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“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns Nov. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. This month’s presentation focuses on travel. There is likely no activity that has as much allure to retired persons as travel. Whether to see grandkids, to get away from cold winters, to explore the other ’48, or even to cross the seas to exotic places far away -- racking up those frequent flyer miles is very popular for...
Those with dementia find their world diminished, but they don't know that. It is their caretakers and loved ones who see the change and long for the time when they were present. It is a hard experience, but sadly one that oftentimes comes with aging. There's a song in the air The Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska is trying out an approach that has been successful elsewhere - a chorus comprised of dementia patients and their caregivers they are calling "Voices of the Last Frontier." And in a way,...
Older Persons Action Group, Inc., earned honors for its monthly, statewide publication Senior Voice recently in two national awards contests: the 28th Annual National Mature Media Awards Program and the annual awards contest of the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA). Mature Media Awards OPAG earned a Merit Award for its Senior Voice publication in the Mature Media Awards. Presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, the contest recognizes the nation’s finest marketing, c...
Interested in learning more about businesses and agencies providing senior services in the Anchorage and Mat-Su area? Want to get the word out about your own service? The monthly Service Providers Breakfast (formerly known as the Interagency Breakfast), sponsored by Older Persons Action Group, Inc., is an opportunity for all the above. Informal, early and free, with breakfast provided. The November meeting is Nov. 13, hosted by Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more i...
What was the worst piece of legislation enacted in Alaska in the last quarter century? Well, OK, there have been some doozies. However, I would suggest that it was legislation enacted in 2005 that destroyed the traditional pension plan for teachers and public employees and replaced it with a grossly insufficient savings account for new employees. At the time, the elimination of the traditional pension plan was explained by the governor and supportive legislators as a way to retard the growth of the “unfunded liability” -- the red-inked dif...
This year, SAGE commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the night in 1969 when New York City's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community fought back against years of police harassment and social isolation. Many of SAGE's program participants and supporters, in New York and across the country, were at the Stonewall Inn that night. Charles "Valentino" Harris, known to friends and family simply as Val, was 17 years old the first night of the Stonewall uprising. "On...
I recently wrote about some impressive tests that you can self-order, thus taking the headache out of getting lab tests. But what about the important instructions that come with some lab tests, and what are the best instructions to follow if you have a surgery scheduled. The most common inquiry is this: Do I really need to stop all my medications before this test? This question isn't easy to answer because some medications are needed for comfort and well-being. For example, what if you are relia...
November closes out the fall health fair season, with events offering free health screenings and health and safety education for all ages. Alaska Health Fair events offer affordable, comprehensive, private blood tests for those 18 years and older (sorry, we can’t do children). Blood tests can help you learn about your overall health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. Our most popular test is the Chemistry/Hematology Profile (please fast 10 to 12 hours for this one test), whic...
The air is crisp, heaters are running full blast, and Hospice of Anchorage is gearing up for this wonderful season of giving. While we continue to provide in-home support to individuals and families dealing with a life-limiting illness free of charge (primarily funded through the Senior In-Home Grant, and in part by generous donors), we also have wonderful events coming up that we would love for you to be a part of this winter. Navigating the Holidays On Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m., Hospice of Anchorage, Providence Hospice and Frontier...
BAs the holidays approach we have an opportunity to enjoy our traditions, remember family members who have passed, and recount the familiar stories that brings us together as a family. These stories have the power to shape the ways we live our lives. They are important and are perhaps best told by our seniors. Just as we may be curious about where our elders came from, what they looked like, or even what jobs they held, equally important is the gathering of our family’s health history. Knowing what diseases grandparents or parents lived with or...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in November. This month’s meetings will include viewing and discussion of a training DVD on caregiving and wellness, examining the factors that contribute to caregiver stress, and practical solutions for reducing stress and cultivating lifelong wellness. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver. Nov. 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 12, Caregiver support m...
Better cancer screening may be warranted for Alaska Natives Greater efforts are needed to improve cancer screenings for Alaska Natives, according to federal health officials. The nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population faces higher risk of many cancers than white Americans, with considerable variation among regional groups, according to a new study published in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. “Our data show that the American Indian and Alaska Nati...
Imagine being older and losing the only home you’ve ever known. Everything that was familiar to you is suddenly gone. That’s what happened to Qin Qin (pronounced Chin Chin), a 12-year old cat who had lived with the same people, in the same home, all her life. Due to an illness in her family, she found herself at Anchorage Animal Care and Control (AACC), with only her cat tree to remind her of what her life used to be. And now, imagine, as an elderly woman having to move from your home into your child’s home. You are welcome there so you are g...
