Memory Care in Alaska
An estimated 8,500 adults aged 65 and over have Alzheimer's disease in Alaska, creating a wide range of difficulties for families across The Last Frontier. The number of Alzheimer's cases has gone up by 1,000 in just the last two years, increasing the need for caregivers and facilities that can accommodate memory care requirements. The average cost of memory care in Alaska is $7,500 per month, which is nearly $2,500 more than the national average of $5,064.
In this guide, seniors can learn more about the cost of memory care in Alaska as well as the resources available to families dealing with cognitive impairments. This guide will also go over some of the financial assistance programs available to seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Alaska
Families unfamiliar with Alaska can find out how comfortable the state might be for a senior in need of memory care by checking the SeniorScore. This numerical rating is calculated using 100 variables from a variety of public and private databases. Alaska's SeniorScore is 61, which is 11 points lower than the national average of 72. Alaska scores best in Finances and worst in Recreation & Leisure.
While Alaska's Finances score of 61 is below the national average, families may find that the state offers several financial benefits. In addition to no state income tax, sales taxes in most areas are far lower than the national average. This helps families put more of their income toward memory care. Unfortunately, the overall cost of living in Alaska is very high compared to the national average.
Alaska has a low Recreation & Leisure score of 48 due to the state's low senior population, and the few golf courses across the state. Summer provides many opportunities to enjoy the state's abundance of stunning scenery, but much of the year is very cold with little sunshine. In the Health & Safety category, Alaska earned a score of 51 for having an average number of Medicare-registered healthcare providers and high rates of property and violent crime.
Top Memory Care Communities in Alaska
Located at 1510 19th Ave in Fairbanks, Alaska, Denali Center is a 90 room senior housing community. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with around 20,000 poeple living in the zip code of 99701. With a median ...
Situated in the Northeast area of Anchorage, Alaska, Prestige Care and Rehab Center of Anchorage is a 102 room nursing care facility. With about 42,000 individuals living in the 99504 zip code, the surrounding area has a dense population. ...
Situated within the Taku-Campbell neighborhood of Anchorage, Alaska, St. Anne Assisted Living Home II is a 5 bed senior care community. The encompassing area has an average population density, with approximately 11,000 residents in the 99518 zip code. ...
Manor Management of Alaska, Inc. - Jewel Lake Plaza is a senior housing community for people over the age of 62 located within the Sand Lake area of Anchorage, Alaska. With a median per-household income of $83,147, the community ...
Sues Sourdough Assisted Living Home is a 5 bed senior housing facility located in the Bayshore-Klatt neighborhood of Anchorage, Alaska. With a median household income of $79,312, the community is in a predominantly upscale area. It is heavily ...
Located within the Gateway area of Palmer, Alaska, Two Sisters Assisted Living Home is a 5 room senior care community. The neighboring area is densely populated, with approximately 26,000 people residing in the zip code of 99645. With ...
Situated in the Tudor Area neighborhood, Providence Horizon House is a senior community serving Anchorage, Alaska. With around 37,000 people residing in the 99508 zip code, the surrounding area has a dense population. It is a largely middle ...
Situated in the South Addition area of the city, Preferred Care at Home is a senior care facility in Anchorage, Alaska. Located nearby are churches, retail shopping, healthcare services, and other local amenities. They are located ...
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Keen Eye Care Assisted Living is a 5 room senior housing facility situated in Soldotna, Alaska. The neighboring area has an average population density, with roughly 15,000 residents in the zip code of 99669. With a median family ...
Genacta In Home Care is a senior care community located at 155 Smith Way Ste 104 in Soldotna, Alaska. With a median per-family income of $59,494, the community is in a largely middle class area. It has an ...
Located at 18242 Tonsina Ct, Scott Manor is a senior housing community in Eagle River, Alaska. The community is in a predominantly affluent area, with an average per-family income of $94,376. With approximately 27,000 poeple living in the ...
Located at 117 Slater Dr, Senior Services Adult Day Center is a senior housing community serving Fairbanks, Alaska. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with about 20,000 people residing in the 99701 zip code. With a median ...
Located at 120 Katlian St, Sitka Pioneers Home is a senior care community in Sitka, Alaska. The neighboring area has an average population density, with around 10,000 poeple living in the zip code of 99835. With an average ...
