Independent Living in Alaska

As a retirement destination, Alaska offers a variety of scenery and open space unrivaled in the United States. Its reputation as “The Last Frontier” is accurate in many ways: Alaska has 17 national parks, including the country’s four largest. The snow-covered peaks of Denali National Park and Preserve are an awesome example of the vast, untamed wilderness that spreads across the state’s interior region. Many visitors to Juneau are surprised to feel the mild climate of the temperate rainforests in the state’s southeastern panhandle. And while Anchorage is farther north and surrounded by rougher terrain and colder conditions, its coastal location brings much cooler temperatures and less snowfall than the state’s Arctic regions in the far north. Alaska’s spectacular views and remote locales come at a price, though, as the most sparsely populated state in the country has fewer senior living options and therefore higher costs.

A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can provide you with a list of independent living communities in Alaska to help you find one that fits your needs and budget.

Because independent living communities don’t provide care, stand-alone facilities in Alaska don’t need to be licensed or inspected. However, independent living facilities that are part of a combined senior living community fall under a different category. Known in the state as Assisted Living Homes, these communities are licensed by the Department of Health’s Assisted Living Program Office.^[01]

If the independent living community you’re interested in is part of an Assisted Living Home, some of the following regulations may apply:^[02]

• Communities must provide three daily meals and at least one snack.
• An administrator and someone certified in first aid and CPR must be part of the staff.
• Units or apartments can be either private or shared with up to two seniors per unit.
• At least one shower or bathtub, sink, and toilet must be available for every six seniors.

For more detailed information on this care type, visit our Alaska assisted living laws and regulations page.

Landlord and tenant laws

Because renting an independent living unit is similar to renting a traditional apartment, it’s helpful to know your rights as a renter in Alaska. Specifically, knowing what’s required of your landlord or community administrator could be beneficial for your peace of mind:^[03]

• Your landlord should give you a copy of any rental agreement documents.
• Your landlord must protect your right to the quiet enjoyment of your unit.
• You have the right to receive advanced notice from your landlord before your rent increases.
• Your landlord is responsible for repairs, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, waste containers, and maintaining utilities and common areas.

If your prospective community is part of an Assisted Living Home, you may also sign a contract before moving in. This contract should include details on the community and your rental:^[02]

• Accommodations and services
• Your rights as a resident
• The cost of your rental
• The community’s refund policy
• The community’s policy and procedure for ending the contract

Accessibility for seniors with disabilities

Seniors with disabilities have additional rights when renting in Alaska. If you have a disability, here are some important accessibility facts to know before moving into an independent living community.

Under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you have the right to reasonable accommodations that allow you to more easily enjoy the community.^[04] Accommodations are changes to community policies. Examples include allowing a service animal when a community doesn’t have a pet-friendly policy and adjusting rental payment due dates to align with disability payments.

You also have the right to reasonable modifications to your living space, typically at your expense.^[04] Modifications are adjustments to your physical environment. Examples include ramps and bathroom grab bars that make it easier for you to move around in your unit.^[05]

Alaska Department of Health contact information

Alaska Department of Health
3601 C Street, Suite 902
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5923

Phone: 907-269-7800

Inspections

Independent living communities that are part of Assisted Living Homes are inspected by the Alaska Department of Health’s Assisted Living Program Office.^[01] These inspections are done once each year, but the reports are not available to the public.

Instead, the Department of Health makes monthly updates to a list of licensed Assisted Living Homes. Visit the Assisted Living Licensing page, scroll down to “Current Licensed Facilities,” and click to download the most recent list.