This Week's Updates

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 10/10/2025 11:10 AM AKDT

Alaska Commission on Aging logo

Healthy Brain Initiative Funding for Tribes

ACoA Ageism Awareness Day Webinar Recording

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for the Ageism Awareness Day webinar featuring Kimberly Van Orden, Director of The HOPE Lab, Erin E. Emery-Tiburcio, Co-Director of the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging, and Alex Roider, Special Projects Attorney at the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights. We discussed the intersection of ageism and older adult suicide, as well as how to report ageism discrimination in Alaska. 
Check out the E4 Center's Ageism Resources here.
Link to our Zoom webinar recording here. Please share, there is a wealth of great information discussed! 
Passcode: !44qD@G=

Next Week: FAI Elders & Youth Conference, Disability & Aging Summit and AFN Convention in Anchorage

We invite you to come visit our exhibitor table, and Program Coordinator Yasmin, next week! First Alaskans Institute Elders & Youth Conference exhibitor booths are open Monday and Tuesday at the Dena'ina Center. 
We will also have our resources available at the Disability & Aging Summit Tuesday and Wednesday at Special Olympics Alaska in Mountain View. 
Stop by our exhibitor table at Alaska Federation of Natives 2025 Convention Thursday through Saturday at Dena'ina Center! 

Elder Appreciation & Wills Clinic at AFN Convention Friday October 17 

The Elder Appreciation and Wills Clinic (EAWC) during AFN Convention on October 17th in Room 5 at Denai'ina Center offers free legal services to elders in Anchorage in partnership with Alaska Bar Association and Alaska Legal Services Corporation. Participants can receive a free appointment with a volunteer attorney who will help prepare essential documents, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Advance Health Care Directives. These documents ensure that elders' wishes are respected both after death and in case they become unable to make financial or healthcare decisions.

In addition to the legal services available, there will be drop-in booths from 9am - 5pm all day Friday, the 17th offering valuable resources for elders, such as:

  • Long-term care support services, resources and information from the Aging & Disability Resource Centers 

  • Assistance with public benefit applications (including SNAP appeals & status checks)

  • Memory screenings and dementia consultations with Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska 

  • Alaska Native Dementia Research and Resources 

  • Food pantry resources with the Food Bank of Alaska 

All are welcome! 

Pre-registration is required for the free legal appointments. To schedule, elders must complete an intake form and submit it to the Alaska Bar Association by October 16th.

A presentation on estate planning is available here. 

Stop by one of the following events to get help with registration and fill out the Will intake form: 

  • Monday and Tuesday October 13th and 14th, all day
    Alaska Commission on Aging exhibitor booth
    First Alaskans Institute Elders and Youth Conference
    Denai’na Center, 600 W. 7th Ave., Anchorage
  • Thursday October 16th, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
    Elizabeth Peratrovich Legal Clinic (where you can also get a free 30-minute drop-in consultation with an attorney about non-criminal legal issues)
    Alaska Federation of Natives Convention
    Denai’na Center, 600 W. 7th Ave., Anchorage
    Second Floor, Tubughnenq’ Room 5

For more details on how to register or attend, including all the upcoming Anchorage locations and events for in-person help to complete your intake form and prepare for your legal appointment, visit the Alaska Bar Association's website or call (907) 272-7469.

ACoA Free Community Webinar: Social Security 101 with Regional SSA October 28 

Social Security Administration Regional Public Affairs Specialist Nathan Cole (who covers Alaska) will be joining us for an exclusive conversation on Social Security 101 with Q&A to follow. Join ACoA on October 28th from 12pm - 1:30pm to learn all things Social Security and get your questions answered. Looking for help on a particular topic of SSA? Please email us your requests so we can share with the presenter: doh.acoa.info@alaska.gov. 

Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans Begins Next Week

It’s the annual open enrollment time for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Between October 15th and December 7th, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in, change, or drop their prescription drug plan. 

