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.
My experience with Riverview has been nothing but exceptional. They provide quality care in a beautiful facility and have allowed our family to keep our loved one closer to our home. The staff are very...
We chose Campbell Creek because they emphasized having residents out of their room and in group situations. They had large areas and encouraged them to be out of their rooms. They also provided care that...
We chose Campbell Creek because they emphasized having residents out of their room and in group situations. They had large areas and encouraged them to be out of their rooms. They also provided care that...
We chose Campbell Creek because they emphasized having residents out of their room and in group situations. They had large areas and encouraged them to be out of their rooms. They also provided care that...
We chose Campbell Creek because they emphasized having residents out of their room and in group situations. They had large areas and encouraged them to be out of their rooms. They also provided care that...
We chose Timber Creek because it was the best option we could find in town.This is a new facility in town and I think they are still settling in so there are a few rough edges. It is probably the best place...
We chose Timber Creek because it was the best option we could find in town.This is a new facility in town and I think they are still settling in so there are a few rough edges. It is probably the best place...
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]
For more detailed information on this care type, visit our Alaska assisted living laws and regulations page.
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]
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]
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
3601 C Street, Suite 902
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5923
Phone: 907-269-7800
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
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.
Alaska Department of Health. (2024). Assisted living licensing.
Alaska Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy. 2015 ed. Assisted Living Homes.
Alaska Department of Law. (2014). The Alaska landlord and tenant act: What it means to you.
Alaska Legal Services Corporation. (2024). Know your rights — Fair Housing overview.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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