My 80-year-old wife and I have lived in the Palmer Pioneer Home eight months. We moved into this home because of her Alzheimer’s disease. I’m 83, and moved in with her to make the move easier for her to accept. We are both veterans.
The monthly cost of my wife’s 24/7 care is $6,216. Of this amount, $5,594 is paid for by the Medicaid waiver insurance and the VA. The residential monthly charges for my one room are $2,588, with the VA paying $1,120. The monthly charges for the two of us amount to $1,742, which I pay.
On Feb. 28th, at a residential meeting we were informed by Clinton Lasley, Division Director of Alaska’s Pioneers Home, that a proposal was in the works that would increase our costs of living in the home considerably. He had written a letter to each resident and employee of the homes informing them of these proposed changes.
The proposal is as follows:
Level 1: $3,623 per month
Level 2: $6,569 per month
Level 3: $11,185 per month
Level 4: $13,333 per month
Level 5: $15,000 per month
As you can see, these new rates will more than double my costs and are not affordable.
I want your readers to be aware of what may happen to our costs as a result of our governor’s budget cuts.
— Bill Brokaw
Palmer
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.