Have you wondered how our community is changing as more of us get older? Maybe you have parents who need extra help, or a neighbor who lives alone, or you think about your own retirement.
These issues become more important each year. Mat-Su Council on Aging Executive Director Brenda Sheldon works to make sure older Alaskans have the support and opportunities needed to live well.
The council is a nonprofit focused on supporting residents aged 55 and older. Its work includes housing, transportation, nutrition, health care, and connecting people to resources.
Another priority is addressing social isolation. The council offers programs that bring people together through conversation and art. These programs have expanded to eight locations throughout the Mat-Su. They reach every library, two senior centers, and My House. Young people and older adults participate together in creative activities at My House.
The need to support seniors is growing. Sheldon reports that the Mat-Su population aged 60 and older increased from just over 10,000 in 2010 to more than 23,000 in 2022. It more than doubled. The average increase in the senior population across the Lower 48 was about 40% during the same period.
Many older residents are staying in their homes. Seniors are moving to Mat-Su to retire. They bring experience, skills, and volunteer service. However, population growth puts pressure on housing, transportation, health care, and the workforce needed to provide support.
Dementia is a concern as well. Sheldon emphasizes that families and unpaid caregivers need support. Education for emergency responders and other professionals can help ensure better outcomes for people living with dementia.
The council works with senior centers and community partners to distribute information about fall prevention, heating assistance, home safety, and other services. Residents can contact the council on where to find help.
New programs are on the horizon. The council is helping to bring a Parkinson’s exercise program called Rock Steady to the Mat-Su. It is also planning the first Senior Games in the Mat-Su for next June. Proposed activities include basketball, pickleball, and track events.
Sheldon gave strong warnings about fraud. Reported figures from last year show that Alaskans age 60 and older lost more than $16 million to scams. Reported losses nationally reached almost $8 billion last year. Investment fraud, romance scams, and technology-support fraud are leading categories.
Sheldon says education is one of the best ways to protect people from fraud. Scammers continue to use phone calls, texts, and emails to target victims.
What can we do? We can start by checking on an older neighbor or family member who might be feeling isolated. Contact the Mat-Su Council on Aging to learn about available programs and services if you or someone you know needs help. Consider inviting a speaker to discuss caregiving, healthy aging, or fraud prevention if you belong to a community organization.
Supporting our seniors is a community responsibility. It means making sure people can remain connected, contribute their experience, and get help when they need it.
We can all take a simple step that can make a real difference. Take a moment this week to reach out to someone who could use a connection.
More information on the Mat-Su Council on Aging is at mcoaging.com. The phone number is (907) 917-4600.
This is based on a story that aired on Valley Edition last week. It was summarized by AI then edited. The full story is on bigcabbageradio.org. Go to Podcasts then Valley Edition.
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