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While slipping on ice may be a common affair during the slick, wintry months of the new year, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in Alaska, according to the Alaska Brain Injury Network (ABIN). “Falls that result in a TBI occur across all age groups, but we definitely see a lot of this in the older population,” said Julie Davies, resource coordinator and executive director of ABIN. “With the ice and weather, a lot of people slip and fall, banging their head. Most think that if you don’t lose consciousness, you don’t n...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in February. This month’s training features part two of a DVD presentation with Teepa Snow, “Progression of Dementia: Seeing Gems, Not Loss.” Teepa Snow explains the appropriate levels of care needed during different stages of dementia, which types of behaviors to expect, appropriate activity and much more. Feb. 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Feb. 12, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m....
There is some good news in the fight against heart disease. In the last decade, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is down almost 30 percent. Through intense efforts at educating the public, agencies like the American Heart Association with programs like Go Red for Women, have made great strides in spreading the word. Studies show that this education is effective in actually reducing the incidence of heart disease. Even so, certain segments of the population are not getting the message. Heart disease remains an enormous problem for women in general,...
Dancing your way to a better life Grab your dancing shoes and put them on daily. A new study published in The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports examined the potential effects of 16 different exercise types for reducing disability for activities of daily living (ADL) in older women and found that dancing may be just the right ticket. The prospective study enrolled 1,003 women without ADL disability. All participants were asked in person whether they performed any of 16...
Perhaps I have been reading too much Sherlock Holmes (again!), but I couldn't resist thinking about this article as "The Case of the Ignorant Caregiver." It could also be titled "How I Discovered Access Alaska," a wonderful non-profit with several offices around the state. Here's what happened. A few years ago my wife, Christy, was told that she would eventually need surgery to correct several problems affecting her right foot. That day finally arrived and she had surgery mid-December, 2018....
A series of online geriatric health care trainings will be available via virtual classroom on the internet beginning in January. The series is sponsored by the Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce -- Alaska’s AHEC and The Alaska Training Cooperative. The series is a partnership with the Northwest Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Center and will offer 10 weeks of trainings from Jan. 8 through March 12, 2019. Only the Winter Series will be offered in Alaska for 2019. The series is designed to give community-based providers working i...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in January. This month’s training features a DVD presentation with Teepa Snow, “Progression of Dementia: Seeing Gems, Not Loss.” Teepa Snow explains the appropriate levels of care needed during different stages of dementia, which types of behaviors to expect, appropriate activity and much more. Jan. 1, no meeting at Sterling Senior Center due to holiday. Jan. 8, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Jan. 15, Caregiver suppo...
Pulsed radiofrequency may help relieve back pain and sciatica A minimally invasive procedure in which pulses of energy from a probe are applied directly to nerve roots near the spine is safe and effective in people with acute lower back pain that has not responded to conservative treatment, according to a new study presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Lumbar disk herniation is a common, often debilitating condition that affects the disks that act as cushions between the...
You sit in the exam room waiting for the doctor. She enters, smiling, trying to put you at ease. She explains that your medical condition can be stabilized with a prescription drug she is going to give you. Maybe she said it was called “Overpricium,” or possibly “Bilgestuffex.” You were not really sure since you were stressed out, and all those prescription drugs are nonsense words anyway. You pop over to your friendly pharmacist to pick up your new prescription. You take home the cute little white paper bag containing the prescription and the...
Dear Savvy Senior: I will turn 65 in a few months and will be enrolling in Medicare, but I am concerned about Medicare’s coverage of dental care. Does Medicare cover dental procedures? And if not, where can I get dental coverage? - Almost 65 Dear Almost: Medicare’s coverage of dental care is extremely limited. It will not cover routine dental care including checkups, cleanings, or fillings, and it won’t pay for dentures either. Medicare will, however, cover some dental services if they are required to protect your general health, or if you n...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in December. This month’s training focus is “Ten Keys to Creating Healthy Holidays”. Bring a snack to share and canned or boxed goods to give to the food bank. Dec. 4, Caregiver support meeting and Christmas Tea at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Dec. 11, Caregiver support meeting and Christmas Tea at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Dec. 18, Caregiver support meeting and Christmas Tea at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Support meetings allow you to sh...