This means that new Medicare beneficiaries and existing beneficiaries can choose a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to enroll in or make changes to their existing plan. Plans change, so the Medicare Information Office recommends comparing available plans each year for the best value.

Need help? Call Alaska’s Medicare Information Office at (800) 478-6065 or (907) 269-3680 for help with all your Medicare-related questions.

SDS: Opportunities for Public Comment on Regulations

In response to Administrative Order 360, the Department of Health is soliciting written and oral comments from affected industries, community organizations, and the general public regarding regulations and materials incorporated by reference in Alaska Statute and Administrative Code. The Department of Health is undertaking this solicitation process to ask the public for ideas, suggestions, and input before the Department of Health drafts or proposes any specific regulation amendments or repeals for public review.

The Department of Health is particularly interested in specific ideas for regulatory change that may:

  • clarify existing regulatory obligations;
  • reduce costs for the public, industry, or government;
  • improve or streamline procedures, application requirements, and review processes, for example reducing the time required to apply for a license, permit, or benefit;
  • reduce administrative burdens;
  • streamline permitting procedures;
  • improve communication procedures;
  • provide greater transparency with respect to standards, decision-making, and rationales for application processing; or
  • clarify interagency roles.

Public Input Sessions:

The public input sessions will be held virtually and can also be accessed by toll-free phone number. Please visit the links below for additional information, including how to access the Zoom meeting for each session.

  • Nursing Facility Services and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability
  • General Relief Assisted Living Home Care
  • Home and Community-Based Waiver Services
  • Personal Care Services and Community First Choice Services

Other divisions within the Department of Health are also holding sessions specific to their own regulatory packages. Please review the Online Public Notice site or see the links below for additional areas that may be of interest.

Questions? Email doh.sds.info@alaska.gov

Alaska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2024 Data 

2024 Alaska BRFSS data is now available and can be accessed in three ways:

  1. Visit the Alaska BRFSS Data Center where you can explore data on your own.
  2. Submit a data request if the data center does not meet your needs: doh.brfss.info@alaska.gov.
  3. Download the 2024 CDC public use dataset and documentation for Alaska on the CDC website. Public use datasets do not include regional identifiers or Alaska-specific questions.

Cervical cancer screening questions changed in 2024, which means current estimates are not comparable to prior estimates. These questions have changed several times in the past few years, which has been challenging. The data center now only includes data for 2024.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated their breast cancer screening recommendations in 2024.Users will see a new indicator beginning in 2024 to reflect this updated recommendation. Data collected under prior USPSTF recommendations have been retained in the data center.

The Alaska BRFSS Data Center includes two new indicators for stratification and cross-tabulations:

  • Above or below 185% of poverty guidelines
  • NCHS rural-urban classification

The BRFSS website has a new location and content:

The Alaska BRFSS website has been updated as part of a broader overhaul by the Alaska Department of Health. Few details about the BRFSS methodology are now included due to limits on the amount of information that can be shared. Please reach out to doh.brfss.info@alaska.gov if this information if needed. Some details about the BRFSS methodology are included in the Alaska BRFSS Data Center which is planned to expand in the coming weeks.

Please share this information with your colleagues and encourage them to sign up to the Alaska BRFSS listserv at: http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/akbrfssnews.

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group: Estate Planning Oct 14

All ages welcome! The Young Professionals Group Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 4-5pm at Anchorage Chamber Board Room (1016 W 6th Ave., Ste. 304) will feature the Law Office of Glenn Cravez on the essentials of basic life planning.

The Young Professionals Group is made up of business professionals and corporate leaders between the ages of 21-39 who are ready to make a positive impact on the greater community of Anchorage. This group is open to all Anchorage Chamber members and non-members of all ages.

RSVP here.

Fairbanks Take Charge Tuesday: All About Applications Oct 14 

Don't miss the next event in the Take Charge Tuesdays series by Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) North at Fairbanks Senior Center! This month's class topic is "ALL About Applications!" 

