Aging

April Pearce is in the middle of her freshman year at UCLA, settling into life away from home for the first time. But instead of thinking about dorm food or exams, the 19-year-old is focused on something a little more abstract: old age.

The Republican-led majority released a budget proposal this week that included $145 million more in cuts than Governor Bill Walker’s budget.

Health and Social Services was the department that received the deepest cuts. They include eliminating $5.18 million in cash assistance to seniors, and $3 million in behavioral health grants.

Many of Southeast’s seniors get breaks on property and sales taxes. But they also bring money into the economy, often without tying up jobs.

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.