Articles from the April 1, 2022 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 24 of 24
How can we make Anchorage more age-friendly?
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns April, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Events are currently held virtually on the internet, using Zoom. T...
By Transportation on the comeback for Interior seniors
Ride sharing and van service for older adults in Alaska has taken a terrible beating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many transportation services in much of the state were cut back or eliminated. Now, as the pandemic is winding down, ride services are...
Prices are growing faster than Social Security benefits
Editor’s note: This press statement was received March 15, 2022. A new survey by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) indicates that even after receiving the highest Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 40 years, seniors report they a...
Over 70% of Alaskans want them; Will we get them back?
The Alaska Legislature has taken up four bills to address the damage that has been done to our campaign finance laws in a recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision. It has been a breath of fresh air to watch the legislative process in action,...
Myths and facts about health research
One of the reasons health research is important is to study the effectiveness and safety of a medicine. Some drugs may work in clinical trials but may not work in the field due to factors such as race, ethnicity, age, gender and more. Even though we...
COVID update: Masks, tests, cancer patients
Masks facts and Fiction The issue of wearing a mask is different for older adults who have several medical conditions they are managing. It is not a matter of choice but of necessity. Now, scientists have a better idea of what masks can and cannot...
April health fairs, services around the state
April is a busy month for all Alaskans. Many of you are getting excited to be able to gather in outside groups for lots of fresh air and sunshine, hiking, biking, walking (with no ice cleats), camping, recreation, sports and other healthy...
How to manage when grieving returns
Q: It’s been several months since my loved one passed away. I have been through the stages of grief and have finally reached acceptance. But then - out of nowhere - I find myself plunged back into t...
Medicare and preventive care
Preventive care is the care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions and keep healthy. A service is considered preventive if you have no prior symptoms of the disease. In contrast,...
Big changes will affect SNAP (Food Stamps) and Medicaid
The approaching spring is bringing changes not only to Alaskan landscapes, but also to the public benefits many elderly and disabled Alaskans receive. Some of these changes have already occurred, creating substantial impact on the benefits’ r...
New research on Parkinson's, prostate cancer, brain benefits of having pets
Hidden brain benefits come with pet ownership Owning a pet, like a dog or cat, especially for five years or longer, may be linked to slower cognitive decline in older adults, according to a new...
Death, taxes and advance care planning
It was Benjamin Franklin who wrote, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” And this April is no different. As Tax Day nears, Americans are preparing their IRS filings, just as they do every year. But what abo...
Networking for Anchorage, Mat-Su area providers
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Service Providers Breakfast, sponsored by Older Persons Action Group,...
Handwritten treasure may require translation
I became alarmed when what I thought could become treasured gifts to my grandchildren might turn into indecipherable codes by the time they received them. Back in 2013, it was called to my attention t...
Anchorage council, volunteers are devoted to health of waterways
Have you ever wondered who organizes Creek Cleanup? Perhaps you have seen people taking water samples along local creeks and tried to figure out what they were doing. Have you been concerned about...
Zoom conference updates on senior bills
Keep track of senior-related bills, budget decisions and other issues by attending the Alaska Commission on Aging Legislative Teleconferences. Available by toll-free call-in, the teleconferences provide a convenient forum for seniors and advocates...
Howard Rock's burning light lives on
In 1911, near the village of Tikigaq, Howard Rock's shaman grandmother predicted he would become a great man. More than 50 years later, the prophecy came true. Rock, small in stature, did indeed...
Western script enticed Don Murray back to the big screen
Joe Cornet never initially considered now 92-year-old Don Murray for a role in his 2021 western film "Promise." "I wanted an iconic actor for one of the roles and approached two other veteran western...
When to expect your Social Security checks
Dear Savvy Senior: I am planning to retire and apply for my Social Security benefits in July. When can I expect my first check, and is direct deposit my only option for receiving my monthly payment? -- Almost 62 Dear Almost: Generally, Social...
Exploding the biggest myth about wills
People believe a lot of things that aren’t actually true. Butter doesn’t help a burn. Your hair and fingernails don’t continue to grow after you die. Sarah Palin didn’t say she could see Russia...
How and why to preserve your digital legacy
Imagine losing access to your phone and all the data you ever created. If that thought scares you, read on. The terms “Digital Legacy” and “Digital Inheritance” describe what happens to digital information created by someone who is deceased. Buried...
COVID restrictions lift and travelers are raring to go
The planes and ships want you back - desperately. But only you can decide if you feel safe enough to go. I ping-ponged back and forth from Alaska to the east coast three times between late summer and...
Canada drops COVID tests
On April Fool’s Day, no kidding, Canada will drop the requirement that travelers entering Canada either through airports or land borders prove they have a pre-arrival COVID-19 test result. But only for those fully vaccinated. This is a big sigh of r...
Federal deadline for a REAL ID is next year
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established requirements for sta...