Alaska Meet & Greets with QMedic Next Week

Join QMedic for three Alaska Meet & Greets to learn how their emergency response and remote monitoring solutions help Alaskans stay safe, independent, and connected 24/7. Each event includes free food, giveaways, and live demonstrations of QMedic’s Home, Mobile, and Smartwatch devices. Case managers and care partners can explore proactive monitoring tools that track wellness, activity, and safety, even in remote areas.

Homer – Monday, Oct 13 | 12–2 PM | Alice’s Restaurant
Anchorage – Tuesday, Oct 14 | 10 AM–4 PM | Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa
Wasilla/Mat-Su – Wednesday, Oct 15 | 11 AM–1 PM | Mat-Su Health Foundation

Learn more at QMedicHealth.com or contact referrals@qmedichealth.com | 877-241-2244

Alaska Humanities Forum: Governor's Arts & Humanities Awards, Celebrating Jim LaBelle, Sr. 

A warm congratulations to Jim LaBelle, Sr. (Inupiaq), the recipient of this year's Governor's Award for Distinguished Service in the Humanities: Education. For more than two decades, Jim has worked tirelessly to uplift experiences of Alaska Native students at boarding schools run by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs between 1878-1975.

After serving in the Vietnam War and then building a career in business and government relations, Jim found himself at a conference on wellness and sobriety in 2000, working to understand the root causes of the higher rates of suicide, domestic abuse and alcoholism experienced by Alaska Native people.

"There was a consensus that came out of that gathering: boarding school was a major contributing factor," he says. "And that’s when it really hit me. Up until then I hadn’t really given much thought to my own 10 years of boarding school. I think it was my way of trying to deny that I had this in my background... And then I thought, how am I going to continue to be involved with sobriety and wellness and say we need to heal from our historical trauma, how can I lead in this, if I can’t heal myself?"

Since then, Jim has told his own story hundreds of times, encouraged many others to share their own, and served as president of the National American Indian Boarding School Healing Coalition. "I had this notion that, well, if I can do it, maybe my stories can give courage to others to tell their story," he says. "And that’s kind of been my thing all along - my story is just one, one of many. Thousands of children went through all this for 2 or 3 generations now... I just felt, I gotta get the word out. I gotta start sharing."

Learn more here. 

Alzheimer's Association: Funding for Tribes Closes Nov 12

At the Alzheimer’s Association, the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) engages communities in building a public health response to dementia through the HBI Road Map Champions Program. One request for applications (RFA) is now open for tribally-led health programs and urban Indian organizations to put the HBI Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples into action. 

This application will close on November 12, 2025.

The HBI Road Map Champions Program supports tribally-led health programs and urban Indian organizations in implementing public health strategies addressing brain health, dementia and caregiving in their communities.  Up to eight (8) tribally-led health programs and urban Indian organizations will receive direct funding of up to $50,000 — along with education, peer support and technical assistance — to establish a part-time HBI Road Map Champion to advance community-focused population health approaches related to dementia. The HBI Road Map Champions Program is led in partnership with the American Indian Public Health Resource Center at North Dakota State University. 

View the RFA to learn more about this opportunity including application requirements, submission instructions, eligibility and timeline. For additional questions, email publichealth@alz.org. 

AMHTA Funding Opportunities & Next Meeting

Mini Grants - Alaska Mental Health Trust For agencies to apply on behalf of a Trust beneficiary. 
Micro Enterprise - Alaska Mental Health Trust Help for Trust beneficiaries wanting to open their own small business.
Partnership Grants - Alaska Mental Health Trust  Next application due dates are 11/15/25 and 2/15/25.   We have additional opportunities for over $50,000 and for longer grant terms.  Anyone interested should give me or another program officer a call to talk about what could be a good fit for their organization.  

The Trust Has Published an Upcoming Meeting! Please follow the link(s) below for meeting details, agenda, and participant information:

•    Program and Planning Committee – October 15, 2025

•    Audit and Risk Committee – October 16, 202

•    Finance Committee – October 16, 2025

•    Resource Management Committee – October 16, 2025

Note: Meeting documents are subject to change—please check the link regularly for the most current information.

