Local Resources in Anchorage: Getting the Best out of Life while Caring for a Senior or Disabled Loved One

Anchorage is the largest city in the state and the gateway to the Alaskan wilderness, being a beautiful area to call home with a diverse population of around 290,000 people that is made up of both residents and visitors. For individuals who are aging or disabled, there are unique challenges and benefits to face while living in Anchorage, whether it means struggling to make ends meet or considering new ways to remain mobile in such a vibrant culture.

We at Harmar understand the many difficulties associated with being a caregiver for such amazing people, whether you are employed by a certain individual or facility or you are a family member seeking to improve your loved one’s quality of life. To that end, we have put together a list of ten resources to assist you and the person that you regularly care for, with the hope that it will bring inspiration and resolve to enjoy life to the fullest every single day.

Ten Local Resources for Seniors and Disabled People

1. Access Alaska: https://www.accessalaska.org/. Focused on opening doors for independence, this organization promotes the total integration of people who face disabilities and aging into the community of their choice. By offering information, peer support, advocacy, life skills training, and more, Access Alaska encourages every individual to live independently to the best of their ability.
2. Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): https://www.muni.org/Departments/health/PHIP/ADRC/Pages/default.aspx. As part of the Anchorage Division of the Department of Health, this center advertises itself as a one-stop resource center to find programs that are available to assist within your community. Trained and certified resource specialists are regularly available to answer questions and provide recommendations for a wide variety of local organizations and agencies that will provide the help that you need.
3. Anchorage Senior Activity Center: https://www.anchorageseniorcenter.org/. This is an exciting organization that welcomes seniors to regularly meet together and enjoy a variety of entertainment and educational opportunities. Annual membership provides access to all programs and activities, in addition to other benefits including legal assistance and life recommendations.
4. Catholic Social Services: https://www.cssalaska.org/. This non-profit organization serves Anchorage’s most vulnerable population by providing the help and support that is needed, particularly by offering food, shelter, counseling, case management, and more. The ultimate goal is to provide stability and hope for every person’s life when they are struggling.
5. Disability Law Center of Alaska: https://www.dlcak.org/. This center is an independent and non-profit law firm that provides legal advocacy for people with disabilities throughout the entire state. Some of the areas that they focus on include Medicaid appeals, special education access, and social security applications.
6. Division of Senior and Disabilities Services: https://health.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/default.aspx. A part of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the mission of this division is to promote the health, well-being, and safety of all people with disabilities, senior citizens, and other vulnerable adults by facilitating access to quality services that foster independence, personal choice, and dignity. The agency’s resource center provides a variety of helpful information, including ways to connect with key services like Medicaid, Medicare, and food stamps.
7. Northwest ADA Center: https://nwadacenter.org/. Following the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization was founded to provide information, training, and guidance within each sector of the USA. For this northwest region, staff are happy to assist with finding training, healthcare, legal services, and other critical elements to improve your quality of life.
8. Senior and Accessible Housing: https://www.ahfc.us/publichousing/rental-programs/seniordisabled-housing. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is a public corporation that provides affordable housing to seniors and disabled people. A variety of housing options are available, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes, and their staff also offers helpful resources and tips for both homeowners and caretakers.
9. Statewide Independent Living Council of Alaska (SILC): https://www.alaskasilc.org/. SILC has a mission to help Alaskans who face disabilities by providing them with numerous resources that will allow them to live independently. They work with key partners to increase every person’s accessibility wherever they seek to be involved and are committed to promoting a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and advocacy.
10. United Way of Anchorage: https://liveunitedanc.org/. This nonprofit organization assists people of all ages by encouraging residents to work together within the community and support those who truly require help. The Anchorage Center regularly hosts a variety of volunteer opportunities, including tutoring, mentoring, and fundraising. There is a 211 helpline to connect callers with specific resources as well as a special focus to assist seniors, disabled people, and their caregivers.

Contact a Dealer Today!

Whether you are a long-time caregiver in Alaska or completely new to the Anchorage area, we at Harmar are happy to connect with you and offer you additional input on how to make life easier and safer for the aging or disabled person that you look after. Take a look at our website and our local dealer will be expecting your call! https://www.harmar.com/ Harmar: We lift lives.