Assisted Living in Alaska: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official Alaska sources

What assisted living is called in Alaska, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

Alaska Department of Health, Division of Health Care Services, Residential Licensing¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

361 assisted living

Medicaid help

Yes: Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver²

Typical cost

$9,882 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)

Long-term care ombudsman

1-800-730-6393³

File a complaint

907-334-2400¹

What assisted living is called in Alaska

• Assisted living homeAlaska licenses assisted living homes. A home needs this license if it serves three or more adults who are not related to the owner, or if it gets state or federal payment for services, no matter how many adults it serves.⁴

What assisted living costs in Alaska

The median cost of assisted living in Alaska is $9,882 a month, above the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in Alaska, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates Alaska nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in Alaska

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. Yes, for some people. Alaska's ALI Medicaid waiver, for adults 21 and older who need nursing home level care, pays for Residential Supported Living Services in licensed assisted living homes. It does not pay room and board. Program: Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver.² Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.

How to check a community in Alaska

Look up a license. The licensing page posts a spreadsheet you can download that lists open assisted living homes. Search Alaska’s records.⁴

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Complaints about care or conditions. Residential Licensing investigates complaints about abuse, financial exploitation, and safety or sanitation problems in assisted living homes. You can file a report online through the state's Centralized Reporting form. Call 907-334-2400 or file online.¹

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call 1-800-478-9996. How to report.¹ If someone is in danger, call 911.

The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call 1-800-730-6393 or find your local ombudsman.³

Find assisted living in Alaska

Assisted living by city

Every community and county in Alaska

Sources

1. Licensing agency, complaints, reporting abuse (health.alaska.gov)
2. Medicaid (health.alaska.gov)
3. Ombudsman (akoltco.org)
4. License types, license lookup (health.alaska.gov)
5. CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.