With just three residents living in a space built for 10, Haines Assisted Living administrators are seeking input from the community on whether local seniors plan to stay in Haines as they age or relocate elsewhere. 

The 12-question survey, released online, and set for a larger mailing this spring, will help guide the nonprofit’s next steps – including potential expansions into other types of elder care such as adult day services. 

It asks respondents about daily activity needs, mobility challenges, financial planning for long-term care, and whether they’ve ever visited HAL. Administrator Christy Long said they have received 30 to 40 responses so far. 

“We’re trying to figure out what people need,” Long said. 

Despite Haines’ aging population, Long said HAL has struggled with occupancy over the last three years. 

“I think a lot of it is cultural,” she said. “Serving older Alaskans is really challenging because they’re the last people who are going to say they need help. People wait too long, so they stay at home until the last possible moment and then they’re often kind of too far down the line for us to serve.” 

When the facility opened in 2009, it was full. But now with just three residents, it’s unsustainable.

“We’re not breaking even.” she said. 

The decline has been pronounced since October when the facility lost two residents; it needs about 5 to break even. 

Long, who is relatively new to the administrator role, is trying to understand why local seniors are not choosing HAL.

“My question is, where are they? Is everybody being cared for at home? Is there some story that people are buying into at Haines Assisted Living,” Long said. 

Long said they’re not in imminent danger of closing their doors; they’ve got savings left from founder Lucy Harrel’s donation, “so, we’re OK for now.”

Long encouraged people to call 907-766-3616 with questions, particularly about affordability or Medicaid or what kind of services HAL offers. 

On Feb. 12, they’ll be hosting a tea and coffee social and tour from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. 

“We know where we are, the question is do we stay there,” Long said. “Is that still the need? Is this town going to support a 10-unit assisted living facility into the future?”

Author