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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 you used to cook the whole Christmas dinner yours...
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...
Q. Where can I learn more about tech-related topics? I’m not interested in news as much as how-to guides and general knowledge. A. There are so many options available online that finding gems can seem overwhelming. So I’m going to focus on a couple of sites that are well suited for helping my readers refresh their skills. The first is TechBoomers, which has focused on tech for the last 10 years but recently changed their name to Tech Life Unity (techlifeunity.com). Senior Planet is a site from AARP that hosts hundreds of video classes on top...
You have no doubt seen recent ads about “house stealing.” This is a real thing, although I think “title theft” is the better term. They don’t actually steal your house; it is still sitting there, firmly attached to the ground. But potentially it could indeed cause you to lose your house. Here’s how it works. You can prove you have title to your house because there is a series of deeds in the public record, showing who owned the underlying property, and who they sold it to, and that sequence of...
Grandparents often play a profound role in a child's development and life, providing not just affection and guidance, but a link to family history. Their absence, however, can leave a void that lasts a lifetime. But what if a missing grandparent is a beloved celebrity, admired around the world-someone whose legacy is shared publicly, but whose presence is never personally experienced? In 1977, Jade Marx was just 3 years old when her maternal grandfather died. He was comedy legend Groucho Marx....
Q: My wife recently passed away. How do I live without her? I feel lonely and lost. A: My heartfelt condolences for your loss. The grief you are experiencing can feel overwhelming and unbearable. Heartbreak following the death of a loved one is challenging; it begins in the mind, but impacts the entire body, heightening stress and affecting your senses. What is happening After a significant loss—be it a death, job loss, divorce, or other major life transition—grief manifests in stages. It...
School is about to start, and I'm thinking about what it means to be a senior. Wearing the label "senior" makes you think about who you are and the kind of role you serve. Whether you're graduating high school or nearing your 80s, you serve as a role model to those younger than you. To me, the senior in my life who has inspired me the most is my Oma. Growing up spending time with her every Thursday was by far the highlight of the week. Not just because she is my Oma, but because of how...
Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are in our 50s and would like to know what resources you recommend for locating senior discounts, and what age do they kick in? - Frugal Fay Dear Fay, One of the great perks of growing older in America is the many discounts that are available. There are literally thousands of senior discounts on a wide variety of products and services including restaurants, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail, health, grocery stores, automotive services and much more....
