Sorted by date Results 401 - 425 of 1931
The afternoon of Dec. 12, 2022, the phone rang and it was Michael, my snowplow driver. "Lady (he always calls me 'lady'), I've been thinking, and I just don't know what to do with you." He said he drove into my driveway a short way, dropped the blade and back bladed, but had no place to take the snow. We'd received 16 inches overnight, in this second of three snowstorms in about a week's time. Michael is a wonderful neighbor who has kept our driveway free from snow problems ever since my...
Tai chi can bring wellness to the body, mind and spirit with consistent practice but trying to find a teacher or starting a practice on your own can be challenging. A growing number of senior centers in Alaska are finding tai chi instructors as a result of an effort funded by the State of Alaska to hold "train the trainer" workshops. The goal is to bring tai chi to as many of Alaska's communities as possible by recruiting community members to become leaders in health as certified instructors...
The annual Bettye Davis African American Summit will take place during Black History Month at the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School on Saturday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event continues the legacy of the late state senator Bettye Davis and brings together the Black community and other people of color in conversation and action to make Alaska a better place for everyone. Activities include presentation of the Black Teachers of Excellence Awards; forums focusing on health, justice and economic equity; entertainment, vendors and much...
Dear Savvy Senior: What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? My income dropped way down when I retired in 2022, so I’m wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year. – Recently Retired Dear Recently: Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year, as well as the source of the income, your age and filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty...
For 39 years, Angel Flight West has transported thousands of people to medical care – for free. Flights are generally for passengers who can't afford airline tickets, or for whom travel by land or commercial airline could pose a physical hardship, passengers with compromised immune systems or who live in remote areas without access to commercial transportation. Angel Flight West provides air transportation within and across 12 Western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, I...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk,” the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Anchorage Senior Activity Center and Older Persons Action Group, Inc., returns Jan. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This free event will be in-person at the senior center, with appetizers and refreshments provided. This month’s program features Anchorage audiologist and author Dr. Thomas McCarty, who will talk about how treating hearing loss and tinnitus can contribute to a healthy brain, promote independence as we age and may reduce the risk of dementia. Doors open with a li...
AARP Foundation Tax Aide Program in Alaska is happy to announce we will be open to prepare taxes this season beginning February 1 through April 18, 2023. We have many sites in Anchorage and other Alaska communities, with the most current information on the site locator at www.aarp.org/taxaide or by calling Alaska 2-1-1 information and referral line by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221. This season Tax-Aide will have multiple service delivery models. It will be important for tax clients to review the service delivery models for each site before...
One of the biggest obstacles in achieving health equity for diverse populations is the lack of diversity in clinical research. Although gender equity advancements have been made through the inclusion of white women, clinical research lacks diversity, with minimal representation from racial and ethnic minority groups. In the last three decades, older adults, pregnant and lactating individuals, LGBTQIA+ populations, and people with disabilities have also remained underrepresented-and even...
Swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, it is much more popular in Alaska than many other states for a host of reasons. In the winter, swimming can be more than just exercise. Water fitness groups tend to be extensive, welcoming families consisting of seniors, young adults and everyone in between. Amanda Hanley is the aquatics director for the YMCA in Anchorage and said swimming is one of the best...
"Don't be afraid of the dietitian." – Amy Urbanus You eat every day, but are you eating the right stuff? Find out here. And don't be afraid of the dietitian. Amy Urbanus has been a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for 22 years. During that time, she did employee wellness for a large regional grocery store chain, worked at Southcentral Foundation as an outpatient dietitian, put in some time at the Providence Diabetes and Nutrition Center at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, and lots more. C...
Medicare and Marketplace health insurance can easily be confused, but the two are different federal benefit programs. The Health Insurance Marketplaces were created by the Affordable Care Act. These Marketplaces allow people to buy insurance who do not have (or do not have enough) health insurance. You can access the Marketplace online at www.healthcare.gov or by calling 800-318-2596. Plans sold through Marketplaces are also known as Qualified Health Plans. Many people who have a Marketplace...
My name is Lee Coray-Ludden. I am a Certified Medicare Counselor through SHIP, the State Health Insurance Program. They provide the training and supervision. I serve the State of Alaska by phone and have been traveling around Alaska – it’s been fun and educational. My office is in the Soldotna Senior Center, that is also how the phone will be answered. My number is 907-262-2322. I work Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Just ask for Lee. I look forward to finding answers and possible solutions together. Currently there is a lot of...
Q: In the new year I am looking for volunteer opportunities. Any ideas? A: Mentoring can be an incredibly rewarding experience, both for the mentor and the mentee. If being mentored, it is one of the most important investments a person can make in themselves. Whether needing a mentor to develop professionally, grow business, increase personal agency, or to become a better leader – mentorship is an invaluable asset. Not only does it provide perspective on the journey as a mentee, but also gives t...
