Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 1943
It’s springtime. In the Municipality of Anchorage, that means it’s election season. The last day to turn in your mail-in ballot or vote in person is Tuesday, April 1. The municipal election includes the Anchorage Assembly, the school board, and a slew of bond propositions. The Anchorage People Mover is free all day on Election Day … Alaska Pacific University is hosting an outdoor gear swap. The event is Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at APU’s Mosely Sports Center, 4400 University Drive. The sale is a fundraiser for the APU outdoor gea...
The nonprofit Road Scholar celebrates 50 years with new tours, as well as free armchair travel. Offering a wide selection of destinations for avid travelers, it also keeps in mind those who can no longer travel or cannot afford to. "For 50 years, Road Scholar has empowered older adults to explore, learn and connect with the world around them," said James Moses, CEO of Road Scholar. "Beginning with our first program at the University of New Hampshire in 1975, we have partnered with thousands of...
Switching permanently to either standard time or daylight saving time would disadvantage either early risers or night owls, according to experts. The current system provides each group with benefits for half the year. Now, the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time is calling for change. The group contends abolishing seasonal time changes and adopting permanent standard time, follows science and prioritizes public health, safety and efficiency. A survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) found that half (50%) of Americans support...
When I first started at Senior Voice, I asked my boss how long she’d worked here. She sighed, “Thirteen years.” That was thirty-one years ago. I was straight out of college, coming from a news editor position at UAA’s student newspaper, and in my early 30s. Senior issues were not something I was familiar with. But soon I was neck-deep writing about hospital Certificates of Need, Medicaid spend-down tactics, municipal senior property tax exemptions and other dense but important topics. One of my recollections from those early days is a convers...
Here is a true story. The recorder was on. One day, during the reign of Anchorage Mayor Daniel Sullivan (2009 – 2015, not to be confused with current Senator Dan Sullivan), I was interviewing the mayor for a local newsletter. We were up in his eighth floor office that had a spectacular view of downtown through a number of floor-to-ceiling windows. I asked him for his comment about a University of Alaska study which found that, for several decades, the percentage of business contributions to property taxes had been steadily falling, and the perc...
The concerns we hear about from older Americans and older Alaskans and see in poll results most frequently are worries about retirement income, support for family caregivers, and programs for aging independently at home. AARP Alaska’s top priorities focus on policies that address these concerns. Retirement income security Retirement readiness is good for Alaska and good for Alaskans. Protecting Social Security is a top priority at the federal level, but Social Security is not enough to live on. Increased savings and access to benefits e...
Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about service dogs for seniors with disabilities? My 67-year-old father has chronic arthritis and Parkinson's disease, and I'm wondering if an assistance dog could help make his life a little easier. -Dog Loving Leah Dear Leah: For people with disabilities and even medical conditions, service dogs can be fantastic help, not to mention they provide great companionship and an invaluable sense of security. But be aware that service dogs can be very expensive...
This portable, lightweight TV amplifier connects to your TV, allowing sound to project wherever you place the speaker. Simply install the receiver base to your TV with included optical and analog cables. Place the receiver on the base for charging, and when you're ready to use it, the receiver has a convenient handle so you can carry it with you, even to another room. Use for up to eight hours before needing to charge. This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of Alaska), a...
The liver is one of the most vital organs in the human body, playing a crucial role in our overall health. Despite its importance, many people are unaware of the liver's functions and how to properly maintain its health. In this article, we'll explore the significance of the liver, common liver issues in the United States, and how you can minimize your risk of developing these problems. The liver is essential The liver is responsible for over 500 essential functions. It acts as a detoxification...
Our Congress wrote legislation which was intended to reinforce the opportunity to enroll into Medicare when first eligible (if a delayed enrollment, such as when you are covered by your employer’s healthcare plan). This was done by adding a ten percent (10%) additional amount to the Part B monthly premium, for each 12-month period without fully enrolled Medicare coverage. Also, for individuals and couples filing jointly who may have greater annual modified adjusted gross incomes, an Income-Relat...
Q: Ice patterns and reduced snowfall in Alaska have created challenges for those who rely on subsistence hunting and gathering. These changes threaten access to fresh water and impact animal migration, leading to hardships for communities that depend on a stable environment. Elders like my grandmother note that shorter seasons and unpredictable ice conditions affect traditional lifestyles. It is crucial to explore ways to preserve these cultural practices. How can we do this? A: You pose an...
At-home urine test for prostate cancer Researchers at Vanderbilt and the University of Michigan are now reporting that they have come up with a simple at-home urine test for prostate cancer screening. Traditional prostate cancer screening with PSA testing and biopsy has been shown to lead to unnecessary procedures and overdiagnosis of low-grade cancers, according to researchers Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian, an assistant professor of Urology and director of Translational Cancer Research at Vanderbilt...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following caregiver support group meetings in March. Meeting format is open discussion unless otherwise noted. March 5 Kenai Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. March 6 Tyotkas Elder Center (in Kenai), 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 7 Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Emergency preparedness training with Valerie Flake. All registered caregivers will go home with a starter “bug out bag”. March 20 Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Emergency preparedness training with Valerie Flake. All r...
