Located at 950 E Bogard, Ste 132 in Wasilla, AK, Mat-Su Regional Home Care is a senior home healthcare provider that offers personal care and home healthcare. They have been serving clients in the area for 31 years. They can ...
Home Care in Alaska
- Home Care Directory for Alaska
- Home Care Costs in Alaska
- Financial Assistance for Home Care in Alaska
- Alaska Home Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Home Care Resources in Alaska
Alaska is the biggest state in the country in terms of landmass but has a relatively small and spread-out population. Of the state's 731,545 residents, 12.4% are seniors. This cold but idyllic state is perhaps not the first place most people would think of when it comes to retirement, but PBS rates it as one of the better options for older adults who are seeking financial security, thanks to the state's generous benefits, better work opportunities and well-funded public services.
Alaska has a SeniorScore of 61, which is 11 points lower than the national average. The SeniorScore is a measure of how comfortable a city is for seniors, based on metrics in several categories, including Health & Safety, General Quality of Life, Finances and Recreation & Leisure. Alaska's highest-scoring category is Finances, thanks to the state's lower than average taxes. The state also scores well for general quality of life, thanks to its low population density. Alaska scored 51 for Health and Safety due to the low number of senior living facilities in the state. The lowest-scoring category was Recreation & Leisure, where it scores 48. The state has a lot of municipal parks but few other amenities.
This guide looks at the cost of home care and related services in Alaska, as well as the financial assistance and other services available to seniors living in the state.
Top Home Care Agencies in Alaska
Located at 3760 Piper St Ste 1108 in Anchorage, Alaska, Home Instead Senior Care Anchorage is a senior home healthcare provider offering personal care services and also in-home health care. They can provide multiple medical services like dementia care, stroke ...
Located in Anchorage, Alaska at 711 H Street, Suite 100, Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc is a senior in-home care provider offering in-home personal care services along with in-home health care. They have been serving clients in Alaska for nearly 12 ...
Frontier Home Health
3909 Arctic Blvd, Suite 102
Anchorage, AK 99503
Located in Anchorage, Alaska at 3909 Arctic Blvd, Suite 102, Frontier Home Health is a senior in-home care company that offers in-home health care along with home care. For nearly 22 years, they have been providing care to seniors in ...
Turner's Home Health Care
1111 Oceanview Dr
Anchorage, AK 99515
Situated in Anchorage, Alaska, in the Old Seward-Oceanview area, Turner's Home Health Care offers senior living in a residential facility. The area surrounding this community is heavily populated, with around 22,441 people in the zip code. It is ...
Frontier Home Health Care East
6025 Winding Way
Anchorage, AK 99504
Situated in the Russian Jack Park area of Anchorage, Alaska, Frontier Home Health Care East provides senior living in a home-like setting. The neighborhood encompassing this community is heavily populated, with approximately 40,914 people in the zip code ...
Comfort Keepers
701 E Parks Hwy Ste 208
Wasilla, AK 99654
Comfort Keepers is a senior home healthcare service provider located in Wasilla, Alaska at 701 E Parks Hwy Ste 208. They offer in-home health care and in-home personal care to senior clientele. They can provide different personal services such ...
Home Instead Senior Care Anchorage
440 W Benson Blvd Ste 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Located in Anchorage, AK at 440 W Benson Blvd Ste 101, Home Instead Senior Care Anchorage is a senior home care provider offering personal home care services in addition to in-home health care. They provide various medical services such as ...
Comfort Keepers Anchorage
203 W 15th Ave Ste 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
Located at 203 W 15th Ave Ste 200 in Anchorage, Alaska, Comfort Keepers Anchorage is a home health care company offering home healthcare and also personal care services. They can provide multiple personal services such as house cleaning, grocery shopping, ...
Comfort Keepers Anchorage
1023 E 6th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
Located at 1023 E 6th Ave in Anchorage, AK, Comfort Keepers Anchorage is a senior home care provider offering personal care and in-home health services. They offer different medical services like post surgical care, speech therapy, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes ...
Home Based Services
4160 Tudor Centre Dr
Anchorage, AK 99508
Located in Anchorage, Alaska at 4160 Tudor Centre Dr, Home Based Services is a home health care provider offering personal care as well as in-home health care. Since 1996, they have been serving clients in the Anchorage area. They ...
Providence In Home Services
4001 Dale Street, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99508
Located in Anchorage, AK at 4001 Dale Street, Suite 101, Providence In Home Services is an in-home care service provider that offers personal care as well as in-home medical services. Since 1982, they have been helping clients throughout the Anchorage ...
