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Have you received unsolicited spam texts with a message that appears to be from your bank, credit card company or a shipping company such as FedEx? How about a message just saying “Hi. How are you?” These are called “smishing” scams—scams which involve a text message on your cell phone. Statistics show that people read nearly all their texts, but may not answer calls from unknown numbers nor respond to emails. Scammers know this, and use smishing to get personal information like your Social Security number, date of birth and usernames...
This year the spirit of Christmas in Alaska may be overwhelmed by the politics of the times and a tsunami of electronic gifts and doodads. But looking through Alaska newspaper clippings from 100 years ago, Christmas had more to do with turkey shoots and a kindly police chief ... Turkey Shoot at Kennecott A very successful turkey shoot was held at Kennecott on Christmas day starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until 3:30 p.m. It was a decided financial success as well as being thoroughly enjoyed by bo...
The first snow has fallen across Alaska, transforming our landscape into a quiet wonderland. But December brings more than just crystalline beauty – it carries the profound warmth of human connection, wrapped in the age-old tradition of giving. Think back to the most meaningful gift you've ever received. Chances are, its value wasn't measured in dollars, but in the thought behind it. This season, we're reimagining gift-giving through a lens of wellness and intention. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, gifting items that encourage a...
Last year for the first time ever, the nation's top panel of preventive health experts, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, or USPSTF, recommended that doctors routinely screen all adult patients under 65 for anxiety disorder. Evidence shows that anxiety screening can help those patients find peace of mind, as the USPSTF said in recommendations that were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in June of 2023. The Task Force found for patients age 19 to 64 evidence is robust that screening leads to a reduction of...
Dear Savvy Senior: I’ve heard that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months because heart attacks are much more common. What can you tell me about this? – AFib Alan Dear Alan: Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have a heart condition or have suffered a previous heart attack. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself. In the U.S., the risk of having a heart att...
Card games are a great pastime and opportunity for socialization. If it is difficult to shuffle or hold cards, there are options to allow an individual to continue with this pastime. Place your card deck in an automatic card shuffler, press the switch, and watch as your deck is shuffled and collected in a tray for easy access. Once shuffled and dealt, use a card holder to keep track of the cards without causing pain or discomfort that can be found from grasping. This column is brought to you by...
In December after an active spring, summer and autumn of physical activity, you wonder how to keep it together as another Alaska winter sets in. You could winter over in Hawaii (see deals in the travel column), but you don't have to go that far; exercise is as close as your nearest shopping mall or recreation center. Anchorage Dimond Center Mall is open for free mall walking on the first and second levels of the building, Hours are Monday through Saturday, a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to...
Preventive care helps avoid illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. A preventive medical service is conducted when you have no prior symptoms of disease. In contrast, diagnostic services address symptoms or conditions that you already have. In this month’s article I will describe how Medicare covers preventive care. Medicare covers preventive services Medicare’s Part B outpatient care covers many preventive services, such as screenings, vaccines, and counseling. To find out...
The holiday season is a time for joy, connection and creating memories. However, for families with loved ones experiencing Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, the holidays can also bring unique challenges. Balancing traditions with the changing needs of those we care for is essential, and small adjustments can make all the difference. Here are some ways to help make the holiday season more enjoyable and less stressful for both caregivers and their loved ones. Plan celebrations with simplicity in mind. Simplifying holiday plans can help re...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following caregiver support group meetings in December. Meeting format is open discussion unless otherwise noted. Dec. 4 Kenai Senior Center, “Stronger Together” support group, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Tyotkas Elder Center (in Kenai) support meeting, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 6 Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 Sterling Senior Center support meeting, 1 to 2 p.m. There is no charge for these services and everyone is invited to attend. For information or to offer sug...
Medication may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease Researchers at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have found that when compared to seven other anti-diabetic drugs, semaglutide, a popular diabetes and weight-loss drug, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP-1R) molecule that decreases hunger and helps regulate blood sugar, is also the active component in the diabetes and weight loss drugs Wegovy a...
Q: I have heard that as you get older there are more risks when undergoing anesthesia. What are they? A: As the new year approaches, many individuals are considering elective surgeries. This is an opportune time to reflect on your own health status. With aging, individuals often encounter medical issues related to cardiovascular, pulmonary or neurological conditions. It is important to discuss these issues with your healthcare provider before undergoing anesthesia for surgical procedures. A...
Winter has arrived in Alaska. For many kids, this brings joy and excitement about making snow angels, going sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. For some of us, however, the winter season brings fear – fear of slipping on the ice, falling and causing serious injury. Otherwise easy tasks such as taking out the trash or getting the mail become treacherous in snowy and icy conditions. Walking to the car or bringing grocery bags from the store to the house become high risk activities. Th...
