Alaska Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living communities in Alaska for couples

Assisted living communities in Alaska welcome residents who are over a certain age, usually 62 or 55, providing them with assistance and health services. These senior living facilities in AK accept couples, allowing spouses to live together.

Why should you choose assisted living as a married couple? The answer is simple. At senior age, you might notice that both you and your spouse can no longer handle daily living activities on your own. You might need help getting dressed, bathing, or eating; moreover, many spouses have different needs, which are best handled in such a facility. For instance, if one of the spouses suffers from dementia, he/she might be admitted to the memory care unit. When assisted living facilities have memory care units available, couples can remain close to one another.

Information about assisted living in Alaska

How many assisted living centers are there in the state of Alaska? In Alaska, there are 28 assisted living facilities. These retirement communities can be found in the following locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Soldotna, Wasilla, Juneau, and Dillingham. All the assisted living communities are regulated by the Division of Health Care Services, which belongs to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Upon being admitted into an assisted living center, all senior adults are given an assisted living plan (within 30 days). To develop this plan, the staff will take into account the resident's medical history, current medication, and therapy regimens. The plan regards one's abilities and limitations when it comes to activities of daily living and how the staff will assist them with these. It might also mention how potential healthcare needs will be made and adjustments of the living environment. Plans are revised at regular intervals, usually every three months.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Alaska

The average monthly cost for assisted living in the state of Alaska is $6,000. By comparison, the national average is around $4,000. It has been determined that the cost of assisted living in Alaska is higher than the one of the other states located on the West Coast, such as California, Washington, and Oregon.

Within the state of Alaska, the costs of assisted living vary considerably. One of the most expensive regions in Alaska seems to be Fairbanks. The lowest cost of assisted living is found in Anchorage, but even this is significantly higher than the national average. Assisted living is more expensive than in-home care, but more affordable than nursing home care.

Additional financing options include pension programs from VA Benefits, life insurance policies, long-term care insurance, and reverse mortgages. The latter refers to making a settlement with the bank to access the equity from your property, using the respective funds to cover the cost of assisted living.

Assisted living costs in Alaska

Nowadays, seniors have access to a number of long-term care options, including assisted living. These senior living communities offer room and board, as well as assistance with daily living activities and limited healthcare. The state of Alaska has a wide array of assisted living facilities, but it is important to remember that these senior living facilities often cost above the national average and do not offer skilled nursing care. In the following paragraphs, we will present cost-related information, along other useful details. The main goal is to help you discover different senior living options and find the right facility, in accordance with your needs and available budget.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in Alaska

How much does assisted living cost in AK? Recent statistics show that Alaska has one of the highest costs for assisted living. Seniors should be prepared to pay around $6,800 per month or $81,600 per year for this type of long-term care. Within the state, the most expensive communities are located in Fairbanks, with an average monthly cost of $7,250 or $87,000 per year. The most affordable facilities of this kind are found in Anchorage, averaging at $6,700 per month or $80,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in AK? For memory care, in Alaska, seniors can expect to pay around $8,500 per month or $100,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are found in Fairbanks, with an average monthly cost of $9,000 or $108,000 per year. Anchorage has facilities that are a bit more affordable, averaging at $8,500 per month or $102,000 per year.

Assisted living is less expensive than home health care and adult day health care. Nursing home care is significantly more expensive, averaging at $31,000 per month. Memory care costs more than adult day health care, assisted living, and home care. As with the other option, it costs less than nursing home care.

What goes into assisted living costs in the state of Alaska?

Seniors who apply for a spot into a particular assisted living facility might be required to pay a deposit, which is returned upon the occupancy being confirmed. Residents are expected to cover the monthly costs, in accordance with the amenities and services offered, living unit type and size, marital status. These costs might include housekeeping and general maintenance, as well as utilities, meal plans, and laundry. Additional services might be offered by third-party providers, for which residents are expected to pay extra.

