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 ...
Nursing Homes in Alaska
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Homes in Alaska
- Nursing Care Directory for Alaska
- Nursing Care Costs in Alaska
- Financial Assistance for Nursing Homes in Alaska
- Alaska Nursing Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Nursing Care Resources in Alaska
The scenic state of Alaska is situated in the northwest corner of North America bordering Canada. By area, it’s the largest state in the United States, covering over 660,000 square miles, but it’s home to just 732,000 people, making it the most sparsely populated. About 40% of residents live in Anchorage, and the rest are spread throughout the rest of the state’s 328 cities. Anchorage is also home to the state’s largest hospitals, including Alaska Native Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital.
Due to its sparse population, Alaska only has 17 certified nursing homes. These facilities provide intensive care for those who don’t need inpatient hospital care but aren’t able to move back to their home environment. They’re staffed by licensed medical professionals and provide around-the-clock monitoring and skilled nursing services, therapeutic recreational activities and daily meals. This guide covers the benefits and drawbacks of living in Alaska, along with the cost of nursing home care and options for covering monthly fees.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Home Care in Alaska
The SeniorScore is a livability index that provides individuals with insight into how suitable a geographic region is for retirement. Alaska has a SeniorScore of 61, which is considerably lower than the national score of 72. Across the index’s categories, the state scores strongest in Finances at 62, followed by General Quality of Life at 57. In Health & Safety, the state scores 51, and it scores weakest in the Recreation & Leisure category at 48.
Alaska is among the most expensive states to live in, with a cost of living that's much higher than the national average. Senior care, including nursing home care, also tends to be relatively high. Fortunately, household incomes are generally high compared to other states, which may make retirement in the state a viable option for residents. The state doesn’t have income or sales tax, and property taxes are generally low. The climate tends to be cold, with an average annual temperature of 37 degrees, and the state receives nearly 50 inches of annual rainfall. There are less than 200 people per square mile, and only about 1 in 5 residents are aged 55 and over, which may affect the availability of senior services.
Alaska has a moderately sized network of health care providers that accept payment from Medicare, and there’s an average number of hospitals in the state. Residential care communities are limited, but there's a range of home health care providers for seniors to choose from. Among the state’s recreational amenities are nearly 600 churches, 19 golf courses and numerous municipal parks.
Top Nursing Care in Alaska
Ketchikan Med. Center New Horizons Transitional Care is a 29 unit senior housing facility. It is located at 3100 Tongass Ave in Ketchikan, Alaska. The community is in a largely middle class area, with a median per-family income ...
Located at PO Box 160 in Cordova, Alaska, Cordova Community Medical Center LTC is a 10 bed senior care community. The neighboring area has a sparse population, with roughly 3,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 99574. ...
Quyanna Care Center is a 15 room senior housing community. It is located at 1100 Greg Kruschek Avenue (po Box 966) in Nome, Alaska. With approximately 5,000 poeple living in the 99762 zip code, the encompassing area has ...
Providence Valdez Extended Care Center is a 10 unit senior housing community. It is located at 911 Meals Ave in Valdez, Alaska. The encompassing area has a sparse population, with approximately 5,000 individuals residing in the zip ...
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. ...
Providence Extended Care is located in the Russian Jack Park area of Anchorage, Alaska. It is a 96 bed senior housing facility. The neighboring area has a dense population, with approximately 42,000 individuals residing in the 99504 zip ...
Utuqqanaat Inaat is located at 436 Mission St in Kotzebue, Alaska. It is a 18 room senior care facility. The encompassing area has a sparse population, with about 5,000 people residing in the zip code of 99752. ...
Sitka Community Hospital LTC is a 15 room nursing facility. It is located at 209 Moller Ave in Sitka, Alaska. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, with a median household income of $62,473. With ...
South Peninsula Hospital LTC is located at 4300 Bartlett St in Homer, Alaska. It is a 28 unit nursing care facility. With an average per-household income of $51,299, the facility is in a predominantly middle income area. ...
Providence Chiniak Bay Elder House is a 22 unit senior housing facility located in Kodiak, Alaska. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with approximately 14,000 individuals residing in the 99615 zip code. With an average family ...
Wildflower Court is a 57 unit senior care facility. It is located at 2000 Salmon Creek Ln in Juneau, Alaska. The community is in a largely upscale area, with a median per-family income of $75,577. With roughly ...