Need an accommodation? Contact Valette Keller at valette.keller@alaska.gov or 907-269-6039 to make necessary arrangements.

Additional Resources:

Benjamin Rose Institute: 2025 Medicare Changes Webinar Oct 16

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and the Elder Justice Coalition are pleased to co-host a free virtual presentation, 2025 Medicare Changes: What Caregivers and Advocates Need to Know on Thursday, October 16th, 2025 at 10am AKT via Zoom. 

Join these organizations for an important conversation with Bob Blancato, Executive Director of the Elder Justice Coalition, as he unpacks the latest changes to Medicare in 2025.

This webinar will highlight key updates impacting older adults, caregivers and service providers, and offer insights into how these changes connect to broader advocacy efforts. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of what to expect and how to effectively support the needs of older adults in their communities.

Alaska Public Media News 

Healy's only year-round medical clinic will close in November: Shelby reports that the clinic's closure means many Denali Borough residents will have to drive much farther for medical care.

National Rural Health Association Updates

United States of Care RHTP Webinar:
The United States of Care is hosting a webinar, “Bridging the Gap: Transforming Care in Rural America Through the Rural Health Transformation Program.” The webinar will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 1 PM ET. The webinar will focus on the RHTP and application. Please register for it here.

NRHA-Hosted Office Hours for Rural Health Transformation Program:
CMS recently released its Rural Health Transformation Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. CMS is holding informational program introduction applicant webinars for the Program to help guide and answer questions about the application process.
NRHA will be hosting Rural Health Transformation Program office hours:

  • October 17, 2025, 1:00 PM EST. Join here.

For more information, please visit CMS’ webpage or NRHA’s Rural Health Transformation Program webpage.

View all NRHA updates here.

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fall Conversation

Watch the Fall Community Conversation recording on YouTube. Yesterday's community educational event provides information about the relationship between hearing loss and memory loss, and why it matters for brain health. 

Featured speakers/panelists:
Bobby Gibbs, PhD
Erik Jorgensen, AuD, PhD
Kimberly Mueller, PhD, CCC-SLP
Jenna Woestman, AuD, CCC-A, EBP-C

Second Wind Dreams: Nursing Homes Share the Light and VDT Funding

The holidays can be a lonely time for many seniors living in nursing homes — especially those without family nearby. Through Second Wind Dreams’ Gifts of Light program, we can change that.

Each year, volunteers and partners deliver thousands of gifts and heartfelt moments of joy to seniors who might otherwise go without during the holidays. Together, we can make sure every senior feels seen, celebrated, and loved this season.

Calling skilled nursing centers Dreams Members ($150/yr) – register your nursing home for the Gifts of Light program and your residents will receive gift bags and goodies donated by the Second Wind Dreams community. Registration ends October 15.

Nursing Home Grants: Since 2016, Second Wind Dreams has used Civil Monetary Penalty grants to provide the Virtual Dementia Tour® program and training to skilled nursing homes at no cost. Eligible Nursing Homes will receive:

  • A complete copy of the VDT program including components
  • Virtual Dementia Tour conducted by a Second Wind Dreams certified trainer
  • Person-centered assessment of staff performance
  • VDT facilitator training for two designated staff
  • CEU credit for multiple domains
  • Staff in-service training 

SAMHSA Free Training & Technical Assistance to Tribes 

SAMHSA provides culturally appropriate training and technical assistance (TTA) to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities to address and prevent mental and substance use disorders and suicide and to promote mental health. The TTA guides tribal infrastructure development, capacity building, and program planning and implementation.

Contact the SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical (TTA) Center for more information, to join the email list, or to request technical assistance.

Rural Health Information Hub Grant Announcement 

Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency Service Coordinator Program
Grants to fund service coordinators to assist residents of public and Indian housing in making progress towards economic self-sufficiency, including the provision of job training, employment, adult education, housing, and health resources. In the case of elderly/disabled residents, the service coordinator links them to supportive services which enables them to age and remain in place.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Dec 2, 2025
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

View all RHI grant announcements here.

