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Born in the heart of Anchorage and raised amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Willow, I developed a connection with the great outdoors from a young age. Fishing, hiking, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling became not just hobbies, but cherished parts of my identity. Professionally, I wear multiple hats. A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I hold a certificate degree as a holistic health coach and am board-certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. My...
Spring is a season of renewal, symbolizing hope, and growth. As snow melts away and nature awakens, its impact on Alaskans living with Alzheimer's and dementia and their caregivers is profound. The changing season may spark memories and enhance cognitive function. The sight of blossoming flowers or the smell of freshly cut grass can evoke nostalgic feelings, fostering moments of clarity and connection. Additionally, exposure to natural light can help regulate sleep patterns and improve mood, reducing agitation and anxiety commonly associated...
In 2022, there were 53,692 veterans living in Alaska, making it the number one state with retired American military. While that's a 25.25 percent decrease since 2012, the statewide population total of 733,583 state population of that same year, means 10.10 percent of the adult civilian population in Alaska were considered veterans. Looking after soldiers Joint Base Elmendorf/Richardson Retired Soldiers Council has a free newsletter, “Soldier for Life,” which can be viewed on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Alaska.Milit...
Older Americans Month is an annual celebration that serves as a platform to honor and appreciate the vital contributions that older persons play in our communities and in our society as a whole. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May. It is also an opportunity to highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities. The federal agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), typically provides us with an annual theme. This year’s theme is “Powered by Community,” which...
Senior Voice contributor Lawrence Weiss sat down in late March for an interview with longtime Anchorage resident Cal Williams. Here is their Q&A. People often refer to you as a "community activist." Why is that? Just prior to coming here, I was involved with CORE, the Congress of Racial Equality, in Monroe, Louisiana -marching picketing, doing voter registration and voter education with CORE-the summer of 1964. Then in September of 1964, I, along with six other black students, was accepted at...
Shifting from processed to home-cooked meals offers numerous advantages, from improved nutritional quality to enriching personal and social experiences. Here's why making this change can be profoundly positive. One significant advantage of home cooking is the control it gives over ingredients. This allows you to avoid harmful additives and excess sugars, fats and salts common in processed foods. Instead, you can choose fresh, wholesome ingredients that boost your intake of vital nutrients,...
Reacher/grabber tools help those who have trouble bending or those with limited mobility to pick up lightweight objects around the house. Each reacher/grabber has slight variations from length, head rotation, magnetic tips, folding capabilities, materials and more. There are many on the market for purchase. The one shown in the picture is 32 inches in length, weighs less than one pound, has a rotating and magnetic head, folds in half, and has non-slip silicone rubber coating to make it easier...
Q: When I see the doctor, I give them my symptoms over and over, but they are dismissive of my pains and concerns. What can I do? A: As adults age, it is crucial to take control of one’s health and wellness. By being consistent about preventive care, prioritizing medical issues, and actively engaging with healthcare providers to avoid ageism, one can optimize outcomes and quality of life. Prioritize healthcare First, stay informed about age-related health concerns, medications and treatment o...
This month’s article will focus on how Medicare may work with health benefits for federal employees, retirees and annuitants. Employees and retired employees of the federal government are eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage, subject to those positions that are excluded by law or regulation. Currently this includes employees of the U.S. Postal Service. The Office of Personnel Management administers the FEHB program. When someone becomes eligible for Medicare, most c...
Alaska Health Fair has been delivering health fairs and affordable comprehensive blood screenings since 1980. May is the final month of our spring health fair season. After that, we will go on a short break and begin work on fall health fairs. Now is the perfect time to visit one of our remaining fairs, connect with local health and wellness resources, and take advantage of the affordable, comprehensive blood screenings (prices begin at $20). Schedule an appointment online (www.alaskahealthfair.org) or simply walk-in at any of our events. May...
Older drivers are some of the safest drivers on the road. They're more likely to wear seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink while driving. Still, they're more likely to get hurt in a crash. As we get older, our bodies become weaker and injuries from accidents can be worse. Getting older also changes how well we can see, think, move and react quickly. These changes can make it harder for us to feel comfortable driving our cars safely. Older drivers might need new ways or special tools to...
