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Aug. 18 is the Alaska State primary election. Alaska uses a nonpartisan top four primary to determine the top four vote getters that will advance to the general election, regardless of political affiliation. A primary election candidate does not have to be a member of a political party or a political group to run for office, according to Alaska law. If a candidate is registered as affiliated with a political party or group, it does not imply the candidate is nominated by, endorsed by, approved by, or associated with that particular party or...
Dear Savvy Senior, I had a living will/advance directive prepared about 10 years ago documenting my end-of-life medical wishes, but I’ve read that these documents are often ignored. What can you tell me about this? - Troubled Tina Dear Tina, Yes, unfortunately, that can happen. Living wills aren’t always followed in practice, most often because the document isn’t available when it’s needed or never reaches the right people in time. They can also fall short because they aren’t medical orders, and the language may be too vague to guide doctors i...
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Tribes Extension program and the Rural Alaska Community Action Program are sponsoring berry-related workshops in Bethel and Aniak in August. Led by Tribes Extension educator Heidi Rader and Chugiak berry grower Josh Smith, the workshops will be held in Bethel on Aug. 2, and in Aniak on Aug. 3-4. Rader will lead off the workshops on Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. at Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, with a presentation on growing and managing berries. At 5 p.m., Smith will discuss...
First, I have to tell you a true story about maps. It may seem a bit far afield from the main event, turning 80, but I promise this story will wham! bang! collide with turning 80. In 1969 I was a wild and crazy guy in my early 20s careening around Europe to see what I could see. I was running out of money and decided to head to London from France thinking the job opportunities there would be better. I am compelled to note here that the border crossing was, uh, kind of rough. The English border...
What do we owe our Elders? What do they owe us? I have been thinking about this after a visit with my mom, who is 90 and in need of round-the-clock care. There are no easy answers to this question. Because I can’t be with her or with my aging aunts and uncles every day, I try to reach out as much as I can. During the pandemic, one of my cousins established a family Zoom meeting. We’ve had it for six years, every Sunday with few exceptions. The conversations have changed as my mother can no lon...
We erred in listing Maraley McMichael’s story about hiking Lazy Mountain as being on page 14 in the July issue. It appeared on page 16 and continued on page 18. It also misstated the credit for a photo of Al Clayton, Maraley McMichael’s father, with her daughter. It was taken by Maraley McMichael....
By KAREN CASANOVAS For Senior Voice Q: I spend hours playing word games and puzzles on my phone. Could I be addicted? A: To determine if your online habits are an addiction, ask yourself: 1. Interference: Do I game during conversations, meals, or while working? 2. Emotional dependency: Do I feel irritable, restless, or anxious when away from my phone and cannot finish my puzzles? 3. Tolerance: Do I extend play to feel accomplishment or to chase a high score? 4. Failed control: Have I tried to...
Fall prevention is key to retaining independence for older adults. Falls are a significant contributor to premature morbidity (lack of wellness) and mortality (death) in seniors. Loss of mobility, self-confidence and independence due to falls creates an enormous financial and emotional burden on seniors. Sobering statistics One-third of adults aged 65 years and older experience a fall each year and the risk increases proportionally with age. Non-fatal falls continue to pose a significant social...
There are almost too many things to remember when you change residences. This month’s article will help with how to manage your Medicare coverage before, during and after a move. The Medicare Information Office provides a checklist of items to complete, helping your move be free from additional aggravation and frustration. Moving into or out of Alaska If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you will not need to make changes to your Medicare when moving within the U.S. since Original M...
Domestic pets have gone through changes over the years from being a part of the family to actually being family. Now, ads on television and in print highlight dogs saying "Mom, I like this food best!" In a world in turmoil, especially dogs and cats, become our children who don't talk back or beg for expensive toys, and do provide companionship, love and exercise. Like human health insurance, pets now need insurance for routine visits and specialized treatment as they age-just like us. Common...
A new study has found that older adults entering skilled-nursing facilities may have a hidden health benefit from the shingles vaccine. Researchers found that those who received the recombinant shingles vaccine (RZV) had a lower risk of developing dementia over the following four years compared with those who were not vaccinated. Older adults admitted to skilled nursing facilities are at higher risk for both dementia and shingles. The findings, which were published in the Annals of Internal...
Editor's Note: National Centenarian's Day is Sept. 22. The day honors those who've celebrated 100 birthdays or more. We're publishing profiles of people who have hit this milestone. The Alaska Commission on Aging is working with the Governor's Office, Pioneer Homes and Long Term Care Ombudsman to celebrate Alaska's centenarians. After we published this story, Betty Calhoon died. We mourn her and send condolences to her family. Betty L. Calhoon says she was born on a lucky star. That's because...
From icy walkways to long distances between towns, our state presents unique challenges. One of the most important tools for protecting yourself and your loved ones is a figurative jumper box for the heart. It is called an AED, which stands for automated external defibrillator. This small device can save a life during a heart emergency, and knowing how to use one could make you a hero in your community. An AED is a portable machine that helps a person whose heart has suddenly stopped beating cor...
