Located on Cook Inlet in southern Alaska, Anchorage is the largest city in the state. More than 40% of Alaskans — an estimated 288,000 people — call Anchorage home, and the sprawling municipality covers 1,961 square miles. Nearly one in eight residents are 65 or older. Anchorage offers a robust public transit system, good air quality and tax policies that benefit retirees. Active seniors will particularly appreciate the area’s beautiful wilderness areas and many opportunities to get close to nature.
Anchorage’s assisted living facilities offer support to seniors who need help with personal care, transportation and other day-to-day activities. This type of care may be ideal for seniors who can no longer live independently at home but who don’t need the high level of care provided by nursing homes. In Anchorage, assisted living care costs an average of $6,045 per month, according to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. This is high compared to national figures, but lower than the Alaska average of $6,633 per month.
This guide provides an overview of assisted living in Anchorage, including local senior care costs and the pros and cons of retiring in the city.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Anchorage, AK
Situated near Campbell Lake and other parks, Atlas Home Care Assisted Living Home is a senior living provider in Anchorage, Alaska. With a resident capacity of five, this assisted living home offers t
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Situated near Campbell Lake and other parks, Atlas Home Care Assisted Living Home is a senior living provider in Anchorage, Alaska. With a resident capacity of five, this assisted living home offers the attention that residents need from a team of dedicated caregivers. Residents and visitors have commented on the exceptional level of care given by staff and have noted on the quality of the meals provided. Offering daytime activities, such as taking residents for walks around the scenic grounds, the facility allows residents to feel at home in a warm and welcoming environment.
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Situated near Campbell Lake and other parks, Atlas Home Care Assisted Living Home is a senior living provider in Anchorage, Alaska. With a resident capacity of five, this assisted living home offers t
… (read more)
Situated near Campbell Lake and other parks, Atlas Home Care Assisted Living Home is a senior living provider in Anchorage, Alaska. With a resident capacity of five, this assisted living home offers the attention that residents need from a team of dedicated caregivers. Residents and visitors have commented on the exceptional level of care given by staff and have noted on the quality of the meals provided. Offering daytime activities, such as taking residents for walks around the scenic grounds, the facility allows residents to feel at home in a warm and welcoming environment.
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Anchorage Pioneer Home is an assisted living facility conveniently located near the Glenn Highway in Anchorage, Alaska, and provides three levels of care for 168 residents. Guests often comment that t
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Anchorage Pioneer Home is an assisted living facility conveniently located near the Glenn Highway in Anchorage, Alaska, and provides three levels of care for 168 residents. Guests often comment that they feel good about their loved ones living in the Anchorage Pioneer Home because of the dedicated attitude of the caring, competent staff who always seem ready to lend a helping hand. Residents frequently praise the facility’s well-maintained and clean environment as well as the lovely garden. The well-appointed library, that contains a number of inspirational books, also receives high praise.
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Anchorage Pioneer Home is an assisted living facility conveniently located near the Glenn Highway in Anchorage, Alaska, and provides three levels of care for 168 residents. Guests often comment that t
… (read more)
Anchorage Pioneer Home is an assisted living facility conveniently located near the Glenn Highway in Anchorage, Alaska, and provides three levels of care for 168 residents. Guests often comment that they feel good about their loved ones living in the Anchorage Pioneer Home because of the dedicated attitude of the caring, competent staff who always seem ready to lend a helping hand. Residents frequently praise the facility’s well-maintained and clean environment as well as the lovely garden. The well-appointed library, that contains a number of inspirational books, also receives high praise.
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Providence Horizon House in Anchorage, Alaska is an assisted living facility situated close to medical offices and across the road from Folker Park, an intergenerational health and healing park with w
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Providence Horizon House in Anchorage, Alaska is an assisted living facility situated close to medical offices and across the road from Folker Park, an intergenerational health and healing park with walking and fitness paths. Some pets are welcome to live with seniors in the apartment-style residences here, which includes two cottages for those with memory disorders. Caregivers provide 24-hour assistance with daily living activities, which can include medication assistance and oversight. Three tasty meals a day are served in a cheerful dining area, and activities range from bingo to poetry readings, keeping seniors engaged and active.