As the seasons change and we welcome the longer days of spring, many of us take the opportunity to refresh and reorganize our homes. For families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD), this is also a perfect time to evaluate and adapt the living space to ensure it remains safe, comfortable and supportive. A well-organized, dementia-friendly home can reduce stress and confusion while promoting independence for those living with ADRD. Below are some essential tips and modifications to consider during your s...
We're a few months now into the new year. Raise your hand if you made a resolution to get more exercise? Have you kept your promise? By the time you've committed to starting a regular exercise program, you've likely made up your mind that you're ready to do that daily walk, start a strength training routine, or go to more yoga classes. For some folks, developing a new exercise habit is easy. For others, it can be a challenge. For adults over 65 years old, The Center for Disease Control...
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. will offer the following health fairs around the state in March: March 8 Anchorage Moose Lodge Community health fair, 4211 Arctic Blvd., 8 a.m. to noon. March 8 Wasilla FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers, 650 N. Shoreline Drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 Salcha Community health fair at Salcha Fire and Rescue Firehouse Bldg., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 15 Anchorage St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O’Malley Rd., 8 a.m. to noon March 15 Palmer Depot Community Center, 610 S. Valley Way, 8 a.m. to noon March 18 Fairbanks...
For over two decades, Velda Geller has been a cornerstone of the Kenai Senior Center, dedicating her time, energy and heart to improving the lives of seniors in the community. She reminds us just how much you get in return for "giving back." A life of service Her journey with the Kenai Senior Center began nearly 30 years ago around the time she and her husband turned 60. Originally from Kansas, Velda recalls how the senior center became a place of connection and belonging. "When I first came...
As a veteran mental health and addictions counselor in Alaska, you would think Alaskan writer Michael Horton would focus his writing on his work experiences all across the state. Yet the prolific writer has veered far afield to the realms of a series inspired by Biblical characters, a Star Wars themed science fiction series and yes, one novel of Bush teens dealing with life challenges. What comes across in his writings is his close connection to the many people he counseled and his understanding...
A recent study on estate planning asked people, specifically those who did not have anything in place, what would motivate them to get that done. A full 24% said that nothing would motivate them. They simply had no expectation of doing it, ever. The rest of them would probably move forward, if they had some reason to think they were in imminent danger of dying. I think back to when the pandemic started. The first few weeks I focused on figuring out how to get things done when I couldn’t have c...
Hawaii faces challenges as its population of Elders, or kūpuna, age 75 and older surges, consuming more resources than they bring in. This group of "super-aged" is the subject of a recent report that describes the situation and outlines what awaits the state. One in four Hawaii residents will be over 65 in 2035, and by then the state's super-aged population will number 219,000. The report, "Aging and Hawai'i's Generational Economy," examined how much every age group consumes in private and...
Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. Knowing what to look for makes all the difference in recovery. Think of a stroke as a "brain attack." Just like a heart attack blocks blood flow to the heart, a stroke blocks blood flow to part of the brain. When this happens, brain cells can die. Every passing minute puts more of the brain at risk. You can spot a stroke by remembering the word “FAST.” The letter F stands for Face. Ask the person to smile. If one side of their face droops or...
Q: I have a family member who lives in the Lower 48 whom I do not see often because she suffers from anxiety when flying. The last time she traveled was a few years ago and I’ve told her that today’s flights have onboard Wi-Fi so she could be absorbed in social media, email, streaming videos, etc. She said that may be enough to distract her from anxiety. Do all flights offer this service? Are there other new services that may help her get through a three to four hour flight? She’s tried using...
A number of years ago I spent some time in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. It is an extraordinary place. Think: the industrial revolution meets the wild west, in the middle of the desert. Wonderful people, but a very poor country. Good thing I didn't leave my medications at the airport in Anchorage by accident, as a friend of mine once did on the way to Europe. Upon arrival, she just popped into a pharmacy by the hotel and picked up replacements. She was quite confident that her...
Voice amplifiers, also known as personal voice amplification devices or portable voice amplifiers, are compact electronic devices that enhance and project the sound of a person's voice. The lightweight speaker is designed primarily to be worn around the neck, though it can be clipped on a belt or placed on a table. Wearing the speaker around the neck is recommended since the sound of the voice is close to the visual source. This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of Alaska),...
One of the highest callings for us humans is to deeply know and love ourselves, and as much as possible to be a force for good. Perhaps you will agree that being good to yourself, and making healthy choices throughout the day, is a large portion of what makes up a good day. At the end of the day, it feels satisfying to know we did the best to honor and extend our one wild and precious life, taking the high road in every encounter and treating ourselves right, too. A few of my daily practices to promote graceful aging are full-body dry-brush...
