Aging in Alaska Native Communties

At Alaska Native Community-Engaged Aging Lab, we are committed to conducting community-driven research that promotes aging well within Alaska Native communities. Our focus areas include aging well within your community, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, caregiving of people with memory loss, and stigma related to caregiving for someone with memory loss.

What Supports Alaska Native Elders in Urban Communities?

When rural Alaska Native Elders have to or choose to move to Anchorage, they often express that it is going to negatively influence their well-being. When we talked to Elders who moved to Anchorage, they shared with us what has helped them get used to the new community.

Family and friends who helped them with guidance
Available resources
Church communities
Gatherings
Transportation
Connecting with community
Continuing to practice traditions, such as beading, dancing, drumming
Support of tribal organizations

This image shows the differences between urban and rural protective factors in aging. Some aspects are similar, while others, such as intergenerational gatherings or staying connected with the home community, are specific to urban communities.

The article describing the research in depth can be found in our research section.

Kim, S., M., Lewis, J., P. (2023). Protective Factors in the Context of Successful Aging in Urban Dwelling Alaska Native Elders. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology. 10.1007/s10823-023-09493-3