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Senior Voice readers have lived long enough to see troubling headlines come and go. But the stories filling our news these past few weeks are especially painful for anyone who loves and looks after a child or grandchild. From the release of the Epstein files to, here at home, the painful revelations involving a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation on the Kenai Peninsula, these stories, and others that have surfaced over the years, follow a familiar and heartbreaking pattern. Too often, institutions and organizations across sectors default to i...
As we step into a new year, the deepest days of winter are already behind us. The winter solstice has passed, and although the days grow brighter, only a few minutes at a time, the return of the light is steady and sure. This slow brightening can be a comforting reminder for caregivers. Even in seasons that feel long or heavy, there is always a path forward and resources that can help light your way. Many of us greet January with thoughts of goals or intentions. For caregivers, these goals do...
Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are relocating to a nearby state to be closer to our daughter and will need to find a new primary care physician when we arrive. We are both in our late 70s and are interested in getting a geriatrician to oversee our health care going forward. Any suggestions for finding someone? -Searching for Care Dear Searching, Choosing a geriatrician as your primary care doctor in your 70s is a good idea, especially if you’re dealing with various age-related health problems. But if you’re in relatively good health you...
A song from 1980, in which the singer describes dating a younger woman, has the line: Hey Nineteen, that’s ‘Retha Franklin She don’t remember the queen of soul. (Steely Dan) I don't know if that really happened. I was only a year older than his date would have been in 1980, and I certainly knew who Aretha Franklin was; she had been on the charts regularly in the ’70s. I'm not sure this isn’t one of those apocryphal stories that are a little too good to be true, like the one I used to hear wher...
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...
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...
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...
Dear Savvy Senior, How do Social Security spousal benefits work? My wife, who’s approaching age 62, has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. What is she entitled to? - Primary Breadwinner Dear Breadwinner, Spousal benefit questions are among the most frequently asked and confusing parts of Social Security. The rules that govern qualifying and claiming are knotty, and there are many exceptions. But understanding how these benefits work is crucial for maximizing your family’s retirement inc...
As the holidays approach, many of us find ourselves remembering how things used to be—bustle in the kitchen, children running through the house, traditions we kept year after year. With time, those traditions may change, and so do we. If you’re living with memory loss, or simply noticing that the holidays feel different now, it’s important to know that you are not alone. The season can still be filled with joy, warmth, and connection, even if it looks a little different than it once did. Maybe...
This August, AARP Alaska celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act being signed. Since being enacted on August 14, 1935, Social Security has supported a secure retirement for millions of Americans, helping them to retire and age with dignity. In its 90 years, Social Security has never missed a payment, which allows Americans to reap the benefits of their hard work with certainty. Honoring a milestone statewide To celebrate, AARP Alaska kicked off a series of Social Security...
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...
The longer we occupy them, the more our homes become precious to us. They hold our memories and keep us comfortable through Alaska's long winters. But our homes can also become dangerous if we don't take steps to prevent fires. Every year, house fires injure thousands of older adults across the country. The good news is that with some simple changes, people can prevent most home fires. The kitchen is where most home fires start. When cooking, never leave food on the stove or in the oven...
Since its debut as the Hallmark Channel in 2001, the network has become a beloved TV destination for millions of viewers, especially during the holiday season with its Christmas-themed features. While Hallmark has cultivated a recognizable roster of its own stars, their programs have also featured an impressive lineup of veteran film and television icons over the years, including Ed Asner, Christopher Lloyd, Shirley MacLaine, Roger Moore, Danny Glover, Burt Reynolds, and Carrie Fisher. And Maril...
I had a run-in recently with a major national bank. Although I suppose by “run in” I really mean that I complained and they ignored me. I’m still pretty ticked off about it, so you’ll have to forgive me if this becomes a rant. Here’s what it was about: In Alaska there is a statute which says you can have a short version of your living trust called a “certification of trust,” and if there is not a specific reason why they need to see the whole trust, they must accept the certification...
