09/09/19 Press Release - City to Launch Senior Needs Committee

DATE: September 9, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT: Teal Soden, Communications Director, 907-687-9221, tsoden@fairbanks.us

At the September 9th City Council Meeting, Mayor Jim Matherly announced his intention to form a new City of Fairbanks committee that will focus on the needs of senior citizens in our community, how they will be changing over the next ten years, and what we can do to prepare for expected challenges.  This committee will use recent senior needs assessments that have been completed on the Fairbanks area, information from our Housing & Homeless Coordinator, and information from the North Star Council on Aging as the starting point for planning solutions for future issues. One of the high priorities the committee will focus on is the availability of senior housing and caregivers. 

In light of the State of Alaska’s recent move to reduce funding to some of the senior programs, as well as information that shows a marked increase in seniors over the age of 85 in the City of Fairbanks, this is a timely and necessary committee.

The initial tasks of the committee will be to identify yearly goals to keep up with senior needs, determine if it is a role for government or for the private sector, and determine the yearly funding required. The committee will then advise and encourage the City Council to move forward with suggested solutions.

The initial members of the Senior Needs Committee will be: Council-woman Valerie Therrien, Chief of Staff Michael Meeks, Housing and Homeless Coordinator Michael Sanders, and the Executive Director of the North Star Council on Aging, Darlene Supplee.  The intent will be to expand the group as the need arises.