Alaska aging commission asks Alaskans 55 and older to shape next senior services plan

The Alaska Commission on Aging asked Alaskans 55 and older on Tuesday to take a survey that will help shape the state's next four-year plan for senior services. The online survey is open through Dec. 31.

The State Plan for Senior Services is a four-year roadmap that the Alaska Department of Health and the commission develop to guide statewide programs, funding and priorities for older Alaskans. States need one to receive federal Older Americans Act money for senior programs, according to the Alaska State Plan for Senior Services FY2020-FY2023. The plans cover services including meals, transportation, family caregiver support, adult day services, senior housing and legal assistance. The current plan lists about $5.5 million a year in those federal grants for state and community senior programs.

Older Americans Act services not paid for by Medicaid served 8,902 clients, 65.13% of them rural and 40.64% below the poverty line, according to the commission's 2025 Senior Snapshot.

"This is a pivotal opportunity for older Alaskans to directly impact senior services," said Martin Lange, executive director of the commission. He said the number of Alaskans 65 and older doubled between 2010 and 2025. The Senior Snapshot puts that count at 54,938 in 2010 and 118,296 in 2025.

Seniors can take the survey online in English, Spanish or Tagalog, or request a paper copy by calling 907-268-9015. Providers who work with seniors have a separate Provider Survey.

The survey follows in-person listening sessions, including one with Juneau seniors Nov. 4 at Centennial Hall. A new advisory committee was set to begin work on the plan Nov. 2.

The last plan, approved in 2023, grew out of more than 40 facilitated conversations with seniors around the state, plus surveys of seniors and of senior-service providers, according to the plan itself.

The commission is an advisory board of governor-appointed members and state agency representatives. The Department of Health says it gathers input from seniors, providers and organizations before sharing the plan for public comment. The final plan is due to the federal Administration for Community Living by Aug. 1, 2027.