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“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” So wrote Ben Franklin to a colleague in 1789. Franklin was 83 at the time. Had he lived in some Alaskan communities a couple hundred years later, some taxes would not have been so “certain,” as many give seniors a break by exempting them from having to pay certain sales taxes. The information in this article regarding senior exemptions for local sales taxes in selected Alaska locations is summarized and may lack certain important details. Contacts have been provide...
In July, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Inc. (APIA) hosted the Third Annual Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Appreciation Luncheon. With a cohort of more than 80 volunteers ranging from ages 55 to 90, these volunteers contribute their lifetime acquired skills, knowledge and service to the communities of Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. As part of the national Senior Corps group through the Corporation for National and Community Service, APIA has 17 partner...
The Alaska State Association for Guardianship and Advocacy (ASAGA) will present a workshop on how to detect and successfully address elder abuse at a half-day event Oct. 4 in Anchorage. “Forgotten Victims No More: Elder Abuse in Alaska,” will feature recently retired prosecutor Paul Greenwood, who will draw upon his 22 years of prosecuting serious felony elder abuse crimes to demonstrate how success in the courtroom can only be achieved through a teamwork approach. Greenwood will provide examples of effective collaborative efforts and the imp...
Dear Savvy Senior: Where can I find out about alternative transportation services for my 80-year-old mother? It's time that she gives up driving, but before she does, we need to figure out how she'll get around. - Inquiring Son Dear Inquiring: Alternative transportation options for seniors who no longer drive vary widely by community, so what's available to your mom will depend on where she lives. Here's what you should know. While most urban areas offer seniors a variety of alternative...
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 October meeting is Oct. 9, hosted by Providence Hospice at the Thomas Center for Senior Leadership. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action...
In February 2019, UAA researchers conducted a small study to determine how older adults and local stakeholders in Anchorage think about the concept of "healthy aging." We wanted to know: what do people think that term means? How can we achieve it? What are the opportunities for healthy aging in Anchorage? And what are the roadblocks to aging healthily in the Last Frontier? To try to answer these questions, faculty and students recruited older adults and other stakeholders who have knowledge and...
After a legislative session of extreme budget fluctuations, the Alaska Pioneer Homes and the Senior Benefits program are the next state-funded senior assistance programs to see a shift in funding. Alaska Pioneer Homes rate increase Starting Sept. 1, the Alaska Pioneer Homes (AKPH) will be increasing monthly rates for residents. Clinton Lasley, Alaska Pioneer Homes director, stresses that rate increases do not mean that residents - both current and those subjected to the waitlist - will be turned away for an inability to pay. The Dept. of...
We often think of people who espouse “conspiracy theories” involving the machinations of huge multinational firms as a bit unhinged, gullible or misinformed. Not this time. This is a mammoth conspiracy that affects all of us, according to dozens of state attorney generals including Alaska’s. Earlier this year the State of Alaska along with 41 additional states and Puerto Rico joined with the State of Connecticut to sue 20 generic drug manufacturers for conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices and reduce competition for more...
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 September meeting is Sept. 11, hosted by Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more...
Bluegrass, birds, and Bollywood. Pebble Mine and poetry. Empowering Self-Defense for Seniors, a History of Flying in Alaska, Hollywood’s original horror films. The list goes on and on for OLÉ’s Fall course offerings. OLÉ stands for Opportunities for Lifelong Education, a non-profit, volunteer-led organization that provides courses aimed to people 50+ years of age – classes for the curious. Become a member, and you may take as many classes as you like for a whole year. Fall courses will run from September 30 through Nov. 22, with some four-we...
The Alaska Commission on Aging will meet September 10-13, in Tok for its Rural Outreach board meeting. The meeting will include visits to communities in the surrounding areas that serve elders. The commission’s meeting is open to the public both in person and via teleconference at group host sites including the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, Homer Senior Center, Ketchikan Pioneer Home, Mat-Su Senior Services, Soldotna Senior Center and the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center. Meeting presentations will include reports from the Dept. of H...
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 (Sept. 10 and 24), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Sept. 4 and 18), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Southeast communities can...
