AARP Eye Center
En español | Caregiving may be one of the most important, and challenging, roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.
AARP developed this family caregiver guide with you, the caregiver, in mind and as a starting point to help you find the services and support you might need throughout your journey.
To order a print copy of this online guide, call the toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and indicate which state(s) you would like to receive. A copy will be mailed to you.
Caregiver Support
Alaska Department of Health
Offers aid for family caregivers through the state’s Division of Senior and Disabilities Services. Anchorage: 800-478-9996 or 907-269-3666; Juneau: 866-465-3165 or 907-465-3372; Fairbanks: 800-770-1672 or 907-451-5045.
Finances
Adult Public Assistance (800-478-7778)
Offers cash assistance to help Alaskans who are older, blind or have other disabilities to remain independent. Program also aids Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and others who have income and resources within APA income and resource limits. Recipients are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
Senior Benefits (800-478-7778)
State program offers monthly cash benefits to low- to moderate-income older adults, depending on income.
Legal
Adult Protective Services (800-478-9996 or 907-269-3666)
Investigates and provides information about allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) (888-478-2572)
Offers free civil legal services to older people, caregivers and low-income residents throughout Alaska. ALSC’s legal resources: AlaskaLawHelp.org
Disability Law Center of Alaska (800-478-1234 or 907-565-1002) Offers disability-related legal assistance to Alaska residents.
Health
Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska (907-561-3313)
Connects caregivers with information, caregiving classes, support groups, care coaching, baseline memory screenings and mini-grant funding.
Medicare Information Office and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (800-478-6065)
Provides free counseling for Medicare beneficiaries and their families to help them better understand and use their benefits.
Housing and Care Facilities
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (800-478-2432 or 907-338-6100)
Works to make sure older Alaskans have access to affordable and accessible homes and supportive services. Senior and Accessible Housing: ahfc.us/publichousing/rental-programs/seniordisabled-housing; Senior Support: ahfc.us/senior-support
Health Facilities Licensing & Certification (888-387-9387 or 907-334-2483)
Inspects health facilities across the state to determine whether they meet state and federal standards.
Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (800-730-6393 or 907-334-4480)
Identifies, investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of long-term care residents. The program offers information and assistance in obtaining needed services and coordinates efforts with service providers.
Residential Licensing (907-334-2492)
State agencies responsible for licensing and investigating assisted living homes in Alaska.
Information and Services
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) (855-565-2017)
Serves Alaskans, regardless of age or income level, through regional sites. ADRC specialists walk callers and visitors through long-term supports that fit their circumstances.
ADRC regional locations:
Anchorage: 907-343-7770 muni.org/adrc; Mat-Su Valley: 907- 373-3632 linksprc.org; Fairbanks North Star, Southeast Fairbanks, Yukon-Koyukuk, Denali and North Slope Borough: 907-452-2551 | adrcnorth.org; Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Valdez- Cordova: 907-262-6333 peninsulailc.org; Southeast Alaska: 888-487-1025 | sailinc.org; Western Alaska—Aleutian Islands, Lake and Peninsula, Bristol Bay, Dillingham, Bethel, Kusilvak, Nome and Northwest Arctic: 907-842-5257 | bbna.com
Alaska Department of Health, Senior and Disabilities Services
Anchorage: 800-478-9996 or 907-269-3666; Juneau: 866-465-3165 or 907-465-3372; Fairbanks: 800-770-1672 or 907-451-5045
Assistive Technology of Alaska (800-723-2852 or 907-563-2599)
Free and fee-based services help people explore, obtain and utilize the assistive technology they need to increase their independence.
Home and Community Based Waiver Programs (800-478-4996 or 907-269-3666)
Offers waiver programs for people with physical or intellectual disabilities who qualify for care from a nursing facility or an intermediate care facility so they can receive care in the home or community instead of in an institution.
Identity and SAGE Alaska
Identity and SAGE Alaska represent state’s LGBTQ communities through advocacy, education and connectivity.
Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance (907-334-5954)
Addresses financial exploitation of the state’s older residents.
Personal Care Services (907-269-8164)
Provides support related to daily living activities (i.e., bathing, dressing, eating) by older Alaskans and people with disabilities, as well as instrumental activities (i.e., shopping, laundry, light housework)
State Office of Veterans Affairs (888-248-3682 or 907-334-0874)
Primary advocate for Alaskan veterans strives to help them and their families improve their lives.
End of Life
Alaska End-of-Life Alliance
Offers education, advocacy, information, resources and support for people who are at the end of their lives or planning for their end- of-life wishes.
Palliative Care Alaska Network (206-657-6496)
Provides information about palliative and hospice care.