Providence Seward Med and Care Center LTC is a 40 room senior care facility located in Seward, Alaska. With approximately 6,000 poeple living in the zip code of 99664, the neighboring area is sparsely populated. It is a ...
Located nearby the Ridgeway area of Soldotna, Alaska, Heritage Place is a 60 bed senior care facility. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median per-family income of $59,494. With about 15,000 individuals living ...
Petersburg Medical Center LTC is a 15 bed senior care community located in Petersburg, Alaska. With an average per-household income of $62,317, the community is in a largely middle income area. It is sparsely populated, with roughly 4,000 ...
Located in the Midtown area of Anchorage, Alaska, Providence Transitional Care Center is a 50 room senior community. The encompassing area has an average population density, with approximately 16,000 residents in the 99503 zip code. It is a ...
Wrangell Medical Center LTC is located at PO Box 1081 in Wrangell, Alaska. It is a 14 room senior care facility. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with a median per-family income of $50,389. ...
Located at 1100 Chief Eddie Hoffman Hwy PO Box 528 in Bethel, Alaska, Yukon Kuskokwim Elder's Home is a 18 room senior community. With around 9,000 individuals living in the 99559 zip code, the surrounding area has a medium-density ...
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. ...
Jewel Lake Plaza
4132 West 88th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99502
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 ...
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Alaska
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in the United States pay $7,756 per month for nursing home care, but in the Pacific Northwest region, care costs are considerably higher. In Washington, seniors pay $9,581 per month for semiprivate nursing home accommodations, and in Oregon, monthly fees are even higher at $10,114. Idaho and California are slightly more affordable at $8,669 and $9,247, respectively. In Alaska, monthly rates are nearly five times the national average at $37,413.
- Alaska: $37,413
- United States: $7,756
- Washington: $9,581
- Oregon: $10,114
- Idaho: $8,669
- California: $9,247
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Alaska’s Top Cities
Limited nursing home cost data is available for Alaska’s largest cities. In Anchorage, monthly care costs are consistent with the statewide median at $31,664. To draw further comparisons, we consider local costs gathered from other Pacific Northwest cities. In Washington, seniors in Bellingham pay $8,517 per month for this level of care, and in Olympia, fees are generally higher at $9,520. Cities in Oregon tend to be even pricier, with seniors in Grants Pass paying $10,418 per month and those in Corvallis paying $10,190.
- Anchorage: $31,664
- Bellingham, WA: $8,517
- Olympia, WA: $9,520
- Corvallis, OR: $10,190
- Grants Pass, OR: $10,418
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Alaska
Nursing home care in Alaska exceeds the national average and is the most expensive care option in the state at $37,413 per month. Other senior care options are more affordable and may be appropriate for those with intermittent or short-term skilled nursing needs. These other choices include assisted living, which costs $6,633 per month on average, and home health care, which averages $5,346 per month. For those who only need personal care services and want to live in their own homes, in-home care or adult day health services may be good options, coming in at $5,339 and $3,055 per month, respectively. Memory care, which provides specialized care for those with dementia, is among the costlier options at $8,291 per month.
- Memory Care: $8,291
- Assisted Living: $6,633
- In-Home Care: $5,339
- Home Health Care: $5,346
- Adult Day Care: $3,055
- Nursing Home Care: $37,413
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Alaska
As you can see above, Nursing Home Care is often the most expensive senior care option – sometimes even 2-3 times the cost of other types of senior living. The primary reason for this is the 24/7 skilled nursing and other medical services that are provided. Thankfully, most people aren't forced to pay for skilled nursing care entirely out-of-pocket. Rather, many qualify for financial assistance programs to help cover the cost of nursing care.
Medicaid is the most comprehensive financial assistance program, but not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid. And because each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, eligibility and benefits vary from state to state. Below, we provide more information on Medicaid in Alaska.
Medicaid in Alaska
Medicaid is a program jointly administered by the state and federal government to provide health insurance coverage for those who meet need, income and asset guidelines. Benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital care services, laboratory and X-ray services, physician services and home health care, along with additional benefits for nursing home residents, such as physical and occupational therapy, case management and prescription drugs. Nearly 240,000 Alaska residents are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, which is almost double the number of beneficiaries since the program expanded in 2013. About five out of six nursing home residents are covered under Medicaid, and 17 nursing homes in the state accept this coverage.
