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There are all kinds of advice out there about how to break bad habits or form good ones. Not to mention that we’re all adults and probably know what we need to do anyway. Habits are part of us. They make us the people we are, for better or worse. But at the beginning of each year many people grow a little introspective about the things we need to change. Whether or not you are a person who makes New Year’s resolutions, chances are there are at least a couple of things you’d like to do differently – quit smoking, lose weight, get in shape,...
The Anchorage Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is offering a free “Brown Bag” educational series, with guest presentations from various senior-related agencies. The presentations take place on the second Tuesday of each month, noon to 1 p.m., at the Anchorage Dept. of Health and Human Services Bldg., 825 L Street, in the Jewel Jones Conference Room on the fourth floor. Bring a lunch and learn something new. The presentation schedule: Jan. 14, Alaska Legal Services Feb. 11, Medicare Fraud March 11, Alzheimer’s Resource of Alask...
Anchorage seniors ride the People Mover buses at half the cost of others on board. But all fares have been raised effective New Year's Day. The fare schedule has also been simplified so that regardless of whether one buys a pass or pays for each trip individually, the reduced fare is half the full fare. Seniors and others who qualify need to have one dollar in exact change, instead of 50 cents, when they board for one trip. They also need to show proof of eligibility which includes a picture ID...
A new study involving several universities indicates that research into the delay of aging would have a better payoff than advances in such fatal diseases as cancer and heart problems. Even modest gains in the scientific comprehension of how to slow the aging process would mean 11.7 million more healthy seniors over age 65 in 2060 than even optimistic advances in cancer and heart research. This is according to analysis by scientists from the University of Southern California, Harvard University, Columbia University, the University of Illinois...
Prior to construction of the Alaska oil pipeline, Alaska’s economy was principally financed with federal monies. The federal government still provides substantial funding to the state in the form of federal land control, military personnel and facilities. The federal government also funds veterans health care, Indian health care, Social Security benefits, Medicaid, Medicare benefits, not to mention the Housing and Urban Development agency, environmental protection and other federal agencies. Alaska has always received more federal monies than A...
Beginning with the next issue of Senior Voice, I will contribute a monthly article on veteran health care in Alaska. As a current consumer of VA, Medicare and Tricare, I am in a unique position to report from the ground on the quality of care afforded our senior veterans. Over the course of this year, I will highlight new services, funding (or the lack of) and the delivery of long-earned veteran health care benefits in the hopes of empowering this large and deserving segment of our Alaskan senior family so they may enjoy the health care they...
Advocacy efforts for AARP state offices cover national, state, and local issues in accordance with AARP’s established policy guidelines. While the national office sets priorities for all state offices, each state also has flexibility to define priorities for local issues. Advocacy also goes beyond policy and lawmaking to include development of community coalitions, organized for specific purposes and shared goals. Most significantly, AARP Alaska advocates with the voices of its more than 90,000 members in the state. National priorities S...
Governor Sean Parnell’s refusal to expand Medicaid that would cover 41,000 Alaskans is a bitter pill for older Alaskans. Of the 41,000 people who would have gained health coverage under this opportunity, over 11,000, or nearly 30 percent, are between the ages of 45 and 64. These individuals who are aging but not yet eligible for Medicare are left in a precarious spot if they don’t have other insurance coverage. These are people we know. They are helping to raise their grandchildren or nieces and nephews. They cannot work full time because of...
Did you know that the Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA) monitored a total of 45 bills and resolutions and actively supported 25 pieces of legislation that affected seniors during the FY2013 legislative session? We also provided committee testimony and letters of support to bill sponsors, legislative committees and Congressional members. Senior advocacy is a “team effort.” We invite you and other Alaskans in your community to be active this legislative session by participating in the 2014 ACoA Senior Legislative Teleconferences. The purpose of...
Early registration is open for a one-day workshop on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, to be offered in February in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Sitka. Sponsored by Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, the interactive workshop, titled “Accepting the Challenge,” will feature Teepa Snow, a renowned expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Snow is an occupational therapist currently working as a dementia care and dementia education specialist with an independent practice. She has clinical appointments with Duke University’s School of Nursing and...
