Senior citizens the effects of pipeline construction on older persons living in Fairbanks

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

FAIRBANK5-1 Uf.i
I ow Bo 6.7,j,@ A 99707

IMPACT INFORMATION CENTER

SPECIAL REPORT

SFNTQR CITIZENS: THE EFFECTS OF PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

ON OLDER PERSONS LIVING IN FAIRBANKS

Mim Dixon, Ph.D.,
Information Officer
impact Information Center

June 25, 1975

Borough Mayor

John A. Carlson

Impact Information Center Impact Advisory Committee

514 Second Avenue
Larry Carpenter
Box 1267 Claude Demientieff
Fairbanks, AK Leslye Korvola
Phone: 452-4002 Charles Parr
J.C. Thomas
Mim Dixon, Ph.D., George Wise
Information Officer Phil Younker

Cathy Feldman
Secretary

Table of Contents
Page No.
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 3
The Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sources of Income for Senior Citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
State Public Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Alaska Longevity Bonus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Native Claims Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Entitlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Inflation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . 32
Medicare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Medicaide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Alaska Area Native Health Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Other Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Health Services . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety and Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Summary and Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Appendix 1: Directory of Local Agencies Serving Senior Citizens.39
Appendix II:Senior Citizen's Survey Questionnaire . . . . . . . . 41

List of Figures

Figure 1: Comparison of Age Distributions of Senior Citizens in
Borough & City, 1970 Census & 1975 Survey . . . . . . 7
Figure 2: Distribution of Income of Respondents .. . . . . . . . 9
Figure 3: Average Income Per Person in Household . . . . . . . 10
Figure 4: Distribution of Ages of Persons in Household by
Personal Income of-Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Figure 5: Distribution of Sources of Income of Respondents &
Whether Income Increased in Last Year by Personal
Monthly Income of Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 6: Lifestyle Changes in Last Year by Income . . . . . . 20
Figure 7: Place of Residence by Income of Respondents. . .'. , 23
Figure 8: -Percentage of Combined Monthly Household Income
Spent on Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Figure 9: Senior Citizen's Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Figure 10: Difficulties in Obtaining Medical Care . . . . . . . 33
Figure 1-1: Distribution of Health Insurance by Income of
Respondents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

PREFACE

Fairbanks is a city of young people -.the average age of residents
of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in 1970 was 22 years, according to
the U.S. Census. But, Fairbanks is also the home of many older persons.
The 1970 Census showed that there were 886 persons over the age of 62
living in the Borough, 544 of them living in the City of Fairbanks.
Fairbanks has been the home of many of these older citizens for a quarter
of a century or more. In this time of rapid change resulting directly
or indirectly from construction of the trans Alaska oil pipeline,
Senior Citizens often have the least to gain the the most to lose.

Legislators, federal and state agencies, and persons involved in
local governmental and social service programs have asked for more
information about Senior Citizens so that they may plan policy to
address their needs. Poor health, lifestyles and a lack of public
transportation often keep@Senior Citizens from participating in
public hearings and having direct input into policy-making. Few
figures are available which describe the living conditions of older
persons in Fairbanks.

In response to a need for information about Senior Citizens
in Fairbanks, the Impact Information Center in conjunction with the
North Star Council on Aging conducted a questionnaire survey of
local Senior Citizens which addressed possible problems of housing,
food, health care, and lifestyle changes resulting from pipeline
impact. This report presents an analysis of that survey, as well as
other pertinent information, in an attempt to develop a profile of
Senior Citizens in the Fairbanks area and their needs.

One of the purposes of this report is to let Senior Citizens
be heard. More often than not, they can do the best job of
expressing their concerns. Thus, many quotes from Senior Citizens
are used in this report not only to focus on problems, but also to
convey feelings of the older members of this community.

Another purpose of this report is to provide Senior Citizens
with information which,may be useful to them. Since many agencies
and.services are mentioned in this report, a summary of those agencies
and services, as well as addresses and telephone numbers, are
provided in a directory in Appendix 1.