Care fees are required to be paid as well, in accordance with the number of ADLs seniors receive help with. In addition, seniors might benefit from emergency response systems, daily activities, scheduled transportation, physical and occupational therapy, and medication management. Should the senior desire to live with his/her spouse, a second occupancy fee will have to be covered. In some facilities, certain utilities are available at additional cost, such as the Internet or cable access. Higher levels of care are offered only at a limited extent and are not included in the basic care package.

What is included in memory care costs?

Just like the assisted living facilities, memory care communities provide room and board, as well access to healthcare and amenities to seniors. The difference lies in the fact that these centers mostly cater to those who suffer from dementia. Specialized healthcare is also available, in accordance with the type of dementia and the disease stage. Seniors have access to a wide array of safety features, destined to keep them safe and minimize the confusion experienced. Aside from 24/7 monitoring, memory care residents benefit from support with everyday living activities.

The care package might include coverage for different therapies that help dementia seniors improve their cognitive and memory skills. The access to general services is guaranteed, with common options including meal planning and preparation, scheduled transportation, and maintenance. Seniors are helped with various ADLs and benefit from additional care services, including mobility assistance, incontinence care, and wound care.

Cost comparison with other states

The monthly cost of assisted living in Alaska is significantly higher than the national average, which is around $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Alaska is more expensive than its neighboring states. Washington has an average monthly cost of $6,000 or $72,000 per year. Idaho averages at $3,800 per month or $45,000 per year, and Oregon has an average monthly cost of $5,000 or $60,000 per year.

When it comes to memory care, Alaska is once again situated considerably higher than the national average, which is around $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Memory care is more expensive in the state of Alaska as well, in comparison with neighboring states. Washington averages at $7,500 per month or $90,000 per year. Montana has an average monthly cost of $5,500 or $66,000 per year, and Hawaii averages at $6,700 per month or $80,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility for your needs

If someone you love requires long-term care, the best thing you can do is start looking at the different communities available in your state. Whether you are interested in assisted living or memory care, remember that the costs might vary from one community to the other, in accordance with the care and services available. Take your time to do careful research, comparing the care levels and other benefits offered.

We are more than pleased to accompany you in the decision-making process. Just give us a call and we will offer detailed information on the costs of any senior living facility. Thus, you will be able to find a community that matches both your needs and available budget. The overall costs are influenced by the resident's health status and potential care needs. Both assisted living and memory care facilities are happy to discuss such matters in detail.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Alaska

Before you and your spouse opt for assisted living, you might want to familiarize yourself with the services such facilities have to offer. The most important thing to remember is that these facilities usually offer assistance with activities of daily living. As a general rule, they might offer skilled nursing care for a limited period, under 45 days. Some facilities have integrated memory care units, catering to the needs of those who suffer from dementia.

What kind of assistance can you expect? As mentioned above, senior adults can be helped with daily tasks, including eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting. Moreover, they receive assistance with chores, such as laundry, cleaning, and the preparation of food. Health-related services are offered, with medication management being the most often provided. Transportation and monitoring are provided as well.

Staff members can assist residents with the administration of medication. They can offer reminders to take their medication, open containers and read medication labels. Moreover, professional staff can monitor the resident while taking his/her medication, verify the dosage, and provide reassurance on the correct administration. Licensed nurses can administer the medication to residents when required.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Alaska

In Alaska, the units of assisted living facilities do not necessarily have to be designed in the style of apartments. However, a room cannot accommodate more than two residents. Couples can reside together for as long as their health allows it. Should one of the spouses require a higher level of care, they will have to consider other living options.

When it comes to amenities, these communities have plenty to offer. Some assisted living centers have gyms, where residents can work on their physical fitness. Other assisted living communities offer swimming pools and various fitness amenities. All of these senior living facilities organize recreational and social activities, with social clubs providing residents with the opportunity to interact and form meaningful friendships.

Religious services in assisted living communities might be organized as well. Pets are allowed in some of these communities, and if the respective facility has a memory care unit, specific amenities might be offered. These amenities can include: cognitive therapy, learning classes, memory garden, guided walks and so on.