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The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold a quarterly meeting in Juneau on February 11 and 13 in Room 115 of the Alaska Office Building. 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 Senior and Disabilities Services. Revision of and planning for compliance of the Older Americans Act will be the main topic of discussion on the second day. There will be a public comment period on Thursday at 10:45 a.m., allowing for...
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 with...
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...
Q: I have a family member who lives in the Lower 48 whom I do not see often because she suffers from anxiety when flying. The last time she traveled was a few years ago and I’ve told her that today’s flights have onboard Wi-Fi so she could be absorbed in social media, email, streaming videos, etc. She said that may be enough to distract her from anxiety. Do all flights offer this service? Are there other new services that may help her get through a three to four hour flight? She’s tried using...
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...
This month’s article provides an overview of Medicare coverage in 2025. The 2025 edition of the “Medicare & You” handbook provides much greater detail than is provided in this article; if you do not have a copy, please contact the Medicare Information Office and we are happy to provide one. This handbook is available as an eBook, as well as in large print, audio version, and in Braille. The “Medicare & You” handbook has also been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish,...
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 at...
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 a...
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...
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...
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 free an...
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 so...
Having a clear and easy-to-find emergency contact list can save important time in a crisis. Today, I’ll share the key information you should have ready to keep you and your family safe. Let’s make sure you’re prepared for whatever might happen. First, write your emergency contact list in big, easy-to-read letters. Keep it in a place that’s simple to find, like on your fridge or next to your phone. Make a few copies—one for your wallet or bag, one for your nightstand, and one to give to a trus...
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 informa...
Editor's note: Al Clayton, who died in 2008, recounted his Alaskan truck driving experiences to his daughter, Maraley McMichael, in 2005. She has written and submitted the story in two parts, this being the second part. Once I sold my food goods, I started thinking, what am I going to d o with my Diamond T truck? I decided to sell lots from land I owned a ways out of Anchorage, in Spenard. My property, which would later become 25th Avenue, bordered that of Dr. J.H. Romig. I sold some of these...
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...
A giant pill bottle. A fighter jet. A Queen Elizabeth look-alike holding a corgi. What do these things have in common? They are all quirky ideas for an equally quirky event held each February during the Fur Rendezvous: Outhouse races down Fourth Avenue in Anchorage. Alaska's history with outhouses is as rich and colorful as the outhouses in this annual event. From essential facilities in undeveloped areas to the Fur Rendezvous races, outhouses have played a significant role in Alaskan culture....
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 a month o...
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....
I’m getting more cynical as I get older. Whenever I hear that Congress has passed something by an overwhelming bipartisan vote, and it has a really nice sounding name, I start getting nervous. After all, the SECURE Act actually made your retirement savings less secure, and the Corporate Transparency Act didn’t require big corporations to do anything, it just required small businesses to have to deal with a lot more paperwork. So when I heard that Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act...
Q. Is Incognito Mode in my Web browser truly private? A. True anonymity online requires considerable technical expertise and is near-impossible to achieve. The short answer to your question is no. Incognito Mode, which is also called Private Browsing, InPrivate Browsing, Private Window, or Guest Mode tells your device to avoid recording information such as browsing history and cookies. There are other sources for this information that you may not have access to, like your service provider’s log files, third-party software, system caches, b...
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...
