Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 2084
My cell phone rang late (9:45 p.m.) on a 2025 November night. I did not recognize the number, but have learned to pick up as it could easily be in regard to my husband's health. The voice at the other end said he was so and so with the Palmer Police Department. My mind immediately warned "scam." But I didn't hang up. The "officer" wanted to know if I was missing anything. "Not that I know of," I replied. "Did you do any shopping at the Palmer Fred Meyer store this evening?" Yes. "Did you get...
Emily Morgan, a 47-year-old Red Cross public health nurse, played an instrumental role during the deadly diphtheria outbreak in Nome, 101 years ago this month. The crisis began when children with sore throats and tonsillitis symptoms rapidly succumbed to the illness. Morgan, drawing on her experience with diphtheria from her nursing work in Kansas, was among the first to recognize the telltale signs of the disease after being called to attend 7-year-old Bessie Stanley. Despite the family's...
Q. This is the year I get serious about improving my health. What tech should I consider to help? A. Here is what I use daily: iPhone and Apple Watch, along with a smart bathroom scale and a wireless blood pressure cuff, all of which feed data automatically to my phone. I weigh myself each morning on a Withings Body Smart scale, which is available from Amazon for about $100. On most days I check my resting blood pressure with a Withings BPM Connect cuff, which is also about $100. Now that I have been using these regularly for years, my doctor...
One day last summer Christy and I went out to dinner with some friends. During a lull in the conversation, they extended an enigmatic invitation: "Want to go on an all-day train ride with us?" I had to think about that one for a moment. "Um, what train? Going where?" "We leave from Anchorage and go up north past Talkeetna to Hurricane Gulch, then turn around and come back to Anchorage. It takes about 12 hours." I was still pretty much in the dark. "Why would I want to go on a 12-hour train trip...
As the Senior Voice January 2026 edition was going to print, Congress was still tied in knots about whether to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, which were set to expire Dec. 31. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Republican-backed health care bill in mid-December that does not include an extension of expiring tax credits that help millions of Americans pay for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Four Republican members of Congress sided with Democrats’ petition to try to...
Alaska Behavioral Health has a mental health lunch-and-learn series beginning Jan. 5. It’s Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. through Feb. 23 via Zoom. The free online educational series is open to everyone. Weekly webinars are presented by therapists to explore topics related to mental health. Register to attend any or all of the sessions here. Call 907-762-8668 to email bsalvatore@akbh.orgbsalvatore@akbh.org. The first webinar on Jan. 5 is titled “In with the New, Out with the Old: Evaluate and Modify Automatic Thoughts, Beliefs and Behaviors to...
Q: How can I reassure my daughter that I am still capable of living alone, given that I am physically healthy, mentally sharp, and able to drive? A: In an era where traditional notions of aging and companionship are being challenged, many individuals over the age of 50 are embracing the joys of living alone. Changing societal structures and attitudes toward aging reveal both the challenges and remarkable benefits of single-person households later in life. The United States saw an increase in...
The Alaska Training Cooperative provides non-academic trainings for people who work in Alaska’s direct service professional and behavioral health workforce and who work with people who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias as well as other mental health issues. Training and technical staff collaborate with communities and partners to offer trainings and training assistance to agencies, organizations, businesses, and associations. This enhances workforce development blending evidence-based practices with traditional wis...
Alaskans value resilience. We know what it means to work together in tough times, and we require solutions that meet the unique challenges of our vast and remote state. Few areas demonstrate this need more clearly than health care. Our mission at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development is to promote a healthy economy, strong communities, and protect consumers in Alaska. Our ability to achieve this mission depends on factors across many sectors, but one key indicator is the stability of our health care system. Health care...
Q: As I have gotten older, I find myself experiencing more restless nights than restful ones. What can I do about it? A: Quality sleep is fundamental for our overall brain health and well-being, especially as we age. It plays an essential role in strengthening the immune system, repairing cells and tissues for physical recovery, and enhancing cognitive skills such as focus, problem-solving, and creativity. Eating nutritious foods, engaging in physical exercise, and social activities can further...
A reader wrote in that they frequently get sick during travel. Bummer! While there really isn’t any good time to get sick, it’s especially no fun when you are on vacation. However, this is common because we are exposed to so many people, and their germs, in crowded airports. Once on the plane you’re probably OK because airlines have installed fantastic air filtration systems. Airports/bus stations/train stations—not so much. Here are five simple steps to bolster your immune system and reduce...
As we age, our skin transforms from being elastic and plump to sagging and thin. As well, senior skin produces less oil, becoming dry, itchy and flaky. Sorry, that's the reality, but you can make your skin feel better with moisturizing and, again, hydrating by drinking lots of water. We also get pesky dry spots all over our bodies that itch and when we scratch too much it bleeds. Best to avoid that. Consult a doctor for any unusual or persistent skin conditions, as they are common in older...
