On average, taking into account more than 20,000 senior communities, including more than 25 in Alaska, residents of assisted living communities will pay $6,300 each month. The truth is, the cost of living in Alaska is higher than the average, due to the population density, extreme climate and isolation of the state’s location, but this is the price of a unique lifestyle in a beautiful landscape. To find the best assisted living facilities for yourself or a loved one living in Alaska, you have to understand what kind of choices you have in communities, assistance and senior benefits.

How to Pay for Assisted Living In Alaska

The average cost of assisted living in Alaska is about $2,300 more than it is in the rest of the United States, and more than $1,000 more than anywhere on the west coast alone. It is interesting to note that depending on the region of the state that you choose the average price may vary by hundreds of dollars! For example, Fairbanks is much higher than the state average, while senior communities in Anchorage are more affordable, but still higher than the national average.

The cost of assisted living in Anchorage, Alaska is right inline with the prices you would expect with other care options. It costs more than it would to hire in home care, but it is still significantly less expensive than a nursing home.

Options to Finance Assisted Living

Some other ways to finance the cost of assisted living might include:

Veterans Benefits: There are pension programs that will help veterans to cover the cost of assisted living. Visit benefits.va.gov. For more details.

Life Insurance: Some types of life insurance policies can be used to help pay for assisted living. Check with your life insurance provider.

Long-Term Care Insurance: This is insurance that pays for long-term care and this can include the cost of assisted living. To find out more about this option, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

Reverse Mortgage: With a reverse mortgage you can access the equity in your home, and then use those funds to pay for assisted living. There is a federally insured reverse mortgage program offered by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Free Resources for Assisted Living in Alaska

These are some free resources that may also be helpful to seniors living in Alaska:

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for investigating and monitoring the conditions in long term care facilities. It is their job to advocate for the interests of seniors living in Alaska.

Alaska Commission on Aging

The Alaska Commission on Aging is a branch of the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) which is a network of nonprofits across the US that provide services to adults over the age of 60.

Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs offer many benefits to senior veterans, including financing options for long-term senior care. Alaska has several VA centers where you can get information and assistance applying for help.

Social Security

Not only does the Social Security program offer it’s own benefits, the office can also give seniors information about other programs that they may be eligible for.

Alaska Senior Benefits Program

This is a state funded program designed to help seniors living in a low income bracket with financial assistance that can be used however it is needed. For more information visit Alaska Senior Benefits Program.

Laws and Regulations Regarding Assisted Living

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for enforcing laws and regulations regarding assisted living in residential facilities around the state. These are some of the important regulations that you may want to be aware of:

• All residents living in an assisted living facility must have a care plan that is developed by the administrator of the facility along with the resident, and in light of their medical condition. This plan is to be re-evaluated every three months.
• Assisted living communities provide assistance with ADLs, they do not provide skilled nursing care.
• A resident must not need skilled nursing care for a period of more than 45 consecutive days.
• All assisted living facilities must sign a service contract with each resident.
• Assisted living facilities can provide: assistance with ADLs, nursing services for upto 45 days, recreational activities, transportation and monitoring.

Facility Requirements

• Some of the requirements that assisted living facilities must meet are:
• The occupancy for a angle room is a minimum of 80 square feet
• Double occupancy rooms must be a minimum of 140 square feet
• There must be at least one toilet, sink, and bathtub (shower) per every six people

Medication Regulations

Any member of the staff can assist a resident with self-administering their medication, including:

• Reminding them to take their medication
• Opening the container
• Reading the label for a resident
• Watching them take their medication
• Checking the dosage against the label
• Reassuring a resident

A nurse is needed to either administer or delegate the administration of medicine to a resident by a staff member who has undergone a Board of Nursing-approved training program.

Assisted Living Staff

• Employees must undergo an orientation of policies and procedures within 14 days of their employment
• administrators must complete 18 hours of continuing education each year
• care providers must complete 12 hours of continuing education each year
• All employees of a residential care facility in Alaska must undergo a background check.

Start the Conversation

Our Baxter Senior Living staff is happy to work with you to discover the best senior living options available to you. Please reach out to us via email at info@baxterseniorliving.com or give us a call (907) 865-3500.