Health & Wellness
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
5
SENIORS: Alaskans graying faster than Lower 48 populations Continued from Page 3
line boom and, for various reasons, have decided to stay in-state instead of seeking warmer climes as they approach retirement age. Alaska seniors face a different set of challenges than those they would encounter in the Lower 48. Prices are higher, the weather is extreme, and the relative isolation of the state means that seniors are often separated from children and grandchildren living Outside. Alaskans in general suffer higher rates of depression and drug or alcohol dependency, and our seniors are no exception. According to a study by the Alaska Commission on Aging, the suicide rate for Alaska seniors is higher than the national average. Alaska seniors are three times more likely to die of alcohol-related causes, while drug-induced deaths — both prescription and non-prescription — are 82 percent higher
rate for fatal falls is also lower for Alaska seniors than for those in the other 49 states, rates for all other accidental deaths are higher. Spending by Alaska seniors — including home care and retirement income — topped $1.7 billion in 2010. In 2011, 3,108 Alaska seniors 65 and older received food stamps, while 5,241 received old age assistance. Of the 13,179 seniors living in the Interior, Eric Engman/News-Miner 1,239 received senior benefits Attendees listen to a speaker during the annual Fairbanks of some type. Many Alaska seniors face Memorial Hospital Denali Center’s Golden Citizen’s Lunthe prospect of entering a cheon in 2008 at Pioneer Park. nursing home, especially those in the fast-growing for Alaska seniors than for less likely to die from lead85 years and older group. It seniors in the rest of the U.S.. ing causes of death such as won’t be cheap. The average Access to quality medical cancer, heart disease, stroke, rate for a private room in a care is improving, but many chronic lower respiratory dis- nursing home was $678 per seniors — either by choice ease, Alzheimer’s and diabeday —or $247,470 a year — in or necessity — still travel tes mellitus. While the death 2011. Assisted-living homes outside for surgeries and procedures. As a whole, though, Alaska seniors are healthier than their counterparts in the rest of the country and are
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charged an average of $53,736 per year, while home health care aides charged an average of $25 per hour. The number of seniors afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia continues to increase in Alaska as it does nationwide. An estimated 6,067 Alaska seniors were living with Alzheimer’s in 2010. While there were only 16,313 ADRD caregivers in Alaska in 2009, that number rose to 30,927 by 2010, an increase of 89.6 percent. A total of 35,219,116 unpaid hours were spent giving care to ADRD sufferers in Alaska in 2010. The value of these unpaid hours totals $420,164,054. Contact staff writer Dorothy Chomicz at 459-7590.