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A new year is a blank slate. A chance to make and keep promises to yourself and maybe also to those you love by being present. One promise you can count on is that having a regular fitness routine leads to a life of independence. This doesn’t mean you need to spend hours lifting weights or running endless miles each week. You can start and maintain a regular fitness routine with the right mindset and a good pair of trainers. Start small If you’ve never exercised or haven’t done so in a while, consult your medical professional first. Once you g...
Becoming hospitalized is a challenging situation —the goal is to become well with treatment for the condition, illness or injury, which brought you to being admitted in the first place. For these events, there is Medicare’s Part A, which provides insurance coverage for your in-patient admission to a hospital. This can be confusing, because not all treatment at a hospital is covered by Part A – most often, individuals are treated in an emergency room, or medical facility that provides care under...
I have many stories about friends who have ignored signs their body is in trouble and made the problem worse. A friend called me one February and-unusual for her-was drunk on the phone and very angry about another friend's treatment of her. Then she complained of fevers and chills, but she said, "On the good side, I've lost 25 pounds in the last two months." My immediate thought: cancer. Within the month she was in a hospital where she lived hooked up to many machines. I watched two doctors come...
Australian researchers have found compelling evidence that insomnia may be linked to disruptions in the brain's natural 24-hour rhythm of mental activity, shedding light on why some people struggle to 'switch off' at night. Published in the journal Sleep Medicine, the study led by the University of South Australia (UniSA) is the first to map how cognitive activity fluctuates across the day in individuals with chronic insomnia, compared to healthy sleepers. Insomnia affects about 10% of the...
Winter in Alaska is beautiful but hazardous. When temperatures drop below freezing, our bodies face risks from the cold. As we get older, these dangers become even more serious. But when you know what to watch for and how to respond, it can make all the difference between a minor problem and a medical emergency. Our bodies work hard to keep us warm, but sometimes the cold wins. Two main problems happen when we get too cold: frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite happens when our skin and the...
Alaskans value resilience. We know what it means to work together in tough times, and we require solutions that meet the unique challenges of our vast and remote state. Few areas demonstrate this need more clearly than health care. Our mission at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development is to promote a healthy economy, strong communities, and protect consumers in Alaska. Our ability to achieve this mission depends on factors across many sectors, but one key indicator is the stability of our health care system. Health care...
A reader wrote in that they frequently get sick during travel. Bummer! While there really isn’t any good time to get sick, it’s especially no fun when you are on vacation. However, this is common because we are exposed to so many people, and their germs, in crowded airports. Once on the plane you’re probably OK because airlines have installed fantastic air filtration systems. Airports/bus stations/train stations—not so much. Here are five simple steps to bolster your immune system and reduce...
As we age, our skin transforms from being elastic and plump to sagging and thin. As well, senior skin produces less oil, becoming dry, itchy and flaky. Sorry, that's the reality, but you can make your skin feel better with moisturizing and, again, hydrating by drinking lots of water. We also get pesky dry spots all over our bodies that itch and when we scratch too much it bleeds. Best to avoid that. Consult a doctor for any unusual or persistent skin conditions, as they are common in older...
Identity theft, in particular, medical identity theft can happen to anyone of us. In fact, this month is one of the most likely months for this crime to be committed. The other likely months are January, February, March, April … yes, any month of the year. And, while a victim of this theft can feel especially vulnerable, most likely “it isn’t personal,” but more likely a crime of opportunity. However, like a home invasion, medical identity theft can upset your life, disrupt your plans, steal y...
Be sure you know the real facts to protect yourself and your loved one. It is well established that vaccination is the most powerful tool to avoid influenza-related hospitalizations or worse. As many as 130,000 people in the U.S. died from the flu last year, according to estimates from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) "By getting the flu shot, you're not only protecting yourself, you're protecting your family and vulnerable members of the community who would suffer a more...
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for $3.26 million for a research project to address coronary heart disease among Yup'ik Alaska Native people in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The project focuses on blending an elder-designed program based on ancestral principles with workshops on traditional foodways-a break from conventional hearth health interventions. The tribally driven project, "Neqpiaput Iinruugut (Our Food is Medicine),"...
Alaskan Way is a new nonprofit based in Anchorage with a focus on serving elderly and medically fragile individuals who are unable to meet their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) needs-a population often overlooked in traditional shelter and housing systems. Started by Theresa Hankins, the nonprofit is in the funding stage so that it can open its doors. The nonprofit's website has more information, but it's centered on providing 24/7 staff support, personal care assistance, case management...
