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In the past few weeks more than 170 house bills and 82 senate bills have been introduced to the Alaska State Legislature. Here are some bills that have been discussed on the floor recently. Medicaid payment for prescription management House Bill 134, sponsored by Mia Costello (R-Anchorage), deals with the large number of individuals in Alaska that have complex medical needs and are required to take a dozen or more medications daily. In a sponsor statement, Costello noted that these persons are often frail, elderly and experiencing a wide range...
The Anchorage Senior Citizens Advisory Commission (ASCAC) is pleased to announce the annual Kick-Off event in celebration of Older Americans Month. The Anchorage event will be held at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center on Thursday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be entertainment, a guest speaker, door prizes and a proclamation from Mayor Sullivan. Also on the agenda is the presentation of the Ron Hammett Award to recognize an individual whose exceptional and dedicated service have made a significant impact on the quality of life for...
A long-time Alaskan whose life was deeply affected by his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease has written a book to help other caregivers who might benefit from his experience. Bob Miller published late last year his memoir, “My Mom Inez: Our Alzheimer’s Journey,” which is the story of a son’s determination to protect and care for his mother as he struggles with the signs of her losing her mind to Alzheimer’s. “This book grew out of my effort to understand, accept and effectively deal with what was going on in my mother’s life, and how it affected a...
Healing wounds in Anchorage I would like to tell you about a wonderful service I discovered in Anchorage. It is called the Wound Center and is run by registered nurses, who work under a physician’s orders. The center provides care services for a variety of wounds such as those caused by diabetes and related complications; leg wounds caused by impaired circulation; non-healing surgical wounds; burns and frostbite and wounds caused by infection or pressure and mobility deficits. Staff assist with...
As people age their ability to fight bacteria decreases and they are more prone to infections of the skin (ulcers) and soft tissue (cellulitis). Most ulcers and cellulitis occur on the feet and legs. The main reasons seniors develop such problems include decreased sensation caused by nerve damage, inadequate blood flow to the lower extremities through clogged arteries, and impaired return of blood from these areas caused by dilated veins. Such veins often cause the legs and feet to swell. Swelling, or edema, impairs the body’s ability to d...
New magnetic approach to treating heartburn It may be possible to replace your daily stomach medicine with a new magnetic device. It is called the LINX system and is composed of a series of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core. The beads are connected to form a ring shape and then implanted at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a circular band of muscle that closes the last few centimeters of the esophagus. The LES prevents the backward flow of stomach contents. This new medical device...
This month’s column is about retaliation, specifically homes that retaliate against residents who complain or who offend them in some way. Retaliation against a resident can be overt, but often it is not. Staff can delay serving a meal until it is cold, or put residents into an uncomfortably cool shower, or take 45 minutes to answer calls for assistance. It’s an abuse of power, a reminder to residents that they aren’t in charge of their lives anymore. Don’t get me wrong. There are good homes,...
“Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” – Kenyan proverb Cal Williams sat with a gathering of eight other people late on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14. He was a happy man. It was the day after the new pope had been named. “I believe Pope Francis will work with the needy, that coming from Argentina he understands village life, diversity in our world. He’ll emphasize harmony,” Williams said. His smile grew ever larger as he spoke to the group. Williams is a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Anchorage. “I think we have one of the...
Haines Senior Citizen Center celebrated its 30th year of activities with a luncheon on March 15, and the tickets sold out in a few days. Board members decorated the center, sold tickets, served the catered meal and arranged music and readings. Donations of food from businesses and homemade apple pies by friends kept the costs down, and Mardell Gunn, board member, said they expected to clear $1,000. Another fundraiser will be held in May. When Haines Seniors moved into the then-city-owned building on Valentine’s Day in 1982, they promised to r...
Dear Jonathan: I am a single man. My net worth is between $9 million and $10 million. I understand that under the current law the federal exclusion from federal estate taxes is $5 million, which means that if I die this year, my estate will incur a federal estate tax. My financial advisor is encouraging me to purchase a life insurance policy with a death benefit sufficient enough to offset any federal estate tax liability that will be imposed against my estate. Do you think this is a good idea? Jonathan says: The exclusion from federal estate...
In the course of magazine editing, newspaper reporting, book authoring, freelance writing and Web site publishing for the past 60-plus years I’ve had the pleasure to visit and write about many a splendid local celebration. These have included locales that varied from Kansas on the plains in our nation’s mid-section to the mountains of Colorado, the islands of Hawaii, the shores of California, Jolly Old England and (drum roll please…) funfests that have provided enduring grand memories in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan. This month le...
