Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 864
Older Persons Action Group, Inc., earned honors for its monthly, statewide publication Senior Voice in the 33rd annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, recognizes the nation's finest marketing, communications, educational materials and programs designed and produced for older adults. Entries were judged by a panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall exc...
Social Security works with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. Section 1140 of the Social Security Act allows OIG to impose severe penalties against anyone who engages in misleading Social Security-related advertising or imposter communications. OIG may impose a penalty against anyone who: Mails misleading solicitations that appear to be from or authorized by Social Security. Operates an impostor website or social media account designed to look like it belongs to or is...
The Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program check booklets, available at local senior centers and other agencies, are eligible for use through Oct. 31, 2024. Each booklet includes $40 worth of checks for buying fresh Alaska-grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs and honey at participating farmers’ markets, authorized farms, and roadside stands within Alaska. Applicants must be at least 60 years old and meet low-income eligibility guidelines. Links to program information, booklet distribution locations and a downloadable application are at...
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting its 4th Annual Resource Fair on Wednesday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This virtual event is designed to provide valuable tools and resources for veterans and their families. Participants can look forward to a variety of sessions, including "VA Benefits for Survivors 101," by the Office of Survivors Assistance, and "Home Modification and Home Fit Guides," by AARP. Additional resources will be available from the VA Office of Community Care and legal services. There will also be a...
“Inclusive Aging in Alaska: Thriving and Growing Together,” is the theme for the 10th Annual Alaska Disability and Aging Summit hosted by the Alaska Disability and Aging Coalition, Oct. 8 and 9 in Anchorage. The summit will be hybrid again this year, with attendees joining in on Zoom and in person at the Special Olympics Alaska Jim Balamaci Training Center and Campus at 3200 Mountain View Drive. The goal of the summit is to bring Alaskans together to further discuss the national and state trends regarding the aging population to include ind...
National Employ Older Workers Week, held annually the last full week of September, recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce. It also showcases the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides on-the-job skills training to individuals age 55 or older with limited financial resources. Since its inception, SCSEP has helped over one million older Americans enter the workforce. In Alaska, we call SCSEP by another name, Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training...
The Ted Stevens International Airport North Terminal will be the site of this year’s Veteran Stand Down event in Anchorage on Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event aims to support veterans in need by providing essential services and resources. Veterans attending the event will have access to cold weather gear, hot meals, flu shots, community resources, and more. Various organizations, including VA participants like the Veterans Justice Outreach and HUD-VASH veterans supportive housing, will be on-site to offer assistance. C...
Dear Savvy Senior: I’m going to retire in a few months and need to get some temporary health insurance until I can enroll in Medicare at age 65. What are my options? — Early Retiree Dear Early: There are several places early retirees can find health insurance coverage before Medicare kicks in, but the best option for you will depend on your income level, your health care needs and how long you’ll need coverage for. Here’s where to look. Affordable Care Act. For most early retirees who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare, the Affordable Care Act...
The Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA) has two important events coming up aimed at improving the lives of Alaska's senior citizens. Senior Transportation Teleconference Join the ACoA on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. for a teleconference dedicated to improving transportation services for Alaska's seniors. The session will focus on gathering community feedback and developing recommendations for enhancing transportation accessibility across the state. The teleconference can be accessed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89719043442. The teleconference will bring...
NIMBY, Not in My Backyard. These angry words have created barriers for those needing help finding safe housing and obtaining other basic needs. Central Lutheran Church in Anchorage reframed NIMBY and created a nonprofit organization, In Our Backyard (IOB). The mission is to provide safe, interim homes and connections to support services for our unhoused senior neighbors as they work to obtain permanent homes. In Our Backyard Board Chair Julie Green-Graham shared, “Each time the Sullivan Arena closed, members of Central Lutheran Church asked, h...
The Social Security Administration will be providing in-person services to three local Alaskan communities, Dillingham, Nome and Sitka, the first week of August. These services will allow local Alaskans to perform a variety of essential tasks, including replacing Social Security cards, updating addresses, reporting changes, and asking questions about their benefits. This will be especially beneficial for those living in areas where access to an SSA office is limited, noted a Social Security Administration press statement. Bringing a form of...
As people age, changes in vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and even size and height can make drivers less comfortable and reduce their control behind the wheel. Injuries from accidents can also be worse. CarFit is designed to give a quick, yet comprehensive check on how well an older driver and their vehicle work together. The sessions are completed in 20 minutes and include a guided discussion through a 12-point checklist. The program is free for the individual and tailored to their needs. It addresses various aspects of driving...