A chatbot app to quit smoking Researchers in Seattle, Wash. have now developed an artificial intelligence (AI) -powered chatbot app called QuitBot to help more people successfully quit smoking cigarettes. The app is available for free on Apple and Android devices and is a comprehensive app that provides users personalized support. Developed using scientifically backed answers vetted by scientists and experienced smoking cessation clinicians, QuitBot combines evidence-based structured conversatio...
Amy Poehler said "Nobody looks stupid when they are having fun". In addition to improving your balance, coordination, cardiovascular health and strength, pickleball is fun and along the way you can make new friends and enjoy some friendly competition. But in addition to all that, who doesn't want to improve their game? Here are some basic tips for doing just that. Pick a couple of these to concentrate on in your next game. Get your serves in. You can't score any points if your serves land outsid...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold support group meetings at the following locations: May 3, Soldotna Senior Center Guest speaker Janice Nightingale from Hospice of Central Peninsula, 1 to 2 p.m. May 14, Kenai Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. May 16, Sterling Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. May 23, Nikiski Senior Center, open discussion, 1 to 2 p.m. Support meetings allow you to share your experiences as a caregiver, or support someone who is a caregiver. If you are helping a family member or...
Spring has sprung and the blooming flowers, buzzing bees, biting mosquitoes and trip hazards abound as you can finally get out of the house more often. With a few simple preparations, you can enjoy the summer months while minimizing potential risks to your health and well-being. One aspect of summer home safety is ensuring your air conditioning system is in good working order if you have one. Before the heat arrives, schedule a professional to inspect and maintain your AC unit. This will help...
For three days in mid May 2022, I held my seventh and final garage sale. (The first was in 1975 in Fairbanks, before we moved to California.) My husband, Gary, and I conducted all the previous ones together, but this time, he had been living in the Palmer Pioneer Home for two and a half months. Our son Patrick and his girlfriend, Brandi, flew up from Denver a few days prior to help and Patrick's long time local friends, Gary and Kim, provided help beginning in early April. Gary and Kim were...
The Alaska Commission on Aging with hold a quarterly meeting in Valdez on May 15 at the Valdez Convention and Civic Center. The event will be in-person, online via Zoom and by teleconference, starting at 8:30 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...
The people of Nome were planning a grand celebration in mid-May 1926. They'd decorated their fine city, set up committees, arranged receptions and lined up wagon teams to take school children to the airfield to see the landing of the dirigible Norge N-1. Slated to be the event to top all events, Nome residents were none too pleased when they learned that the huge craft-which had left Norway to fly over the North Pole a few days earlier-had missed their beautiful town and landed in Teller instead...
Born and raised in West Virginia, David Selby's extensive film, television and stage career included prominent roles in two very different TV shows in different generations: ABC's gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows" in the 60s and the prime-time soap "Falcon Crest" on CBS in the 80s. "My mother (Sarah) loved that I was an actor," said Selby from Los Angeles, but she had no background in the entertainment world. Her upbringing in a coalmining town was a tough one, being responsible for raising her...
In the movie “War of the Roses”, a lawyer (played by Danny DeVito) mentions that he charges $450 per hour. This was in 1989, but even then, as a young attorney just starting out, the number seemed startling. “Why,” I thought to myself in the darkened theater, “do lawyers cost so much?” I learned part of the answer pretty quickly. The lawyer doesn't get to put all of that money right into his pocket. There are a lot of expenses that go with running a law office, such as rent, secretarial...
Q. What is two-factor authentication? A. The most common authentication method uses an account name and a password. That has been true since the earliest days of computing. The account name/password combination is considered a single factor authentication method. The problems created by passwords are well documented, and two-factor authentication is a technique developed to enforce security in the event a password falls into the wrong hands. The second authentication factor typically requires the user to enter a second code in addition to the...
First in a four-part series. Ever since Don and I said "we do" in Fairbanks in November 1973, my sweetie and I have been talking about taking a trip to South America to see Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, and the Amazon rainforest. When we saw an ad for a highly discounted Princess cruise from Los Angeles to Santiago, Chile, we decided to "Just Do It" for our 50th wedding anniversary. We then Googled how to get from Chile to our three goals and stumbled across Smithsonian Journeys. The...
