Memory Care in Alaska

More than 730,000 people call Alaska home and of those who live there, an estimated 12.5% are seniors aged 65 and older. Many of the state’s seniors live with memory and cognitive issues, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8,500 Alaskan seniors were living with Alzheimer’s as of 2020 and by 2025, that number is expected to increase 29.4% to 11,000. Unfortunately, 128 seniors died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2019, resulting in a 172.3% increase in deaths since 2000.

Seniors who prefer to stay out of the heat can appreciate the mild summers and chilly winters in Alaska. The state’s average summer high is just 64 degrees, while a January low of 3 degrees and 74 inches of snow are the norm in the state. Alaska has an above-average number of physicians, as well as above-average water and air quality indexes. When it comes to the cost of living in Alaska, seniors can expect to pay a little more than in the average U.S. state. The overall cost of living is more than 25% above the U.S. average. Memory care in Alaska costs an average of $8,538 per month.

Memory care can either be offered on its own in a community designed especially for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, or more often, it’s provided as a service in a separate wing of an assisted living facility. Memory care programs are designed specifically for those with memory impairment, and the facilities often coordinate social activities and schedules specifically for the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

In this guide, readers can find a comprehensive overview of the average cost of memory care in Alaska and throughout other U.S. states. Additionally, this guide compares the cost of memory care with those of other types of care throughout the state and provides information about financial help, state regulations and local resources for seniors who are living with memory loss.

Note: The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey is seen as the most authoritative source detailing the cost of long-term care for seniors throughout the U.S., however, it doesn’t provide data about memory care costs. Because memory care generally costs between 20-30% more than assisted living, we’ve increased the assisted living costs provided by the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey by 25% to estimate memory care costs throughout this guide.

The average cost of memory care in Alaska is high when compared with other northern and off-shore U.S. states. At $8,538 per month, its monthly average cost is much higher than in Washington ($7,500), Montana ($5,563) or Hawaii ($6,719).

Throughout Alaska, Fairbanks features the most expensive monthly average memory care cost at $9,063 per month, with Anchorage coming in at just over $500 less at $8,456 per month. Further south in Seattle, Washington, seniors can expect to pay about the same at $8,438 per month, while in Billings, Montana ($5,705) and Honolulu, Hawaii ($6,719), memory care costs considerably less.

It’s important to remember that there are options outside of memory care for seniors who don’t deal with severe memory loss. That includes adult day health care, which costs an average of $1,562 per month, or home care and home health care, which cost an average of $5,720 per month. Those who require residential care without the additional focus on memory and cognitive skills can consider assisted living, which costs an average of $6,830 per month, or nursing home care, which is much more expensive at $31,512 monthly.

Note: For the purposes of this guide, when we say “Memory Care” we are referring to memory care provided in a “social setting,” such as an Assisted Living Facility. This is the most common way to receive Memory Care and is the best fit for all but the frailest seniors. Sometimes the actual service of memory care can be provided in a Nursing Home (“medical setting”), so the financial assistance options will be very different. To learn more about the financial assistance options available for memory care provided in a nursing home, read our guide to Nursing Home Care in Alaska.

Alaska’s Medicaid program doesn’t provide direct coverage for memory care. However, some services may be paid for under Home and Community-Based Services waivers (HCBS).

The Alaskans Living Independently Waiver covers all age groups from 21 years and older, but the services delivered vary based on need (such as disability). For adults aged 65+ it can pay for care services in an assisted living facility providing memory care services, but it can’t pay room and board costs. The Personal Care Services Program provides two options for care. The first is handing care services directly to an agency, which handles all aspects, and the second is allowing the senior and their family to self-direct care, which means they hire, fire and direct their personally chosen care providers.

Alaskans Living Independently Waiver

This HCBS waiver is open to seniors aged 65 and older, as well as those aged 21 through 64 who are living with a physical disability. It provides coordination of care services, as well as respite care, specialized medical equipment and personal care. While the program is designed to help seniors live independently, the services this waiver provides can be provided to those who reside in long-term care facilities.

To qualify for this program, seniors must meet age requirements and they must require a nursing level of care. Additionally, there are asset and income requirements that seniors must meet to be eligible for this program. As of 2022, seniors must have no more than $2,000 in assets, excluding the value of their home and other non-countable effects, and their income can’t exceed $2,382 per month. 

To apply, seniors can contact the Division of Senior & Disabilities Services at (800) 478-9996.

Personal Care Services Program

The Personal Care Services Program pays for support to aid the senior’s activities of daily living (ADL), which typically means assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting and general personal care. There are two options open to successful applicants. They can choose to have a professional agency handle every aspect of their care, or take on the role themselves with support and guidance from the Senior and Disabilities Services Division of the Alaska Department of Health.

To qualify for the program, the applicant must have a recognized disability. Although memory loss doesn’t fall within this category, seniors experiencing cognitive decline who also have a recognized disability may be eligible.

Private agencies handle the application process. To get more information and get the contact details of a local agency, call (907) 269-3453.

To apply for Medicaid in Alaska, residents can contact their local office of the Seniors and Disabilities Services Division of the Alaska Department of Health. Alternatively, they can contact their local Aging and Disability Resource Center or sign in at MyAlaska, click on “ARIES – Public Assistance” under the “Services for Individuals” heading.

What Information You Will Need

You will be asked for certain key pieces of information and evidence, so it’s prudent to have these ready before you start your application to avoid potential delays. They include:

• Birth certificate
• Social Security number
• Proof of income
• Proof of your Alaskan address
• Proof of legal U.S. residency (such as a passport or permanent residency documents)
• Previous 60 months of bank statements
• Insurance policies for all members of the household
• Title deeds of properties owned