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First and foremost, I want to thank our readers for your responses to our recent survey. Your wonderful suggestions are being considered for future editions. One of my first assignments as a young lieutenant was with a Cold War era PATRIOT missile battery that utilized state-of-the-art technology for the day. However, the publicly available industry standard was dial-up modem technology. Having experienced 50 years of computer evolution, I understand the obsolescence argument for newspapers. The sheer volume of information managed by the...
Established in 1968, OPAG is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving services, developing programs, educating, promoting and implementing changes to help Alaska seniors live healthy, productive lives. Current programs: - publish the monthly Senior Voice newspaper - publish and distribute the Directory for Older Alaskans senior resource directory - provide information and referral services for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Health Care Act and other senior issues - organize monthly Providers' Breakfast...
A building and property have been donated to nonprofit Older Persons Action Group, Inc. (OPAG), a statewide organization that advocates for Alaska seniors. The Amundsen House at 810 8th St. in downtown Anchorage was an Alaskan territorial days landmark that transitioned through numerous owners and businesses, but has been vacant and boarded since a fire last year. A backhoe and supporting crew from Alaska Demolitions tore down the two-story structure on May 30. OPAG was deeded the building in...
Born in the heart of Anchorage and raised amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Willow, I developed a connection with the great outdoors from a young age. Fishing, hiking, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling became not just hobbies, but cherished parts of my identity. Professionally, I wear multiple hats. A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I hold a certificate degree as a holistic health coach and am board-certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. My...
I think the snowy winters in Michigan, where I was raised, prepared me for Alaska. After 40 years in Alaska, I considered myself an Alaskan and Anchorage is home. I came to Alaska in the late 1970s to work for what was then the Division of Family and Youth Services (DFYS). After living in large cities as a young adult, (Washington, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco) my family members were surprised when I headed to Alaska. I worked in the Dept. of Health and Social Services, Dept. of Regional...
I am one of the Older Persons Action Group's newer board members, and would like to provide a brief introduction. I am a lifelong Alaskan, who completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degree at UAA in social work. I worked at the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, where I was able to pursue my passion to support individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and older Alaskans in need of community services. I worked as a care coordinator, outreach specialist,...
After a long and varied career in Juneau, I retired in 2006. By 2009 I was back at work, and this time I had found my niche. I went to work for Southeast Senior Services, a division of Catholic Community Service and began work as a care coordinator for seniors on the Medicaid Waiver, then transitioned to case manager. I intended to work for at least two years and have actually just begun my 15th year in this field. I've done hundreds of home visits and helped people put together a plan to help...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. (OPAG) held its annual membership meeting on Nov. 19 and the following board officers were elected: Yvonne M. Chase, president; Jan Carolyn Hardy, vice president; Dylan Webb, treasurer; Eileen Lally, secretary. Other board members include Leonard T. Kelley, Sharon White-Wheeler, Robert Bracco, Pam Yeargan, John (Jack) Pauli, Beth Goldstein, Gail Opalinski. and Hollis Mickey....
Older Persons Action Group (OPAG) was founded more than 50 years ago as a grassroots nonprofit with the goal to improve services and develop programs that foster self-determination of older Alaskans. OPAG provides statewide advocacy on older persons’ issues through coordination and collaboration with other like-minded organizations. Some of its activities include publishing the monthly award-winning Senior Voice newspaper and website, producing the statewide Directory for Older Alaskans, and coordinating the monthly interagency Providers B...
Longtime Anchorage attorney Beth Goldstein has joined the Older Persons Action Group, Inc. board of directors. The board unanimously voted her in at its Nov. 21 meeting. Goldstein has extensive experience in legal areas involving seniors and currently is the deputy director for the Alaska Office of Public Advocacy, where she is responsible for managing all public guardian staff and cases and for investigating and litigating financial exploitation claims involving elderly Alaska victims. Also at...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. (OPAG) welcomes two new board members, Dylan Webb and S. Hollis Mickey. Dylan Webb is a certified holistic health counselor and owner of Ideal Health, LLC, in Anchorage, providing coaching for weight management and lifestyle change. He is board-certified with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and in addition to health care his background includes coaching youth basketball and volunteer political work. “My experience in healthcare has led me to recognize the need to support our older A...
At its January meeting, the Older Persons Action Group, Inc., board of directors accepted John “Jack” T. Pauli onto the board. A long-time Alaska resident, John’s professional background includes 27 years’ active duty in the military, retiring as a colonel. He coordinated and supervised the overall operations of the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He then worked as director of two workplace-learning operations, including training on computers and speaking and writing in the workplace, and also instruc...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc., held its annual membership meeting Nov. 15 in Anchorage. At the meeting, board members nominated and voted-in the following officers: Yvonne M. Chase, president; Pam Yeargan, vice president; Leonard T. Kelley, treasurer; Jan Carolyn Hardy, secretary. Other OPAG board members include Sharon White-Wheeler, Robert Bracco, Christian Montana, Anne Gonzalez and Susan LaBelle. Directory release Also in November, OPAG released the 2018-2020 edition of its Directory for...
