Alaska Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Alaska

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are not widely available in Alaska, but they represent a possibility, in case you are willing to relocate. In the paragraphs below, we will discuss a few general facts on CCRCs, as well as other suitable living choices for a stress-free future. With your "golden years" just around the corner, it makes sense to consider different living options for seniors and plan accordingly.

The chief advantage that a CCRC offers is the possibility to live independently, as part of a senior living community and with immediate access to several helpful services. Seniors can benefit from these services, which include personal assistance and medical care, whenever they need them. Retirees also have the option of transitioning to a level which includes more assistance upon aging. Levels of care range from independent living to assisted living and nursing care.

Each CCRC has specific admittance guidelines, starting with a certain level of financial independence. Seniors must prove they can cover existent fees, including the entrance fee, which can be quite high. More often than not, they require candidates to present a fit state of health, with little or no medical concerns. Candidates with specific healthcare needs are accepted, but the overall costs might be higher.

Senior living options in the state of Alaska include retirement communities, assisted living centers and memory care centers. These are located in cities such as Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau, allowing seniors to transition to new levels of care over time. This is a significant advantage, as one is not forced to leave the community in which he or she has spent a considerable amount of time adjusting.

CCRC financing and costs?

Within the state of Alaska, there are over 600 senior care providers, retirement communities included. The average cost of moving into a retirement community is $36,000 per year, with monthly costs varying between $1,800 and $4,125. By comparison, the nationwide average cost of living in a senior living facility is around $1,900 per month.

We find the most expensive retirement communities in the Fairbanks metro area. The annual cost of living in such a community is around $47,000, with monthly fees varying between $2,300 and $4,400. Anchorage has the most affordable living options for seniors, with an annual cost of $36,000. The monthly fees can start from as low as $400 and reach over $4,500.

With assisted living costs, the fees are quite high. The average monthly cost can be around $6,000 per month, as opposed to the nationwide average, which varies between $2,500 and $4,000. Most assisted living facilities are in Anchorage. There are also memory care centers, recommended for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The annual costs vary around $95,000, with monthly prices between $4,900 and $10,000. These prices are considerably higher than the national average, which is around $5,000 per month.

What services are offered by CCRCs in Alaska?

Whether you choose a CCRC in a different state or prefer a retirement community in Alaska, you might benefit from similar services. Depending on their current health status, seniors who live in the state of Alaska can choose between independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Some retirement communities in AK also offer nursing care and rehabilitation, to the purpose of ensuring the best possible quality of life.

Before being admitted into a retirement community, an assessment is performed. This is necessary to determine not only the financial eligibility but also the current health status, and how independent a senior actually is. As the main purpose is to ensure an independent, comfortable life, one can begin with the independent living level and move on to the next as his/her health needs change.

The need for transitioning into a new level of care is assessed on a regular basis. Specialists within the retirement community will analyze both medical and personal assistance needs, offering guidance on the necessary transition. It is worth mentioning that these transitions can be temporary or permanent, the latter being a suitable choice for someone who has complex medical needs, or can no longer handle the challenges of independent living.

What does life in a retirement community in Alaska have to offer?

Both CCRCs and retirement communities in the state of Alaska offer a wide range of living options to their residents. There are senior living apartments reserved for single individuals, as well as separate ones for couples. Aside from medical care, a resident will benefit from assistance with daily living activities. The staff can handle housekeeping chores and laundry, allowing the senior resident to live a comfortable life.

Amenities in retirement communities in the state of Alaska can differ from one retirement community to the other. As it was mentioned above, the most expensive retirement communities can be found in Fairbanks. These often offer a wide range of amenities, including modern fitness centers, swimming pools, and movie theaters. Residents eat gourmet meals prepared by professional chefs, take part in social events, and practice different sports, such as tennis or golf.

However, even the more affordable retirement communities offer attractive amenities; some organize religious services and group events, while others allow people to live with their pets. Some communities have developed to include specific amenities for people who require memory care, such as learning centers or memory gardens.

Should I move to a retirement community?

Inevitably, there will come a point in your life when you will have to consider this question. These are some pros and cons that might help you decide.

Pros of moving into a senior living community in Alaska:

Live as part of a community

Immediate access to medical care and personal assistance

Possibility to transition into a new level of care when needed

Different living options & wide range of amenities

Ample opportunities for socialization

Cons of moving into a retirement community in Alaska:

Both CCRCs and retirement communities can be expensive

Some senior living communities in Alaska have strict eligibility criteria

People with complex health needs or chronic conditions might not be accepted

Might not adjust to life in such a community

Lack of age diversity might be frustrating

In the future, it has been said that Alaska will need CCRCs and additional retirement communities, as the state has the fastest growing population in the country. Efforts will also be made to develop a specific CCRC regulation for Alaska.