Golden years in the Valley

MAT-SU -- "Our goal is to help keep senior citizens living independently as long as possible."

Rachel Westbrook, office manager for Palmer Senior Citizen's Center Inc., spoke for her own organization on Wednesday, but she could have been speaking just as easily for every worker and volunteer in the extensive network of agencies providing services to senior citizens in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

Mat-Su boasts senior centers in Palmer, Wasilla and Houston that serve daily meals and provide housing facilities for seniors, as well as centers in Willow and Talkeetna whose volunteers provide weekly meals and other services.

Independent housing for seniors is available through the three centers, while a network of private residential facilities provides assisted living housing. The Palmer Pioneers' Home provides assisted living and enhanced assisted living for eligible seniors over 65 who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia-related diseases.

The dedication of the people working in these programs is reflected in their voices and faces as they talk about their work. They love their jobs, their clients and housing residents, and their greatest concerns are that they may not be able to keep up with the increasing needs for their services.

Their dedication is reflected as well by their longevity in their jobs. Both the Palmer and Wasilla Centers have numerous employees who have been employed in senior services for more than 10 years, and Elsie O'Bryan of the Mid-Valley Senior Center estimates that she has spent a total of about 16 years with the center.

Mid-Valley Seniors Inc.

"Preserving Senior Pride," is the motto emblazoned on the Mid-Valley Seniors' January 2003 newsletter.

Their cooks are one of the things the Mid-Valley Seniors are proudest of, according to Board of Directors Vice President Clifford Darnell.

"We have the best food around," he said Thursday night as the delicious smells of the evening meal wafted out of chief cook Rosemary Tomerlin's kitchen.

Mid-Valley Senior Center and housing complex is located on 11975 W. Mid-Valley Way in Houston, reachable from Mile 53.5 Parks Highway, or Mile 1.5 Big Lake Road, and follow the signs.

According to O'Bryan, project director and housing manager for Mid-Valley, services at the center for eligible seniors include: daily evening meals during the week at the center; home delivered meals to those unable to get to the center; heavy chore services; preventive health services to include weekly blood pressure screening, annual flu shots and an annual health fair; and social activities.

Low-income independent senior housing at Mid-Valley Manor and Cranberry Ridge offer five units apiece, co-located with the Senior Center itself.

For questions, people can call 892-6114, or for housing inquiries, 892-6110.

Palmer Senior Citizen's Center Inc.

The Palmer Senior Citizen's Center, located at 831 South Chugach Street in Palmer, is a virtual cornucopia of senior services provided by a paid staff of about 80 and a bevy of volunteer workers who believe in what they are doing.

"A lot of us are here because we have a heart for this, and that's why we are doing it," said Kathy Ashmore Roberts on Thursday.

Roberts supervises the Care Coordination Program for the Palmer Center, just one of 10 major programs operated by the center.

According to information provided by Westbrook, these include: congregate meals provided during the week at midday in the center's dining room; home delivered meals for eligible seniors in the Palmer area; transportation for Palmer area seniors to and from medical appointments in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, the senior center and shopping; and transportation for Adult Day Services from other areas in the Valley.

Adult Day Services also provides a safe, warm environment for socialization and activities for eligible Valley adults who are physically unable to get out on their own or are at risk of being left alone while a family member or caregiver is away. These could include the elderly or individuals of any age who suffer from Alzheimer's or related disorders to socialize and participate in activities, or who are not physically able to get out on their own.

The Care Coordination Program assists eligible physically or emotionally frail seniors and disabled adults to obtain the services they need to maintain an independent, healthy lifestyle and avoid institutionalization. The level of services needed is determined through the state Division of Senior Services, and local care coordinators assist clients in obtaining the services, then in monitoring to make sure the services meet the clients' needs. People can get information about how to apply for the Medicaid Waiver CHOICES program and initiate the process by calling the center.

Other services available at the center include the Mental Health Services for the Elderly Program (MADTS) which assists eligible seniors by identifying and assessing their needs and helping them to deal with seasonal affective disorder, death of a loved one, loss of functional abilities, or other difficulties.

The Employment Assistance-Older Worker Specialist helps eligible seniors to develop employable skills, and advocates with local businesses to hire older workers.

