Access Alaska: Mat-Su Services Archives

Personal Care Assistant Services

Personal care assistant services puts you in charge of your personal care. Access Alaska provides supports and takes care of the paperwork and details.

This is a consumer directed personal care service program that delivers services to people with disabilities who are Medicaid eligible. The Personal care assistiant program assists people with disabilities in meeting their individual health and personal care needs by offering the consumer control in the direct provision of their care. Consumers receiving services must be capable of managing their own care or have a personal representative handle that responsibility for them. Consumers may hire whomever they choose in which they can train to deliver their care (some restrictions do apply). Being a consumer-directed program, care providers must be hired by a person with disability enrolled in this program.

Self pay care assistants are also available.

Deinstitutionalization

Deinstitutionalization services for individuals who are presently residing in an institutional setting such as a nursing home are provided. We assist people to obtain the services they need to transition from more restrictive settings to reside in the community of their choice.

Independent Living Skills Training

Independent Living Skills Training is a core service provided to support people with disabilities so they can live independently in the community. Training is determined on an individual basis depending on their needs which promote an independent lifestyle.

Training is provided in one or more of the following areas:

Personal care assistance management
Orientation/ mobility for the blind and low vision services
Budgeting
Orientation to public transportation system
Daily living skills
Assistive technology use
Self empowerment
Nutrition
Home safety
Pre-employment

Community Advocacy

Advocacy is provided to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are protected. Advocacy efforts are initiated to respond to proposed legislative changes and/or the need for increased funding and services to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Community participation becomes a key element in maintaining and preventing changes to important laws which protect individuals with disabilities.

Individualized Advocacy

Access Alaska assists consumers to take action on their own behalf (self-advocacy) to support their access to the goods, services and service providers in their communities

Information and Referral Services

This is the starting point for first time users of any of Access Alaska's services. Access Alaska can answer questions and provide information about disability related services including housing, employment, personal care, benefits, transportation, legal rights, education, emergency shelter, health care, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Technical Assistance on Accessibility Regulations and Codes

Access Alaska provides technical assistance to businesses, educational entities, community based programs, and individuals on how to comply with accessibility guidelines through the ADA Partners Project. The lack of full accessibility to our community’s goods and services remains the largest obstacle to the integration of persons with disabilities. Through telephonic and site visits, Access Alaska assists dozens of businesses and programs each year to make their services more available to Alaskans and visitors who experience disabilities.

Peer Support and Counseling

Access Alaska Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Wasilla office staff facilitate and provide support to several peer counseling groups that meet regularly in office meeting rooms: Multiple Sclerosis Peer Support, Visually Impaired / Blind Peer Support Group, Head Injury Peer Support Group, Stroke Support Group, Mobility Support Group, Renal Care Support Group, Family and Caregiver Support Group, and Seizure Peer Support Group. In addition to providing facilitators and space for the meetings, Access Alaska can offer information and support for transportation arrangements for participants.

Care Coordination, Home/Community Based Waivers

Access Alaska assists individuals to create support systems to allow them to live in their community rather than an institution or nursing home. This Medicaid and state supported program has helped hundreds of Alaskans live with their families and in their own communities rather than in an institution.

Adaptive Equipment Loan

Assistive technology and adaptive equipment (e.g. wheelchairs, transfer benches, magnifiers, hospital beds, commodes, walkers, grab bars) are provided to individuals with disabilities to increase their safety and independence in their homes and the community. Over 250 Alaskans throughout Access Alaska’s Interior and South Central Regions use this service annually; many of them are low income and do not have the funds available to purchase the equipment nor does their health care insurance (private or public) cover the items.

Independent Living Services

Access Alaska was the first and still the largest organization in Alaska offering Independent Living, services and resources.

Home Accessability Modifications

Access Alaska utilizes a variety of funding sources to construct accessibility modifications to remove barriers and make homes and communities more accessible.