When you think of B complex, you probably think of it as one B vitamin, but “B Complex” refers to a group of B vitamins consisting of B1, B2, B3, B6 and others. The B complex available as a dietary supplement is intended to fill a nutrient gap that some people develop from malnutrition. This is fine, however most people can eat their way to better B status. The concerns about B vitamin deficiency are frequently overlooked by the most caring practitioners. Remember, the mindset in today’s atrocious health care system is to medicate you, so you’r...
Chuck and Malinda both started smoking at age 9. After smoking for over two decades, they decided to quit together for their children. Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line was there to help them through their journey. Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line helped them determine what level of nicotine replacement therapy would be best for them to quit, and the patches they requested were free. They were excited about the money they saved by not buying tobacco. Watch their story on YouTube at https://bit.ly/2Pk8lA1 and https://bit.ly/2WfEzhg. Chuck and Malinda sha...
"Would you be willing to drive to Slana and help me retrieve the little 1955 camp trailer?" I asked my son Patrick. "Sure," he replied. He had just told me he was coming to Alaska this past August, only this trip he planned to help with projects on my "honey do" list. Because of his busy schedule with his architectural firm, he's lucky to make a trip to Alaska every two or three years, and when he does, he usually plays "fishing guide" to a group of his buddies that come along, too. A couple of...
The holiday season is also the season of giving and a time to share smiles with those around you. And it’s important to remember there are seniors in your community who would love to celebrate, too. However, many seniors live alone, without someone to share this special time. Home Instead Senior Care is once again offering the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley community a chance to spread joy to local seniors. Through the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, community members can give a senior a special holiday gift. Last year, more than 500 Ancho...
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor the November 2019 Lecture Series in honor of Native American Heritage Month and Walter Soboleff Day. The series will focus on Southeast Alaska Native history and efforts in the political and legal arena to protect their aboriginal rights. All lectures begin at noon at the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau and are free and open to the public. The talks will also be videotaped and posted on SHI’s YouTube channel. The courses may be taken for credit at the University of Alaska Southeast. Here is the...
The Alaska Training Cooperative will present a one-day workshop Nov. 21 on the traditional lifestyles and health practices of people living in Alaska prior to western contact. Participants will be introduced to beliefs, attitudes and knowledge of health promotion and maintenance that were practiced, and major changes leading to the current health status of the Alaska Native community. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participation can be in the classroom in Anchorage, or remotely using Zoom online conferencing. Continuing education credits are...
Americans have been casting ballots on the first Tuesday in November since the mid-1840s. Why November and why Tuesdays? The answer goes back to our founding fathers when agriculture was prominent. Congress used to meet in December and adjourn in March every year because that's when farmers could get away from their land. A 1792 law established that elections should be held some time in November to give time to count the votes before the new congressional session started. Americans also began of...
The Critters are back and meaner than ever. Fortunately, Dee Wallace has also returned to take aim at the miniature alien monsters in "Critters Attack!" Released straight to Blu-ray, DVD, and digitally over the summer, the film had its television premiere on the Syfy Channel in October. Wallace starred in the original 1986 comedy horror, but skipped the three sequels and only agreed to do the new movie because it was a reboot of the franchise. "Too much time had gone by to go back and reprise...
The woman across from volunteer tax preparer Jan Watson was scared. She couldn't afford to owe money on her tax return, which Watson was preparing free through the Tax Aide program. When Watson told her that instead she would be getting a refund, the woman broke into tears and shared that she would finally be able to buy her children winter clothing. Last year 120 AARP Foundation volunteers helped 6,124 Alaskans file their federal tax returns, saving them an estimated $1.2 million in tax...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in September: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Nov. 12 and 26), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Nov. 6 and 20), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Nov. 7, 14 and 21; 28 is Thanksgiving holiday), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Sou...
Every year on Veterans Day, our nation honors the people who risk their lives to protect our country. Social Security’s disability program is an important part of our obligation to wounded warriors and their families. For military members who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource they can turn to. If you know any wounded veterans, please let them know about Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. The Wounded Warriors website answers many commonly asked que...
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 69 million Americans will increase 1.6 percent in 2020, the Social Security Administration announced in October. The 1.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 63 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2020, according to an Oct. 10 press release from the Social Security Administration. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on Dec. 31, 2019, the press release stated. (Note: some...