INTRODUCTION

Like any other age group in the community, Senior Citizens are
diverse p6rsons with varying lifestyles, personalities, and political
affinities. Older people are being affected by pipeline impact in
different ways:

"I do not receive any help herd in Alaska. I have never
worked here. So no chance of receiving any help of any kind.
We have orders to move trailer first of May. It is impossible
to find a place in Fairbanks, costs too much. We own our
trailer, have flowers and a little garden now. Our trailer
is 12 x 45 and all larger trailers are to be moved to make room
for the new Pipeline people to put in their travelling trailers.
It is very hard on us older people to have to move for non-
Alaska people. Their big wages and money always help to get
what they want. I do not think the pipeline people should be
allowed to take over here from us poorer people."

"Crowded city, crowded streets - roads, parking space
almost unavailable at any time, less competant clerks, higher
everything."

"It is getting increasingly dangerous for older people on
the city streets at night. Medical expenses have increased,
also lab fees and medical clinic service charges. Get medicine
out of town; too expensive here. Long lines at banks and much
more open drunks in Northward building, which can't be locked.
The security problem is bad. Police department ought to be
enlarged and more street patrols on foot. Traffic is much
worse. We need buses for around town and nearby areas. If
it wasn't for the Senior Citizen transportation I couldn't
do my shopping, can't affort taxis ... we are increasingly seeing
middle income people come to our lunches - they are hit by
inflation. Food prices are terrible."

"Prices too high. Traffic bad. Pollution terrible. No
bus service in town or neighborhood ... too hard to walk in
winter weather.and icy .... Have to wait hours before I can see
a doctor."

Not every Senior Citizen is having a hard time withstanding pipeline
impact. "Everything at present is perfect," writes one Senior surveyed,
"No special concern on any issue at this time." Another Senior who
spends much time outside of Fairbanks writes, "To date we are virtually
unaffected by the pipeline impact."

Others are suffering from the effects.of impact without knowing it.
One Senior attributes his problems to inflation, rather than impact,
without seeing the relationship between the two. Some Seniors are

grateful for the care and attention which they are receiving and focus
on the positive aspects of their lives rather than the negative.

"I have lived at Careage North a year now; they are great...
just <wish) I could go every Thursday to Senior Citizen
luncheon, but on $29 can't afford it."

"I live across the street from a doctor whose wife calls
me frequently to be sure I am all right.""

Many of the local Senior Citizens are Alaskan Native persons
for whom the changes brought by the pipeline are minimal.compared
to changes in lifestyle resulting from a move from a village to
Fairbanks.

For the most part, age means experience, and with it comes
perspective.

"I do not feel that problems in the Fairbanks area are
basically related to the pipeline impact but have existed
previously to a substantial degree. Icefog in the winter,
dust pollution in the summer have been increasing for some
years as vehicular traffic and population expansion
accelerated in this area. Telephone service has always
been erratic and lagging behind subscriber demand for
installation. Sarrow streets in the core area have"been
with us since the town-was founded, and traffic congestion
has occurred perioducally during the times of transient
influx a number of times. Such as during the construction
of Ladd (Wainwright) Field and Eielson, during World War II,
and the Russian plane ferrying program-, etc. Between these
periods,.there was the yearly seasonal impact of workers
for the F.E. gold dredges with resultant dislocations of
rents, services and transportation facilities.
"Food prices have been high, but the wage scale locally
has taken that into account in the main. Comparison
shopping in the Seattle area (itself a high cost area)
usually shows that except for,fresh fruits and vegetables,
prices'in Fairbanks compare favorably if transportation
charges are included. Variety of selection is more limited
here, but that gap is closing from year to year as more
chain stores, markets, and specialty shops open up.
Rental housing has been the mostiexpensive item comparatively
speaking, due partly to the climatic demands,. and partly to
the boom-and-bust nature of the Fairbanks economy. The
high price of gas and oil is a national and international
problem, so Fairbanks is not unique in that. High land
prices are not unique to here either and in any event, should
lead to increased borough revenue in the future, as property
tax assessments rise."

However, perspective does not always cast the current situation
into a positive light:

"Being an old-timer from Territorial days, I resent the
influx of rabble looking for the "easy-buck" and caring little
for our traditions. Increase with that type is not progress.
The pipeline construction brings decay not only to our "way
of life" but to the ecology of the land. The men coining for
gold after '98 were a different type. They came for adventure
and "to seek a newer world" and built a "brotherhood of man".
Now, most of the newcomers seek money and will leave after
making it. No solution appears in time, Alaska will cure
this decay. Newcomers might be discouraged when they are
told the pipeline will be completed in a couple of years and
Alaskan economy cannot support a large population.'.'

