Alaska Senior Centers Open Back Up, but Carefully
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A publication of Older Persons Action Group, Inc. Free Serving Alaskans 50+ Since 1978 Volume 44, Number 5 May 2021 Alaska senior centers open Can you transmit COVID if back up, but carefully. you are vaccinated?– page 5 – page 13 TRAVEL Exploring and Sleeping difficulties? Try a enjoying other cultures wearable tracker. – page 5 without leaving the country. – page 24 Get outside! Check out the festivals and other upcoming activities in our calendar of events. – page 17 Enjoy your Retirement! Chester Park is a safe, secure 55+ Adult Community. Our Member-Owners enjoy all the benefits of home ownership with none of the hassles. DON’T WAIT! UNITS SELL QUICKLY! Safe, Secure Senior Living For more information or a tour please call: 907-333-8844 www.chesterparkcoop.com EagleAbove: River’s Sheila Chris Fearon, Galloway 72, runsand orRichard walks the Brandon Eagle River relax Road in a seeming tropical oasis nearat his the house Mann every Leiser day. PartMemorial of his routine Greenhouse includes inpicking Anchorage. up roadside The facility is open to garbagethe public along the daily, way, 8 something a.m. to 3:30 he’s been p.m., doing free for admission. over 10 years. For “I more have aactivities, see the followingevents of calendarpeople that on honk page at me,19. Photo for Senior Voice by Michael Dinneen which is good. Usually.” Colin Tyler Photography Perspectives seniorvoicealaska.com Older Americans Month: Communities of Strength Alaska Commission on Aging This year’s theme is “Com- we can find strength, and something new allows us story, or service – we help munities of Strength,” rec- create a stronger future. to practice overcoming build strong communities. In tough times, com- ognizing the important role Here are some ways to challenges. Take an art And that’s something to munities find strength in older adults play in fostering share and connect: course online or try a so- celebrate. Please join the people—and people find the connection and engage- X Look for joy in the ev- cially distanced outdoor Alaska Commission on Ag- strength in their communi- ment that build strong, eryday. Celebrate small movement class to enjoy ing and our state and local ties. In the past year, we’ve resilient communities. moments and ordinary learning with others in partners in strengthening seen this time and again in Strength is built and pleasures by taking time your community. Have our community. We want communities throughout shown not only by bold acts, to recognize them. Start a skill to share? Find to hear from you. Please Alaska as friends, neigh- but also small ones of day- a gratitude journal and an opportunity to teach send a photo of your local bors, and businesses have to-day life – a conversation share it with others via someone, even casually. celebration of Communities found new ways to support shared with a friend, work- social media, or call a X Share your story. There’s of Strength to lisa.morley@ each other. ing in the garden, trying a friend or family member a reason storytelling is alaska.gov, so we can share In our state, older adults new recipe, or taking time to share a happy moment a time-honored activi- the joy with others through- are a key source of this for a cup of tea on a busy day. or to say thank you. ty. Hearing how others out the state. Subscribe to strength. Through their And when we share these X Reach out to neighbors. experience the world the Alaska Commission on experiences, successes, and activities with others, even Even if you can’t get helps us grow. Interview- Aging listserv to receive up- difficulties, they have built virtually or by telling about together in person right ing family, friends and dates and photos through- resilience that helps them to the experience later, we help now, you can still connect neighbors can open up out the month, celebrating face new challenges. When them build resilience too. with your neighbors. new conversations and the strength of Alaskan communities tap into this, This year, the Alaska Leave a small gift on their strengthen our connec- seniors. Sign up for the link they become stronger too. Commission on Aging will doorstep, offer to help tions. to the listserv at http://dhss. Each May, the Admin- celebrate Older Americans with outdoor chores, or When people of different alaska.gov/acoa/Pages/de- istration for Community Month by encouraging com- deliver a homecooked ages, backgrounds, abilities fault.aspx. Living leads the celebration munity members to share meal. and talents share experi- of Older Americans Month. their experiences. Together, X Build new skills. Learning ences – through action, Commission on Aging to meet in Soldotna, May 4-6 tening sessions. on the Kenai Peninsula. All Alaska Commission on visit schedule will be dis- opportunity for public tes- On day three of the participants are to wear Aging tributed through the Alaska timony from 4 to 4:30 p.m. meeting, each group will masks and practice safe Commission on Aging List- On day two, commis- The Alaska Commission summarize the feedback distancing if they wish to serv once it is confirmed. sioners will divide into on Aging will hold its spring they received at the listen- attend in person. If not, Day one of the meeting groups and partner with meeting at the Soldotna Se- ing sessions and determine they may take home the will be held at the Soldot- local senior centers, tribal nior Center, May 4 through next steps. There will be talking points and submit na Senior Center from 9 health centers and other May 6. The agenda and site another opportunity for questions in writing via a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an groups to hold senior lis- public testimony from 11 email or regular mail. