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The Alaska Training Cooperative provides non-academic trainings for people who work in Alaska’s direct service professional and behavioral health workforce and who work with people who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias as well as other mental health issues. Training and technical staff collaborate with communities and partners to offer trainings and training assistance to agencies, organizations, businesses, and associations. This enhances workforce development blending evidence-based practices with traditional wis...
Alaskans value resilience. We know what it means to work together in tough times, and we require solutions that meet the unique challenges of our vast and remote state. Few areas demonstrate this need more clearly than health care. Our mission at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development is to promote a healthy economy, strong communities, and protect consumers in Alaska. Our ability to achieve this mission depends on factors across many sectors, but one key indicator is the stability of our health care system. Health care...
Q: As I have gotten older, I find myself experiencing more restless nights than restful ones. What can I do about it? A: Quality sleep is fundamental for our overall brain health and well-being, especially as we age. It plays an essential role in strengthening the immune system, repairing cells and tissues for physical recovery, and enhancing cognitive skills such as focus, problem-solving, and creativity. Eating nutritious foods, engaging in physical exercise, and social activities can further...
As the holidays approach, many of us find ourselves remembering how things used to be—bustle in the kitchen, children running through the house, traditions we kept year after year. With time, those traditions may change, and so do we. If you’re living with memory loss, or simply noticing that the holidays feel different now, it’s important to know that you are not alone. The season can still be filled with joy, warmth, and connection, even if it looks a little different than it once did. Maybe you used to cook the whole Christmas dinner yours...
The October 2025 ADAC quarterly meeting was the first ever face-to-face meeting. The day included a review of A Call to Action: Alaska’s 10-year Map to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia with Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, a discussion on data and work with the Division of Public Health, a presentation by Aging at Home Fairbanks, a clinical presentation on the connection between hearing loss and dementia, ADAC workgroup updates, and more. Access links for the minutes here: https://bit.ly/4843rOb The slide deck is ava...
This August, AARP Alaska celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act being signed. Since being enacted on August 14, 1935, Social Security has supported a secure retirement for millions of Americans, helping them to retire and age with dignity. In its 90 years, Social Security has never missed a payment, which allows Americans to reap the benefits of their hard work with certainty. Honoring a milestone statewide To celebrate, AARP Alaska kicked off a series of Social Security...
I had a curious, I would say unpleasant, brush with the Canadian health care system on the way down the ALCAN to Seattle late last August. By the time I got to Whitehorse I was pretty sick. I knew I had been exposed to COVID-19 but I repeatedly tested negative on self-administered tests. Still, I felt terrible. The next day was Saturday, and I wanted to go to a walk-in clinic for more accurate testing and treatment. No dice. They were all closed on the weekend. So I decided to hold out until...
You can contribute $24,500 to 401(k) plans in 2026, up from $23,500, the IRS announced in November. The Internal Revenue Service also issued guidance regarding all cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2026, which you can see here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf Now, the annual contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings plan is $24,500. You can also c...
The Alaska Department of Health’s Analytics and Vital Records Section has released three annual data reports that explain facts of interest to health care professionals, policymakers, and the public. Now you can see information on the HAVRS Data and Statistics page, such as Alaska Health Facilities Data Reporting (HFDR) program 2024 annual report. Alaska Vital Statistics 2024 annual report Cancer in Alaska 2022 annual report The reports help shed light on health trends and public health initiatives in the state. The reports are crucial for u...
A highlight of Alaska is that when it’s the holiday season, it looks like a Christmas card: snow falling, children playing, trees glistening. Get out and enjoy the many ways to celebrate the season … Nome has a Christmas Extravaganza at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Old Saint Joe’s on Anvil City Square. For details, email cityevents@nomealaska.orgcityevents@nomealaska.org https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1143779374595519&set=gm.1152069650376073 ... Each year, the Anchorage Concert Chorus sings Handel’s “Messiah.” Catch it at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at First...
The Alaska Association for Historic Preservation announced winners of the 18th annual historic preservation award honoring excellence throughout Alaska. The award honors excellence in historic preservation throughout Alaska. There are several categories, both for projects and for individuals. The Robert Mitchell Historic Preservation Architect Award was awarded to Anchorage architect Samuel Combs, Combs & Combs, for his expertise in historic architecture and the many historic preservation projects around Alaska and beyond that he has been...
Following the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and the American retaliation strike on Tokyo by the Doolittle Raiders in April 1942, Japanese leadership began searching for ways to ext end their bombing range across the Pacific Ocean. Soon, Alaska found itself on the front lines of an unusual, silent, aerial assault. From late 1944 to 1945, Japanese fu-go balloon bombs found their way to the Last Frontier's shores. The fu-go ("fūsen" is the Japanese word for balloon and...
