Articles from the August 1, 2014 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 32
Beware these money traps
Do not make financial decisions based on emotions. Fear and greed can ruin a lifetime of good decision-making. What do I mean by that? You could have worked hard and saved your money for decades, but one bad decision in retirement can make your...
Preparing for an emergency in three steps
Emergencies and disasters can strike quickly and without warning. Hurricane Katrina and Super Storm Sandy are stark reminders for older adults how quickly a disaster can disrupt your normal living. What would you do if your basic services such as...
Go outside and enjoy summer while it's here
We at OPAG advocate a healthy lifestyle for seniors. We encourage seniors to partake in every outdoor activity in Alaska, whether it is snowmachining, river boating, biking, hiking, hunting, fishing...
Opinion: State's Medicaid failures are hurting businesses
In April I challenged the Parnell administration to explain to the public the steps it has taken to fix Alaska’s Medicaid reimbursement system. This system compensates health care providers (i.e., hospitals, clinics, physicians, therapists, etc.)...
Debating Medicare coverage for smokers
Bipartisanship has surfaced, at least briefly, on Capitol Hill. More than 130 lawmakers, from both parties, are urging the Obama Administration to expand coverage for a lung-cancer test under...
Free Wi-Fi connections can lead to sidejacking
Sidejacking is a common term for man-in-the-middle “eavesdropping” attacks that occur through unsecured Wi-Fi connections. Coffee shops, college campuses, airports and hotels are breeding grounds for hackers who try to compromise personal...
Three categories of political involvement
Editor’s note: Gene Wiseman is a student at Wayland Baptist University in Anchorage. This essay was written for an assignment in his American Government class and submitted upon suggestion of the instructor, former OPAG executive director Ray...
Great medicine at your local farmer's market
If your goal is to maintain good health, hightail it down to your local farmers market and try a selection from nature’s medicine chest. Rarely does a week go by without new research showing that the vitamins and minerals and many bioactive...
Unlock the power of Alaska's plants
The Third Annual Alaskan Plants as Food and Medicine Symposium will take place in the Anchorage area August 7-9. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium sponsors the event and says they strive...
Don't let a key health care team member be under-used
So who would you consider the most important member of your health care team? Your primary care doctor? Your specialist? Your pharmacist? In a crucial way, you are the most important member of your...
Medicare-related updates, corrections
To my wonderful readers, I must inform you that I may have to reboot my computer for nearly the last time, as I tell you about the inadvertent errors I made in my last column. It must have been a looo...
Volunteer brings Medicare information to you
The Medicare Information Office is pleased to announce that the first volunteer has completed the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Foundations Training and the Group Presentation Training. Ms. Sharon...
How to request your military records (have a seat)
Important disclaimer: If you are a passenger in a moving vehicle and are reading this article to the driver, then stop reading out loud immediately. If this article is read in a public-radio-like monotonous voice, it could lead to drowsiness,...
'VegFest' set for Sept. 6
Registration is open for Alaska’s first-ever “VegFest,” a day-long event Sept. 6 in Anchorage focusing on vegetarian and vegan lifestyle choices. Activities include keynote presentations by three internationally known authors, cooking...
New technologies for age-old health troubles
Brain implants may help restore memory loss Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are severely lacking. Despite more than three decades of intense research and clinical trials, the only approved...
Free training and support for family caregivers
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in August. This month’s topic is “Immunizations for Older Adults.” Aug. 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Aug. 12,...
Free medical, dental and other services for Fairbanks veterans
SFairbanks will hold its 16th Annual Stand Down for Veterans event Aug. 15 and 16 in Pioneer Park. The event brings together a myriad of free services and resources for veterans: Free dental, medical and optometry screenings, info and assistance on...
Don't let assisted living home kick you to the curb
In the last 30 days, the Ombudsman has received five complaints that seniors are being threatened with involuntary discharge from their assisted living homes. This is often a terrifying prospect to a...
Anchorage celebrates 45th anniversary with Sister City
Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan and the Anchorage Sister Cities Commission will welcome Mayor Kotaro Yamaguchi and 29 additional honored guests from Chitose, Japan, on Aug. 5 to celebrate the...
Accessibility grants for Alaska seniors
The Senior Access Program, administered by RuralCAP, provides grants to seniors 55+ for accessibility modifications to their principal residence. In 2014 nearly $600,000 was available statewide....
Bethel senior center moving out
Bethel’s Eddie Hoffman Senior Center is moving out of its home. As reported by Bethel radio station KYUK, Bethel’s tribe ONC runs the senior program and can’t afford to keep it in the building that’s housed it for years. The senior program...
Donations wanted for Mabel T. Caverly Senior Services fundraiser
Mabel T. Caverly Senior Services in Anchorage is seeking donations for its annual Parcel Post Party, one of its biggest fundraisers and takes place Sept. 25 this year at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, inside the Athabascan Ceremonial House. The...
Commission on Aging to meet in Fairbanks
The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold its quarterly meeting September 15 - 18 in Fairbanks. In addition to the usual business meeting and updates from senior service agencies, commissioners will attend site visits to local senior housing...
Mark your calendar for the state fair
The Kenai Peninsula Fair takes place Aug. 15-17 in Ninilchik. Admission price is $6 for seniors. Along with the usual exhibits and competitions, there are numerous musical headliner acts, carnival rides, racing pigs and much more. Information is avai...
Business-to-business networking for Anchorage senior service providers
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Interagency Breakfast, sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, is an opportunity...