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Amid the sharp political divides over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing racial protests, the Trump administration continues its push to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through the courts – a move that could prove to be one of the riskiest decisions in President Donald Trump’s reelection efforts and could also severely complicate who controls Congress. The decision to file its brief to undo the ACA at the U.S. Supreme Court before it hears the case for the third time in the fall, reveals a sharp dividing line in the...
On June 30, 2020, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) issued guidance documents to nursing facilities and assisted living homes on the critical issue of how to re-establish in-person visitation for all residents living in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Given the devastating number of deaths COVID-19 has caused in other states, AARP Alaska is concerned about the 830 Alaskans living in nursing facilities and the 2,743 Alaskan seniors living in assisted living homes. AARP’s overarching goal is to ensure the safety and w...
In our fifth month of hunkering down, many of us consider ourselves very fortunate to have comfortable living conditions, sufficient income to keep the wolves from the door, and good health to enjoy our days. It is not always easy to adapt, but we’ll manage, and maybe even get a little bit used to some of the strangeness that came with the COVID virus. But, what if we had a cancer diagnosis during these months of quarantine, or what if we started receiving chemotherapy or radiation in the past five months? Many long-term survivors are still on...
"I look forward to the calls each week." This comment was typical of the feedback that Peggy Schmidt received when she offered a virtual Aging Mastery "book club" to her rural constituents in Wisconsin. As the Caregiver/Health Promotion Specialist for the Aging & Disability Resource Center there, she transformed in-person classes to virtual ones, but after a survey revealed a deep digital divide in her community, she conducted classes via telephone. These weekly sessions provided one means for...
Update: Alaska Health Fair requested the article below be updated with new details that arrived after the August print edition deadline. Online appointment registration now available Do you have email access (to a desktop, laptop, I-pad or cellphone)? Visit www.alaskahealthfair.org for easy, online, appointment scheduling. Pick a preferred date that fits your schedule, under your region’s program. Select the "Make Your Appointment" button (on that date); and then pick a time. Type your name, email and cell phone and answer three quick q...
Those who are approaching Medicare eligibility, or have Medicare, frequently have many questions - about how Medicare coverage works, enrollment options and costs, and many others. You may ask yourself: “Who do I call?” for answers. The good news is that there are numerous resources out there to assist Medicare beneficiaries with questions or concerns and there is often more than one correct resource. Listed here are some of the agencies that can supply expert knowledge and assistance reg...
Writing an obituary is one of the most intimate steps in beginning the grieving process. How can you sum up a loved one’s life in a few sentences? How would you sum up your own life in a few sentences? As you sit down to write your loved one’s obituary, or perhaps even your own, consider a few simple steps to begin with. List the basics first. Write down their name, age, spouse, children, parents, etc. and, if there will be a memorial service, the information can be shared here. Then consider the things that your loved one was passionate abo...
Dear Savvy Senior: I understand that COVID-19 hits smokers a lot harder than nonsmokers but quitting at my age is very difficult. Does Medicare offer any coverage that helps beneficiaries quit smoking? - Must Quit Dear Must: It’s true. Smokers and vapers have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection as the coronavirus attacks the lungs. That’s why quitting now is more important than ever before. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you’ll be happy to know that Medicare Part B covers up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions a year to help yo...
New study reveals high infection rates among asymptomatic individuals A study of COVID-19 in the quarantined Italian town of Vò, where most of the population was tested, reveals the importance of asymptomatic cases. Researchers at the University of Padova and at Imperial College London have published an article in the journal Nature suggesting asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people are an important factor in the transmission of COVID-19. They report that widespread testing, isolating infected pe...
Editor’s note: This schedule may change, due to coronavirus safety measures. Be sure to confirm with the host agency prior to visiting. With senior centers still closed, the Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold all peer support meetings in August at its new office location, 44539 Sterling Highway, Suite 202 in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. Social distancing will be respected, and masks will be worn at the office meetings, and virtual attendance via Zoom can be arranged for those who can’t make it in person. Different topics...
Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska will present a free online presentation focusing on driving and dementia on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Join for discussion about the effects of normal aging on driving as well as the effects of a dementia diagnosis. Driving is a significant source of independence but a task in which we should be aware of the changes we face while aging. The webinars are free, registration required. Visit the event calendar at www.alzalaska.org for online r...