ADvancing States Updates 

George Washington University Center for Aging, Health and Humanities Webinar: 2025 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit: The George Washington University's Center for Aging, Health and Humanities is hosting the 2025 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit virtually this fall. This free, regional, collaborative event is held in partnership with Age-Friendly Alexandria, Arlington, DC, Howard County, Hyattsville, Montgomery County, Orange County NC, AARP NC Coastal Region, and the Georgetown Center for Healthy Aging.

Sessions will be held every Thursday. Topics include:

  • October 16th: Reimagining Housing: Designing for Longevity
  • As our population ages, housing must do more than shelter - it must support wellness, accessibility, and community. Join us to explore housing policy, innovative designs, affordability solutions, and emerging trends that promote independence and dignity across the lifespan.
  • October 23rd: Aging with Confidence: Strategies for Financial and Social Well-being
  • To age with confidence means having the tools to live long and live well. This session explores how financial resilience and the 'currency' of social connection can work together to support a healthy and resilient journey through every stage of life.
  • October 30th: Building your AI Awareness: Pearls and Perils
  • Artificial intelligence is transforming our world - for better and for worse. Learn how AI can support aging through health, connection, and safety, while also uncovering the ethical and security risks, ageism concerns, and protections we must champion to create a truly age-friendly digital future.

Click here to register.

ASTHO Webinar: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response

ASTHO is hosting a two-part webinar series on various preparedness and response tactics during extreme weather events. The first webinar will feature work done by North Carolina and South Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will highlight their activities to update existing guidance and communication materials and develop a new training curriculum to improve community groups' food safety knowledge. The South Carolina Department of Public Health will describe their efforts to create the Post-Disaster Surveillance System, a platform that helps determine health-related issues following a disaster. The second webinar in the series will feature work done by Florida and Puerto Rico (to be held in January, date to be determined). 

This webinar will take place on Wednesday, October 29 at 11am AKT.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Justice in Aging's New Brief on Expanding Medicare to Include Dental: Justice in Aging's newly released issue brief, "Expanding Medicare to Include Dental: A Path to Better Oral Health in Nursing Facilities", examines how adding an oral health benefit to Medicare Part B would help to improve access to oral health care and health outcomes for residents in nursing facilities. The issue brief also puts forth policy recommendations to address barriers beyond coverage that impede access to oral health care for residents. This issue brief is the third in a series of papers that examine how to address barriers in access to care and oral health outcomes among certain groups of Medicare enrollees. These briefs build on the issue brief, "Creating an Oral Health Benefit in Medicare: A Statutory Analysis," where Justice in Aging provided an analysis of the statutory changes required to add an oral health benefit to Medicare Part B.

Click here to read the brief.

Sign up for ADvancing States Friday Update here.

NIC Free Presentation Recordings 

The National Investment Center for Senior Housing & Care has made available two recordings from their recent conference. 

Understanding the Past of Senior Housing and Long-Term Care to Prepare for Our Future: In this insightful discussion, senior housing leaders look back on 30 years of industry evolution—highlighting key turning points, lessons learned, and practical takeaways to help inform smarter strategies for the future.

Charting the Future of Senior Housing & Care Policy: Understanding the Mindset of the New Administration: Dive into the latest federal policy developments impacting senior housing and care, key state-level dynamics influencing operators, and a forward-looking discussion of emerging risks and opportunities shaping the sector’s future.

Aging News

Hospitals Called Out for Unnecessary Back Surgeries on Seniors

Restless Leg Syndrome May Be Tied to Parkinson's Risk

Parkinson's Risk Rises With Outdoor Air Chemical Exposure

Skin Substitute Abuse Wounds Both Taxpayers and Seniors

Common fatty acid supercharges the body's cancer-killing abilities

Disclaimer: The information and announcements included in this email are being redistributed for informational purposes only. Our agency does not necessarily endorse or support the views, opinions, or activities of these organizations, and inclusion in this email does not imply any affiliation or recommendation.