Q. How do I get started listening to podcasts? A. The podcast world is built with apps that do two jobs: a podcast directory that indexes all the programs into a searchable list and a player that downloads and keeps track of your listening history. Podcasts can be played on any digital device because podcast apps exist on every major platform. Apple offers an app called "Podcasts" that works on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Because the data is synced to the cloud it is easy to start listening on one device and finish on another. The Apple "Podcasts"...
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...
This is about a political figure, but it is not about politics. As you no doubt know, not too long ago a politically influential young man was gunned down at a public event. I won't say who because this isn’t really about him, but let's just say I've had a lot of people since then ask if we're related (we're not). But this is about his widow. Her husband was unexpectedly killed, leaving two very young children. A few days later, there was a public funeral service, and she made a moving s...
One of the deadliest dangers in Alaskan winters is invisible, odorless, and silent. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that kills people each year. For people with compromised respiratory systems or cardiac history, this invisible threat is especially dangerous. Carbon monoxide comes from things that burn fuel in your home. Your furnace, water heater, fireplace, and gas stove all make this deadly gas. Internal combustion vehicles and generators also produce it. When these items work properly...
Q. My home PC runs on Windows 10. Now that Microsoft is no longer supporting it, what are my options? A. If you are still using Windows 10, it is like your car’s low fuel warning just flickered on. You can keep going, but you will need to pull over eventually. Windows 10 debuted in 2015, and after 10 years, Microsoft has formally ended active support for Windows 10. Here are a few consequences that you should know about: Windows 10 computers will continue to function as before. You can purchase another year of security updates from the link i...
My Alaska family is small. It's just my husband, my daughter and me and an equal number of furry creatures in our household. Sometimes we eat with friends, but our celebration is usually a low-key affair. Oh, I'd like to have two dozen people over and make a big fuss. But large or small, Thanksgiving is still my favorite. Of all our holidays, it invites you to reflect on what really matters. And it does so at the start of a season that can feel vapid in its naked consumerism. I'm lucky. Or some...
Q: My dad's hearing loss is leading to miscommunications with my mom, causing family frustration because he refuses to get a hearing evaluation. What can we do? A: Hearing loss can lead to significant misunderstandings within families, particularly for older adults who may struggle with communicating their thoughts and feelings. In many cases, this situation is compounded by a parent's reluctance to undergo a hearing evaluation, which can cause frustration for family members. Understanding the u...
As the days get shorter than the mercury in the old thermometer you still have outside, you may feel an urge to stay inside more. While it's natural to want to cozy up by the fireplace, too much sitting can seriously harm you. Let's talk about why staying active matters and how you can do it safely this winter. When we sit for long periods, our bodies get weak. Our muscles get smaller, and our bones become brittle. Blood doesn't flow as well, which can lead to dangerous clots in our legs. Our...
Dear Savvy Senior, What's the best way to find a good handyman or tradesman that can help with small jobs around the house? - Almost 75 Dear Almost, It's a great question. Finding a good home repair/handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot. How do you find someone who will return your calls or texts, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at a fair price? Here are a few tips and resources that can help you search. What kind of help While it may seem obvious, whom you call on for h...
Here’s a conversation I have had more than a few times. I'm talking to a new client, and she has decided to go with a living trust in order to avoid probate. I'm explaining a few things about the process, and I say “Along with your living trust, we'll be drafting a few other documents, including a power of attorney, a deed to put your home into the trust, a will…” The client interrupts. “What do you mean, a will? I said I want a trust, not a will!” “You’re getting a trust,” I explain, “but alo...
Q. My MacBook Air no longer starts up. During a recent system update the progress bar stopped midway through. I rebooted, only to be greeted with a giant circle with an exclamation point on the screen. A. Broken tech devices can trigger a wicked explosion of emotional upset. We pour so much effort into our devices. Failures are rare, but they do happen. So do mistakes, like accidentally deleting important information. When an error like this occurs, the best thing to do is to take a deep breath and remember that you have options. All is not...
