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Alaskans are being bombarded with a new impostor text scam that pretends to be from the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The message appears official, claims you missed a fine, lists a "ticket number," and warns that if you don't pay by midnight, your driver's license and registration could be put on hold. To make it even more convincing, there is a reference to an Alaska statute and a handy link to pay immediately to avoid enforcement actions. Pause! It's time for a quick scam reality...
For generations, the University of Alaska (UA) has helped shape the people and professions that keep Alaska going. Our graduates are working in nearly every part of our state, in hospitals and clinics, classrooms and businesses, nonprofits and public offices and the industries that drive Alaska's economy and way of life. As Alaska faces workforce shortages in health care, education, public service, engineering, skilled trades and other essential sectors, keeping UA strong and accessible will be...
Q. Some years ago I had a photo book printed, but I no longer see that option in my photos app. Where did it go? A. There are photo printing services online that print photo books. If you were using a Mac, you might be referring to its legacy photo service, which was discontinued years ago. Today, no matter what device you use, consider Photobooks Pro (link below). They are a high-quality photo printing service that offers dozens of book designs. And if my guess is correct that you were talking about Mac legacy software, Photobooks Pro has...
I figure I have 10 to 20 years left on this planet and I want to make them productive and enjoyable. My husband and I now live in a senior complex 17 stories high with 200 people in different stages of dementia. After living in a cabin in the forest in Alaska, it's a real adjustment, but for my family it's reassuring. Being mortal I read the 2014 book "Being Mortal" by Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon, a professor at Harvard University and author. With wisdom gleaned from many geriatric patients,...
Q: Ongoing health issues and financial pressures weigh heavily on me. Many days it feels hard to find anything positive about getting older. How do I get through these struggles? A: I am truly sorry you are facing this. It is tough when the challenges of aging create obstacles that lead to feelings of hopelessness. What if you approached these hardships with a positive aging mindset that emphasizes adaptability and intention? This small perspective shift can change your focal point from what...
There's something about an Alaska summer that asks a lot of us. After a long winter, everything seems to come alive at once. The days stretch late into the evening. The fish are running. The gardens need tending. Family visits pick up. There are projects to finish, trails to hike, and every bit of sunshine feels too valuable to waste. It is a season of movement, energy, and catching up on all the things we could not do just a few months ago. But in the middle of all that fullness, it can also...
Choking is one of the scariest emergencies that can happen. It strikes without warning, and it can occur anywhere: the restaurant, a senior center, or alone at home. It can happen to anyone. Here in Alaska, where many of us live far from the nearest hospital, knowing what to do could mean the difference between life and death. When someone is choking, something is blocking their airway. This is usually food. The person cannot breathe, speak, or cough properly. You may notice them grabbing at...
I was born in New Jersey in 1946 but I didn't stick around. For some reason my parents decided to move to Los Angeles when I was 3 months old. They packed what they could in suitcases, boarded the plane, and landed in LA the next day after a grueling journey. I know this because Dad told me when I was a kid. He sounded annoyed even then, years later, because he said I puked on his lap during the entire flight. Sorry Dad. Really. Why did they make that trip? I have pieced together bits of...
"I've been poor my whole life, like a disease passing from generation to generation. But not my boys, not anymore." — Toby Howard The quote above is from a 2016 movie called “Hell or High Water,” and it provides an interesting lesson about reverse mortgages. But to explain this I need to summarize the plot of the film, so here’s your spoiler alert. At the center of the story are two brothers, both down on their luck. Their widowed mother has just died after a lengthy illness, and to provide...
I got a lot of emails like this one in the early 2000s. Maybe you did too. "Dear Friend, "Please this is important and very urgent i have an urgent transaction of US$20.6 million, used to transfer to your nominated account,I am Mr Abubaker Yaro. The Auditor, with Accounting Department of the BANQUE ATLANTIQUE-OUAGADOUGO BURKINA FASO. "No other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it,the account has no other beneficiary and my investigation proved to me as well that his...
Q: How can I respond calmly to my adult child when they say something disrespectful or upsetting, instead of reacting with hurtful words? A: In times of high emotional volatility, an immediate verbal response often feels like the most instinctive approach. A strong reaction can occur with an adult child, but also a sibling, caregiver, medical professional, friend, frontline employee or co-worker. The STOP Method provides a framework for responding thoughtfully rather than clapping back instincti...
March and April bring welcome signs of spring and the soon-to-follow summer. Days grow longer, temperatures rise, and the snow melts. For many of us, this is a joyful time after a long, dark winter. But the spring thaw also brings serious dangers that every senior should understand and prepare for. One of the biggest concerns during snowmelt is flooding. As the snow melts quickly, the water has nowhere to go. Streets, yards, and low-lying areas can flood with surprising speed. If you live near...