Gloria's Golden Heart Assisted Living is a 5 unit senior housing facility. It is located within the Scenic Foothills area of Anchorage, Alaska. With around 42,000 poeple living in the 99504 zip code, the encompassing area is densely ...
St. Anne Assisted Living Home I is a 4 room senior housing community. It is located within the Abbott Loop area of Anchorage, Alaska. The facility is in a mostly wealthier area, with an average per-family income of ...
Keen Eye Care Assisted Living is a 5 room senior community situated in Soldotna, Alaska. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with an average household income of $59,494. It has an average population density, with ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Alaska
Memory care typically costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living due to the extra care and services provided for residents who have Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The average cost for memory care in Alaska is $7,500 per month. We calculate this figure by adding 25% to the average cost of assisted living from Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey. We made this calculation because memory care cost data is not widely available.
Compared to other states in the nation, memory care in Alaska is quite expensive. It's about $2,500 more than the national average of $5,064. Each of the four nearest states are also less costly than Alaska. Idaho is the least expensive with an average monthly cost of $4,660, while Washington has the closest memory care cost to Alaska at $6,875 per month.
- Alaska: $7,500
- National Average: $5,064
- Idaho: $4,660
- Montana: $4,775
- Oregon: $5,624
- Washington: $6,875
The Cost of Memory Care in Alaska's Top Cities
Alaska is the largest state in the nation geographically but one of the smallest in terms of population. Assisted living cost information is only available in two cities in the state: Anchorage and Fairbanks. Other cities in southcentral Alaska, such as Wasila, Eagle River and Knik-Fairview, can use data from Anchorage to estimate costs. Unfortunately, no data is available for the state capital, Juneau.
- Alaska: $7,500
- Anchorage: $7,500
- Fairbanks: $8,673
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Alaska
In Alaska, memory care is the second most expensive type of care available to seniors. The most expensive is nursing home care, which costs over $30,000 per month. The most affordable type of care in the state is adult day care at an average of $3,328. In-home care, home health care and assisted living have fairly similar monthly costs at $5,621, $5,716 and $6,000, respectively.
- Memory Care: $7,500
- Assisted Living: $6,000
- In-Home Care: $5,621
- Home Health Care: $5,716
- Adult Day Care: $3,328
- Nursing Home Care: $30,219
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Alaska
Alaska Pioneer Homes
Address: P.O. Box 110690, Juneau AK 99811
Phone Number: (907) 465-4416
Website: http://dhss.alaska.gov/daph/Pages/default.aspx
Alaska Pioneer Homes is a program operated by the Department of Health and Social Services that offers subsidized assisted living, including memory care, to state residents aged 60 and over. More than half of the residents at Alaska Pioneer Homes have some form of dementia, so the administration and staff at these facilities are very familiar with the needs of memory care residents.
To be eligible for admittance to one of Alaska Pioneer Homes six facilities, seniors must have residency in the state for at least one year. They must also already have Medicare Parts A, B and D.
ADRD Mini-Grants
Address: 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone Number: (800) 478-1080
Website: https://www.alzalaska.org/resources/mini-grants/
This state-run grant provides money for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (ADRD) residents who require additional equipment or services within a memory care setting. Each individual can receive a maximum of $2,500 per year. Services or services that can be funded through other programs are ineligible for coverage.
Applicants for ADRD mini-grants must clearly establish how the funding will help the beneficiary improve their quality of life. The application must also include a written estimate for any products or services provided.
Alaska Senior Benefits Program
Address: Alaska Public Assistance Offices
Phone Number: (800) 478-2221
Website: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/seniorbenefits/default.aspx
The Alaska Senior Benefits Program is a direct cash payment to Alaska residents aged 65 and over who are low income. As of 2020, the maximum income for this program is $27,913 for an individual and $37,713 for married couples. The maximum monthly payment is $250 and scales down as income rises. Since these payments come with no restrictions, the money can be used for any type of memory care service.
Only U.S. citizens and qualified aliens are eligible for the Alaska Senior Benefits Program. They must also have a social security number or be able to demonstrate that one has been applied for.
