Did you miss our meeting? Do you want to review all the great information shared? Attached to this email is our meeting summary draft. Thank you to our partners, advocates, and providers who joined us. We look forward to seeing you at our next board meeting in early December.
Final 2025 AFN Resolutions are available here. Videos of all three days of the 2025 AFN Convention and both Quyana Nights are now live on the AFN website. Click here to watch.
This e-alert is being re-issued to correct the date public comment ends.
The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with daily reimbursement rates for the General Relief Assisted Living Home program. The notice of the proposed changes, information about the public comment process, the proposed regulation, and additional information are posted to the Online Public Notice System.
Changes include the following:
You may comment on the regulation changes by submitting written comments to State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Senior & Disabilities Services, Attention: Jordyn Grant, 1835 Bragaw St., Anchorage, AK 99508. Additionally, the Department of Health will accept comments by electronic mail at jordyn.grant@alaska.gov at (907) 538-9240. The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on December 8, 2025.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action by telephone or online at the hearing to be held on November 18, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. You may join the online Zoom meeting by using the Zoom website link, or by calling the toll-free telephone number, using the meeting ID, and passcode.
The details for the Zoom meeting are as follows:
· If you want to use the telephone to attend the meeting and provide oral comments, please use the
· Zoom Call-in Toll-free Number: 1-833-928-4609 (US Toll-free)
· Meeting ID: 832 9732 4233; and Passcode: 700499.
· If you want to use the Zoom website link to attend the meeting and provide oral comments, please use the
· Meeting Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83297324233?pwd=4aP4imhEYeGQJ7EDeYWWRmN4Gp834p.1
· Meeting ID: 832 9732 4233; and Passcode: 700499.
The Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance (DPA) has a small FAQ section on their SNAP page which addresses whether SNAP benefits will be issued in November, due to the federal government shutdown, and explains some of the DPA’s options. Updates on this issue will be posted on that page, as well as on DPA social media.
The same page also has information on assistance for those in Western AK affected by Typhoon Halong, for both SNAP replacement benefits and Individual Assistance.
Check out this Facebook post from the Food Bank of Alaska.
With Medicare telehealth flexibilities having expired on October 1st following the end of the Public Health Emergency, this is a pivotal time for rural health advocates to highlight the importance of maintaining access to virtual care. The CONNECT for Health Act (S.1261 / H.R. 4206) would make these flexibilities permanent and ensure payment parity for rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers. NRHA encourages rural leaders and facilities to support. For more information, contact Alexa McKinley Abel at amckinley@ruralhealth.us.
"Helping others is an Alaska tradition. And right now, Western Alaska needs us. In just a few days, Typhoon Halong swept through the region, bringing powerful winds and surging seas. From Kwigillingok to Kotzebue, homes were torn from foundations, infrastructure was damaged, and traditional food sources were disrupted. More than 2,000 Alaskans have been displaced. In Kipnuk, residents were rescued from floodwater. In Kwigillingok, a life was lost, and two people are still unaccounted for.
The storms came fast. Recovery will take time. And the need for shelter and support is growing. One way we can help is through the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, created by Alaska Community Foundation. The fund supports immediate relief, long-term recovery, and future preparedness. Decisions about how support is distributed will be made by those closest to the communities—regional leaders, Bethel Community Services Foundation, and partners who understand the local context and needs. Rasmuson Foundation is an early investor in this effort, contributing a $35,000 grant earlier this week.
If you’re looking to help:
We’re staying in close contact with our partners and listening for what’s needed next."
Sign up for Rasmuson news at the bottom of this page.
Alaska Red Cross is accepting monetary "Storm and Flood" donations here. Attached to this email is their recent update on the storm damage and community efforts that they shared with us.
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation: "As part of the 2025 West Coast Storm Disaster Housing Task Force, we are working alongside our local partners to identify available temporary housing for disaster survivors. We are grateful for FEMA’s disaster declaration which will support ongoing response. Disaster survivors should register with the American Red Cross /1-800-RED-CROSS or State of Alaska Individual Assistance / 1-844-445-7131 / 1-800-733-2767 or online at ready.alaska.gov/ia."
Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI): "Traditional Alaska Native foods such as whale, moose, salmon, hooligan, halibut, and other customary foods are needed. All donations should be frozen and harvested within the past year. Bulk frozen foods—such as vegetables, meats, and other staples from grocery stores or bulk suppliers—are also welcome. To sign up for donation windows, visit: https://loom.ly/-wCU7Uc. If you are unable to sign up online, call (907) 205-0068 to coordinate a drop-off time. For questions about donating or receiving food, contact nativefoods@alaskanative.net.
The next virtual meeting for the Fall Prevention Community of Practice will be Wednesday, November 12 at 1pm. Interested in joining? Email the Injury Prevention Specialist Daniel at daniel.schramm@alaska.gov. Visit:
MHFA for Older Adults is an evidence-based, early intervention training program that teaches how to assist and support older adults who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Older adults have high rates of late-onset mental health challenges, like anxiety and depression, and low rates of identification and treatment.
Though all are welcome, the free course is designed for adults who regularly interact with older adults (caretakers, families, nursing staff, etc.)
November 14th, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and November 15th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Must attend both days. Lunch provided on Day 2. Training will be held at the J.P. Jones Center, 2400 Rickert Street, Fairbanks AK 99701.
Register here. Questions about this training? Contact Jill Ramsey
Questions about registration? Email CHD Support or call (907) 264-6244.
ALSC and the Juneau Bar Association are offering a free in-person event of a one-hour Wills Clinic to complete a will and other life-planning documents in Juneau. Registration and income eligibility required. To apply or pre-register, email juneau@alsc-law.org or call 907-586-6425.
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (9055 Atlin Drive)
The Intergenerational Leadership Accelerator Program is a new fellowship for emerging leaders aged 18–30 who are driving, leading, or championing intergenerational initiatives.
As the inaugural class of this groundbreaking program, fellows will be the first to shape and embody its vision. The fellowship provides participants with essential tools, networking opportunities, and mentorship to elevate their impact empowering them to serve as champions of intergenerational collaboration within their programs, communities, and professional fields.
Applications are due Friday, October 31, 2025.
The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation’s (HANF’s) purpose is to support Alaska Native people, Tribes, and Tribal Health Organizations in pursuit of Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s (ANTHC’s) vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest in the world. HANF does this through grant making in support of Alaska Native people under four initiatives:
Based on the needs of Alaska Native people, preference is given to projects that align with HANF’s current priorities: improved access to care, children, behavioral health, and rural healthcare.
9th Annual Palliative Care Alaska Network (PCAN) Symposium, “Palliative Care in Alaska: Breaking Down the Barriers.”
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Location: Nuqali (formerly Nuka), 4085 Tudor Centre Drive, Anchorage, Alaska
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration: $65 In-Person | $35 Virtual
Lunch Provided and CEUs Available
This year’s symposium will feature national and Alaska experts sharing innovative tools, local resources, and rural perspectives to enhance palliative care access across our state. Interactive wellness and discussion sessions will make this a rich day of learning and collaboration.
Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1593071542869?aff=oddtdtcreator
Dementia Conversations: Monday, October 27th from 1pm - 2:30pm via Zoom for free.
Ready to Talk About Dementia? Tips for Navigating Difficult Conversations
When a loved one begins showing signs of dementia, starting important conversations can feel overwhelming. This program, presented in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, offers practical guidance for breaking the ice and approaching sensitive topics with compassion and clarity.
Participants will learn strategies for discussing medical evaluation and treatment, knowing when it’s time to stop driving, and planning ahead for legal and financial matters. Join us to gain confidence and tools for navigating these challenging—but essential—family discussions. Register for class today.
Register here. With questions, contact: Debbie Chulick at dchulick@alzalaska.org
In-person at the ARA Mat Su Office: Virtual Dementia Tours on Tuesday, November 4th from 10:30am - 4pm for free.
Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska Mat Su Office, 777 N. Crusey St., Ste B101.
This free, 30-minute Virtual Dementia Tour will give you an up-close, hands-on experience and provides insight into what day-to-day life is like for a person living with Alzheimer’s disease and a related dementia (ADRD).
This experience will change the way you think, relate, and care for those living with dementia. Join us to gain a better understanding of the experiences and needs of a person living with ADRD.
