Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. expanding its services with grant money

WASILLA — The Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. recently acquired several grants, helping them better meet the needs of the ever growing senior population in Wasilla, and greater Mat-Su Valley. WASI CEO Chuck Foster is hopeful to continue their “continuum of care” by converting individual, senior apartments attached to the main building into assisted living quarters as soon as 2019.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Foster said. “Now, we have to convince people who have money to give us money.”

WASI operates as a non-profit and a bulk of their support derivers from grant money by the federal government and community groups and organizations, like the Mat-Su Health Foundation, a long time and big donator. The MSHF recently donated over $60,000 in grant money, helping WASI purchase treadmills for their Club 50 fitness center, expand their fall prevention program and general operations, and lastly, purchase a shuttle bus. Foster was elated to add the bus to their fleet, helping them shuttle seniors to and from the facility for free lunch, bingo and other activities. The bus also allows WASI to take seniors on outings like going the Alaska State Fair or Colony Days in Palmer.

Seniors 60 and above are eligible for free lunch every day. WASI serves about 75 to 100 people a day, according to Foster.

“The cafeteria is where the magic happens,” Foster said.

WASI started 1981 as an activity center and stays true to its roots, hosting a number of community events throughout the year. The space is readily available for rental and has seen a number of events over the years, according to Foster.

“It’s a social thing,” Foster said.

Foster seemed particularly proud of their Club 50 fitness program. Seniors 50 and above is eligible to join after becoming a WASI member, with an annual fee. However, any senior 50 and above from the community is welcome to take any of their guided classes, offered weekly. The Strong Seniors strength training program is the most popular class but Foster was particularly fond of the Tai-Chi classes that to him, are greatly helping to prevent injuries from falling.

“About one third of seniors over 65 will fall and seek medical help for it a year,” Foster said.

Tai-Chi has helped many seniors gain balance and control, one of many things that tend to slip away as people get older. He recounted one his favorites stories where an older gentleman slipped in the parking lot but fell into a tai-chi pose, thus preventing a serious tumble to the hard pavement.

WASI offers income based housing for seniors ages 62 and above and currently has 128 apartments with about 168 residents, according to Foster. Housing consists of six housing complexes: Knik Manor, Raven Tree Court, Alder View, Susitna Place, Eagle’s Nest, and most recently, Blueberry Point. Foster said that WASIA has a low turnover rate at about 1 to 2 percent, which seems significant when compared to other programs across the Lower 48 that average about 8 percent.

“That makes us feel good,” Foster said.

Walking up the hallway to the second floor of the main facility leads you to induvial apartments where several seniors live with minimal assistance. Foster said that this was the last year their for-profit, co-sponsor would be able to get tax credits for the facility. After that, they will lost their interest and leave the property to WASI as the sole proprietor. This leaves WASI in the “pre-development” and “conceptual” stage in the assisted living remodel project.

Foster has already started working with architects and found that most of the remodel with mostly be “cosmetic” and won’t take much overhaul. The biggest challenges ahead are of course, funding, namely saving up capital funds to pay the workers and other resources. Transitioning the current residents will also prove to be challenging but Foster said if his “best wishes come true,” they should have 5 assisted living rooms ready to move into midway in 2019, adding rooms over time, as funding allows.

“The biggest hurdle will be when we ask the public for funding and how they respond to the project,” Foster said.

For a full list of WASI’s programs, from nutrition to in home care, visit: www.wasillaseniors.com.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at Jacob.Mann@frontiersman.com.