Savvy Senior: What types of funeral benefits are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. - Planning Ahead Dear Planning: Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefits to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents. Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefits. To verify your dad’s dischar...