1st Choice Home Health Care
43421 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite 4
Soldotna, AK 99669
Located at 43421 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite 4 in Soldotna, Alaska, 1st Choice Home Health Care, Inc is a senior home health care provider that offers personal care in addition to in-home health care. Since 1996, they have been providing ...
PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Home Health
126 Washington St
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Located at 126 Washington St in Ketchikan, AK, PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Home Health is a home health care service provider that offers home care services as well as in-home nursing services. They have been providing care in the area ...
South Peninsula Hospital HHA
4300 Bartlett St
Homer, AK 99603
South Peninsula Hospital HHA is a home healthcare provider based in Homer, AK at 4300 Bartlett St. They offer in-home nursing services and in-home care for seniors. For nearly 28 years, they have been helping seniors throughout the Homer ...
Petersburg Medical Center Home
PO Box 589
Petersburg, AK 99833
Located at PO Box 589 in Petersburg, Alaska, Petersburg Medical Center Home is a home health care service provider that offers in-home personal care and in-home health care. Since 1987, they have been helping customers in the Petersburg area. ...
Sitka Community Hospital HHA
209 Moller Ave
Sitka, AK 99835
Located in Sitka, AK at 209 Moller Ave, Sitka Community Hospital HHA is a senior home healthcare service provider offering in-home nursing services in addition to in-home care. For nearly 33 years, they have been providing care to seniors in ...
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital HHA
1302 21st Avenue, Floor 2
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital HHA is a senior home healthcare provider based in Fairbanks, AK at 1302 21st Avenue, Floor 2. They offer home health services along with in-home personal care for senior clientele. They have been in operation in ...
Hospice and Home Care of Juneau
419 6th St
Juneau, AK 99801
Hospice and Home Care of Juneau is a home care company located in Juneau, AK at 419 6th St. They provide in-home personal care services and home healthcare for senior clientele. For almost 36 years, they have been helping ...
The Cost of Home Care in Alaska
The Genworth Financial cost of Care Survey 2019 lists the cost of home care in Alaska as $5,621 per month. This is significantly higher than the national average of $4,290 per month. Home care includes nonmedical services such as chores and assistance with the activities of daily living. Home health care services, which also include nursing care, are slightly more expensive at $5,716 per month, compared to the national average of $4,385.
The Cost of Home Care in Alaska Compared to Nearby States
The cost of home care in Alaska is over $1,300 per month more than the average for the United States, and the same is true for home care. Fees in Alaska are not unusually high compared to other states on the Western coast, however. Home care in Oregon and California is only slightly cheaper than in Alaska, at $5,148 and $5,335 per month, respectively. The cost of home care and home health care services in Washington is $99 per month more than in Alaska.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Alaska | $5,621 | $5,716 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Washington | $5,720 | $5,815 |
Oregon | $5,148 | $5,339 |
California | $5,335 | $5,339 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Alaska
Home care is just one of the services available in Alaska. Seniors also have the option of receiving care at an adult day care service or residing in an assisted living facility or nursing home. Adult day care is the most affordable option at just $3,328 per month. Assisted living costs slightly more than in-home care or home health care due to the fact room and board are covered. Nursing home services are more than five times the cost of home care due to the level of medical care offered.
- In-Home Care: $5,621
- Home Health Care: $5,716
- Adult Day Care: $3,328
- Assisted Living Facility: $6,000
- Nursing Home Care: $30,219
The Cost of Home Care in Alaska's Top Cities
The cost of home care varies significantly between cities. Fairbanks is the most affordable city in Alaska, with both home care and home health care services averaging $4,957 per month. Fees in Anchorage are far higher at $5,711 for home care and $5,720 for home health care. Heading south into Washington state, fees are even higher, with home care costing $5,815 per month in Bellingham, and home health care fees being $6,101. The Mount Vernon area is even more expensive, with both home care and home health care costing $6,292 per month.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Alaska | $5,621 | $5,716 |
Fairbanks | $4,957 | $4,957 |
Anchorage | $5,711 | $5,720 |
Bellingham, WA | $5,815 | $6,101 |
Mount Vernon Area, WA | $6,292 | $6,292 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Alaska
Alaska Living Independently
The Alaska Living Independently waiver is a Home and Community-Based Services waiver that covers various expenses, including care coordination, home modifications, transport and chore services. The waiver is intended to help seniors live independently in their own homes, avoiding unnecessary nursing home placement. Seniors who qualify for Medicaid and who are classed as requiring nursing home levels of care may be eligible for this waiver.