The Information and Referral program, also available through Palmer Senior Center, provides accurate and comprehensive information on community services including, but not limited to, assisting individuals with social security, rental assistance applications, energy assistance, weatherization, Medicare/Medicaid, power of attorney, living wills and permanent fund applications, as well as an equipment loan program, a notary service, and when necessary, advocacy for those who need assistance.

The Chore Service program assists Medicaid Waiver eligible individuals to maintain their home in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition.

The Colony Estates Senior Housing program is a 24-unit independent senior housing facility for seniors 60 and over. Other activities include pinochle, bridge games, exercise classes, bingo, tours, bible study, computer classes, billiards games, etc. Westbrook said volunteers in a wide variety of capacities are essential for the program to succeed. Individuals interested in participating in the Palmer program as volunteers, or anyone who would like more information about any of the programs can call the center at 745-5454. The Palmer Senior Center is located at 831 S. Chugach Street, in Palmer.

Palmer Pioneers' Home

"Our primary mission at the Palmer Pioneers' Home is to nurture and enhance the human spirit," said Phyllis McIntosh, care coordinator for the Palmer Pioneers' home. She said that addressing a resident's medical needs is an important, but secondary, focus for her staff and facility, located at 250 E. Fireweed in Palmer.

According to McIntosh, the Pioneers' Home provides assisted living and enhanced assisted living for up to 82 residents 65 and older who have resided continuously in Alaska for one year, and/or who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia-related diseases.

Individuals or families who wish to apply for the Pioneers' Home must go through a centralized application process in order to be placed on the waiting list for available beds. McIntosh said interested people should call the Pioneers' number in Juneau, at 465-4416, for general information about application.

McIntosh emphasized that their goal is to provide as homelike an atmosphere as possible, including plants, animals and music, and striving for residents to maintain as normal a schedule as their medical conditions permit. She invites community members to participate in making the homelike atmosphere by volunteering with activities, exercise classes, newspaper reading, manicures, bingo, visiting and other services. People interested in volunteering should call the home's main number at 745-4241 and select the activities director choice from the menu.

McIntosh sees a growing need in the Valley for additional senior housing, as well as a need for medical transportation for seniors who are not mobile enough to be transported in a wheelchair, but must lie down for transport.

Upper Susitna Senior Center

After more than five years of work, members of the Upper Susitna Seniors in July, 2002 realized their dream when the USSI Senior and Civic Center was officially opened.

The 5,600 square foot building with its spacious kitchen, multi-purpose room with stage, office area, storage and restrooms replaced a much smaller, dilapidated building nearby. The center, located just off Mile 98.5 Parks Hwy., was a long time in the making, according to organizers, but due to the perseverance of many, seniors in the upper Susitna area now have a new home for their meetings, luncheons and activities -- but most especially a place to share friendship. The listed services at the center include meals at the center on Tuesdays at lunch and classes and crafts. The center can be contacted for information on Tuesdays at 733-9928.

Wasilla Area Seniors Inc.

"'When you're finished changing, you're finished.' I don't know who said it, but I've always liked that quotation," said Tim Anderson, executive director of Wasilla Area Seniors Inc., of the photocopied quote taped to his WASI office door.

Change is a way of life for Anderson, who also serves as the mayor of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. He has been with WASI for 10 years, during which time he has seen major increases in the program and the populations it serves.

According to Anderson, there are currently 140 independent housing units for seniors on the Wasilla campus located just off Knik-Goose Bay Road near Wasilla, with plans to expand the campus to include assisted living and ultimately extended care facilities.

The buildings on the campus are connected by a system of covered, lighted, ice-free walkways so residents can move freely and safely about the campus regardless of weather conditions.

Besides housing, WASI offers daily hot meals at midday during the week in their large dining room, with delivery of meals for those seniors in the Wasilla area who cannot come to the center for meals.

According to literature provided at the center, other services include transportation services to bring seniors to the center for meals, as well as to take them to medical appointments both in the Valley and, on a monthly basis, to Anchorage. There are also shopping excursions.

Activities including cribbage, pinochle, craft classes, painting classes, exercise classes, quilting bees, bingo, billiards, computers, blood pressure testing and a market day for crafters to bring their wares.