Identity theft, in particular, medical identity theft can happen to anyone of us. In fact, this month is one of the most likely months for this crime to be committed. The other likely months are January, February, March, April … yes, any month of the year. And, while a victim of this theft can feel especially vulnerable, most likely “it isn’t personal,” but more likely a crime of opportunity. However, like a home invasion, medical identity theft can upset your life, disrupt your plans, steal y...
Be sure you know the real facts to protect yourself and your loved one. It is well established that vaccination is the most powerful tool to avoid influenza-related hospitalizations or worse. As many as 130,000 people in the U.S. died from the flu last year, according to estimates from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) "By getting the flu shot, you're not only protecting yourself, you're protecting your family and vulnerable members of the community who would suffer a more...
The October 2025 ADAC quarterly meeting was the first ever face-to-face meeting. The day included a review of A Call to Action: Alaska’s 10-year Map to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia with Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, a discussion on data and work with the Division of Public Health, a presentation by Aging at Home Fairbanks, a clinical presentation on the connection between hearing loss and dementia, ADAC workgroup updates, and more. Access links for the minutes here: https://bit.ly/4843rOb The slide deck is ava...
Dan Kline is a retired UAA professor who is expecting his Affordable Care Act monthly premiums to rise from about $192 per month with government subsidies to $1,733 per month because the U.S. government is drastically reducing subsidies that helped Americans buy health insurance in the pandemic and post-pandemic era. Kline, who is a few months away from turning 65, has used the ACA for health insurance since COBRA coverage ended after he retired in 2021. “This is for an out-of-pocket total of a...
I had a curious, I would say unpleasant, brush with the Canadian health care system on the way down the ALCAN to Seattle late last August. By the time I got to Whitehorse I was pretty sick. I knew I had been exposed to COVID-19 but I repeatedly tested negative on self-administered tests. Still, I felt terrible. The next day was Saturday, and I wanted to go to a walk-in clinic for more accurate testing and treatment. No dice. They were all closed on the weekend. So I decided to hold out until...
Providence Family Medicine Center has been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association for its commitment to improving blood pressure control rates, earning Silver-level recognition from a national initiative that seeks to lower blood pressure called Target: BP. The Silver achievement award recognizes practices that have demonstrated commitment to improving blood pressure control through BP measurement accuracy. Additionally, three Providence Medical Group Primary Care locations— Huffman, Midtown and S T...
The Alaska Department of Health’s Analytics and Vital Records Section has released three annual data reports that explain facts of interest to health care professionals, policymakers, and the public. Now you can see information on the HAVRS Data and Statistics page, such as Alaska Health Facilities Data Reporting (HFDR) program 2024 annual report. Alaska Vital Statistics 2024 annual report Cancer in Alaska 2022 annual report The reports help shed light on health trends and public health initiatives in the state. The reports are crucial for u...
Elementary school students will get to enjoy cross country skiing thanks to an initiative of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and the Anchorage School District. The nonprofit created a kit called the Ski Mobile that was built to be shared among 60 Anchorage schools. The Ski Mobile includes 30 sets of skis and boots to fit children in grades 3–5. The kit was inspired by a group that organizes NSAA ski events. It was championed by 2018 Olympic gold medalist and cross country skier K...
Dear editor, I look forward to getting my copy of the Senior Voice every month. There is so much information in each copy. I have saved them for some time. I always look for Maraley McMichael’s columns first so imagine my delight in seeing her on the cover of the October issue I received today! Thank you. Mona Painter Dear editor, The Matanuska-Susitna Valley is a place of natural beauty; lakes, rivers, and streams have long been at the heart of our community’s way of life. As our population grows and ages, and with new senior housing bei...
Q: As staff members in assisted living, we must once again adjust our menus with the understanding how challenging this can be for both us and the older adults we care for. Despite having a printed schedule, any changes can be confusing for residents. What strategies can we implement to ease this transition and support them during this time? A: As a coach with deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by older adults in assisted living facilities, menu updates are best addressed with...
People affected by Typhoon Halong have until Nov. 7 to apply for SNAP replacement benefits. The Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (DPA) has a small FAQ section on their SNAP page that addresses whether SNAP benefits will be issued in November, due to the federal government shutdown, and explains some of the DPA’s options. Updates on this issue will be posted on that page, as well as on DPA social media. The same page also has information on assistance for those in Western AK affected by Typhoon Halong, for both SNAP r...
I bought my first computer in the late 1980s. I paid $1,200 for a used Kaypro. It was the size of a sewing machine carrying case, had sturdy all-steel housing, and it weighed 26 pounds. The manufacturer didn't have the nerve to call it "portable." We proud Kaypro owners called it "luggable." I sidled up to the evolving technologies over the decades because, as a practical matter, I thought they could help me be a better educator and communicator. And now: artificial intelligence (AI). Yes, it is...
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for $3.26 million for a research project to address coronary heart disease among Yup'ik Alaska Native people in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The project focuses on blending an elder-designed program based on ancestral principles with workshops on traditional foodways-a break from conventional hearth health interventions. The tribally driven project, "Neqpiaput Iinruugut (Our Food is Medicine),"...