For more information and to register, contact: Janice Downing, jdowning@alzalaska.org or 907-746-3413. Registration via email or phone call required.
Older Person's Action Group's Senior Voice Alaska received second place for General Excellence in the North American Mature Publishers Association’s annual awards competition. The publication also earned several individual honors, including first place for Coverage of Senior Issues and Editorial/Opinion Writing for a column on a proposed Anchorage sales tax. Additional recognitions included third place in Personal Essay, second place for Supplementing Your Income, second place in Travel Columns, third place in Feature Writing, second place in Topical Story, first place for a Cover Photo of Northern Pintails, and third place in Overall Design. Senior Voice Alaska extends appreciation to its readers, contributors, and advertisers for their continued support.
National Council of Dementia Minds is proud to present: 'Black Dementia Minds: That Was Then, This Is Now.'
Please join NCDM for the official premiere of the powerful new video presentation from Black Dementia Minds.
In September 2021, the group made its groundbreaking debut with For Such a Time as This, sharing deeply personal stories that reshaped the narrative about living with dementia. Now, in this moving follow-up, the members reflect on their journeys since their diagnoses—continuing to live fully, faithfully, and intentionally.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired, connect, and learn alongside others who believe in living well with dementia.
Saturday, October 25th at 11am AKT via Zoom. Register here.
When: October 30th at 10am AKT. Register here.
The Fall 2025 issue of Generations Journal (Vol. 49, No. 3), titled “Transformative Approaches to Social Security Benefits.” This edition, guest-edited by Teresa Ghilarducci, Ruth K. Finkelstein, and Na Yin, takes a deep dive into how social security, caregiving, unpaid work and economic disadvantage intersect with aging in America.
In three thematic sections, the journal explores:
the care workforce and family caregiving and how these shape retirement and benefit access;
barriers to benefits facing marginalized populations—including formerly incarcerated older adults, late-arriving immigrants and LGBTQ older adults;
and the surprising impacts of student debt, digital access and climate-related work risks on older workers and retirees.
Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI), part of the Academy for Professional Excellence at San Diego State University’s School of Social Work, has launched:
De-escalation Skills – Learn practical tools to manage tense interactions, reduce conflict, and address the root causes of escalation, including a during a home visit. Observe an APS professional navigate a sensitive home interview, demonstrating strategies to defuse tension and promote calm, productive communication.
Trauma-Informed Approach to Supporting Victims of Financial Scams Webinar is November 6th at 8:30am AKT.
Scams and financial fraud can leave lasting emotional and financial scars. This webinar will explore the impact of trauma on scam victims and provide practical strategies for effectively supporting them. Participants will learn how to recognize the unique needs of victims, offer compassionate and informed assistance, and maintain their own well-being while helping others. Designed for victim service professionals, caregivers, and anyone supporting those affected by scams, this session equips attendees with the knowledge and tools to assist victims in navigating their recovery.
Learning outcomes:
Presenters:
Thursday, November 6th at 11:30am AKT.
Join the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging for this webinar on estate planning, Medicaid rules, and long-term care funding strategies for families living with dementia. The session is intended for professionals and family caregivers and will cover estate planning essentials, common gaps in legal documents, and key Medicaid considerations.
Additional webinar information and registration
New results from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging show that 19% of people age 50 and over identify as a person with a disability, and just 18% of those who identified as having a disability, or indicated they have a disability or functional limitation, have received an accommodation to help with health care visits.
However, the poll suggests, half of older adults may meet the legal definition of having a disability because of a physical or mental condition, and thus be entitled to protections and accommodations, even if they do not identify as a person with a disability.
These poll findings signal a need to explore disability identity among older adults and show the importance of encouraging health care providers and systems to ask about and provide accommodations for those with functional limitations.
When a Hearing Aid Isn’t Enough
Tricare Open Season Is on Time Despite Shutdown. Here’s What’s Affected
Death rates at U.S. dialysis clinics among the highest in the industrialized world
Shingles Vaccine Tied to Drops in Heart Disease, Dementia, Death
Understanding Osteoporosis in Older Men
And the Best Type of Exercise for Managing Knee Osteoarthritis Is...
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.