Neighbors Digest
Is there room for aging adults in Alaska?
Is there a crisis in senior-care policy in Alaska? Rep. Sharon Cissna - along with other legislators, university students and interested volunteers - is studying this and related questions concerning seniors in the state.
In an effort to gain insight to how senior-care policy has affected seniors and their decisions for choosing to live in Alaska, Cissna invites people to take just a few minutes and share their experiences. People 55 years and older are encouraged to respond to the following three-question survey:
1. When (the year), where (your town or part of Alaska) and why you came to Alaska (your story about how Alaska has impacted your life)?
2. If you thought of leaving the state, what made you decide to stay?
3. What are the key conditions that would make you leave the state?
Send responses to Rep. Sharon Cissna at P.O. Box 141892, Anchorage, AK 99514. Answers can also be faxed at 907-269-0193; or e-mailed at representative_Sharon_Cissna@ legis.state.ak.us.
If you prefer being interviewed, call 907-269-0190 and university student volunteers will transcribe your comments.
All responses will be pooled into a collective summary and evaluated for helping inform legislators and the public. If you would like a copy of this summary, please be sure to make that request on your response.
Responses will be accepted through Nov. 15, 2004.
Hearing on senior issues set for Oct. 29
Join Rep. Sharon Cissna and other legislators from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, for a legislative hearing with video-audio connections throughout the state spotlighting Alaska's social and economic relationship to seniors.
This hearing will be an exploration of a subject that has received inadequate attention and is pivotal in the long-term planning for the state.
Seniors, community members, academia, service providers and policy makers will discuss incentives, disincentives and the economics of aging in Alaska.
Existing and future policy decisions necessary to ensure realistic responses to an aging and diverse population will also be addressed.
For information on how to connect to the hearing, please contact Kathie D. Neu, hearing coordinator at Rep. Sharon Cissna's office: (907) 269-0190 or Kathie_neu@legis.state.ak.us.
Public invited to Alaska Day pancake breakfast
The people of Juneau and Douglas are invited to a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m.-noon on Alaska Day, Oct. 18, at the Juneau Senior Center.
Tickets for the breakfast are available at the Douglas Senior Center, the Juneau Senior Center, the Valley Senior Center or by calling 463-6175.
Breakfast will include buttermilk, banana and blueberry pancakes, sausage links, orange juice, coffee, tea and milk.
The cost is $10 per ticket purchased in advance ($13 at the door), $5 for children 6 to 12 years of age, and no charge for children under 6. The general public is welcome, so invite friends and family members. The event will provide a nice, leisurely way of beginning the holiday.
All proceeds will go to support the Juneau Senior Nutrition Program, including the Meals on Wheels service and the noontime meals served at the Douglas, Juneau and Valley senior centers.