Aging Southeast

Veterans in remote Southeast Alaska face a lack of access to health care, transportation limitations and the high cost of living. But in Haines, older vets have a support network at the American Legion Hall.

For seniors in Southeast, health care and housing options are limited. But a couple of adult day programs are offering relief for care providers, families and friends. They’re often a stop-gap solution until space opens up in a home.

About 9,200 Southeast Alaskans are 65 and older. That’s almost a one-third increase over five years ago. It puts Southeast’s average age at about five years higher than Alaska as a whole.

Due to a shortage of assisted living homes, some of Southeast Alaska’s aging residents can’t stay in their home communities.