February 2025 Edition
February 2025 Edition
Note: The location for this meeting has been changed from what appears in our print edition. The new in-person meeting location is the Division of Personnel Training Room on the 10th floor of the State Office Building in Juneau. The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold a quarterly meeting in Juneau on February 11 and 13. The event will be in-person and online via Zoom, from 8:30 a.m. to noon both days. At this meeting, commission members hear reports from ACoA commissioners, ACoA staff, and...
Nestled in the heart of Kotzebue, Utuqqanaat Inaat, Maniilaq's Long-Term Care Facility, is more than just a care center for elders. It is a home, a family and a community where love, connection and cultural tradition thrive. A home-like environment At Maniilaq, the focus is on creating a true home for the residents. "We try to make it as comfortable and familiar as possible," a staff member shared. Each resident has a shadow box outside their room, filled with personal mementos, photos,and...
In September 2021, Kawerak Inc. was awarded $3.8 million in funding for Project Regional Educational Model for Online Technology Engagement from the Dept. of Education, Alaska Native Education Program (REMOTE). Project REMOTE's goal was to increase online learning opportunities over three years for 555 Alaska Native learners in the Bering Strait Region. Project REMOTE successfully advanced remote learning capacity by reducing the technology access gap for Alaska Native residents in the Bering...
Valdez, Alaska is a lucky town to be blessed with so many artists. There is something about the mountains that seem to draw them in. Kevin and Kris Reeves are two such artists. Kevin is a poet, writer and painter. Kris created wonderful handcrafted paper cards. As fate would have it, Kris fell ill and her time on earth was cut short. Kevin has been learning to live on and decided to share his experience in a book, "Now and Ever, Dear Kristine". In December, Kevin was invited to the Valdez...
Alaska’s Pioneer Homes are a vital part of our state's commitment to providing quality care for our aging population, particularly those with dementia and cognitive changes. With six homes located across Alaska, these facilities offer assisted living services to seniors, including those facing cognitive challenges associated with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Related Diseases (ADRD). The dedicated staff at Alaska Pioneer Homes work tirelessly to ensure residents receive compassionate care, enabling them to maintain dignity and quality of life...
As someone with elderly parents who face mobility challenges, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for them to access their favorite downtown spots. Whether it’s finding an open handicapped parking space or dealing with the cost and time restrictions of parking meters, these barriers often make trips to their favorite locations stressful. That’s why the newly passed disability parking ordinance is a meaningful change for my family and countless others in Anchorage. This ordinance, which started on Dec. 1, 2024, will help people...
As we head into tax season, let's talk about a scam that's been making the rounds: the IRS Impostor Scam. Did you know that in 2023, impostor scams were the second most reported type of fraud? The Federal Trade Commission reported an astounding $2.69 billion lost to these scams, with over 850,000 incidents. Among these, government impostors were the most common, but scammers also pretended to be romantic interests, relatives needing help, or technical support providers. As you start collecting tax documents and readying to file, be on the...
The Alaska Radon Program is giving out free radon tests through the end of February. Radon is a colorless, odorless cancer-causing gas that is commonly found in Alaska. With homes zipped up tight for warmth, winter is a good time to test for the gas. Alaska residents may request a test kit at https://bit.ly/4aBXglx. Click “Request a kit” in the “Alaska Resources” panel on the right. Kits are mailed via USPS or people can pick up in Fairbanks or Anchorage. Details on pick-up locations and times are in the kit request page. For more...
Dear Savvy Senior: Is there a rule of thumb on how long someone should keep their old financial paperwork? I have file cabinets full of old receipts, bank and brokerage statements, tax returns and more that I would like to toss. - Recently Retired Dear Recently: It’s a great question. As we get older and our financial life gets more complicated, it’s difficult to know how long to keep old financial records and paperwork and when it’s safe to get rid of them. Some things you’ll need to hold on to for your whole life and others for just...
Do you need help with a basic tax return? Tax-Aide volunteers provide free tax help to low- to middle-income Alaskans of all ages at sites across the state. You do not need to be an AARP member. Last year, Tax-Aide volunteers helped with 4,655 tax returns in Alaska. To locate the nearest Tax-Aide site, you can use the online AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator or call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service of United Way that helps Alaskans find the assistance they need....
A number of years ago I spent some time in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. It is an extraordinary place. Think: the industrial revolution meets the wild west, in the middle of the desert. Wonderful people, but a very poor country. Good thing I didn't leave my medications at the airport in Anchorage by accident, as a friend of mine once did on the way to Europe. Upon arrival, she just popped into a pharmacy by the hotel and picked up replacements. She was quite confident that her...
Voice amplifiers, also known as personal voice amplification devices or portable voice amplifiers, are compact electronic devices that enhance and project the sound of a person's voice. The lightweight speaker is designed primarily to be worn around the neck, though it can be clipped on a belt or placed on a table. Wearing the speaker around the neck is recommended since the sound of the voice is close to the visual source. This column is brought to you by ATLA (Assistive Technology of Alaska),...
One of the highest callings for us humans is to deeply know and love ourselves, and as much as possible to be a force for good. Perhaps you will agree that being good to yourself, and making healthy choices throughout the day, is a large portion of what makes up a good day. At the end of the day, it feels satisfying to know we did the best to honor and extend our one wild and precious life, taking the high road in every encounter and treating ourselves right, too. A few of my daily practices to promote graceful aging are full-body dry-brush...
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. Alaska Health Fair events offer a great opportunity to learn about important health topics in an informal setting. Attendees can receive free basic screenings, obtain information and resources, and have their questions answered by health, wellness and safety professionals. Health fairs are also a great way to connect with local health and wellness resources. Most importantly, events feature comprehensive, affordable blood tests. Obtaining blood screenings at health fairs is a great way to get quick, accurate results...
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you offer me any tips on choosing and using a home blood pressure monitor? I just found out I have high blood pressure and my doctor recommended I get a home monitor so I can keep tabs on it. − Just Turned 63 Dear 63: Everyone with high blood pressure (130/80 or higher) should have a home blood pressure monitor. Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. Plus, if you're taking medication it will make certain it's working, and...
Health is the first wealth is a philosophy that has been around for centuries. However, health now refers to body, spirit and mind in a different way than it did before the age of technology. Mental health experts say we all have "joy resources" and we need to manage them properly. Valentina Ogaryan, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, said it's best to eat whole foods and incorporate some type of physical activity on a routine basis. "It's also about...
Along with annual health check-ups like eye exams, it’s equally important to assess your memory and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska can help. Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska (ARA) is dedicated to supporting Alaskans affected by Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and other disabilities by offering resources, classes and services to individuals, families, professionals and communities. Among these services are non-diagnostic Memory Screenings, which are available both live online via Zoom and in person. While these...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following caregiver support group meetings in February. Meeting format is open discussion unless otherwise noted. Feb. 5. Kenai Senior Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6 Tyotkas Elder Center (in Kenai), 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 7. Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 12. Seward Senior Center, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 25 Nikiski Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Support meetings allow you to share your experiences as a caregiver, or support...
In a winter surprise, Juneau was chosen by two travel outlets to be included in their list of best places to visit. Travel Lemming, a U.S.-based online travel publication with more than 10 million yearly readers, announced in December its list of the 50 best destinations in the world for 2025. Juneau was named the No. 18 best place to travel globally. Yes, that's "globally"! The article calls Juneau "a must-see if an Alaskan adventure is on your horizon." It invites travelers to take a glacier...