August is National Make a Will Month, a reminder that one of the most meaningful gifts we can give our loved ones is not something wrapped in a box, but a plan. Many people put off creating a will because they believe they have plenty of time, don't have enough assets, or simply aren't sure where to begin. Yet having a will is about much more than deciding who receives your belongings: it is an act of care that can provide clarity, reduce stress, and ease difficult decisions for the people you...
On a clear August 2015 morning, I met longtime family friends in the parking area of Knik Glacier Tours. Charles and Jimmie, ages 84 and 82, had done this tour more than a dozen times, but it was to be my first experience, and they were taking me along as their guest. In preparation for this trip, they told me about their first experience with Knik Glacier back in April 1976 with the Alaska Prospector’s Society. A rather large group had organized a day trip with a guide to see the glacier. T...
Ground was broken in June on an Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery in Salcha. It will become the first State of Alaska Veterans Cemetery and the northernmost veterans cemetery in the nation, providing a final resting place for thousands of Alaska veterans and their eligible family members, according to a news release from the Alaska Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. Currently, eligible veterans can be buried at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery on JBER in Anchorage or the Sitka...
August lacks a major holiday, as July and September do. But there’s lots to do across the state. Salmonfest is July 31-Aug. 2 in Ninilchik at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds. It’s a weekend of live music, food, and family-friendly activities. One-day tickets are available..... The Alaska International Senior Games in Fairbanks is Aug. 7-16. https://www.alaskaisg.org/ …. Further south is the Sitka Blues Fest on Aug. 15.... The Blueberry Festival at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is Aug. 15 and 16. There’s blueberry picking, crafts, music and foo...
Aug. 1 National Girlfriends Day. A good day to recognize your platonic girlfriend or possibly your romantic partner, who you might refer to as your girlfriend. Aug. 2 National Sisters Day. If you are lucky enough to have a sister or more than one, honor her by letting her know you love her unconditionally and are thankful for her companionship. Aug. 7 National Purple Heart Day. The oldest U.S. military decoration in existence, it is awarded in the name of the president to service members who shed blood defending their country. Aug. 8 National...
The Alaska Native Policy Center, a part of First Alaskans Institute, has created an online, interactive statewide resource map that shows organizations and programs that support suicide prevention, wellness, and safety. The map includes five main layers: Alaska Native regional nonprofits Prevention and wellness programs and organizations Regional health organizations Community health organizations Safety resources The map was created because Alaska Native communities continue to face suicide rates more than triple the national average in the Un...
Robert “Bob” Campbell Reeve, one of Alaska’s most legendary bush pilots, fundamentally shaped Alaska aviation by founding Reeve Aleutian Airways in 1947, operating initially with a surplus Douglas DC-3 C-47 Skytrain purchased from the U.S. Air Force. His airline would serve the remote and weather-torn Aleutian Chain for more than half a century, becoming a vital link for communities otherwise cut off from the world. Born in Waunakee, Wisconsin, on March 27, 1902—a year before the Wright brother...
Q. What are five simple tasks that everyone can and probably should do on a loved one’s smartphone? A. First, ask if your loved one has all their bank accounts accessible from their smartphone. If not, work with them to set up access. Most banking apps provide a place to name a beneficiary for the account. That simple task—adding beneficiaries to the account—allows you to pass ownership on funds quickly, which can help with final expenses. It may also make it easier for you to print bank statements and get a clear picture of their finan...
Most of us, or at least those of us who were old enough to watch grown-up TV in the 1970s, remember Rob Reiner as Michael Stivic, the liberal son-in-law of Archie Bunker on “All In The Family.” It’s easy to forget that after leaving the show he became a renowned movie director, with credits including “The Princess Bride,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and too many more to mention. But even after becoming such a prolific and well-respected director, people still mostly remembered...
This is part 1 of 3 of a couple rediscovering each other after their children moved out. Husband Bruce and I arrived in Bangkok from Alaska at 11:30 p.m., at the tail end of a 31-hour marriage stress test that doubled as our empty-nester adventure kickoff. Premium Plus on Delta did its best to help-blankets, slippers, toothbrushes, and surprisingly good vegetarian lasagna. Compression socks, it turns out, are part of the official midlife adventure uniform: deeply unsexy, but better than blood...
As the predictable pace of summer settles in, we can all recharge and review our charitable goals before the fireweed fades. Last year’s comprehensive legislation introduced a few new tax considerations for tax-wise donors. To start, the 2026 standard deduction increased to $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for couples filing jointly. In addition, depending on income, some individuals over 65 may receive an additional deduction of up to $6,000. All to say, most of us will not itemize in 2026. For itemizers, charitable deductions must e...
A lifelong friend, who is my age, retired last year. A sibling, four years older, retired two years ago. Another friend, who is self-employed, has set up a way to bring in income with her stock picks, which pay regular dividends. These examples have made me think about my own future. So much of our financial security is riding on our good judgment. No future without a present I knew when I decided to be a journalist, I was entering a field with notoriously low pay except for a few in the...
