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Men over the age of 50 are being continually targeted with advertisements for testosterone replacement gels and patches. However, research is now questioning the real risks and benefits associated with getting tested and treated for low testosterone levels. Testosterone supplementation is touted to improve cardiovascular health, sexual function, physical function and mood in men who have low levels of testosterone. However, a review of more than 200 clinical trials questions those claims. Dr....
Many women know the importance of getting screened for vitamin D levels and raising them if they are too low. However, many men over age 50 in Alaska may have low levels and need to take action, according to dietitian Stephanie Figon, who is with Alaska Weight Management and Diabetes Counseling in Palmer, Alaska. Figon said Alaskans have a very high prevalence of low vitamin D levels compared to the lower 48, partly due to the lack of sunlight during most of the year. “If an Alaskan is not e...
Are you aware that Medicare works with the State of Alaska to provide assistance programs that can help with your Medicare costs? These costs can include your Medicare Part A & Part B premiums deductibles, coinsurance charges and copayments. These programs are available to all Medicare beneficiaries. There are three programs known as the Medicare Savings programs (MSPs), each having different income limits and resource parameters. The income and asset qualifications are different if you are...
Hospice of Anchorage was founded in 1980 and is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization and a partner agency of the United Way of Anchorage. We typically provide all our services at no charge, except those patients that do not yet qualify for Medicare Hospice. We also offer one-on-one grief support and peer grief support groups for anyone in the community, infant to adult, who has experienced a death loss. Volunteers are a crucial function of Hospice of Anchorage’s services. Hospice of Anchorage has three full-time and six part-time staff m...
Alaska Health Fair wishes to thank each of our dedicated and wonderful volunteers, phlebotomists and exhibitors who have helped us to put on some great community and worksite events and provide important health services to Alaskans over the past 37 years. We also want to thank our participants who have regularly attended our health fairs, as you are the reason we exist. We try to reach all statewide residents and share our mission and values: • Mission: promote statewide health education and preventative screenings • Vision: Optimal health for...
Combating the common cold with zinc There is no significant difference between zinc acetate lozenges and zinc gluconate lozenges regarding their efficacy in shortening the duration of common colds, according to a new meta-analysis. Researchers analyzed data from 7 randomized trials with zinc acetate and zinc gluconate lozenges and found that the duration of colds was shortened on average by 33 percent. Zinc lozenges appear to influence the common cold through the release of free zinc ions into...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in June. This month’s focus is “Improving Emergency Services for Dementia Patients,” with presentations featuring a DVD by Teepa Snow on techniques to reduce stress and resistance during challenging situations. Join for a time of caring and sharing, followed by a walk outside. June 6, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. June 13, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. June 20, Caregiver support meeting a...
With the snow melting and the sun shining, we start thinking of being outside doing things like fishing, hiking, gardening, golfing and camping. If during the winter you have been inactive or recovering from an injury or illness, now would be the time to develop a specific exercise program for your recovery and long term health. To be safe, you should check with your doctor before starting on an exercise program. It is also a great help if you know what exercise your doctor recommended and what...
Alaska Health Fair’s Spring 2017 health fair season is coming to a close this month, so try and make it to one of the remaining events in your local community. These events offer free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and more. The tests can help you learn about your health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. So take time out of your busy week and join AHF when they bring an event to your local area. A complete and comprehensive chemistry/hematology test i...
Are you aware that if you have Medicare Part B you are eligible to receive a large number of preventive services that will cost you nothing? Medicare’s goal in offering these preventive screenings is to find health problems early when treatment works best. Under Medicare Part B, preventive services are part of your benefits and you will pay no co-payment if you get the services from a provider who takes assignment. Taking assignment means that this provider has an agreement with Medicare to a...
Prediabetes is a surprisingly common condition among U.S. adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 86 million U.S. adults (more than one in three) have prediabetes, with only about 9 million even aware that they have it. Prediabetes not only increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but it can also have a significant impact on health care costs and overall well-being. Prediabetes is not just a condition of national concern, it is also a growing concern here in Alaska. According to the American D...
