Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 1931
Senior Voice was recently recognized for excellence, winning eight awards in the annual contest sponsored by the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA), a nationwide network of publishers focusing on boomer and senior readers. Awards were announced Sept. 11, 2024, at the annual NAMPA conference, held virtually online this year. Entries were independently judged by a panel including journalists, proofreaders, librarians and geriatric professionals. Senior Voice entries competed in Division A, for circulations below 25,000. Senior...
I was talking with someone at a social gathering. A wonderful supplement was mentioned that would boost my energy. I didn’t write it down but it sounded like Sporkblot, or maybe Batspawn? Well, no matter. I’ll just wander over to the local drug store and find it. But I get there and I am faced with 30 feet of shelving overflowing with hundreds of supplements aggressively strutting their stuff. Yikes! What do I do? Ahhh. I am enveloped in a moment of focused calm. (Ok, I am not calm. It’s an apocryphal story.) I visualize the Office of Dieta...
Q: I recently started a job that involves interacting with older adults, many of whom have led fascinating lives. To learn more about them and deepen our conversations, what questions could help me get to know them better? A: Learning about an elderly person’s life can be a fulfilling experience for both parties involved. To facilitate meaningful conversations, it is important to create an environment that encourages openness. This includes using clear and direct communication, asking t...
New steps are underway to improve the detection and management of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias among American Indian and Alaska Native elders. A $11.3 million dollar contract has been awarded to specifically train healthcare providers and support patients’ families in communities that have little access to such specialized care. The program will be led by Dr. Dedra Buchwald, a professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, and it is funded by the Indian Health Service (IHS). She and...
For some individuals, time orientation can be a struggle and lead to frustration and anxiety. Digital calendar clocks clearly display the current time and part of the day, week, date and month without any abbreviations and in high contrast. Many of these devices can set daily alarms, customize reminders shown on the screen, change languages, and adjust brightness. This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of Alaska), a nonprofit, statewide resource. ATLA does not endorse this...
The long-held tradition of the family gathered around a table for a savory Thanksgiving feast carries fond memories for most. Yet, many will spend the day alone, either out of circumstance or by choice. Whatever the case, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday without family. So whether you go it alone or decide to hold a Friendsgiving, follow these tips to make the most of your holiday. Solitary celebrations The upside of spending Thanksgiving alone is that you can celebrate any way you...
Medicare can be confusing for anyone. It is easy to misunderstand Medicare eligibility or the best time to enroll in the various parts of Medicare. The factors around Medicare eligibility and enrollment choices can be even more complicated for older people who were born outside the U.S. Immigrants may not have as much work history in the U.S., may have a variety of immigration statuses, or may have limited English proficiency—all making a potentially confusing process even more difficult. N...
Dear Savvy Senior: I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been trying to use a CPAP device for the past six months but can’t tolerate it. Are there any alternative treatment options you can tell me about? – Sleepy Sam Dear Sam: I’m sorry to hear your CPAP mask is keeping you awake at night, but I’m happy to hear that you’re addressing your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) problem. Left untreated, OSA is linked to daytime sleepiness and an increased risk of anxiety, diabetes, hypertension and stroke. For those who aren’t familiar, OSA...
November is Diabetes Awareness month. Thanks to our partnership with the State of Alaska Dept. of Health (DOH), Alaska Health Fair, Inc. is making it easier than ever to check your blood sugar levels and learn about diabetes and pre-diabetes at health fairs. Diabetes occurs when your body struggles with insulin production or usage, leading to high blood sugar levels and potential complications. Pre-diabetes is a warning sign that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet at diabetes levels. Early detection and intervention can prevent...
Goodness gracious, we are so blessed Showing gratitude may pack some important hidden long-term health benefits. A recent study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is suggesting that experiencing gratitude may help older adults live longer. “Prior research has shown an association between gratitude and lower risk of mental distress and greater emotional and social wellbeing. However, its association with physical health is less understood,” said lead author Ying Chen, a Harvard res...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following caregiver support group meetings in October. Meeting format is open discussion unless otherwise noted. Nov. 1 Soldotna Senior Center support meeting with presentation, “Holiday Dining with Dementia,” by Valerie Flake from Val’s Care Coordination, 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 Kenai Senior Center, “Stronger Together” support group, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 7 Tyotkas Elder Center (in Kenai) support meeting, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21 Sterling Senior Center support meeting, 1 to 2 p.m....
As we approach another long, dark winter, it's time to talk about something that affects many of us: Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short. Don't worry, we're not sad about talking about SAD! In fact, knowing more about it can help us stay happier and healthier during those chilly months. It affects more people than realize it, but not everyone recognizes the signs or knows how to combat it. SAD is a type of depression that shows up when the days get shorter and darker. Here in Alaska,...
