Articles from the June 1, 2013 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 21 of 21
Oldest boomers are retiring at a surprising rate
Now turning 67 years old, the first set of Baby Boomers, those born in 1946, continue to be myth-busters, according to a new study, “Healthy, Retiring Rapidly and Collecting Social Security: The MetLife Report on the Oldest Boomers.” The data, fro...
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Volunteers provide rides, smiles to disabled guests at Alaska Zoo
It was a caravan of carts, full of givers and receivers, and they were all having fun. The givers were a group of senior volunteers, members of AARP Sourdough Chapter 533. The receivers were people...
The Medicare 'observation' muddle
After five days in the hospital with a fractured spine, Jean Arnau was discharged and needed to transfer to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. Only then did her family find out that she had never been formally admitted as an inpatient to...
Outstanding people performing outstanding work
Congratulations to Rita Hatch, who was announced in May as the winner of this year’s Ron Hammett Award for outstanding service to seniors in the Anchorage community. Rita was presented the award at th...
Join in referendum to restore Alaska's oil profits
ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and BP all did very well this legislative session. The rest of us? Not so great. We lost $4.5 billion to three of the richest corporations in the world, money that could have been used to educate our children, provide...
Funding available to Alaska health centers to help uninsured gain affordable health insurance
Editor’s note: This Dept. of Health and Human Services press statement was received on May 9. On May 9, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced new funds to help more uninsured Americans enroll in affordable health i...
Senior Companion, Foster Grandparent programs put on hold
Alaska Community Services, Inc. disclosed that it discontinued its Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs as of April 30, 2013. According to Executive Director Brenda Bogowith, the agency voluntarily relinquished their federal grants to...
Sitkans helping sitkans face devastating loss
“Yee Gu.aa Yáx X’wán,” goes a traditional Tlingit farewell: “Be of brave heart.” Of course, that can be easier said than done when facing terminal illness or the physical and mental deteriorati...
New information on Medicare, and a call to action
The Medicaid Expansion bill, which our Governor is opposing, would be a great benefit to the state for one simple reason. The Affordable Care Act is now a fact of life. It is not going away and not...
New Medicare approach to equipment, supplies
If you are a Medicare beneficiary or someone who helps people access medical equipment or supplies such as oxygen equipment, diabetic supplies or wheelchairs, you should know about a Medicare program called Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics,...
Swelling can be caused by any number of problems
Swelling of the legs, feet and ankles is a common problem in seniors. The medical term for this is edema. Edema is the trapping of excess fluid in any part of the body, but occurs most commonly in the ankles, legs and feet. One source estimates almos...
New research on Alzheimer's, arthritis and cancer survival
Detecting Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages Australian scientists say they now are much closer to developing a screening test for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The inv...
Support groups and training for family caregivers
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following meetings and trainings this month: June 4, Caregiver Peer Support Meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. June 11, Caregiver Peer Support Meeting at Soldotna Senior...
New efforts to serve displaced Native elders
When I lived in Bush Alaska, I used to love seeing the Native elders at the potlucks. They came from up and down the Yukon in all kinds of weather to sit together and share food and stories. As the...
Rambles
Fairbanks Resource Agency offers a free Information Exchange workshop for caregivers on the first Tuesday of each month. The workshops are open to the public and held at the FRA administrative office, 805 Airport Way, from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments...
Haines veterans housing is first of its kind in state
Public officials and Haines Assisted Living, Inc. (HAL) joined veterans and community members April 27 for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Soboleff-McRae Veterans Village in Haines. The project is the first state-funded private veterans...
Helping Anchorage businesses become more senior-friendly
Anchorage is joining many other cities across the nation in establishing a Senior Friendly Project aimed at improving the shopping experience of our older citizens. The reason for such a project, as...
Alaska's first census-taker faced challenges
An unofficial head count taken at Sitka by the U.S. Army in 1869 revealed 391 civilians made up the town’s population, which included 10 saloonkeepers and 29 prostitutes. It was hoped that the 1880 Census would elevate Alaska’s image. Chosen to tak...
Actor's habits created a treasure trove of memorabilia
If you’re a fan of old movies, you’ll recognize what the classics “Gilda,” “Blackboard Jungle,” “Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” and “Fastest Gun Alive” all have in common: Glenn Ford. Oddly enough, t...
The not-so-peculiar case of the missing recycling bin
Q. Without warning, my Recycle Bin disappeared. Do you have any idea where it went or how I can get it back? A. Computers do things like this periodically just to let us know who is really in charge. There are several things you can try to return...
When seniors travel
Un-Cruise Adventures plans 19 trips for 2014 in Hawaii, Mexico, Northwest U.S. and Alaska A few issues back I described the Hawaii tour that Un-Cruise Adventures has scheduled for 2014. Here’s more i...