On June 28, Governor Dunleavy shocked the state by cutting $440 million from the legislature’s proposed operating budget for FY20, a 182 line item veto that devastated funding for crucial social services and programs such as the Senior Benefits Program, the Homeless Assistance Program, Medicaid and Dental Services, a host of Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery grants in addition to cutting 40% of funding for the University of Alaska system. Starting July 1, funds promised to Senior Benefits beneficiaries disappeared without warning and p...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns Aug. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. What does it mean to “age healthy?” And what does it take to be healthy as we age in the Last Frontier? Join UAA professor of Population Health Science, Dr. Britteny Howell, and her research assistants for this discussion on the challenges and opportunities for aging healthily in Anchorage. This engaging presentatio...
“The number of Alaskans who are 65 or older is growing rapidly in all regions of the state. This shift to larger senior populations across Alaska will play an important role in shaping our communities and households in the coming years.” These are the first two lines in an important new report, “Alaskans 65 and Older,” published in Alaska Economic Trends, a monthly publication of the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce. My inner tabloid journalist wants to use a screaming headline for this article like “Seniors Overrun Alaska!” or maybe “L...
Editor’s note: This press release was received on July 18, 2019. The Social Security Administration has introduced expanded online services for residents of Alaska available through its my Social Security portal at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that residents of Alaska can use the portal for many replacement Social Security number (SSN) card requests. This will allow people to replace their SSN card from the comfort of their home or office, without the need to travel to a Social S...
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 August meeting is Aug. 14, hosted by attorney Connie Aschenbrenner. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more information...
“Age Smart – Let’s Talk”, the series of forums sponsored by AARP Alaska, Older Persons Action Group and the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, returns July 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. The July topic is, “Not Everything is as it Seems.” An increasing number of Americans are falling victim to more elaborate and sophisticated types of fraud and scams. These are inevitable by-products of our tech age, but are by no means limited to online hucksters. Moreover, scammers target people they believe are most vulner...
We want to shout out a very big thank you to a wonderful and ever growing group of people that includes our donors, sponsors, volunteers and exhibitors. These individuals provide much needed support for Alaska Health Fair’s South Central, South East and Tanana Valley/Northern Region Programs. We would not succeed without your ongoing support. AHF has ingrained itself into the Alaskan fabric, with residents who live and work here benefiting from 40 years of hard-working volunteers and employee dedication. These are caring Alaskans who give in s...
Summer is in full swing around here at Hospice of Anchorage. We would love for you to get involved with us, and we have a few opportunities coming up that may be of interest to you. Every month we hold an educational workshop that you are welcome to attend, network at, and learn from. Wednesday, July 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. we will be hosting a special workshop on “Obituary Writing 101”. Join Hospice of Anchorage staff as we give tips and tricks about what to include in an obituary and how to help your loved ones understand what is most imp...
Veteran Stand Down is an event providing supplies and services to homeless veterans, such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. It is a collaborative event, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers. This year’s Stand Down is Aug. 17 at the Pioneer Park 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 July meeting is July 10, hosted by Maxim Healthcare. Begins at 8 a.m. RSVP by calling Older Persons Action Group, Inc. for more information on these events...
Dear Savvy Senior: As a teacher for 20 years, I receive a pension from a school system that did not withhold Social Security taxes from my pay. After teaching, I’ve been working for a small company where I do pay Social Security taxes. Now, approaching age 65, I would like to retire and apply for my Social Security benefits. But I’ve been told that my teacher’s pension may cause me to lose some of my Social Security. Is that true? - Ready to Retire Dear Ready: Yes, it’s true. It’s very likely that your Social Security retirement benefits...
Years of declining oil prices and increased spending of state funds came to a head for a number of state-subsidized senior assistance programs this legislative season. After taking office in Dec. 2018, Gov. Dunleavy’s proposed operating budget for FY20 sought to match state revenue to state expenses and asked Alaskans to look at the hard truth of the financial situation the state is currently facing. While a fiscally responsible budget is desired, programs that benefit low-income seniors in need, such as the Office of the Long Term Care O...
The Dunleavy administration has brought unprecedented threats to Alaska Seniors. From Senior Benefits to Medicaid health insurance, the governor has put elders in the crosshairs. Fortunately, legislators are working together to defend Alaska’s Pioneer and Veteran Homes from the governor’s attacks. The Dept. of Health and Social Services has proposed massive rate increases for Pioneer Home residents. His proposal would more than double rates for many residents. According to the non-partisan Division of Legislative Finance, proposed rate inc...