Medicaid Eligibility in Alaska
To qualify for Medicaid coverage, seniors must meet financial and personal needs guidelines. For those who don't meet income and asset guidelines, Medicaid planning is available. Outlined below are some basic requirements applicants must meet.
- Applicants can have a monthly income of up to $2,382 to qualify for Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid and $1,474 for Regular Medicaid. Those whose income exceeds these limits can open an Irrevocable Income Trust, with the state of Alaska listed as the remainder beneficiary.
- Seniors can have up to $2,000 in countable assets. This includes cash, stocks, bonds, investments, checking and savings accounts and houses other than the individual’s primary residence. Assets that aren’t countable include personal belongings, household furnishings, one vehicle, a burial plot and a primary residence, as long as their home equity interest is no more than $603,000.
- If only one spouse is applying for Institutional Medicaid, the non-applicant can have up to $130,380 in assets in addition to the applicant’s asset limit of $2,000. Only the applicant’s income is considered.
- The non-applicant is entitled to a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance of up to $2,721.25. If the non-applicant's income is under this amount, the applicant can transfer their income to the spouse to make up the difference. To ensure the non-applicant has enough to live on, the Medicaid applicant can transfer up to $3,259.50 for utilities and living expenses.
- Nursing home residents are required to put nearly all of their monthly income, minus a $200 needs allowance, toward the cost of their care.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and permanent residents of Alaska.
To apply for Medicaid, seniors should contact their local Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Senior and Disability Services office. They may also reach out to their local Aging and Disability Resource Center or apply online through the state's self-service portal.
Additional Financial Assistance Options
- Medicare: For the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will cover the entire cost of care, and a portion of the costs up until day 100. After 100 days, Medicare won't cover any of the costs. Importantly, seniors must also have a "qualifying hospital stay" that lasts 3 days prior to their admission to a nursing home in order to qualify for Medicare coverage.
- Aid and Attendance: Aid and Attendance may be available to veterans who receive a VA pension. This benefit is a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. It is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used to pay for skilled nursing care.
- Reverse Mortgages: For those who own a home, reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. It's often a good fit for married couples when only one partner needs nursing care, as the other residents of the home may continue living there. Keep in mind that reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid (with interest), typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: For seniors who already have long-term care insurance, the cost of skilled nursing care may be covered. Most policies cover at least a portion of the costs, but it depends on the specific policy terms. It's important to note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not be eligible to sign up for a long-term care insurance policy.
Alaska Nursing Home Care Rules and Regulations
Nursing homes in Alaska are licensed by the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health Care Services. This division ensures compliance with a comprehensive set of rules and regulations as mandated by the state and federal government to ensure a consistently high standard of care for all nursing home residents in the state. The table below provides an outline of the regulations that licensed nursing homes in Alaska must follow.
Scope of Care | Nursing homes provide 24/7 care for those admitted due to physical infirmity or an injury or illness. These facilities provide skilled nursing, pharmaceutical and social work services, along with therapeutic recreational activities, daily meals and laundry and housekeeping. They’re staffed with licensed health care providers, including nurses, physicians and pharmacists, along with unlicensed caregivers. Facilities are also required to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy to help residents achieve and maintain their optimal level of self-care. |
Care Plan Requirements | Within 14 days of admitting a new resident, the nursing home must develop a comprehensive care plan. This plan must be drafted by a registered nurse along with an interdisciplinary team of other health care professionals and reviewed at least every three months or more often if the resident experiences significant changes in their needs. |
Medication Management Requirements | Federal regulations require that nursing homes provide all routine and emergency medications residents need, either through an in-house pharmacy or a contracted provider. State law requires that a pharmacist reviews each resident's drug regimen at least every 30 days to make recommendations or note negative interactions between prescribed medications and report concerns to the physician or director of nursing. If the resident has a significant change in their care needs or drug regimen, the facility must conduct more frequent drug regimen reviews. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Nursing homes in Alaska are prohibited from hiring or retaining anyone on the nurse aide abuse registry, a program of the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. |
Staff Training Requirements | Per federal law, nursing homes are required to provide comprehensive training for staff members based on their duties. Training topics must include effective communication practices; residents’ rights; recognizing and reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation; infection control; compliance and ethics; and behavioral health training. Staff members may be required to complete additional training depending on their job duties. Feeding assistants must complete a state-approved training program, and nurse aides must complete at least 12 hours per year of in-service training that covers topics such as dementia management training, preventing resident abuse and any areas in which they underperform. |
Medicaid Coverage | Nursing home services are covered under Regular Medicaid and Institutional Medicaid. To qualify for financial assistance, seniors must complete a functional needs assessment to verify that nursing home care is appropriate, and they must meet income and asset guidelines. |
Reporting Abuse | Individuals can report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation in nursing homes to the state’s long-term care ombudsman by calling (800) 730-6393. Financial exploitation or fraud can be reported to the Office of Elder Fraud & Assistance at (907) 334-5989. |
Free Nursing Home Resources in Alaska
Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association
ASHNHA promotes access to health care for Alaskans by providing effective leadership to address issues related to quality and delivery of care. It represents more than 65 hospitals and nursing homes and offers a variety of services for members, including behavioral health, education and training, workforce support and quality, and patient safety. To this end, it organizes several educational programs throughout the year, addressing issues such as best practices for clinical documentation, culture sensitivity and preventing workplace violence.
