Supporting Alaska’s Seniors: A Call to Action
The Alaska State Capitol in downtown Juneau. (iStock / Getty Images)
Alaska boasts the fastest-growing senior population in the United States, highlighting an urgent need for increased state support. Advocates are calling for a $3 million boost in senior community grants to ensure essential services like meals, transportation, and caregiver support remain available. Currently, many senior centers face funding shortages that have reduced meal program availability and increased waitlists. For countless seniors, these meals represent their only social interaction and daily nutrition.
Seventy-five percent of senior centers report critical staffing issues fueled by non-competitive wages, and a staggering 90% are grappling with funding challenges. Investing in community grants can help seniors stay in their homes for longer periods, a cost-effective alternative compared to Medicaid waivers, which are significantly more expensive.
The time is now for the Alaska Legislature and Governor Dunleavy to affirm the necessity of this funding increase. This request is not for expansion but to maintain existing services to accommodate a growing senior population. In the last year, over 22,000 seniors benefited from community grants—ten times more than any other state.
Marianne Mills, president of the Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network, along with other advocates, emphasize the need for Alaskans of all ages to voice their support to legislators. By investing in seniors, the state can save Medicaid funds and uphold community service levels. The Alaska Legislature must prioritize a $3 million increase in Senior Community Based Grants for FY2026 to continue providing vital support for Alaska’s seniors.
• The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News.
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