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Amy Poehler said "Nobody looks stupid when they are having fun". In addition to improving your balance, coordination, cardiovascular health and strength, pickleball is fun and along the way you can make new friends and enjoy some friendly competition. But in addition to all that, who doesn't want to improve their game? Here are some basic tips for doing just that. Pick a couple of these to concentrate on in your next game. Get your serves in. You can't score any points if your serves land outsid...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold support group meetings at the following locations: May 3, Soldotna Senior Center Guest speaker Janice Nightingale from Hospice of Central Peninsula, 1 to 2 p.m. May 14, Kenai Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. May 16, Sterling Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. May 23, Nikiski Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. Support meetings allow you to share your experiences as a caregiver, or support someone who is a caregiver. If you are helping a family member or...
Spring has sprung and the blooming flowers, buzzing bees, biting mosquitoes and trip hazards abound as you can finally get out of the house more often. With a few simple preparations, you can enjoy the summer months while minimizing potential risks to your health and well-being. One aspect of summer home safety is ensuring your air conditioning system is in good working order if you have one. Before the heat arrives, schedule a professional to inspect and maintain your AC unit. This will help...
The Alaska Commission on Aging with hold a quarterly meeting in Valdez on May 15 at the Valdez Convention and Civic Center. The event will be in-person, online via Zoom and by teleconference, starting at 8:30 a.m., breaking for an hour at noon, and resuming from 1 to 4 p.m. At the meetings, commission members review policy and activities regarding senior housing, transportation, health care and other topics, with reports and input from representatives from agencies and organizations serving seniors and their families and caregivers. There will...
Q. What is two-factor authentication? A. The most common authentication method uses an account name and a password. That has been true since the earliest days of computing. The account name/password combination is considered a single factor authentication method. The problems created by passwords are well documented, and two-factor authentication is a technique developed to enforce security in the event a password falls into the wrong hands. The second authentication factor typically requires the user to enter a second code in addition to the...
I think the snowy winters in Michigan, where I was raised, prepared me for Alaska. After 40 years in Alaska, I considered myself an Alaskan and Anchorage is home. I came to Alaska in the late 1970s to work for what was then the Division of Family and Youth Services (DFYS). After living in large cities as a young adult, (Washington, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco) my family members were surprised when I headed to Alaska. I worked in the Dept. of Health and Social Services, Dept. of Regional...
As the Alzheimer's Association Alaska Chapter, our mission is to improve the lives of individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. We continuously advocate for comprehensive care services that address the diverse needs of patients and their caregivers. Code 99483 is currently covered for Alaska Medicare patients, but not for Alaska Medicaid patients. The inclusion of 99483 in Alaska's approved Medicaid billing code list would ensure enhanced care for Alaskans with cognitive impairment. Code 99483 represents a...
The journey of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is filled with challenges, both emotional and logistical. The recent release of the Alzheimer's Association's 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report sheds crucial light on the pressing issues faced by those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers in Alaska and nationwide. The report paints a stark picture: 6.9 million seniors in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s, with 8,400 in Alaska alone. The financial burden is staggering, projected to reach $360 bi...
Yes, using fountain pens will make you smarter. Also, it turns out that using pencils and ballpoints will make you smarter too. However, I want to talk about fountain pens in particular because they are nostalgic, creative, fun and comfy to write with. As to the "smarter" assertion, we'll just drag in some scientific findings here. According to an article published earlier this year in Psychology Today: Handwriting stimulates complex brain connections essential in encoding new information and...
Dear Savvy Senior: Who should be screened for lung cancer and how is it covered by Medicare? I used to smoke but quit many years ago and am wondering if I need to be tested. – Just Turned 65. Dear Just Turned: Even if you haven’t touched a cigarette in decades, you could still be due for an annual lung cancer screening, based on new recommendations from the American Cancer Society. The new guidelines state that adults ages 50 to 80 who currently smoke or used to smoke the equivalent of one pack a day for 20 years should get an annual low...
This month we highlight two gizmos at once -electric can and jar openers. Set the electric can opener on the can and press the button to start. It will cut cleanly around the side of the can leaving smooth edges, press the button again to stop. Electric jar openers work similarly - place down on the top of the jar and press the button to start. The jar opener will tighten around the lip of the jar and twist off the lid. These simple electronic openers could benefit individuals with limited hand...
ATLA, Assistive Technology of Alaska, will present a “virtual expo,” followed by on-site activities in celebration of National Assistive Technology Awareness Day on April 17. The Virtual Expo will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with presentations on a variety of topics: “Top ios Accessibility Features for Seniors” (9 a.m.); “Adding Assistive Technology to Your Mental Health Tool Kit” (10 a.m.); “Utilizing Assistive Technology to Support Speech and Communication” (11 a.m.); “Assistive Technology for Caregivers of All Ages” (noon). These sessi...
