Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1936
Dear Savvy Senior, What kinds of legal documents do I need to help my family take care of me in my elder years? I would like to get my affairs in order but could use some help. - Approaching 80 Dear Approaching, All adults, especially an older adult like yourself, should have at least five legal documents to protect yourself and your family. These documents will make sure your wishes regarding your estate are legal and clear and will help minimize any conflicts and confusion with your family...
Q: Why do I feel like TV or online ads are trying to trick me into a certain way of thinking? A: Media has a significant and often subtle influence on our unconscious thoughts and actions, shaping our perceptions of reality, social norms and self-identity. Our unconscious mind holds a vast reservoir of thoughts, memories, emotions, and instincts that function outside our conscious awareness, continuously affecting our behavior. While the unconscious mind serves as the foundation, the conscious...
What is Alaska 211? Alaska 211 is United Way's statewide help line for information, referrals and assistance finding vital, available health and human services, community resources, government, and tribal assistance in the callers' communities. How did 211 come about? The first 211 in the United States launched in 1997, a joint effort of United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems, or AIRS, in Atlanta. Three years later, the...
With the Seeing AI app, users can hold their phone up to an individual, and it will audibly describe what the person looks like, including their hair color, estimated age, and emotional state. By pointing the phone towards a product, users will receive a description of the product, its expiration date, and other relevant details. The app can also read documents and recognize various structural elements, including paragraphs, headings, and lists. The Ava app transcribes spoken words into text,...
When you have Medicare and another source of health care insurance coverage, you may at some point wonder, “Who pays first?” If you are like me, my first thought goes to the classic Abbott and Costello comedy routine, “Who’s on first?” and that is a much funnier topic. But with Medicare and other coverage, such as that offered by your employer, knowing which coverage is considered primary (and which then is secondary) can help to fully understand your covered insurance claims. Point 1: The di...
As our beautiful Alaska spring turns to summer, many people sneeze and sniffle more than their normal. Pesky seasonal allergies can make enjoying our gorgeous outdoors difficult. Let's go over helpful information about recognizing allergic reactions, treating them, and minimizing seasonal allergies. First, let's talk about how to know if you're having an allergic reaction. Mild to moderate symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery or itchy eyes, and itchy throat. You might also...
Wildland fire danger is growing across Alaska. A warm and dry winter has put fire officials on high alert and prompted residents in zones where wildland meets urban development to take precautions. "The wilderness surrounding us presents a significant fire risk," said Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance at a recent town hall about fire prevention efforts across the Municipality. "Our beautiful green spaces, while cherished, also mean that the risk of fire is ever present, even in our urban core. We...
-Sign up for text alerts by texting “Anchorage” to 67283. In Fairbanks, you can text FPDALERTS to 67283. -The Municipality recommends bookmarking trusted sources’ information outlets via website or social media. These organizations are committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public: Anchorage Police Department Anchorage Fire Department Municipality of Anchorage Office of Emergency Management Anchorage Health Department: https://www.muni.org/Departments/health/Pages/default.aspx State of Alaska: https://rea...
Firewise Alaska Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Municipality of Anchorage Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (available in several languages) Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Division Alaska Wildland Fire Information A comprehensive website with regular updates on fire activity. Wildland-Urban Interface Community Action Team Organizations like Access Alaska offer specialized emergency preparedness information and toolkits tailored for individuals with disabilities and seniors. The "Get Ready! Toolkit" includes checklists and...
David Washburn received the 2025 Ron Hammett Award from the Municipality of Anchorage Senior Citizens Advisory Commission on May 7. Washburn, the long-serving editor of the Senior Voice who retired in March, was singled out for his service over the course of a three-decade career at the Senior Voice. The award was presented during Older Americans Month in May. "My community work has been your community work," Washburn said in receiving the award at the Anchorage Senior Activities Center. In 2005...
Statistics published by the American Cancer Society in 2025 suggest that one of every eight men (12.5%) will experience prostate cancer during their lifetime. And the incidence rate has increased by 3% each year since 2014. Men who are 65 and older are experiencing the highest rates of prostate cancer. Yet with intervention, the survival rates for prostate cancer are high at 97.7%. Since cancer goes into remission and never really goes away, the question “What future can I expect when living with prostate cancer?” has many answers. The pro...
Dear Savvy Senior, Q. My husband and I, who are retired, have accumulated about $7,000 in credit card debt over the past few years and need some help paying it off. What can you tell us? - Living Underwater A. Dear Living, I’m sorry to hear about your financial woes but know that you’re not alone. Credit card debt has become a big problem in this country for millions of older Americans. According to a recent AARP report, 52 percent of adults ages 50 to 64 have credit card debt, along with 42 percent of those ages 65 to 74. Rising costs of bas...
