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Dear Savvy Senior: I need to hire a good in-home caregiver to help my elderly father who lives alone. What’s the best way to do this? —Searching Sarah Dear Sarah: Finding a good in-home caregiver for an elderly parent is not always easy. How can you find one that’s reliable and trustworthy, as well as someone your parent likes and is comfortable with? Here are some tips that can help. Know his needs Before you start the task of looking for an in-home caregiver, your first step is to determine the level of care your dad needs. For examp...
Cottonwood trees are spoiling the air with their seeds and causing a huge increase in seasonal allergies, so this is as good a time as any to explore how to handle allergies and discuss protecting ourselves at home from allergies. We will also talk about other allergies, as well. Let's talk about what you can do in your home to reduce allergens. Your heating and cooling systems can be great allies in the fight against allergies. During allergy season, running your air conditioning can help. It...
After an extra stressful week, I so looked forward to spending a whole day at the 43rd annual Scottish Highland Games on June 29. It had been on my calendar for over a month, but I hadn't been sure I'd be able to attend. This was not my first experience at the Games. That was back in the 1980s when our children were young and it was held on the grounds of the Eagle River Lions Club. My husband, Gary, had just learned that he came from a Scottish background, rather than Irish. That day in Eagle...
Gold miners in 1906 Fairbanks passed a fur cap for contributions to give the 7-year-old warbler. His only number was "In The Good Old Summer Time," but it pleased the whiskered sourdoughs in the frontier town. That was the beginning of a career that took the little singer far. Robert MacArthur Crawford grew up to become a professor of music, conductor of the Newark Symphony Orchestra and guest soloist for the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. But his most enduring claim to fame...
Her film and television career only lasted a decade, but Evelyn Rudie's memories from the 1950s and 60s as a child actor remain vivid, beginning with a small role in the Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron 1955 musical, "Daddy Long Legs." After meeting director Henry Koster through a family connection when she was just three years old, young Evelyn was offered an audition at Twentieth Century Fox. "They thought I looked exactly like Leslie Caron would have looked like as a child," recalled Rudie, who...
Years ago, when my daughters were much younger than they are now, they came to me one evening with silly grins on their faces. “Dad,” they said, “We have a new advertising slogan for you.” I waited. “Sign and date, before it’s too late!” And then they laughed their little preteen heads off. I scratched my chin a moment and said, “You know, that's not bad. I think I'll use that.” They drew back in horror. “No, dad! Don't use that! It was a joke! That would be a terrible slogan!” And, becau...
Q. Some years ago I had a photo book printed, but I no longer see that option in my photos app. Where did it go? A. There are photo printing services online that print photo books. If you were using a Mac, you might be referring to its legacy photo service, which was discontinued years ago. Today, no matter what device you use, consider Photobooks Pro (see the link in the box). They are a high-quality photo printing service that offers dozens of book designs. And if my guess is correct that you were talking about Mac legacy software, Photobooks...
Women face unique challenges when preparing for retirement, from longer lifespans to income inequality and employment impacts from family caregiving. Considering these realities, women should prioritize early retirement planning and investment strategies to ensure financial security in their later years. Longer lives, lower earnings Statistically, women have a longer lifespan than men, which translates to additional years spent in retirement. Women age 65 or older can anticipate living until age 87, compared to age 84 for men. Income...
Recently I spent a lot of time chatting with Pi, my new friend, or maybe acquaintance, or something. I am not sure what to call her because she can speak in eight different voices, and half of them are male. Ok, this is confusing. I'll start again. Do this: Download pi.ai to your smartphone from wherever you usually get apps. It's free. Set up an account. That takes a few seconds. Then pick a voice. I picked a welcoming female voice. I think I would be happier with an old-guy voice, but they...
Q: My friend in Los Angeles has been approached about being part of a clinical trial for Alzheimer's. Why would their doctor suggest they participate, and how do they work? A: With nearly 67,000 worldwide studies looking for participants, if one has never considered being part of clinical observations or trials, there are several ways to be included in research that helps others. What is clinical research? There are two main types of research that study health and illness: observational studies...
Medicare is the federal government program that provides health insurance to those age 65 and older or those under 65 with certain disabilities or chronic conditions. Medicare programs and policies are regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). When you are new to Medicare, there can be a lot to learn about your enrollment and coverage choices. At least for now, there are no Medicare Advantage programs available to Alaskan residents (also known as Part C of Medicare), so...
Summer is a wonderful time of year but even here in Alaska the heat can sometimes be intense, especially for seniors. That's why it's important to know how to prevent and treat heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as sunburns. Sunburns To prevent sunburns, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin before going outside. Apply more every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating. Wear protective clothing, such as...
"Are you two doing okay back there?" my friend, Cindy, and I were being asked by one of our hiking group. "Yes, fine," we replied as we brought up the rear on a hike back in July 2004. We were on the Caribou Creek Trail off the Nabesna Road, near the Tok Cut-Off Highway. Cindy and I were in our 40s, while the ages of the other women hikers from Anchorage ranged from 55 to 74. Betty, the organizer of this outing, had been a friend of my mother's when they were young singles living in Seward in...