At its November 2017 board meeting, Older Persons Action Group’s board of directors voted unanimously to accept two new members. Anne Gonzalez, of Willow, and Susan LaBelle of Anchorage. Welcome! Other board members include Yvonne Chase (president), Pam Yeargan (vice president), Mike Dryden (treasurer), Jan Carolyn Hardy (secretary), Ken Farrow, Leonard T. Kelley, Sharon White-Wheeler, Robert Bracco and Christian Montana....
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. will hold its annual membership meeting Nov. 30 in Anchorage, in the conference room at Access Alaska, 1217 E. 10th Ave. The board business meeting starts at 11 a.m., followed immediately by the membership meeting. Refreshments will be served, RSVP requested. Call 276-1059 or 1-800-478-1059 to RSVP or for more information. Senior Voice wins awards Senior Voice has been recognized again for excellence, winning five awards recently in the annual contest sponsored by the North American Mature Publishers...
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Interagency Breakfast, sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, is an opportunity for all the above. Informal, early and free, with breakfast provided. The November meeting is Nov. 8, hosted by Providence Hospice. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more information on these events or to be added to our e-mail reminder list, 2...
Directory for Older Alaskans new edition Older Persons Action Group is updating its popular “Directory for Older Alaskans” for a new edition. Be sure your organization or agency listing is correct or, if you are new, have your business listing added. Email execdiropag@gci.netexecdiropag@gci.net for information. Also, advertising space is available in the directory: reach a statewide audience. Call Anne Tompkins for details, 223-8134. OPAG annual meeting, Nov. 30 Older Persons Action Group, Inc. will conduct its annual membership meeting on Nov...
You may file for your 2017 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend today. If you choose, you can designate a portion of your PFD to support non-profit organizations in Alaska who are eligible for the Pick.Click.Give. program. Older Persons Action Group is eligible and will appreciate all Pick.Click.Give. donations, which will help us continue our programs, including publication of Senior Voice and the Directory for Older Alaskans, free Medicare counseling, free educational forums and more. Visit https://pfd.alaska.gov/ to file online. Pick.Click.Give....
You may file your 2016 Alaska Permanent Fund Divided beginning Jan. 1, 2016. If you choose, you can designate a portion of your PFD to support non-profit organizations in Alaska who are eligible for the Pick.Click.Give. program. This year, Older Persons Action Group is eligible and will appreciate all Pick.Click.Give. donations, which will help us continue our programs, including publication of Senior Voice and the Directory for Older Alaskans, free Medicare counseling, free educational forums and more. Visit https://pfd.alaska.gov/ to file...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. conducted its annual membership meeting Nov. 19 in Anchorage. At the meeting, board members nominated and voted for officers. The newly-elected officers are as follows: Yvonne M. Chase, president; Pam Yeargan, vice president; Mike Dryden, treasurer; Rita Hatch, secretary. Thank you to Access Alaska, for use of their conference room for the event. Thanks also to OPAG administrative assistant Maggie Zabinko for organizing the event and arranging for the delicious food. Thanks, too, to other board members who...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. has hired James Bailey as its new executive director. Bailey has a long history in teaching and administration in Anchorage, going back to 1974. He first visited the city at the age of 12, visiting his father, who owned the Anchorage House of Music. He most recently was the principal for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Elementary School in Anchorage. He has dedicated himself to community service and will start his work with OPAG Oct. 1. "I am looking forward to...
SENIOR VOICE STAFF Come or dial-in to hear the facts at Older Person Action Group’s educational forum, “Medicaid 101: Understanding the Medicaid Rules for Long Term Care,” Oct. 13 from 6 to 7 p.m. The location and call-in telephone number (toll-free) will be provided upon registration. The presenter will be Ilona Bessenyey, an Elder Law and Estate planning attorney, who focuses on the unique needs and issues facing the elderly, the disabled and their families. She is a 25-year member of the Alaska Bar Association and is the chair of the Elder L...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc. and the Social Security Administration are teaming up to present an educational forum, “Social Security: Everything You Always Wanted to Ask,” on March 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. The event will take place in Anchorage but people who sign up can call to listen and ask questions from anywhere in the state, via an 800 number Robin Schmidt, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for the State of Alaska (and frequent Senior Voice contributor) will address what Social Security can mean to you and your family’s finan...