I was eating dinner with my husband Sam and having homemade chicken soup with a slice of sourdough bread and melted butter. It was simple and delicious. We ate silently. Toward the end of the meal, he said, "We always eat our soup and bread silently because we are mentally calculating how to time the last bite so it's perfect." So true. We usually chatter during meals, and tell funny stories, but when soup and bread hit the table, it all goes to silence. I like to time my last bite so it's soup...
Know your vitamin D levels For the holidays, give yourself a present. Make sure you get your vitamin D levels checked and if they are low, get treatment. A new study now shows that vitamin D levels in the blood are linked to cardiorespiratory fitness. “Our study shows that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with better exercise capacity,” said Dr. Amr Marawan, who is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University in Virginia. “We also know from previ...
You may have seen or heard a lot of buzz about the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Medicare Part D. And you may think to yourself, “I am perfectly happy with my current prescription drug coverage and I don’t want to make any changes so I will stay with the plan that I have.” This decision could cost you money and here’s why. The (OEP) is a six week opportunity for those who have Medicare to review their coverage. Persons who have not had prescription drug coverage may join a plan and those w...
Alzheimer’s disease is daunting. The most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s affects over 7,500 Alaskans and 5.7 million Americans today. Research is being done around the world to detect and stop the disease in its earliest stages. At the same time, specialists are working to provide individuals and families with an arsenal of techniques and resources to ensure comfort, dignity and purpose as the disease progresses. Alzheimer’s disease can be found throughout history in stories of elders losing their memory. Until recently, this was thoug...
November is our final month of health fairs for fall 2018, with several events held around the state. Remember that the events offer free health screenings, health and safety education, plus 11 affordable, comprehensive and private blood tests (starting at $20). These tests can help you learn about your overall health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be the most effective. Try to take time out of your busy schedule and take advantage of our team of medical and non-medical professionals when...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in November. This month’s training focus is “Holidays or Holy Cow Days? Destressing the Holiday Season”. Nov. 6, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 13, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 20, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 27, open house and workshop at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program office in Soldotna, Blazy Mall, Suite #209, 11 a.m. to 2...
Using new technology to get a better night’s sleep A whole new approach to getting a good night’s sleep just a click away. A new study from the University of Oxford and Northwestern Medicine has found treating insomnia with digital programs can improve insomnia symptoms. In a year-long study involving 1,711 people, researchers found online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improved not only insomnia symptoms, but functional health, psychological well-being and sleep-related quality of life. A m...
Dear Savvy Senior: Does the VA provide any special burial benefits to old veterans? My dad, who has late-stage Parkinson’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. - Only Child Dear Only: Most U.S. veterans are eligible for burial and memorial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration. Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Ac...
As 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. Those 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 o...
Older drivers are often stereotyped as being unsafe on the roadway, however data regarding their safe driving practices reveal quite the contrary. For example, according to a recent survey from AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, nine in 10 older drivers fasten their seat belts when they get behind the wheel and more than a third have taken driver improvement courses. As we age, the body becomes more fragile and therefore injuries may be more severe in the event of a...
BAs many of you know, Hospice of Anchorage has been around since 1980 and is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization and a partner agency to United Way of Anchorage. We are a community agency comprised of an interdisciplinary team – volunteers, nurses, social worker, volunteer coordinator and a clinical coordinator. We provide assistance with transition from life through death and to cope with loss and grief. This may be a one-time visit, periodic contact or may grow into an ongoing relationship lasting weeks, months or years. All services are pro...
The month of October is a really busy time for Alaska Health Fair, with events in many locations around the state. Our events offer free health screenings, health and safety education (for all ages), plus 11 affordable, comprehensive and private blood tests (starting at $20 and are only offered to those ages 18+). These 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. Take note that our most popular test is the Chemistry/Hematology...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in October. This month’s training focus “Awakening the Five Senses of Persons Living with Dementia.” Oct. 2, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Oct. 9, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Oct. 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Oct. 23, open house and workshop at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program office in Soldotna, Blazy Mall, Suite #209, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m....
Dear Savvy Senior: I have arthritis in my hands that affects my grip strength and dexterity and makes brushing my teeth difficult. I’ve read that electric powered toothbrushes help make the job easier. Can you make any recommendations on what to get? -- Still Smiling Dear Still: For seniors who suffer from arthritis or have other hand weaknesses, an electric toothbrush is a great solution to keep your teeth clean. At the push of a button, an electric toothbrush will do everything but shake, rattle and roll to do the cleaning for you, and m...
