Skilled Nursing in Fairbanks, AK

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Skilled Nursing in Fairbanks, Alaska: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

Fairbanks, Alaska, is home to skilled nursing facilities that provide essential medical and rehabilitative care for seniors in need of round-the-clock support. These facilities offer services such as medication management, physical and occupational therapy, wound care, and assistance with daily activities, ensuring residents receive the highest level of care in a comfortable environment. Alaska is known for prioritizing high-quality healthcare for older adults, with its ranking in assisted living reflecting a strong commitment to senior care and well-being.

About Skilled Nursing in Fairbanks, AK

Skilled nursing in Fairbanks, Alaska, refers to professional, 24/7 medical care provided by licensed nurses and healthcare specialists in a structured setting. These facilities cater to seniors who require short-term rehabilitation after surgery or illness, as well as those needing long-term care for chronic conditions. Services typically include medication management, physical and occupational therapy, wound care, intravenous treatments, and assistance with daily activities. Skilled nursing facilities in Fairbanks prioritize personalized care plans, ensuring each resident receives the support they need to maintain their health and quality of life. With a focus on comfort and medical excellence, these facilities provide a secure and compassionate environment for older adults.

Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Fairbanks, AK

There is 1 skilled nursing facility within Fairbanks, Alaska. The estimated population of Fairbanks is 31,856 with 11.6% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Fairbanks, the summers are long, comfortable, and mostly cloudy and the winters are frigid, snowy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -13°F to 73°F and is rarely below -39°F or above 83°F.

Cities near Fairbanks, AK

  • North Pole, AK – 14 miles southeast
  • Ester, AK – 7 miles west
  • Fox, AK – 10 miles north
  • Two Rivers, AK – 23 miles east
  • Nenana, AK – 55 miles southwest

Pricing and How to Pay for Skilled Nursing

Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $18,706 per month for skilled nursing services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.

Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments. 

It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.

Private pay – YES:

  • Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
  • Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
  • Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicare -MAYBE:

Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors: 

  • People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
  • Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
  • The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more) 
  • The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital. 
  • The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility. 
  • The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF. 
  • The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition. 
  • The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.  
  • You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.

  • Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services. 
  • People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care. 
  • The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.  
  • The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point, so naturally, buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

  • Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
  • Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

  • There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
  • A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
  • If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

  • Address: 1650 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
  • Phone: (907) 452-8181

Tanana Valley Clinic

  • Address: 1001 Noble Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
  • Phone: (907) 459-3500

Bassett Army Community Hospital

  • Address: 4076 Neely Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
  • Phone: (907) 361-5172

Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute

  • Address: 1919 Lathrop Street, Suite 100, Fairbanks, AK 99701
  • Phone: (907) 458-0800

Interior Community Health Center

  • Address: 1606 23rd Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701
  • Phone: (907) 455-4567

Questions to ask a skilled nursing facility

  • Is the facility licensed?
  • Has the facility’s license ever been revoked?
  • Is the facility Medicare/Medicaid certified?
  • What types of insurance is accepted?
  • Are all specific medical needs able to be met?
  • What services are offered?
  • What is the rate for basic care?
  • Are any reviews available to be seen by the public?
  • Are protocols in place to ensure healthy, balanced meals?
  • What if an individual has specific dietary restrictions, can they be met at the facility?

Additional questions and inquiries to ask skilled nursing facilities

  • What should a new resident (patient) bring with them?
  • What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
  • What happens in case of an emergency?
  • Can the family pet visit the resident?
  • What is the level of privacy?
  • What are the available social activities?
  • What is the hours for family visits?
  • Can patients request special meals for dietary needs?
  • Are skilled nursing facilities connected to hospitals?
  • How big are the rooms?
  • What are the training requirements of skilled nurses?

Alaska Commission on Aging The mission of the Alaska Commission on Aging is to ensure the dignity and independence of all older Alaskans, and to assist them to lead useful and meaningful lives through planning, advocacy, education, and interagency cooperation.

State of Alaska – Long Term Care Ombudsman Federal and State law authorize the Ombudsman to identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, seniors in long term care facilities. State law also authorizes the Ombudsman to resolve problems relating to the “residential circumstances” of seniors who live in their own homes.

Alaska Federal Health Care Partnership The AFHCP office strives daily to exploit new technologies to enhance access to care and improve clinical outcomes; capitalize on sharing capacity and special expertise to better meet patient care requirements; reduce the cost to members for continuing education by providing locally available high quality educational opportunities; reduce members costs by leveraging the partners’ collective purchasing power; encourage cross agency cooperation at all levels.

Adult Protective Services Use Adult Protective Services to report any incident in which a vulnerable adult suffers harm from abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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