Dear Savvy Senior, After watching the coverage of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, I'm worried about my own elderly mother who lives alone in another state. I want to make sure she's safe without being intrusive. Are there simple, affordable ways to check in on her from afar? - Concerned Son Dear Concerned, You're not alone. High-profile cases like this often heighten fears, especially for adult children whose parents live alone and may be vulnerable. The good news is there are several free...
Q. Are Instagram posts that ask for a direct message some sort of privacy hack? A. Some Instagram posts ask you to send them a direct message, and it promises more information in the reply to you. Sometimes this works, and sometimes silence. A direct message might be read by a real person, or more likely by a robot. The whole auto-reply robot mechanism is fragile. It is not surprising when it fails. Social media, especially when it comes to commerce, has the same problems that have been long standing challenges on the web. Anyone can post...
It was just over a year ago that Gene Hackman died. He had given us many great performances, including in “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” “Unforgiven.” In fact I’m going to stop because there were so many, that listing a few leaves out too many others. But most of the news stories focused on the mysterious circumstances of his death. He was 95, and he and his wife lived in a house in New Mexico that was nice enough to have been featured in Architectural Digest. Sadly, he had developed Alz...
If you are over 70½ and have an IRA, you have a powerful, tax-efficient way to support charities you care about: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), aka the IRA charitable rollover. This tax season, see if you have the opportunity to make charitable gifts directly from your IRA without paying income tax on the distribution. With a QCD, anyone over 70½ can send money from their IRA directly to a qualified charity. Because the gift goes directly from your IRA to the charity, it is not income to you. If you are over 73, a QCD can also c...
Q. I like to find recipes online. I usually print them out on paper, but I wish there was a better way to save my favorites. A. A good recipe app has to do several jobs. The first is the hardest, importing the ingredients and instructions in a meaningful way. Next, the recipes need to be organized. Lastly, they need to help plan a shopping list. I have used a number of these apps over the years. Right now my favorite is ReciMe (recime.app), available on both iOS App Store and Google Play....
As Alaska's 2026 legislative session gets underway, AARP Alaska is advancing a focused set of priorities designed to help Alaskans age with dignity, security, and independence. Representing more than 76,000 members statewide, AARP's agenda underscores two fundamental needs for older adults: financial resilience and strong consumer protections. AARP's flagship initiative for 2026 is Retirement Readiness. That includes expanding access to retirement savings through Alaska Work and Save (SB21) for...
Q: I have seen advertisements urging people to be ready for an emergency crisis, but do not know what supplies are needed. What should I gather up? A: It is crucial to be ready for emergencies such as natural disasters or power outages, especially if you live alone. Make a plan today that can be adapted to any situation so others can help you, or periodically check on your safety following an unusual event. Having a well-thought-out plan can ease anxiety during unplanned situations. Many...
Whenever you see something like “this one weird trick could save you tens of thousands of dollars in taxes” or “the secret tax loophole the IRS doesn’t want you to know about” you should usually run for the hills. That kind of come-on almost certainly indicates a scam. But this column is about one legitimate trick which can, in many cases, save you tens of thousands of dollars (or even hundreds of thousands) on future taxes. And this one’s legit. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that the fe...
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? I didn’t file a tax return last year because my income was below the filing threshold, but I got a part-time job in 2025, so I’m wondering if I need to file this year. - Semi-retired Joe Dear Joe, Whether you need to file a federal income tax return this year depends on several factors: how much you earned in 2025, the source of your income, your age, and your filing status. Here’s a quick guide to this year’s IRS filing thresholds. For most pe...
Q: A client of mine, an avid salsa dancer, often talks about the physical advantages of dancing for older adults. But what about the mental benefits? A: As we get older, the knowledge and experiences we gather inspire us to look for ways to boost not only our physical well-being, but also our mental acuity. This brings us to your interesting question about how dance can impact our brain function, alongside the already familiar physical perks. Dancing goes beyond enjoyment; it is an expressive...
Strong natural immunity represents the potential to avoid chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, frequent vaccinations, hospital convalescence, chronic fatigue, degenerative disease, and other unpleasant or costly medical interventions. Below are basic parameters for wellness through immune support. Daily foundations Adequate rest. Work balanced by play. A healthy diet and fresh water. These may sound obvious, but they require conscious commitment. Rest and play Most people need about eight hours of sleep per night. Aim to be in bed eight hours...
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the most popular ages that people start taking their Social Security retirement benefits? I'm turning 62 later this year and trying to decide when to start taking my benefits. - Born in '64 Dear 64, You can sign up to begin your Social Security retirement benefits any time after age 62. However, your monthly payments will be larger for each month you delay claiming them up until age 70. This adds up to around 6 to 8% higher payments every year you delay. To get a...
Let’s take a jaunt back in history, back to those halcyon days of 2024. You were probably arguing about the election, worrying about the fighting in the Middle East, or watching Taylor Swift’s boyfriend win the Super Bowl. But I, like most estate planners, was dealing with the upcoming BOI reporting. Congress had passed a law requiring most small businesses—even little one-shareholder firms like mine—to file reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN for short) and we were al...