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Providence Horizon House in Anchorage, Alaska is an assisted living facility situated close to medical offices and across the road from Folker Park, an intergenerational health and healing park with w
… (read more)
Providence Horizon House in Anchorage, Alaska is an assisted living facility situated close to medical offices and across the road from Folker Park, an intergenerational health and healing park with walking and fitness paths. Some pets are welcome to live with seniors in the apartment-style residences here, which includes two cottages for those with memory disorders. Caregivers provide 24-hour assistance with daily living activities, which can include medication assistance and oversight. Three tasty meals a day are served in a cheerful dining area, and activities range from bingo to poetry readings, keeping seniors engaged and active.
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Golden Hearts, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska, offers assisted living facilities to seniors and others who require care and supportive services. Set within a residential neighborhood, this community living
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Golden Hearts, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska, offers assisted living facilities to seniors and others who require care and supportive services. Set within a residential neighborhood, this community living space is situated between picturesque DeLong and Connors Lakes yet is convenient to Anchorage International Airport. The caregivers at Golden Hearts, Inc. ensure the health and safety of residents while providing many opportunities for fun activities. Staff members help residents lead a balanced, healthy lifestyle, with assistance provided for daily living tasks in a homey, family-like environment.
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Golden Hearts, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska, offers assisted living facilities to seniors and others who require care and supportive services. Set within a residential neighborhood, this community living
… (read more)
Golden Hearts, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska, offers assisted living facilities to seniors and others who require care and supportive services. Set within a residential neighborhood, this community living space is situated between picturesque DeLong and Connors Lakes yet is convenient to Anchorage International Airport. The caregivers at Golden Hearts, Inc. ensure the health and safety of residents while providing many opportunities for fun activities. Staff members help residents lead a balanced, healthy lifestyle, with assistance provided for daily living tasks in a homey, family-like environment.
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I have toured the Primrose Retirement Community of Wasilla. It seems very attractive and very inviting, I liked it a lot. The staff I met there was great. They were accommodating and very helpful. The
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I have toured the Primrose Retirement Community of Wasilla. It seems very attractive and very inviting, I liked it a lot. The staff I met there was great. They were accommodating and very helpful. The room was not spacious, but it was large enough to accommodate a queen-sized bed. It was bright, cheerful, very clean, and it was attractive. I didn’t try the food but it looked very inviting. They had an ice cream parlor, a game room, they have a TV room, a beauty parlor, a restaurant or cafeteria, and there’s a social area. The upkeep is very good.
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I have toured the Primrose Retirement Community of Wasilla. It seems very attractive and very inviting, I liked it a lot. The staff I met there was great. They were accommodating and very helpful. The
… (read more)
I have toured the Primrose Retirement Community of Wasilla. It seems very attractive and very inviting, I liked it a lot. The staff I met there was great. They were accommodating and very helpful. The room was not spacious, but it was large enough to accommodate a queen-sized bed. It was bright, cheerful, very clean, and it was attractive. I didn’t try the food but it looked very inviting. They had an ice cream parlor, a game room, they have a TV room, a beauty parlor, a restaurant or cafeteria, and there’s a social area. The upkeep is very good.
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Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Anchorage
The Residential Licensing Section of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services oversees the state’s assisted living facilities. All licensed Anchorage-area facilities must comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Anchorage
Retiring in Anchorage comes with significant tax benefits. Alaska has no state income tax, so seniors can keep more of their hard-earned money. It’s also one of the few states with no sales tax. While some cities have a local sales tax, Anchorage does not. Tax-free shopping helps seniors stretch their budgets.
The Municipality of Anchorage’s Public Transportation Department makes it easy for seniors to get around the city. It operates more than a dozen People Mover bus routes, and seniors receive half-price fares. It also runs the accessible AnchorRIDES service, which helps seniors travel to pharmacies and medical appointments.
With a violent crime rate of 12.4 per 1,000 residents, Anchorage was ranked among the nation’s 100 most dangerous cities by NeighborhoodScout. To ensure seniors are safe and protected, assisted living facilities may offer a number of security measures, ranging from electronic access systems to 24-hour video surveillance.