Q: I recently watched the documentary “The 90s Club,” where individuals in their 90s share their perspectives on life, love, loss, and the search for meaning. This deeply resonated with me and sparked reflections about my own future. Some days, it is challenging to remain optimistic, especially when I find myself surrounded by constant reminders of farewells and funerals. I'm seeking ways to shift my perspective and find hope amid grief. How can I develop a more positive outlook? A: One way to...
Alaska’s summer solstice season offers long hours of light, warmer days, and a strong pull for Alaskans to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. For individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), June is a great time to embrace the outdoors. Summer’s sunshine brings plenty of chances for fun and connection, but it also comes with a few extra things for caregivers to keep in mind. Whether it’s a gentle walk on a local trail or time spent gardening on a porch, outdoor activities can support emotional well-be...
Preventive health care is care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. Medicare covers many preventive health care services, including routine vaccines. Today I will discuss how the different parts of Medicare cover vaccines, along with some important notes about a few common vaccines. Point 1: Understand that most vaccines are covered by Medicare Part D If your provider recommends that you get a vaccine, in most cases this service will be covered by your...
I am a Certified Medicare Counselor working under SHIP. My office is in the Soldotna Senior Center, and I serve the state via phone. If you are local, I can help you as a walk-in. I am here Mondays through Thursday, 8 am to 3:30 pm. Call with your Medicare questions, 907-262-2322....
Even though muscle is heavier than fat, and exercise greatly stimulates appetite, no health improvement or weight loss program will ultimately succeed without focused toning. This is because muscle is highly metabolically active tissue and uses up close to 80% of our glucose requirements. In general, I favor low carb (and no refined carb) diets, especially for blood type O and B. A blood types would ideally choose a pesco-ovo vegetarian diet (avoiding red meat and heavy dairy products). But we all like to have a treat now and then—right? So, sa...
Technology use among older adults appears to benefit cognitive health rather than harm it, according to a large-scale meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour, a monthly multidisciplinary online-only peer-reviewed scientific journal. The study, which examined data from more than 411,000 adults ages 50 and older, found that engaging with digital devices may actually help protect against cognitive decline and dementia. “The generation that brought us the digital revolution is now r...
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), observed annually on June 15, is a critical opportunity for Alaskans to reflect on the safety and dignity of our rapidly growing senior population. With more than 160,000 Alaskans now aged 60 and older—representing nearly 22% of the state’s population—the risk of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation is rising in step with demographic changes. Older adults in Alaska face unique vulnerabilities, especially in rural communities. People may be isolated, have disabling conditions, or experience other healt...
Alaskans are more likely to lack health insurance, according to Census Bureau data. They are also racking up more medical debt. Alaska showed a 32% increase in medical debt from 2020-23, with the percentage of residents in medical debt growing from 4.90% to 6.48%. Where one lives can determine what kind of medical coverage you can get and also influence the cost of health care. Iowa had the greatest number of residents falling into medical debt, while Delaware was able to reverse medical debt the most of all states. An analysis of government...
Three years ago this month, I finally planted my black currant berry patch -a total of 14 plants-along the sloping edge of my year-old lawn. It was such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to complete a project that was 10 years in the making. Normally, to develop a successful berry patch, a person would identify a location and prepare the ground before or at least at the same time as acquiring the berry plants, but not me. Those kinds of considerations rarely seem to come together for my...
Hospice is not a place. And hospice care is not just about those who are dying. Hospice is a comprehensive, compassionate kind of care that focuses on living-hospice is about living as fully as possible, surrounded by family and friends, up until the end of life. Palliative care brings this special philosophy of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness. Did you know that Hospice of Anchorage is a volunteer hospice? Did you know there are three Medicare hospice providers serving...
WASHINGTON—The U.S. House approved the “big, beautiful bill” on May 22 that Republican leaders spent months negotiating with centrists and far-right members of the party—two distinct factions that hold vastly different policy goals—over intense opposition from Democrats. The 215-214 vote ships the package to the Senate, where GOP lawmakers are expected to rewrite much of it, before sending it back across the Capitol for final approval, a process likely to stretch through the summer. President Donald Trump, who said he backed the House version,...
June is packed with events as Alaskans get the most amount of sunshine of the year this month. The summer solstice is June 20 at 6:41 p.m. Alaska time.. https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/anchorage?month=6 You can get out and enjoy the summer through a variety of activities. … An event to bring metaphorical sunshine into your life takes place June 6. The Forget-me-not Chorus, a program of Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, is performing its spring concert at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center Ballroom. Complimentary refreshments will be ser...
Established in 1968, OPAG is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving services, developing programs, educating, promoting and implementing changes to help Alaska seniors live healthy, productive lives. Current programs: - publish the monthly Senior Voice newspaper - publish and distribute the Directory for Older Alaskans senior resource directory - provide information and referral services for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Health Care Act and other senior issues - organize monthly Providers' Breakfast...