Local residents are invited to take advantage of free health services provided by Remote Area Medical (RAM) USA at events in April in Anchorage and Fairbanks. RAM USA is a non-profit organization providing free healthcare to underserved and remote communities across the United States through a network of volunteers and medical professionals. These Alaska events will be held at the following times and locations: Anchorage, April 20-21 Begich Middle School, 7440 Creekside Center Drive, 6 a.m. to noon. Fairbanks, April 27-28 Ryan Middle School, 14...
Prescription Drug Plan coverage is a valued element within Medicare. Known more commonly as Part D of Medicare, these policies are offered by privately managed insurance companies, and regulated both by the State of Alaska’s Division of Insurance along with the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The cost of your Medicare Part D-covered drugs may change throughout the year. If you notice that your drug prices have changed, it may be because you are in a different phase of...
Understanding brain health is crucial for everyone, as it impacts our daily lives, our future, and the well-being of our loved ones. Dementia isn't a single disease, but an umbrella term that captures a wide array of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease—the star culprit behind the majority of cases. But what makes dementia more than just a forgetful moment or a misplaced key? A tapestry of symptoms. Dementia is notorious for its impact on memory, but it's also a master of disguise, affecting language, problem-solving abili...
Here is a schedule of upcoming Alaska Health Fair, Inc. events, featuring comprehensive blood screenings. Prices start at $20. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.alaskahealthfair.org. Or simply walk-in at any event. April 6, Anchorage Alaska Health Fair Office, 720 W 58th Ave, Unit J, 8 a.m. to noon. April 6, Salcha Community Health Fair, Salcha Elementary School, 9 a.m. to noon. April 6, Willow Community Health Fair, Willow Community Center, 8 a.m. to noon April 9, Fairbanks Alaska Health Fair Office, 725 26th Ave.,...
Music’s healing properties: Don’t worry be happy Whether it’s singing in a choir, playing the living room piano, joining in hymns at church, or just whistling along with the radio, a new poll finds that nearly all older adults report music brings them far more than just entertainment. Three-quarters of people age 50 to 80 say music helps them relieve stress or relax and 65% say it helps their mental health or mood, according to a new poll on healthy aging from the University of Michigan. The sur...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following support group meetings in March: April 2, Tyotkas Elder Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. April 5, Soldotna Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. April 16, Kenai Senior Center, with presentation “Health Living for Your Brain and Body” by Cindy Harris from the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 to 2 p.m. April 18, Sterling Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. April 25, Nikiski Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. Support meetings allow you to share your...
Q: How do I handle rude, hurtful or condescending comments by family members or people who are part of my care team? A: In our daily interactions, we occasionally encounter individuals who seem to thrive on making demeaning and condescending remarks. These remarks can be hurtful, frustrating, and overwhelming, leaving us searching for ways to respond and maintain our dignity. Let us explore some strategies and empowering approaches to handle condescending remarks and regain control over such sit...
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, which presents with impaired cognition, and diminished quality of life for the patient but ultimately even more so for the caregivers. Prominent Alzheimer’s researcher Alexandra Oxford writes in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease: “For the last 25 years, clinical trials involving Alzheimer’s disease have centered on beta-amyloid (Aβ) and the Aβ hypothesis of Alzheimer’s progression and pathology. According to this hypothesis, the progression of Alzheimer’s disease begins follow...
Sometimes the near future is predictable, and sometimes it ain't. I was planning to write another column about the filing requirements which would apply to nearly all small corporations and LLCs under the new Corporate Transparency Act. But then, about a week ago as I am writing this, a federal judge ruled that the CTA was unconstitutional. I could easily write a whole column on how that works, and what the likelihood is of it being overturned, but by the time you read about it that would...
Editor’s note: AGEnet President Marianne Mills testified to the Alaska State Senate Finance Committee in Juneau on Feb. 20. Here is the text of her testimony. My name is Marianne Mills and I am the president of AGEnet, Alaska’s association of senior service providers. AGEnet stands for Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network, primarily made up of private non-profit organizations founded in Alaska. AGEnet’s goal is to help older Alaskans age in place, supporting them to live safely in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and avoid...
Q: I care for three other people and am having difficulty tracking medical appointments and medication management for each of them. Are there any useful apps for my phone that could help me? A: In this fast-paced world, caregivers often find themselves overwhelmed with various responsibilities and tasks. Fortunately, the advancement of technology has brought forth a plethora of apps that can assist caregivers in managing their duties efficiently. These apps not only provide practical solutions,...
Vaccinations may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease There now may be new steps a person can take to lower their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Getting your recommended routine vaccinations may provide hidden health benefits, according to new research. In a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found that after receiving the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine there was a 30% reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Similar results were observed in individu...
For individuals who would like notifications when motion is detected in their home, when a door is open, or if someone is in need of assistance, an alerting device can be helpful. The SMPL Wander Alert system has a pager that will vibrate, flash and sound an alarm when sensors are triggered. There are door sensors, motion sensors, help pendants, call bells and more that can be connected to one pager each with a different alerting sound. This alerting device is wireless, does not require...