Alaska Health Fairs, Inc. begins its next series of health fairs (we won’t call them spring health fairs yet) with four events in February, featuring free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and more. The tests can help you learn about your health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. The test results give you and your health care provider important information about your physical condition and vital organ functions. A complete and comprehensive chemistry/hemat...
Taking care of a parent or aging family member is part of daily life for thousands of Alaskans; it is a task that poses great challenges but also rewards those who accept the challenges with many memorable moments. In a writing contest held by the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, Alaskans were given the opportunity to share some of their most memorable moments while caring for loved ones. Dozens of entries were received from across the state with winners in five age categories and one grand prize winner of 40,000 Alaska Airline miles. The g...
Alaska Health Fairs, Inc. begins its next series of health fairs (we won’t call them spring health fairs yet) with four events in February, featuring free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and more. The tests can help you learn about your health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. The test results give you and your health care provider important information about your physical condition and vital organ functions. A complete and comprehensive chemistry/hemat...
Well, we made it through another chaotic year and I wish you all a new and happier year to come. There is some good news to report, although it is not earth-shaking. Social Security is giving all its beneficiaries a 1.5 percent COLA (cost of living adjustment) increase for 2014. And the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will be increased to $117,000, up from last year’s $113,000. Just as a note to myself, if there was no limit on the amount of earnings that could b...
It’s the start of a new year, which is a time of review and reflection for many people. Now is also a good time to look at the Medicare changes that will happen this year, and a good time to talk about Medicare as an important source of health coverage for readers who’ll be turning 65. Q. What will 2014 bring for Medicare beneficiaries in terms of changes in out-of-pocket costs? While prices for everything seem to go up every year, the good news for Medicare beneficiaries is that premiums for Medicare Part B will remain the same for 2014, holdi...
While we all look forward to retirement, retirement isn’t always ready for us. There are ways to prepare yourself and your loved ones for the time that you do retire. Older Persons Action Group will offer a free, informative seminar Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in conjunction with New York Life. Presenters will be Carin Wise, Investment Product Consultant for NYLIFE Securities LLC, and Robert L. Barrett Jr., LUTCF, CLTC Financial Services Professional with New York Life. The event will be held in Anchorage and also teleconferenced. Advance RSVP is r...
Lowering your risk for dementia A good New Year’s resolution may be to simply exercise more and make sure you do not have high blood pressure. Just taking those two simple steps may significantly help lower your risk for developing dementia. It’s rare to hear good news about dementia. But that’s what a New England Journal of Medicine Perspective article is now reporting. The article discusses several recent studies that show dementia rates in older adults are on the decline. It is believed to be...
When an aging parent begins to fail, adult children often must step in to make arrangements for care. The opportunities for family conflict are enormous. Old rivalries between siblings are re-ignited. Disagreements about financial and practical matters flare up. Resentments boil over and before you know it, the adult children are hurling insults at one another in the assisted living or nursing home. I wish I could say this was uncommon, but ombudsmen regularly receive calls from home...
Bill pulled his hat over his ears. He fastened his jacket shut. Then he hurried along the dark, wintry streets, so that 105 customers received their Anchorage Daily Times, quickly. The rushing warmed him. Three miles to go. In his first job, Bill Gamel, age 10, intended to succeed. He'd already added nine new customers. On Saturday, the bars along Fourth Avenue provided profitable, extra sales. The independent salesboy earned money to buy sports gear and pay for scout activities. Bill was...
How much information can the human brain absorb? The answer may be put to the test at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center’s Third Annual Brain Olympics, Jan. 15. The event has proved very popular and gets bigger every year, organizers say. This year’s schedule is chock-full of special speakers giving presentations on a variety of brain-related topics: • “Music as Therapy: How Music Rocks Your Brains,” Laura Debenham, MSW • “Thoughts About the Brain,” Shirley Fraser, MD, neurologist • “Let’s Talk About Memory,” Marilyn McKay, Education Specia...
Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) is offering free Landlord/Tenant legal clinics in Anchorage on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairview Rec Center, 1121 E. 10th Avenue. There is no fee or pre-registration required, and anyone having a problem with their rental property, landlord, or tenant may attend. The next Landlord/Tenant legal clinics are Jan. 2 and Feb. 6. A local volunteer attorney will facilitate these clinics and will also answer general questions from attendees about their particular situations. Both...