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve recently read that all baby boomers should get tested for hepatitis C. Is this really necessary, and if so, what are the testing and treatment procedures? – Healthy Boomer Dear Healthy, It’s true. Both the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all baby boomers – people born from 1945 through 1965 – get a hepatitis C test. The reason is because baby boomers account for 75 percent of the 3 million or so hepatitis C cases in the U.S. Those that are infec...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in May. This month’s focus is on National Physical Fitness and Sport Month. Join for a time of caring and sharing, followed by a walk outside. May 2, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. May 9, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. May 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center,1 p.m. May 17, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, hosted by Paula Koch, 3 p.m. May 30, C...
Drinking tea may help combat Alzheimer’s disease A new study is suggesting that drinking tea may help reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults and for those who are genetically at risk of Alzheimer’s. Researchers at the National University of Singapore conducted a longitudinal study involving 957 Chinese seniors aged 55 years or older. They found that regular consumption of tea lowers the risk of cognitive decline by 50 percent. In addition, those individuals who are APOE e4 gen...
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 workers, volunteer coordinator and a bereavement 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 provided free of c...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (May 9 and 23), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (May 3 and 17), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (May 4, 11, 18 and 25), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s southeast communities can call the Juneau Soc...
As a one-time professional baker (only slightly famous), I am well acquainted with the magic of sugar – a comforting sweetness, a foil for bitter, spicy and sour flavors and an essential for moist, tender and light baked products. In my more recent role as a registered dietitian, I am also aware of the pitfalls of eating too much sugar – cavities, obesity, elevated blood sugar levels and increased risk of heart disease. We are pretty clear how sugar leads to obesity, dental decay and diabetes; b...
Prediabetes is a serious health condition that can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Prediabetes often flies under the radar and can go undetected for years due to the lack of any symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 86 million U.S. adults — more than 1 out of 3 — have prediabetes, but only 10 percent know they have it. Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Certain risk fac...
The Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce is partnering again with the Northwest Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Center (NWGWEC), The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and The Alaska Training Cooperative to bring 10 weeks of high quality geriatric trainings to Alaska via virtual classroom. The 2017 Spring Geriatric Education Series begins March 28 and continues through May 30, 2017. Registration is open online at www.akcache.org The series will offer trainings each Tuesday through May 30, via virtual classroom via the...
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you explain how Medicare covers physical therapy services? I’m a new beneficiary, and would like to get some treatments for my back. Need Help Dear Need, Medicare covers a variety of outpatient therapy services including physical, occupational and speech therapy, if you meet their coverage criteria. Here’s how it works. Medicare coverage To get Medicare (Part B) to help cover your physical therapy, it must be considered medically reasonable and necessary, and will need to be ordered or prescribed by your doctor. You can...
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. offers free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and more. These tests can help you learn about your health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. So take time out of your busy week and join AHF when they bring an event to your local area. A complete and comprehensive chemistry/hematology test is available for only $45; with 27 different panels for conditions ranging from diabetes, kidney and liver function, to anemia and tissue health,...
New nasal spray to improve sleep The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is giving the green light to the first treatment for frequent urination at night due to overproduction of urine. The FDA has approved Noctiva (desmopressin acetate) nasal spray for adults who awaken at least two times per night to urinate due to a condition known as nocturnal polyuria (overproduction of urine during the night). “It is important to know that Noctiva is not approved for all causes of night-time u...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in April. This month’s focus is on the Senior Companion program, with coordinator Heather Daniels sharing about volunteers age 55 and older who make a difference by providing assistance and friendship to seniors, helping them remain in their homes. April 4, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. April 11, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. April 18, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center,1 p...
Dave called to his wife Barb as he was leaving the house, "I'm headed up to church for my exercise class!" Barb was quick to respond, "Don't you mean the gym?" "No, our new parish nurse Mary is leading us in some Tai Chi, she says it will help my balance. I asked her to explain this new medicine for my blood pressure when we are done. I bet she could even help you figure out those Medicare forms you've been so frustrated with." What does a registered nurse do in the setting of a faith...
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common and costly chronic diseases in the United States. Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (or blood sugar) is abnormally high. Diabetes is often referred to as “a touch of sugar” or “the sugar,” however having diabetes is far from sweet. Diabetes is a serious condition that can have a major impact on overall health and quality of life. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults. Diabetes is also...