If you're like me, you get bupkis in Social Security income. Bupkis is an appropriate term because it's a Yiddish word, which is literally translated as "beans" and is derived from a Slavic word for "goat droppings". The second Wednesday of every month, I receive $1,150.50 minus United Health premium and the tax I pay ahead to cover the extra money I make from freelance writing. Passive income But I have also started an online store through Bonfire, selling T-shirts I've designed, as I started...
Have you picked up your Farmer's Market checks? The Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program check booklets are available at local senior centers and other agencies for use July 1 through Oct. 31. Each booklet includes $40 worth of checks for buying fresh Alaska-grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs and honey at participating farmers' markets, authorized farms, and roadside stands within Alaska. Applicants must be at least 60 years old and meet low-income eligibility guidelines. Links to...
The Social Security Administration continues to partner with locations throughout Alaska to offer secure video service, a convenient and no cost service option that allows people to talk directly to a Social Security employee through a secure computer link that includes two-way video and sound. The video service is available at these locations: In Nome, Norton Sound Health Corporation, 1000 Grek Kruschek. Video service is available for walk-ins on a first come, first served basis, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Kenai Senior Ce...
The 33rd Alaska Legislature concluded its two-year session on May 15. The legislature set out to prioritize energy and education policy in 2024, and those issues did take much of the session’s focus, political will, and compromise, in addition to the usual budget process. AARP Alaska’s 2024 legislative advocacy pushed for policies and funding that support aging in place, financial security, and improved access to healthcare. We saw major successes in our work to restore and expand funding for critical programs serving older Alaskans, with add...
More than 10 percent of Alaska’s adult population are military veterans, many of whom live with a military service-related disability due to toxic exposure, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs does not recognize a disease developed during service on a military site with known PFAS contamination as a presumptively service-related disability. The VET PFAS ACT of July 2023 aims to assure medical care to ill veterans and their dependents exposed to PFAS by sparing them from unnecessary b...
Social Security plays a crucial role in supporting retirees and ensuring financial stability for many Alaskans. One in seven Alaska residents (107,982 people) receive the Social Security benefits they’ve earned through a lifetime of hard work. These guaranteed payments remain stable throughout retirement, unlike investments tied to the stock market or employer-based decisions. These funds are a primary income source for most retirees and inject more than $1.7 billion into the state’s economy every year. In Alaska, the average monthly pay...
June is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the LGBTQI+ community and also celebrate diversity, love, and respect. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. We recognize same-sex marriages in all states, as well as some nonmarital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships). This recognition is important to determine entitlement to benefits. Here are a few things you should know about o...
The Social Security Administration partners with locations throughout Alaska to offer a secure video service option. Video service is a convenient and no-cost way for people to talk directly to a Social Security employee through a secure computer link that includes two-way video and sound. The video service locations are available at: In Nome, Norton Sound Health Corporation, located at 1000 Greg Kruschek Ave. Video service is available for walk-ins on a first come, first served basis, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai...
In 2022, there were 53,692 veterans living in Alaska, making it the number one state with retired American military. While that's a 25.25 percent decrease since 2012, the statewide population total of 733,583 state population of that same year, means 10.10 percent of the adult civilian population in Alaska were considered veterans. Looking after soldiers Joint Base Elmendorf/Richardson Retired Soldiers Council has a free newsletter, “Soldier for Life,” which can be viewed on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Alaska.Milit...
Older drivers are some of the safest drivers on the road. They're more likely to wear seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink while driving. Still, they're more likely to get hurt in a crash. As we get older, our bodies become weaker and injuries from accidents can be worse. Getting older also changes how well we can see, think, move and react quickly. These changes can make it harder for us to feel comfortable driving our cars safely. Older drivers might need new ways or special tools to...
The Alaska Commission on Aging with hold a quarterly meeting in Valdez on May 15 at the Valdez Convention and Civic Center. The event will be in-person, online via Zoom and by teleconference, starting at 8:30 a.m., breaking for an hour at noon, and resuming from 1 to 4 p.m. At the meetings, commission members review policy and activities regarding senior housing, transportation, health care and other topics, with reports and input from representatives from agencies and organizations serving seniors and their families and caregivers. There will...
As the Alzheimer's Association Alaska Chapter, our mission is to improve the lives of individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. We continuously advocate for comprehensive care services that address the diverse needs of patients and their caregivers. Code 99483 is currently covered for Alaska Medicare patients, but not for Alaska Medicaid patients. The inclusion of 99483 in Alaska's approved Medicaid billing code list would ensure enhanced care for Alaskans with cognitive impairment. Code 99483 represents a...
The journey of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is filled with challenges, both emotional and logistical. The recent release of the Alzheimer's Association's 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report sheds crucial light on the pressing issues faced by those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers in Alaska and nationwide. The report paints a stark picture: 6.9 million seniors in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s, with 8,400 in Alaska alone. The financial burden is staggering, projected to reach $360 bi...