A single course of low-dose radiation therapy may provide a safe and effective alternative treatment option for people with painful knee osteoarthritis, according to a new randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The study showed patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis reported significant reductions in pain and improved physical function in the four months after receiving the low dose of radiation (just a small fraction of what’s used to treat cancer). The study included a c...
Note: I am departing from the travel column to share with readers what I have observed in the decades caring for seniors and observing their good and bad habits. When I was 15 1/2 years old, I worked as a nurse's aide at Lowell General Hospital in Massachusetts. No candy striper gig, I saw and did what no girl my age should working in medical-surgical, newborn nursery, operating room, psych ward, and emergency room, often questioning "Are you sure I'm supposed to do this?" Off and on in my...
I have just retired after enjoying 32 years as a primary care provider. My clinical focus has been on creating wellness, rather than managing disease, primarily through good nutrition and positive self-care. I have observed that women, especially those born before the early days of legally bolstered equal rights, have often been made to feel that their role is to serve men. We are unfortunately seeing a persistence or revival of sexism at personal, community, state, and national levels. It is...
From Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, I encourage you to review and, if needed, change your Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) under Medicare’s Part D coverage. Changes you elect will become effective on Jan. 1. Certified Medicare counselors across Alaska can help you as part of the Medicare Information Office’s network of program Ambassadors, including through your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Give us a call, we would be glad to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and e...
Alaska Health Fair events offer a chance to learn about important health topics topics in an informal setting. Attendees can receive free basic screenings, obtain information and resources, and have their questions answered by health, wellness and safety professionals. Health fairs are also a great way to connect with local health resources. Most importantly, events feature comprehensive, affordable blood tests. Obtaining blood screenings at health fairs is a great way to get quick, accurate results at a fraction of the cost. Alaska Health...
Current research is showing that a healthy plant-based diet, along with regular physical activity, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy body weight, can reduce breast cancer risk. Further, engineering combined with digital health may unlock a much better way to detect breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute reports that one in eight women born in the U.S. today will develop breast cancer. Studies have consistently demonstrated that consumption of vegetables, fruits, and soy...
When a medical emergency happens, you may not be able to speak for yourself. That's why having an emergency medical file ready is one of the smartest things you can do to protect your health and safety. An emergency medical file is a simple folder or envelope that contains all your important medical information in one place. You know all those questions the EMTs and nurses and doctors ask so often? It's because the answers are key to the care you need. This file is your medical story told...
A new AI-based breast cancer software has received FDA Breakthrough Device destination, accelerating the path to approval. The system analyzes mammograms to produce a risk score estimating the likelihood that a woman will develop breast cancer over the next five years. The technology is compatible with both types of mammogram imaging available: the four 2D views of the breast produced by full-field digital mammography and the synthetic 3D view of the breast produced by digital breast...
Amy Urbanus was already an assistant professor in the dietetics and nutrition program at the University of Alaska Anchorage but missed working with patients. So she started working with patients at the Anchorage Senior Activities Center, putting in about 20 hours a month to address seniors' nutrition needs. That work, and a professional career as a diabetes educator drove Urbanus to seek a Ph.D., which she is completing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She designed her own...
As we age our nutritional needs change. Paying attention to the foods we consume can keep our energy level, vitality, cognition, stamina and strength, and prevent chronic health problems. Strategies to increase or to maintain muscle mass and its functional capacity are essential to preserve the quality of life of aging adults. Here is a quick guide for aging well. 1) Boost protein intake-it helps to preserve immune system, prevent the loss of muscle mass and strength and helps to aid recovery. G...
For those of us enrolled into Original Medicare (Parts A & B), most of us have also enrolled into one of Medicare’s Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). Each year, we may make changes to this prescription coverage during Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, for changes which will then go into effect from Jan. 1 onward. Leading up to this open enrollment, you will start to receive notices with information relating to any changes in your plan for the com...
Dear Savvy Senior, A few months ago, I took an ambulance to the hospital emergency room because I had a nasty fall at home, but just received a hefty $1,050 bill from the ambulance company. Doesn’t Medicare cover ambulance rides? - Frustrated Beneficiary Dear Beneficiary, Yes, Medicare does cover emergency ambulance services and, in limited cases, nonemergency ambulance services too, but only when they’re deemed medically necessary and reasonable. So, what does that mean? First, it means that your medical condition must be serious enough tha...
This advice is not just for kids-although contact with "cooties" will inevitably go up when kids (and teachers) return to school in the fall. If you or your grandchildren have a history of being vulnerable to commons colds or flus at the beginning of the school year, there are a few simple ways to help stave off the misery of being ill. Hand-washing is an obvious, but under-utilized, method to prevent disease. Avoid the triclosan-containing anti-bacterial soaps, which are contributing to the...
