Agency lightens burdens of Alzheimer’s care

The number of Alaska seniors affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias is expected to nearly double by 2030. That puts the state among the top five highest percentage increases in the country. According to a study conducted by the Alaska Commission on Aging in 2019, that will leave close to 24,000 older adults in need of support and services to combat the effects of the degenerative brain disease.

Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska has been at the forefront of the fight against dementias for decades. Founded in 1984 by two sisters who were caring for a loved one, the organization has since grown its capacity and infrastructure to serve Alaskans statewide.

With staffed offices in the Mat-Su, Anchorage, and Fairbanks, the not-for-profit ARA works to ensure quality of life for Alaskans affected by Alzheimer’s, related dementias, and other disabilities, according to Lisa Sauder, ARA’s executive director.

“We are dedicated to providing education and supportive services so our elders can live safely in their own homes, with proper support, for as long as possible.”

To help fulfill that mission, a recent $15,000 grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation will support modernization and long-term sustainability of the Mat-Su office. In addition to office improvements and technology upgrades, education and support programs critical for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and related diseases will also be enhanced.

Care coordination, a critical element of ARA’s operation, will benefit from the grant, too. Whether for dementia patients, frail elders, or persons of any age with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, care coordination helps individuals, families, and caregivers navigate the often complex maze of available services with the goal of safe living, as independently as possible.

“This grant from MSHF will help in so many ways,” Sauder said. “From training staff and modernizing our systems, to creating a more welcoming environment in our office, these funds will directly benefit Mat-Su residents impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.”

The health foundation has been a regular supporter of ARA, granting $230,000 to the program in recent years. As part owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the health foundation has been investing its share of profits in the community since 2008, while continuing to do its part to ensure that the medical center meets the needs of a growing Mat-Su population. The scholarships, programs, and grants funded over the years by the health foundation have totaled in excess of $106 million, all with the goal of improving community health.

Sauder said Alzheimer’s Resources of Alaska has benefited greatly from its collaboration with the health foundation. Working together, they have elevated the health and wellness of Alaskans.

“The Mat-Su Health Foundation’s vision of a community where all persons have the opportunity for a healthy life aligns perfectly with our mission of improving quality of life for all who are touched by Alzheimer’s and related diseases” she said. “We value their partnership and are grateful for their support.”