Alaskans Living Independently (ALI)
Address: 1835 Bragaw Street, Suite 350, Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone Number: (800) 478-9996
Website: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Documents/pdfs/SDS_MedWaiverBrochure.pdf
ALI is a Medicaid waiver program that can help seniors pay for a wide range of services while they reside in a licensed assisted living home with memory care. These services include assistance with ADLs, transportation within the community, specialized medical equipment and specialized private nursing. The program can also coordinate care to ensure that those with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia get everything they need for a healthy, comfortable life.
Alaska Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Assisted living facilities that provide memory care services are licensed and inspected by the Assisted Living Program Office of the Department of Health and Social Services. Facilities that offer memory care must follow the same rules and regulations as standard assisted living communities, with one additional mandate specific to dementia care.
Scope of Care | Under Alaska law, an assisted living home is a residence that provides care for three or more adults who are not related to the owner by blood or lawful marriage. These homes employ staff who are responsible for helping residents with activities of daily living, and in the case of memory care providers, additional physical and mental support. |
Care Plan Requirements | Before a resident moves into an assisted living home, they must agree to a contract that covers costs, obligations, rights, procedures and other issues related to living in the home. Within 30 days of move-in, a care plan detailing everything from ADL needs to food and recreational desires. The plan also needs to evaluate risks to the resident's health and well-being and ways to deal with those risks. |
Facility Requirements | Alaska has one specific requirement for assisted living homes that provide care to residents with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Each home must install some type of device or technology that alerts staff when a door to exit the facility is open in order to protect seniors who are at risk of wandering. |
Medication Management | Staff at assisted living homes are permitted to help residents with their medication, which includes dosage reminders, opening containers and directing the resident's hand upon request. If there's a registered nurse on staff, they can delegate medication management responsibilities. |
Staffing Requirements | While there's no minimum staff-to-resident ratio requirement for assisted living homes, facilities that offer memory care must have enough staff to carry out the services outlined in all the residents' care plans. In addition, each home must have an administrator who's responsible for daily operations and oversight. |
Staff Training | In order to preserve the overall quality of life of residents in assisted living homes, Alaska requires staff to be trained in a variety of areas. These include: - Emergency procedures
- Fires safety
- Reporting responsibilities
- Resident interaction
- Physical plant layout
|
Medicaid Coverage | There are two Medicaid programs in Alaska that can cover support services received while in an assisted living home: Alaskans Living Independently and Adults with Physical and Developmental Disabilities. |
Reporting Abuse | Adult Protective Services (APS) is responsible for responding to reports of abuse in memory care settings throughout the state. Workers at assisted living homes are considered mandated reporters under state law. Anyone who suspects or witnesses abuse, including exploitation, neglect, undue influence or self-neglect, can also contact APS by calling (800) 478-9996 or file a report online. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Alaska
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska is a nonprofit organization that provides care coordination, education and a library of information about cognitive disabilities. The organization also publishes a free quarterly newsletter that has a wealth of information for families dealing with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. While most of the programs are free, some specific services have a fee.
Alaska Agencies
Alaska Long Term Care Ombudsman
Address: 3745 Community Park Loop, Suite 200, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone Number: (800) 730-6393
Website: https://akoltco.org/
The Long Term Care Ombudsman for Alaska is responsible for protecting the rights of seniors living in assisted living homes, including those that provide memory care, throughout the state. Representatives from the ombudsman office have the power to investigate complaints and resolve issues for residents. Anyone who needs help dealing with an issue at a memory care facility can get help through this program.
Area Agencies on Aging in Alaska
The aim of the Alaska Commission on Aging is to help maintain the dignity of older adults in memory care and other settings throughout the state. It strives to accomplish this goal through a variety of actions, including planning, advocacy, education and interagency cooperation. One of the agency's signature programs is the Senior Fall Prevention Campaign. The commission also has information about Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia. The office is located in Juneau.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Alaska
Veterans in Alaska who reside in assisted living homes with memory care can get help with obtaining benefits from the many VA offices located throughout the state. Vets, and their surviving spouses, can use funds from VA pensions to pay for memory care. If they meet certain income requirements, they may be able to get additional funds from the Aid & Attendance pension top-up program. Representatives from the VA can help families navigate the application process.
Social Security Offices in Alaska
Social Security benefits can give seniors the funds they need to afford memory care. When additional financial assistance is required, seniors may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which can provide up to $783 more per month in addition to existing benefits. Only low-income seniors who have limited resources are eligible for this program. Alaska seniors can find their nearest Social Security office with the locator tool.