Alaska Legal Services Corporation
Alaska Legal Services Corporation is a nonprofit organization that provides statewide legal representation, advice and advocacy for income-qualifying residents. It operates the Elder Law Project, a legal aid program for Alaskans aged 60 and over. Through this program, it arranges home visits for those who are homebound or in a hospital or nursing home to help with matters such as consumer issues, advance directives and nursing home intake or discharge procedures. It can also help seniors obtain public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security and the state’s Senior Assistance Program.
Alaska Agencies
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Address: 3601 C Street, Suite 540, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone Number: (907) 269-7800
Website: dhss.alaska.gov/
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Service administers numerous programs and services for older adults. Its Senior Benefits Program provides monthly cash payments in the amounts of $125, $175 or $250 for those aged 65 and over who meet income guidelines. It also manages the state’s Medicaid program, which may help cover nursing home care for qualifying seniors. The department also oversees the Commission on Aging, which serves older adults through programs that support their health and quality of life.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs
Address: 3601 C Street, Suite 540, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone Number: 800-478-6065
Website: dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/medicare/default.aspx
Alaska’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides free, impartial health insurance options counseling for those who qualify for Medicare. It's staffed primarily by trained volunteers who help seniors understand their Medicare benefits, research available Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans, find out about Medicaid’s nursing home coverage and compare long-term care insurance. The program also helps seniors understand how to recognize and protect themselves from health insurance fraud. All services are confidential and may be provided in person or over the phone.
Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Address: 3745 Community Park Loop, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone Number: (907) 334-4480, (800) 730-6393
Website: akoltco.org/
The Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates on behalf of seniors living in nursing homes and other residential care facilities, ensuring they receive the quality of care they’re entitled to. The ombudsman works with families to research local nursing homes and identify ways to pay for care, and it can help resolve issues related to intake and discharge policies, care planning and service delivery. The ombudsman also fields, investigates and resolves reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation in nursing homes.
Area Agencies on Aging in Alaska
The Alaska Commission on Aging and Senior and Disabilities Services jointly operate the state’s Area Agencies on Aging. While services vary by location, all agencies provide personal care services, home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, care coordination, adult day health care and information and referrals for local programs and supports. The local AAAs may also operate senior centers where members can meet with health insurance options counselors or access medical equipment rentals, health screenings and social and recreational activities. There are four AAAs in Alaska, including the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Chugachmiut, Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and Ketchikan Indian Community, each with its own service area.
Veteran Affairs Office in Alaska
Veterans and their families in Alaska can obtain a range of benefits through the state’s Office of Veterans Affairs. This office advocates on behalf of veterans and helps them file claims for medical benefits through the Alaska VA Healthcare System and apply for pension programs, disability compensation and the Aid and Attendance Benefit. The office can also help veterans determine whether they qualify for veterans' home placement, which may be a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care. To obtain services, veterans can visit their local benefits office.
Social Security Offices in Alaska
The Social Security Administration provides a range of services and programs to support retirees, including those entering long-term care. Through the local offices, seniors can apply for retirement, disability and survivor benefits, Medicare and Supplemental Security Income, which can help cover nursing home expenses. There are three Social Security offices in Alaska: one in Anchorage, one in Fairbanks and one in Juneau. For those unable to easily visit one of these offices, many services are available online.
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