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, The Alaska Commission email Lisa Morley at the Keep up with senior bills in on Aging is highly sensi- Alaska Commission on tive about following safety Aging, lisa.morley@alas- protocols recommended ka.gov or subscribe to the the Alaska legislature by the Centers for Disease ACoA Listserv at http:// 2 Senior Voice Staff including Medicaid, state print from the state Notices Control and is committed dhss.alaska.gov/acoa/Pag- budget and funding, senior website at https://aws. to maintaining the health es/default.aspx. Keep track of senior-re- assistance, retirement, state.ak.us/OnlinePublic- and safety of their hosts lated bills, budget deci- WASHINGTON Pioneer Homes and more. Notices/Notices/Search. sions and other issues Zoom conferences are aspx. WATCH by attending the Alaska scheduled 9:30 to 11 a.m. The website will also Commission on Aging Leg- every other Thursday and have the Zoom address OLDER PERSONS ACTION GROUP islative Teleconferences. weekly during the last and phone numbers (for Hosted by local agencies month of session. The re- non-computer attendees). Mission statement: statewide, and available maining 2021 meeting date Individuals who require “To work statewide to improve the quality by toll-free call-in, the is May 15. special accommodations to of life for all Alaskans through education, teleconferences provide Draft agendas and a participate should contact advocacy and collaboration.” a convenient forum for legislative watch list will Lesley Thompson at 907- seniors and advocates be available to print the 465-4793 at least two days Vision statement: across Alaska to share in- day before each meeting, prior to the teleconfer- “Promote choice and well being for seniors formation about issues and and a list of bills to be dis- ences. through legacy and leadership.” specific bills of concern, cussed will be available to Senior Voice, established in 1978, is published monthly For advertising information please call (907) 276- Secretary ..................................................................Eileen Lally by Older Persons Action Group, Inc., a statewide 1059. The printing of ads in Senior Voice does not Executive Director .................................................. Jim Bailey non-profit corporation serving the interests of all constitute endorsement by Older Persons Action Editor/Media Manager ........................ David Washburn older Alaskans. Group, Inc. Partially funded by a grant from the Alaska Division of Administrative Assistant ..................... Sheila Patterson OPAG BOARD MEMBERS Senior and Disabilities Services. Sharon White-Wheeler, Robert Bracco, John (Jack) EDITORIAL Subscription price is $30 a year to Alaskan residents. Pauli, Beth Goldstein, Leonard T. Kelley, Pam Yeargan, Editor ............................................................... David Washburn 3340 Arctic Blvd., #106 All subscriptions outside Alaska are $35 a year. Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Gail Opalinski, Hollis Mickey Reporter .................................................................. Ken Stewart Phone 907-276-1059 Copyright © 2021 Board President ......................................Yvonne M. Chase Correspondents ............. Laurel Bill, Dimitra Lavrakas, Toll free 800-478-1059 by Older Persons Action Group, Inc. Vice President ........................................ Jan Carolyn Hardy Maraley McMichael www.opagak.com www.seniorvoicealaska.com ISSN 0741-2894 Treasurer ..................................................................... Dylan Webb Page design ................ Anne Bacinski, SpinSpace.org 2 | Senior Voice, May 2021 seniorvoicealaska.com Senior News Payee Representatives scramble to continue service By KEN STEWART or direct the management organizations operating At the time, Alaska had wages and more. Jorgensen Senior Voice of their benefits. Millions as for-profit organizations around 15 representative was confused by the abrupt of Americans who receive charging more than the $45 payee services, each serv- shift in operations, as her In the fall of 2019, monthly Social Security per month allotment from ing 15 to 20 clients, ac- business had been audit- representative payees in or SSI benefits need help SSI income, despite consis- cording to Vicki Jorgensen, ed several times over her Alaska were involved in a managing their money and tent audits from the Social owner of the now-closed career and no issues were controversy with the Social may need a representative Security Administration Community Payee Services raised.