A mind-controlled wheelchair can help a paralyzed person gain new mobility by translating users’ thoughts into mechanical commands. Researchers have demonstrated that individuals with the inability to voluntarily move the upper and lower parts of the body can operate mind-controlled wheelchairs in a natural, cluttered environment after training for an extended period. “We show that mutual learning of both the user and the brain-machine interface algorithm are both important for users to suc...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will continue its peer support meetings into 2023. 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 friend by being a caregiver, learn what kind of help is available. There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend. Call with suggestions and ideas for upcoming trainings or follow on Facebook, @KPFCSP. The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program office is located...
During my recent bout with COVID-19, books helped keep my sanity. I enjoyed reading during the long weeks of recovery, when I had little energy to do much else. I have loved books for as long as I can remember. My parents read to me from a very early age. They gave me an oversized, full-color picture dictionary for my seventh Christmas in 1962. Oh, how I treasured that book and spent hours poring over the details. As a young girl growing up in Glennallen, I remember looking at books in the...
Health fairs will resume in January 2023. Visit our website to sign up to receive our newsletter, and we will notify you when the new schedule is published. We thank all of you, our clients, volunteers, and partner agencies, for another successful season as we celebrate our 42nd year of service. We wouldn’t be able to deliver important health education and screenings to thousands of Alaskans statewide without the strength of our amazing volunteer force. Your support keeps our organization strong and thriving. We are always looking for new v...
In 1994, when I first moved to Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), the Russian icebreaker "Yamal" cruised into town with tourists aboard. It took 13 helicopter trips just to unload their luggage for transport to the Wiley Post and Will Rogers Airport for the flight out of town. The cruisers themselves were lightered to the beach in Zodiacs. As editor of the Arctic Sounder, I got a helicopter ride out to the ship and landed on the deck. I forgot that ships are like a country unto themselves and hadn't...
One fine day in early November I grabbed Jim McCall, who manages the Senior Office of the Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation (AHFC), for a friendly Zoom chat. His subject: The just-released Anchorage Assisted Living Survey. The following includes Jim’s “big picture” responses to a few of the more important issues, with significance for all of Alaska in addition to Anchorage. Questions and responses have been edited for length and clarity. Weiss: Jim, you work in the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). What is that? McCall: AHFC...
On a chilly Tuesday evening, Nov. 1, the beautifully renovated Anchorage Senior Activity Center was abuzz with chatter and activity as residents of Anchorage shared input on Anchorage as an Age-Friendly Community. The Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (NAFSC), an international initiative, began in 2006 to encourage cities to be ready for rapidly aging populations by helping people thrive in their homes and communities as they age. The recent listening session was the program for the November gathering for Age Smart, a monthly...
Q: It’s the time of year when many people take trips to see their loved ones. What could I do over the holidays if I can’t travel to visit family because of my health? A: Health prevents travel for many people. If unable to visit loved ones because of an illness, injury or other health-related issue, it may be difficult to be away from family. There are a few things you can do, though, to make the situation a little easier. Here are some ways to stay connected even when you can’t travel. 1. St...
"When you love someone with dementia, the goal is not perfection... it's okay to be good enough." Years ago, when I was just starting my career as an intern principal in the Anchorage School District, I met a wonderful teacher, Rebecca "Becky" Ann Clement. Becky, along with sister Beverly, were the founders of the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. She would often share her daily experiences caring for her mother with Alzheimer's with me. Little did I know that one day in the future, I would also...
As a military veteran, this month’s topic resonates with me. Medicare can work with military-related healthcare, whether you are a military veteran or a military retiree. As a reminder, Original Medicare (available to the majority of eligible Alaskans) consists of Part A (hospitalization insurance) and/or Part B (medical service providers insurance). Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug plan benefit offered through third-party insurers who are approved both by Medicare and the State of Ala...
Our fall season has come to a close. Health fairs will resume in January 2023. Please sign up to our newsletter at www.alaskahealthfair.org, and we will notify you when the new schedule is published. We thank all of you – our clients, volunteers, and partner agencies – for another successful season of health fairs as we celebrate our 42nd year of service. We wouldn’t be able to deliver important health education and screenings to thousands of Alaskans statewide without the strength of our amazing volunteer force. Your support keeps our organ...
There are many new clinical trials available to Alaskans that are conducted at home. Clinical trials are medical research studies designed to test the safety and effectiveness of new investigational drugs, devices or treatments in humans. These studies are conducted worldwide for a range of conditions and illnesses. Chronic pain study Boomers, if are you having chronic pain, this may be of interest to you. The home study with researchers from the University of Michigan gives you the opportunity to participate in a first of its kind study on...