For additional information, call 376-3104.

In Willow, the senior center center offers services such as meals on Wednesdays at lunch and various classes and crafts. For information, call 495-6393.

The Valley's golden agers

Even though most Valley residents know the population in Mat-Su is growing exponentially, many do not realize the senior population is growing even faster.

According to the Alaska Economic Trends Magazine for January 2003, the 2000 Census revealed the median age for the Valley population was 34.1 in 2000, two full years older than the state's median age and 3.3 years older than the Valley's median age in 1990.

Additionally, the Census revealed the Valley has a .2 percent greater population than the state as a whole in both the 55- to 64-year-old age group and those aged 65 and older.

But in the 35 to 54 age group that contains many of the Baby Boom generation, Valley population exceeds that of the state by a full 2.1 percent

"When today's Social Security System was established, the population was a triangle with the older people at the top supported by a wider base of wage-earners at the bottom," said Richard Tubbs, executive director of Palmer Senior Citizens' Center Inc., on Wednesday.

"As Baby Boomers age nationwide, the triangle is shifting, and we have to plan at all levels now to assure that services keep up with demand," Tubbs said.

That concern was echoed by many in the network of services dedicated to helping Valley seniors enjoy healthy, productive and independent lives in their golden years.

"I often get calls from residents who are bringing their parents up from the Lower 48 and want to try and line up services for them," said Jean Fetherston, information referral specialist for the Palmer center.

Fetherston said her callers tell her that one of the biggest problems faced by seniors, especially those new to the Valley, is that of health care.

She hears daily from people who say the Valley has a shortage of providers willing to accept new Medicare patients. Seniors and their caregivers tell her the benefits approved by Medicare often do not pay for needed services, even with supplemental medical insurance. Getting preventive care, check-ups and prescription drugs is a continuing problem for many seniors.

"Our level of service has more than doubled in the last 10 years," said Tim Anderson, executive director of Wasilla Area Seniors Inc., on Wednesday.

"We have gone from serving 15,000 meals per year to serving 38,000 meals per year. Our housing facilities have grown from 60 to 140 units in that same 10 years."

Asked what he sees as the greatest future need in providing for the Valley's growing senior population, Anderson responded that housing for all levels of independence would be needed.

"We have to plan and stay ahead of the growth," said Anderson, whose proactive approach to expanding the continuum of housing services in Wasilla is demonstrated by the fact that housing for seniors is a major focus for WASI, which is located at 1301 Century Circle, just off Knik-Goose Bay Road.

Anderson said plans are under development to begin construction of an Assisted Living Facility during the summer of 2003, with plans for building another senior housing facility during 2004. Farther in the future is a planned senior nursing facility for the campus.

When the assisted living facility is constructed, Anderson says he will need to expand his staff, kitchen and other senior campus infrastructure to accommodate the greater demand for nutrition, health and other related services.

"We will continue to move into the area of assisted living and ultimately long-term care, with the goal of keeping people near the services they need," he said.

The demographics of aging

Alaska's senior citizens, particularly those aged 85 and older, are a rapidly growing population.

According to Steve Ashman, director of the state's Division of Senior Services, their number has doubled during the last 10 years and is expected to double again within the next 10 years.

"These are the people who will be most in need of nutrition, socialization, transportation, recreation and housing programs," Ashman said Thursday.

Ashman explained the aging population will need more assisted living facilities, personal care and chore helpers, nursing assistance and nutrition programs to help keep them living independently. He cited one example, that the average age of nurses is now 45, to indicate that staffing these facilities and programs will be a problem.

"As this population grows, we expect one of our greatest challenges will be workforce development," he said. "We are going to need more workers for home and community-based programs, and they are going to be hard to find. We already have difficulty finding qualified staff."

The problem is not unique to Alaska. According to Ashman, almost every state is facing the same shortage in workforce needed to help care for their aging populations.

Although no formal plan has yet been developed, he said the division has begun meeting with educational organizations, native corporations and health groups, and other groups throughout the state to address the increasing need for workers before it becomes a critical shortage.

"Many training programs are already out there," Ashman said. "What we are trying to do now is work together to attract people into the programs so we can address the workforce shortage."