Since its debut as the Hallmark Channel in 2001, the network has become a beloved TV destination for millions of viewers, especially during the holiday season with its Christmas-themed features. While Hallmark has cultivated a recognizable roster of its own stars, their programs have also featured an impressive lineup of veteran film and television icons over the years, including Ed Asner, Christopher Lloyd, Shirley MacLaine, Roger Moore, Danny Glover, Burt Reynolds, and Carrie Fisher. And Maril...
Q. How do I get started listening to podcasts? A. The podcast world is built with apps that do two jobs: a podcast directory that indexes all the programs into a searchable list and a player that downloads and keeps track of your listening history. Podcasts can be played on any digital device because podcast apps exist on every major platform. Apple offers an app called "Podcasts" that works on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Because the data is synced to the cloud it is easy to start listening on one device and finish on another. The Apple "Podcasts"...
The Alaska Commission on Aging’s Grandparents Day kinship family support webinar is scheduled for noon Dec. 11. All are welcome to learn about supports in Alaska for relatives raising children, featuring Southeast Alaska's Kinship Navigator Program Haa Yatx’u Saani, Volunteers of America Alaska, and Generations United . This program is meant for grandparents or relatives raising children. Learn what supports exist for kinship families in Alaska. Zoom link to join is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85770530178. For questions or help accessing Zoo...
Senior Voice Alaska earned second place in general excellence in the North American Mature Publishers Association annual contest among publications with circulations of 25,000 or less. The judge wrote, “Wonderful range of well-written articles and topics. This engaging publication does a great job of appealing to a wide-range of interests, and serving the Alaskan population specifically. Attractive, smart, and heart-warming.” We earned first place in the “senior issues” category, for columns from Karen Casanovas, first place for editori...
Q: As staff members in assisted living, we must once again adjust our menus with the understanding how challenging this can be for both us and the older adults we care for. Despite having a printed schedule, any changes can be confusing for residents. What strategies can we implement to ease this transition and support them during this time? A: As a coach with deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by older adults in assisted living facilities, menu updates are best addressed with...
One intrepid postman set out from Nome in November 1905 with his team of dogs, led by a wolf, on a 15-month odyssey that would test his resolve and capture the public's imagination. Eli Smith, a seasoned mail carrier from Nome, embarked on an epic 8,000-mile trek to Washington D.C., all to settle a high-stakes wager. Born around 1855 in Wisconsin, Smith led a life of adventure long before his famous mushing expedition that would test the limits of human and canine endurance. He worked various...
People affected by Typhoon Halong have until Nov. 7 to apply for SNAP replacement benefits. The Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (DPA) has a small FAQ section on their SNAP page that addresses whether SNAP benefits will be issued in November, due to the federal government shutdown, and explains some of the DPA’s options. Updates on this issue will be posted on that page, as well as on DPA social media. The same page also has information on assistance for those in Western AK affected by Typhoon Halong, for both SNAP r...
The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame induced 10 women into its ranks Oct. 21. The women honored are Judith “Judy” Caminer, who helped form the Chugach Park Fund; Joaqlin Estus, a pioneering journalist who was a national correspondent for Indian Country Today and news director at KNBA; Katherine Gottlieb, who served 30 years as president and CEO of Southcentral Foundation; Ada (Deluktuk) Blackjack Johnson, a posthumous recipient who was an Arctic explorer who went on an expedition to Wrangell Island in the Arctic Ocean; Lisa Parker, who is presi...
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced in late October that Social Security benefits, including old-age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI), and supplemental security income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8% in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January. Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1%. The COLA was 2.5% in 2025. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a...
I bought my first computer in the late 1980s. I paid $1,200 for a used Kaypro. It was the size of a sewing machine carrying case, had sturdy all-steel housing, and it weighed 26 pounds. The manufacturer didn't have the nerve to call it "portable." We proud Kaypro owners called it "luggable." I sidled up to the evolving technologies over the decades because, as a practical matter, I thought they could help me be a better educator and communicator. And now: artificial intelligence (AI). Yes, it is...
AARP survey data reveals that 86% of service members and veterans have faced at least one service-related scam in the past year. These thieves specifically target veterans, with losses amounting to $477 million in 2023, according to the latest Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data. AARP's report, "Scambush: Military Veterans Battle Surprise Attacks from Scams and Fraud," highlights the top scams facing the veteran and military community. Often, veterans are targeted by scammers who exploit their...
One of the deadliest dangers in Alaskan winters is invisible, odorless, and silent. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that kills people each year. For people with compromised respiratory systems or cardiac history, this invisible threat is especially dangerous. Carbon monoxide comes from things that burn fuel in your home. Your furnace, water heater, fireplace, and gas stove all make this deadly gas. Internal combustion vehicles and generators also produce it. When these items work properly...