Older Alaskans with asthma or other respiratory conditions may flock to the Anchorage area for its very good air quality. According to American Lung Association rankings, it’s one of the nation’s 25 least-polluted cities by year-round particle pollution levels. Fairbanks, on the other hand, is ranked among America’s most-polluted cities.
Due to its remote location, Alaska is one of the most expensive states in the nation. However, Anchorage’s overall cost of living is about 2% lower than the Alaska norm, and compared to statewide prices, seniors may notice lower-than-average costs for groceries and health care. The annual Permanent Fund Dividend that most Alaskans receive can help balance out these high costs.
With its nearby wilderness areas and beautiful mountain views, the Anchorage area is a nature lovers’ paradise. Seniors can watch for whales at Beluga Point or admire the brown bears, wolves and wood bison at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Other fun things to do include day cruises and railroad tours.
Paying for Assisted Living in Anchorage
In its 2020 Cost of Care Survey, Genworth reported that assisted living care in Anchorage costs an average of $6,045 per month. This is lower than the statewide average of $6,633 per month, but far higher than the U.S. norm of $4,300 per month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Seniors in the Anchorage area pay an average of $6,045 per month for assisted living care. This is nearly $600 less than the Alaska norm, and about $1,200 less than the $7,250 per month paid by seniors in Fairbanks. Care cost data for other Alaskan cities, including state capital Juneau, is not available.
$6045
Anchorage
$6633
Alaska
$4300
The United States
$7250
Fairbanks
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Anchorage-area seniors may choose to receive care services in their homes. For an average of $5,434 per month, homemaker services offer help with housekeeping and other day-to-day tasks. Seniors who require basic medical care from a home health aide pay an average of $5,533 monthly. The weekday supervision provided at adult day health care facilities is a more affordable option at $1,915 per month. Seniors who need the extensive care provided by nursing homes pay extraordinarily high prices in Anchorage — more than $1,000 per day.
$5434
Homemaker Services
$5533
Home Health Aide
$1915
Adult Day Health Care
$6045
Assisted Living Facility
$31664
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$31664
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Anchorage
Anchorage seniors may qualify for financial assistance to help pay for assisted living. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has a Senior Benefits Program for residents 65 and older. In addition, Alaska residents receive an annual dividend payment that can be used however they choose.
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
Veterans Benefits
Life Insurance Policy
Long-Term Care Insurance
Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Alaska page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Anchorage
Anchorage-area seniors who live in or are planning to move to an assisted living facility have access to many local resources. Government agencies and nonprofit organizations can connect seniors with financial assistance, benefits counseling, legal services and much more.
The Alaska Commission on Aging is a division of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. It provides a wide variety of information and supports to older Alaskans. Seniors can contact this resource for help accessing Alaska Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services waivers. The Medicare Information Office offers individualized counseling to help seniors make informed coverage choices.
The Alaska Long-Term Care Ombudsman works to protect the rights of seniors who live in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. It educates seniors about their rights under state and federal law. The organization’s volunteers investigate complaints from seniors and work with facilities to resolve issues.
The Alaska Legal Services Corporation is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services statewide. Its Elder Law Project offers an array of services for Alaskans who are 60 or older. Seniors can get help with the Alaska Senior Assistance Program, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and many other programs. While the organization isn’t able to help every eligible applicant, seniors can take advantage of its free in-person legal clinics and self-help resources.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Anchorage
Anchorage-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Alaska are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Alaska page for more information about these laws.
This place used to be highly recommend but with budget cuts and poor leadership it has turned into a madhouse. They have short staffing, limited activities and dangerously aggressive people through...
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Review of Atlas Home Care Assisted Living Home
Atlas Home Care is pretty good. It's very clean and they have four clients with three caregivers, plus two extras if needed. The dining area is very clean. The staff is very nice and if there are a...
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Review of Providence Horizon House
We chose Horizon House primarily because they would allow my mother in law to have her cat. The staff was great with her. We tried the food, and it was very good. She has a studio with a bathroom a...
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