Alaska memory care facilities and Alzheimer's care options

Alzheimer's Care Communities in Alaska

Alzheimer’s care in Alaska, which can also go by the terms dementia care, memory care units, or Alzheimer special care units, are facilities that are specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with forms of dementia. The limited number of memory care units exists in combination with other types of residential care in Alaska. Specially trained staff are needed to constantly monitor residents to prevent wandering, but with the lower population levels, staffing is sometimes hard to come by and beds remain empty even though there is demand. Alaska has about 17 communities and the median cost of Senior Memory Care is $4850.

Memory Care in Alaska - Cost Comparison

Location	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum
Anchorage	$500	$7,000
Palmer	$1,000	$6,740
Soldotna	$6,000	$6,500

Recreation and Attractions in Alaska

There are numerous places to go to and things to see in Alaska. Nature and state parks are some of the most beautiful attractions in AK. Kenai Fjords National Park, Prince William Sound, and Resurrection Bay are a popular option. There are also museums, golf, and tours available including Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and Tint Knowles Coastal Trail.

Alaska's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate and weather in Alaska depends on where you are in the state and the time of year. Most Alaskan memory care facilities are located near Anchorage, which is in the southern part of the state. On average, summers reach a high of 64 degrees and winters reach a high of 3 degrees. The state gets approximately 135 days of measurable precipitation, which comes in 30 inches of rain and 66 inches of snow annually.

Generally speaking, Alaska is a new state, so its culture is still evolving and developing. Most residents are from other states or a part of the native indigenous people. The Eskimo Kiss is a traditional greeting, which originated from the native people and involves pressing the nose and upper lip against the cheek.

Alaska's Memory Care Home Regulations and Laws

In Alaska, there are no specific Alzheimer’s unit requirements. Instead, the community must provide a safe environment and exit systems that either delays exit or includes an alarm. There must be enough care providers and other employees to meet the needs of the residents. A care provider must be on duty that has CPR and first aid training, and both administrators and care providers must complete continuing education annually.

Crime & Safety in Alaska

Alaska is ranked 37^th in overall safety according to 2015’s the Safest States to Live In. Crime in AK can be seen by laying out the number of occurrences of specific crimes per 100,000 residents.

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Juneau	5.83	26.91
Sitka	.67	28.65
Palmer	1.84	25.48

Payment Options for Dementia Care Homes in Alaska

Medicare, private long-term insurance, and out of pocket are the typical ways that dementia care can be paid for in AK. At this time, services can also be reimbursed through a tiered payment system for Medicaid. Although memory care usually isn't covered by insurance plans, it's important to look at all possible options. The average monthly cost of memory care in Alaska is $5,857.

Senior and Elderly Rights for Memory Care in Alaska

Residents of an Alzheimer’s care unit in Alaska or their legal guardian should have access to their medical records at any time. Relevant records are also available to the attending physician, other practitioners responsible for treatment, and/or the community's medical staff. The resident or legal guardian of a memory care community resident can give permission to others to review the records with a release.

Alaska Memory Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

In Alaska, patients have the right to ask about and refuse any type of treatment as long as they have the cognitive ability to reasonably do so. Mental health professionals may not withhold information from the patient or anyone the patient has assigned as agent or surrogate to receive the information. Often times with memory care, patients do not have the cognitive abilities to make those decisions for themselves. In that case, they may legally appoint someone, a power of attorney, to make the decisions for them.