On June 25, 1897, the sleepy old Russian town of St. Michael awoke when Alaska Commercial Company's river steamer Alice arrived with 25 miners from Dawson carrying $500,000 among them in gold dust. That was enough to liven up just about any town. But the party wasn't over. Two days later, the P.B. Weare carried in another group of 60 successful men who staggered off that small steamer with more pokes of gold. Miners from both boats then transferred to the SS Portland and the SS Excelsior to...
Mother's Day may have passed, but moms continue to inspire and encourage. Even fictitious ones. Some of America's favorite classic television and movie moms are raising awareness of the country's homeless youth problem. Although their focus is one organization, Doors of Change in the San Diego area (with its summer benefit "Concert of Hope" this year to be held on July 27 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, UCSD, and featuring KC and the Sunshine Band, see www.doorsofchange.org) their message...
One of the many useful lessons my dad taught me growing up was to maintain your equipment. He did a lot of home improvement projects, and no matter how long and exhausting the day had been, before finishing he always took care of his tools. Paintbrushes would be cleaned and put in turpentine to soak, work areas would be cleaned up, and tools would be put away (“a place for everything, and everything in its place,” he would say). This lesson was further instilled in me by some fine gentlemen at...
Q. Sometimes my smartphone shuts off suddenly. The screen goes dark, and none of the buttons work. After a few minutes, it works again. Should I look for a replacement? A. Modern smartphones take their internal temperature continuously. These modern computing miracles still have to obey the laws of physics, and when they get too hot, bad things happen. As a result, smartphones are smart enough to hibernate instantly when they feel a little toasty. The causes are many, everything from laying in open sunlight to processing photos or videos....
Would you go to your doctor to find out why the brakes on your car are making so much noise? Would you go to your friendly neighborhood mechanic for diagnosis and treatment of a serious heart problem? I’ll just crawl out on a limb here and say, “probably not.” And that begs the question, “why not?” Really. Why wouldn’t you see a doctor about your car problems? Because smart as your doctor is, he or she has little if any training or experience fixing cars. Same for the mechanic. Great with cars. Doesn’t know squat about heart problems. See...
Q: My neighbor and their spouse reside in separate homes. This is the third couple I have heard of living this way. Why do some people choose to live apart? A: Living Apart Together (LAT) is a modern relationship arrangement where couples choose to remain in separate residences while maintaining a committed romantic relationship. This phenomenon has been gaining popularity, challenging traditional notions of cohabitation and partnership. Let us explore the concept of LAT couples, examine the...
This month’s article begins with a recommendation to prepare documentation of your personal desires as related to your medical situation and future health care needs. These can help convey your intentions should you not be able to voice them yourself. Next, a reminder that Medicare only provides coverage for services and equipment deemed medically necessary – you might find yourself in need of additional help with activities in your daily life. Finally, a mention regarding how hospice care pro...
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” – Albert Einstein That seems like such a simple quote, not much to it, but for family caregivers it can mean a lot. There can be moments, or even days, when a caregiver may feel hopeless—like nothing will ever change for the better. Our sense of identity can get confused. “Who am I if I am no longer connected to the things that gave me purpose and joy?” Our future feels uncertain. Rather than feel hopeful, we feel hopeless. We wonder, “how long will this be my life?” The question pr...
As the weather warms up and people become more active, keeping first aid in front of our minds is important. Whether you are enjoying a hike, playing sports, or working in the garden, accidents can happen when you least expect them. By knowing basic first aid, you can treat common injuries and prevent more serious complications. One of the most common injuries during outdoor activities is falls. If you or someone you know experiences a fall, remember to stay calm. Check for any signs of injury...
The loon drifts in lethargic circles, its white-collared neck drooping into the water. Fish dart below, but the bird cannot eat. Paralysis spreads from its broad webbed feet to the lungs that once sustained five-minute dives. As its organs shut down, the loon will slowly suffocate or starve. Every year, an estimated 16 million birds suffer this torturous death from lead poisoning. Accidental ingestion of lead fishing tackle causes up to half of all adult loon deaths. But with a few small...
In the early 2000s when my husband, Gary, and I lived in Slana, we would take turns going to Anchorage in the summer to buy groceries and other supplies. One of us always stayed home to mind our bed and breakfast business and the generator. Gary returned one trip with a surprise gift for me-a shiny yellow metal garden cart. Although I was delighted with his thoughtfulness, I wasn't excited about the color. I must have made some comment, because the next thing I knew, he'd painted it green. What...
The infant town of Anchorage, only a few years old, had always been interested in America's favorite pastime when William F. Mulcahy, later known as "Mr. Baseball," blew into the lusty, young railroad town in 1922. Everyone turned out to watch the games played evenings after supper and weekends. As far back as 1916, Anchorage had a regulation baseball diamond, built by the Bridge Engineers, located in what was known as Recreation Park in the railroad yards north of Ship Creek. A press box, with...
