Nearly 40 agencies across the state are members of AGENet. Our members provide services for seniors in local communities and in seniors’ homes to help them maintain their independent living and improve their health and quality of life. Services we offer include nutritious meals, adult day centers, transportation, exercise classes, in-home care, case management, and meaningful support for their unpaid family caregivers. We serve over 20,000 Older Alaskans every year.
Legislative Priorities for 2022
AgeNet members urge the following action during the 2022 Session of the Alaska Legislature:
- Increase Senior Grant Funds by $750,000 to adjust for the 6.5% inflation rate. Core services such as congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation, adult day, case management, chore, respite and other caregiver support services are proven to allow seniors to remain in their homes longer. Since the senior grants that make these services possible have not kept up with the cost of living, our top priority this year is to request a 6.5% increment to the Senior Grants budget.
- Create a dedicated public health position to address Alzheimer’s Disease in Alaska by encouraging DHSS to apply for federal BOLD Act funding. Over the next 20 years, the number of Alaskans living with dementia will more than double. We believe Alaska should join the 20 other states who have received BOLD Act funds—Building Our Largest Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act—to increase Alaskan’s ability to address this critical issue. The BOLD Act provides funds to public health departments to reduce risks, improve early diagnosis, prevent and manager related health issues, and avoid hospitalizations.
What is AGEnet’s position on the Governor’s proposal to split the Department of Health and Social Services in half? AGEnet supports the proposal to restructure DHSS into two departments because the number of essential programs to promote and protect the well-being of Alaskans require closer attention. Currently, the DHSS budget is the size of twelve other departments and the staff tally as many as six departments. An executive team of five manages 3500 employees. By narrowing the scope of work in each department, the agencies will be better able to implement system improvements and facilitate better services for Alaskans.