June 15, 2008
Floorplan of a typical "Green House."
$8 million Legislative appropriation allotted for Long-Term Care Facility
By Tiffany Zulkosky, YKHC Public Relations Staff
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is at the threshold of realizing the long-awaited dream of bringing long-term care for Elder and disabled persons to the people of Southwest Alaska.
On May 23, the passage of Senate Bill 221 solidified $8 million in Legislative appropriations for YKHC's Long-Term Care Facility.
"This appropriation reflects Governor Sarah Palin's support and especially the hard work and commitment of Senate Finance Co-Chair Lyman Hoffman and his staff," said Gene Peltola, YKHC President/CEO. "Senator Hoffman's long-time dedication to serving the Elders of the region, coupled with Representative Mary Nelson's support, brought about a major success for our area's aging population, our families, and our culture."
The recent appropriation is a key accomplishment after nearly a decade of work to bring YK Delta Elders and disabled persons home from Assisted Living Homes in other parts of Alaska, mainly Anchorage and Fairbanks. These efforts will enable Elders to maintain their independence and dignity while remaining in their communities where they can speak their own language, eat traditional foods, and be close to loved ones.
"This has been an important project for all families in the YK Delta," said Senator Lyman Hoffman.
"We cannot continue to send our Elders and disabled away from home," James Sipary, Sr., a YKHC Board member from Toksook Bay, stressed in a letter to Governor Palin on May 14. "It is very sad to see them when they leave the villages and only to return to the villages to be buried. For the benefit of our Elders and disabled, if the proposal comes to your table, please do not ignore it, but to pass it for funding."
Since the early 1990s, the late Traditional Chief and YKHC Board member Antone Anvil advocated tirelessly for the construction of a local nursing home. Similarly, Liz Lee, Senior and Developmental Disabilities Administrator for YKHC, has been a long-time supporter of projects that would bring western Alaskan Elders and disabled home.
By 2001, several regional agencies had set in motion the discussion of and planning for providing local care options to the Elderly and disabled. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Assisted Living Home Task Force was created, the membership including: YKHC, AVCP, AVCP Regional Housing Authority, the City of Bethel, Calista Elder's Council, Alaska Legal Services, Disability Law Center, Bethel Native Corporation, Bethel Community Services, and Orutsararmiut Native Council. With YKHC leading the initiative, the footwork began to build an Assisted Living Home in Bethel.
After assessing the need and conducting a feasibility study, the YK Assisted Living Home Task Force began researching construction and operating fund options. In 2003, the Bethel City Council adopted Ordinance 03-14, approving a 30-year lease on the land south of the Lulu Heron Center for the project. In 2006, the YKHC Board of Directors approved a resolution to finance the construction and fund the operation of a long-term care facility. The 2007 Tribal Gathering focused on Long Term Care. The 2008 Tribal Gathering proved continued support for the project as Tribal Council members set Elder Issues (Care, Neglect, Respect, Housing, Nursing Home) within their top 10 priorities for YKHC.
The $8 million appropriation will be used to create a business plan, begin architectural designs and engineering, and complete 100 percent of the groundwork for a Green House model nursing home.
"We believe the Green House Model is a sustainable option for constructing a skilled nursing home in western Alaska," said Jack R. Crow, Vice President for Health Services. "We will be able to provide local comprehensive care to Elders and disabled persons while ensuring the programs are available in years to come."
The Green House Model differs from traditional Assisted Living Homes in the philosophy and overall design of the building. A Green House creates a small home atmosphere that develops community between residents while offering levels of care one may not be able to receive through Home Care services or from family members. Residents enjoy private rooms and bathrooms, which connect to short halls that lead to the central room focused around a hearth. The maximum number of residents in one Green House is 10 and personalized routines are created that meet individual needs of each resident.
"YKHC is moving into the first stage of planning and development for an essential health care facility within our region," said Peltola. "We are now one step closer to providing local, long-term care for our Elders and disabled."
The late Antone Anvil, as a YKHC Board Member and Bethel's Traditional Chief, was an advocate for bringing elder care to our region. (YKHC file photo)