When the novel coronavirus COVID-19 reared its head in March, senior citizens were advised to take notice. This new illness was hard on those age 65 or older, people were told, and indeed, four months later, statistics bear this out: 80% of COVID-19 deaths affect the elderly population. But consensus on just how and where seniors should ride out the pandemic, and beyond, isn’t clear. And seniors across Alaska, like everyone else, are balancing risk and necessity with a desire for normalcy. Senior centers play a huge role in the lives of o...
Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any financial assistance programs you can refer me to? The coronavirus pandemic has cost me my part-time retirement job and has shrunk my measly IRA account. - Needy Retiree Dear Needy: Absolutely. In addition to the $1,200 federal coronavirus stimulus check that was distributed in April and May, there are many other financial-assistance programs (both public and private) that can help struggling retirees, as well as give relief to family members who help provide financial support for their loved ones. To find out...
One morning in August 2012 I answered the ringing phone and heard "Hi, this is Kim. Gary and I have been picking blueberries in Hatcher Pass and we have more than we need. Could we bring you some?" Several thoughts jumbled through my mind including, "no, we can't accept that generous of an offer two years in a row, and yes, that would be so wonderful." Because of my health issues and our move back to Palmer, I picked not one berry during the fall of 2011. Now feeling much better a year later, I...
Glowing reports, like the following excerpt from the Aug. 8, 1897, edition of the New York World newspaper, helped fuel the stampede for gold along the Yukon River. "Mr. J. O. Hestwod, one of the most successful argonauts of '97, has just returned from Klondike and furnishes by telegraph to the Sunday World a true picture of Alaska as it really is. He said: 'Modern or ancient history records nothing so rich in extent as the recent discoveries of gold on the tributaries of the Yukon River. 'The...
What could convince a 90-year-old actress – once a model for Disney animators creating the Tinker Bell character of 1953's "Peter Pan" – to abandon her West Coast home of nine decades and fly off to a new life in Florida, some 2,500 miles away? Perhaps a sprinkle of Disney magical fairy dust was involved when World War II veteran Robert Boeke, now 94, was visiting Amsterdam last summer with friends and stumbled on a store sign for "Tinker Bell Toys." "He told the people in the group he had act...
The Post Office has been a fundamental United States institution since 1775. In my opinion it is vastly underappreciated. Most people do not know the scope of what it does for us – especially while we are hunkered down at home seeking safety from the pandemic. Here’s a summary of some useful Post Office services. Informed Delivery. Despite the big-brotherish name of this service, it can be a huge convenience, even a personal safety factor in your life. Do you sometimes think, “Gosh, is there anything really worthwhile in my mail box or PO bo...
You know how nice it is when you get a toy you have been wanting? If you don’t remember that far back, think about how a child’s eyes light up when it sees a toy under the Christmas tree. Or if you like, a grown man’s reaction on his birthday when he unwraps that belt sander he has been asking for. Now imagine that you are given a toy you really want, but then told that you cannot play with it, you have to put it up on the shelf and just look at it. And you will know how I feel right now. (“Eno...
Q. Is there a way to view personal photos on my television? A. A living room TV is a perfect venue to share your family photo collection, and there are choices to fit every budget. Many televisions built in the last decade can already display photos. Older TVs may have a memory card slot. Simply load photos onto a card and enjoy! This is also the best choice if your house does not have a Wi-Fi network. The bundled software installed in SmartTVs often support photo sharing via home networking. If your set lacks any built-in features or if they...
Here it is at the end of the summer and travel and tourism are still at a standstill, adding to statewide unemployment and stalled revenue for large and small businesses across the state. This affects Alaska mightily. The Resource Development Council of Alaska reported that summer 2018 volume showed an increase of 100,000 visitors from summer 2017. The cruise market grew by seven percent or 79,300 visitors. The air market increased by one percent or 9,600 visitors, while the highway/ferry...
Just after Independence Day, I jumped in my car and for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, drove beyond the boundaries of Anchorage to the village of Talkeetna, two hours north. A devastating element of the coronavirus' grip has been its effect on Alaska's tourism industry. This seasonal boom of visiting humanity caters to nearly three million visitors each year, most of them fresh off cruise ships and tour buses, and many stopping in Talkeetna on their way to or from Denali...