As I walked down the hallway at the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home Sept. 14, my heart grew heavy when I noticed two papers in the special glass memorial wall case which notifies the recent death of a resident. It grew even heavier when I saw Dave Brown's face looking back at me. Because my husband Gary has lived in the Pioneer Home for the last two and a half years, I know all the residents by face, if not name, and Dave was very special to us. Gary had been living in the Palmer Pioneer Home...
In a town not much different from the one where they both grew up, orthopedic surgeon and husband Henry Krull alongside his wife, entrepreneur and visionary Mary Krull, have embarked on a mission to bring fresh food, renewable energy and a unique experience to Soldotna, and all of Alaska. Including the talents of their adult children, the Krulls have turned Whistle Hill into a thriving hub for locals and visitors alike, with a combination of innovative farming, dining experiences, local art,...
The Social Security Administration continues to partner with locations throughout Alaska to offer secure video service, a convenient and no cost service option that allows people to talk directly to a Social Security employee through a secure computer link that includes two-way video and sound. The video service is available at these locations: In Nome, Norton Sound Health Corporation, 1000 Grek Kruschek. Video service is available for walk-ins on a first come, first served basis, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Kenai Senior Ce...
Q. My iPhone just automatically updated to iOS 17.7. How do I get the new features advertised in iOS 18? A. There are two kinds of system updates for iPhones, major and minor. Major releases that change once a year, and increase the first number. For example, from 17.0 to 18.0. Minor updates occur throughout the year, and increase the numbers after the decimal point. Your iPhone will automatically update itself with these “point updates” as long as it is plugged in and has a Wi-Fi connection. Each autumn Apple releases a major new update to the...
In 2017, The New York Times published "Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program". That article helped change the common perception about UFOs and intelligent life on other planets from "goofy people who wear tinfoil hats" to "Hmm, maybe there is something to this." Since then, military sources have publicly released and verified images of UFOs, often referred to as "UAPs," Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. Highly placed military officers and civilians have...
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. We work to make that happen through legislative advocacy, supporting policies that benefit the age 50+ community, opposing those that don't, and working alongside our partners to ensure issues related to aging in Alaska are top of mind when drafting new legislation. AARP is offering three opportunities for you to help make Alaska a place where we can all choose how we live as we age. - Become an e-activist - Volunteer as an AARP legislative...
Q. Someone I know appears to be mentally stressed or troubled. It raises the questions: When should I become concerned? How should I respond to any unusual mannerisms they may exhibit? A. If someone shows signs of mental stress or angst, pay close attention to any significant changes in their behavior. Should their actions become extreme, reach out to a healthcare provider or seek professional guidance promptly. In cases where you believe the individual may pose a risk to themselves or others,...
Tom Class, the dedicated rural outreach coordinator for the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, has had a very busy year. Traveling extensively across the state, Tom has been conducting low-vision clinics in various remote locations, including Nome, Juneau, Kotzebue and several other communities. Tom's tireless efforts are making a significant impact, bringing much-needed vision care to those in Alaska's far-flung regions. His work ensures that even the most isolated residents...
Bump Dots are adhesive dots that provide tactile marking of everyday items such as a microwave, oven, keyboard, calculators, light switches and more. The dots allow an individual who has vision loss to easily navigate and utilize the appliance or device. Bump Dots come in many different sizes, shapes, heights and colors to help with distinguishing between each dot. This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of Alaska), a nonprofit, statewide resource. ATLA does not endorse this...
The 10th Annual Alaska Disability and Aging Summit, themed “Inclusive Aging in Alaska: Thriving and Growing Together,” will be held on October 8 and 9 in Anchorage. Organized by the Alaska Disability and Aging Coalition, the event will be hybrid, allowing participants to attend both in person at the Special Olympics Alaska Jim Balamaci Training Center and online via Zoom. The summit's goal is to unite Alaskans to discuss national and state trends related to aging, specifically focusing on individuals with intellectual and developmental dis...
From Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, I encourage you to review and, if needed, change your Prescription Drug Plan under Part D coverage. Changes you elect will become effective on Jan. 1. Certified Medicare counselors across Alaska can help you as part of the Medicare Information Office’s network of program Ambassadors, including through your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Give us a call, we would be glad to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and even complete t...
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign to increase awareness about this prevalent disease. Breast cancer affects millions worldwide, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases diagnosed each year. Early detection, often through screening, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and can save lives. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. While it can affect both men and women, it's far more common in women. Regular self-examinations and routine screenings play a crucial...
At-home detection of heart failure Heart failure is a leading cause of death worldwide and now researchers hope to combat it in a whole new way. They have developed a point-of-care electrochemical biosensor that can measure levels of two biomarkers for heart failure in as little as 15 minutes from just a drop of saliva. “Our device would be ideal for people, who are at high risk for heart failure but have limited access to a hospital or a centralized lab,” said developer Trey Pittman, who is...