Contact Information
For more information about this Medicaid Waiver, contact the nearest Department of Health and Social Services Office at (800) 478-9996.
Community First Choice Personal Care Services Program
Formerly known as the Personal Care Assistance program, the Community First Choice PCSP supports seniors with disabilities who struggle with the activities of daily living and with other day-to-day activities such as shopping, chores and laundry. The program is overseen by the state's Department of Health and Social Services, but services are delivered by private agencies. Seniors may be eligible for the program if they qualify for Medicaid and have been assessed as needing assistance with at least one of the activities of daily living.
Contact Information
For more information, call the PCS Unit of Senior and Disability Services at (800) 478-9996.
Senior Benefits Program
The Alaska Senior Benefits Program provides cash payments to low-income seniors in the state. The funds can be used for any reason, including covering the cost of in-home care. Payments are tiered based on income, with the tiers currently set at $76, $175 and $250 per month. Tiers are relative to the federal poverty guidelines. All seniors residing in Alaska who meet the income and asset requirements and hold an SSI number can apply to the program.
Contact Information
To apply for the Senior Benefits Program, contact the nearest Public Assistance Office.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Alaska Home Care Rules and Regulations
Home Health Agencies in Alaska are state-licensed and federally certified. These providers must comply with the HHA ASPEN regulations governing standards of care, medication management, staff training and other issues. Private home care providers do not fall under these regulations.
Scope of Care | Home care providers may offer a variety of non-medical services, including help with the activities of daily living, housekeeping, laundry, cooking, shopping and companionship. Home health care providers may offer limited medical service as defined in the patient's care plan and within the limits of their own licensing. |
Care Plan Requirements | Care plans are not required for private home care providers. Home health providers funded via Medicaid waivers must produce a care plan for each patient that describes the services they should receive, care goals and schedule. |
Medication Management Requirements | Home care providers may assist with self-administration and medication reminders. Only licensed medical professionals may administer medications. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Any care provider delivering services to clients in their homes is required to pass a criminal background check. |
Staff Training Requirements | Private home care providers are not required to train staff to any specific standard. Staff who are providing medical services must be registered and licensed to provide those services and keep up with any required continuing professional development set by their licensing body. |
Medicaid Coverage | The state operates a Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, called the Alaska Independent Living Medicaid Waiver. It also offers the Community first Choice Personal Care Services Program. Both of these include in-home care service coverage. |
Reporting Abuse | Concerns about elder abuse, exploitation or neglect can be reported to Adult Protective Services on (800) 478-9996. In-home care providers are mandatory reporters. |
Free Home Care Resources in Alaska
Seniors in Alaska have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
The Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) connect seniors and their caregivers with the services they need to maintain a good quality of life. Services are open to all those who are older or who are living with disabilities, regardless of their income or where in the state they reside. The ADRCs provide assistance with in-home care, transportation, assistive devices and other services. Available services vary from center to center.
Contact Information
For more information about the services offered by the ADRCs, call (855) 565-2017
Heating Assistance Program
The Heating Assistance Program is open to households with an income at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines who pay at least $200 per year in out-of-pocket expenses for their heating. Payments under the Heating Assistance Program are made directly to the applicant's energy supplier. The program opens for applications once per year. Alaska residents of all ages are eligible to apply.
Contact Information
To request support under the Heating Assistance Program, call (800) 804-6330.
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Senior Access Program
The Senior Access Program (SAP) is run by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in co-operation with several nonprofits. The program provides funding to help seniors access home modifications to allow them to remain in their own homes. Grants of up to $15,000 are available to applicants aged 55 and over who have been diagnosed as needing home modifications. To be eligible, seniors must meet income requirements based on their household size and either own the property they reside in or have a long-term lease.
Contact Information
To request more information, call the AHFC on (907) 330-8275.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides low-income seniors with vouchers that can be handed in to purchase fruits, vegetables and honey produced in Alaska. The vouchers can be redeemed at farmer's markets, roadside stands and authorized farms.
Contact Information
To request SFMNP vouchers, contact the nearest distribution agency.
State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP)
The State Health Insurance Counseling Assistance Program offers seniors one-on-one counseling to help them understand the health insurance market and choose the best policy for their needs. Advisors provide counseling at no charge and are not awarded a commission for recommending providers, ensuring they give vendor-neutral advice. The program covers Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medigap services.
Contact Information
To request aid from a SHIP counselor, call (800) 478-6065.
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