As winter approaches and we spend more time indoors with our heaters running, I want to talk about a danger that claims hundreds of lives every year. Carbon monoxide gives no warning, even as it poisons you. This invisible, odorless gas is often called "the silent killer," and seniors are disproportionately vulnerable to its effects. Carbon monoxide is also called CO. It is not called CO2, which is a normal and necessary part of breathing. Every year in the United States, at least 430 people...
For the first time ever, the Light the World Giving Machine is coming to Alaska. Disguised as a vending machine, it dispenses cheer by simply choosing one of the local non-profit organizations in the machine and depositing money. Actually, there will be two machines. "In case one goes down, you know electronics, and it can allow two people to donate at the same time. The lines can get long," said Fairbanks Senior Center Co-Director Angela Jones. This year for the 2024 holiday season, there will...
Last December, I read a humorous story about amaryllis bulbs in the weekly email I receive from my favorite gardening magazine, "Green Prints". In the story, confusion about beautiful naked ladies dancing in a back yard resulted in much trouble. However, the naked ladies turned out to be amaryllis plants and the magazine went on to say that the story never happened – it was fiction, but that laughter is good for all of us. I'd never before heard of amaryllis as "naked ladies" and I've been a g...
When termination dust sprinkles Alaska's mountain peaks, the summer tourists depart in campers, cruise ships, and V formations soaring over the yellow birches. An estimated 5 billion birds from 250 species visit Alaska to breed each year, following established migration routes called flyways. But even bountiful Arctic ecosystems can't feed this many birds all year round. At the end of nesting season, these nomads embark on incredible-and increasingly difficult-journeys to their winter homes....
The Alaska Commission on Aging with hold a quarterly meeting on Dec. 4, via Zoom and by teleconference, starting at 9 a.m., breaking for an hour at noon, and resuming from 1 to 4 p.m. At the meetings, commission members review policy and activities regarding senior housing, transportation, health care and other topics, with reports and input from representatives from agencies and organizations serving seniors and their families and caregivers. There will be a public comment period at 1:10 p.m., allowing for feedback from individuals and...
Veterans and their families in the Mat-Su Valley will have the opportunity to connect with valuable resources and support services at the third annual Mat-Su Veterans Resource Fair. Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, the event will be held at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. The fair, which has grown to become an essential event for local veterans, will feature upward of 50 organizations offering information, resources and guidance across a wide range of topics. Attendees are invited to explore the fair, speak with...
Mollie Walsh made a name for herself among the prospectors who flooded north during the Klondike Gold Rush. Her "grub tent" was a welcome sight to many miners who climbed the White Pass Trail in the late 1890s. One man carried such affection for her that he created a memorial that still stands today in the little town of Skagway. Born Mary Walsh in 1869 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Irish lass and her laundry worker friend Maggie Allen packed their bags and headed north on board the Bristol in...
Tis the season when television channels bombard us with round-the-clock Christmas movies while radio stations across the country add festive tunes to their daily playlists. In the latter case, one divisive ditty has been traditionally considered naughty or nice. Elmo Shropshire didn't write "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," but he's been singing the jolly jingle with the not-so-jolly lyrics since first hearing it in Lake Tahoe in the late 70s. The song was released in 1979 and credited to...
Are you a grandparent who drives with your grandkids? We want to help keep everyone safe. The Center for Safe Alaskans has a new service called Drive Safe and Fit that checks two important things: - Your grandchild's car seat - How well your car fits you as the driver December 2-6 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. This makes it the perfect time to check that both you and your grandkids are safe in the car. Why you should get a Drive Safe and Fit check For your grandkids: Did you know that t...
The Social Security Administration is hosting a webinar through Microsoft Teams on Dec. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Nathan Cole will lead the workshop, “Social Security 101,” to explain Social Security benefits and eligibility. The webinar is free but registration is required. Register online at https://bit.ly/3CCUboo or scan the QR code to be directed to the site. Local offices emphasize appointment-based services The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expanding appointment-based services at its loc...
he Anchorage and Chugiak senior centers are hosting free legal clinics this December to help seniors navigate legal questions and access resources, brought to you by Alaska Legal Services Corp. Chugiak Senior Center: Date: December 3 Clinic: Begins at 10 a.m. 907-688-2677 Anchorage Senior Center: Date: December 17 One-hour presentation prior to clinic: 10 a.m. Clinic: Begins at 11 a.m. 907-770-2000 Participants will have 30-minute one-on-one sessions with an attorney during the clinics. While these sessions do not offer legal advice, the attorn...
You take a chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street, or sticking your face in a fan. – Frank Drebin in “The Naked Gun” Three years ago our beloved Congress slipped a new law through, hidden inside another law which wasn’t even related to the same topic, called the Corporate Transparency Act. When people see the name, they generally assume it has some relationship to big corporations with billions of dollars and offices on Wall Street, so they don’t have to worry about it. Actually...