In addition to perspectives from experience, age sometimes brings
a sense of powerlessness which results from poor health or an inability
to accomplish objectives with the ease of youth or from the way a
nation or culture regards its elderly. It is difficult to distinguish
the problems which result from aging from problems which are a result
of changes in the community from such things as pipelines.

"These things did not happen as a result of changes
in the community. It is because I am a semi-invalid and
66 years old and cannot earn a living on my own power."

Powerlessness sometimes brings guilt feelings in whi ch a person
tends to blam himself for problems which were perhaps unavoidable.

Older persons with well-developed values often find it difficult
to live in a world-of changing values:

"I have to wait for admittance to Hospital, then be put
in with an alcoholic with.D.T.'s (ward) * I am staying home to
protect ones property. Courtesy. There is no such thing.
Everyone seems to be mad at the world. Pedestrianhasn't a
chance. All in such a hurrv and mad. I'm wondering if and when
the speed -limits should be posted, by City Ordinance, especially
in residential area of city. We don't go up town only early
morning'before the "Kooks",block the doorways and streets."

Perhaps it is in the area of values that it is most difficult to
address the needs of older persons in Fairbanks. Public policy can
address the needs for housing or health care or transportation, but,
as the addage states, one cannot legislate morality. Hence, in spite
of changing values being one of the major impacts of the pipeline, this
report considers only peripherally value aspects of impact on older
persons.

THE SURVEY

A questionnaire survey of Senior Citizens residing in th&:-Fairbanks
area was conducted in March, 1975.. A survey form with 16 questions
was developed by the Impact Information Center after talking with
persons who work with Senior Citizens. The questionnaire was then
tested on several Senior Citizens and revised. A copy of the final
questionnaire is appended to this report. After the final format was
developed, the questionnaire was reproducedand attached to the front
of the March monthly newsletter sent out by the North Star Council on
Aging to approximately 600 persons. An addressed envelope with postage
provided was supplied with the questionnaire.

To explain the purpose of the questionnaire and to help persons
fill out the form, an outreach,program was initiated. Persons from
the impact Center and the Council on Aging spoke to Senior Citizens
on this subject on radio and television programs and at the Senior
Citizen's Lunch Program. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner ran a
lengthy article on the subject. Persons working with older people
were contacted and asked to encourage Senior Citizens to fill out the
questionnaire and to offer to assist them. And leaders of groups of
retired persons were asked to make announcements to their groups.

A total of 177 questionnaires was returned prior to April 1, 1975,
at which time analysis of the questionnaires was begun. The few
questionnaires submitted after that date have not been included in the
analysis which is presented here. Three of the returned questionnaires
did not,provide.the information@sought. Oneperson wrote simply, "Own
our home, no mortgage. Employed. Ample income. if The other two
refusals protested the concept of such aquestionnaire:

"I thought it an honor to become an Alaskan pioneer - now
.,.,.it looks as tho we Senior Citizens are-j-ust being used by
bureaucrats for more money to cushion their soft jobs.
No thank you!"

"Commisar Dixon and.Commisar Ohata: Go back to Russia
and take the likes of you with you. A Senior Citizen-."

Thus, a total of 174 persons chose to respond to the questionnaire.
According to their,responses on the number of persons living in their
household,the questionnaires represent a total of 304 persons.

It is difficult to know what percentage of the total number of
Senior Citizens this represents. It has been five years since the
last census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, which provides the
only information on the age breakdown of persons in the Fairbanks area.
Numbers of persons in different age groups in the 1970 Census and in
the survey are presented in Figure 1. Persons who were 55-59 years
old five years ago would be 60-64 today. However, there is no way
of knowing whether those persons have remained in the community or
moved elsewhere. And some of the persons represented in the 1970
Census are undoubtedlv deceased today. Al@o there ds no way of knowing
whether the rate of movenent of older persons into the comnun4fy has
remained the same as in 1970.

Figure I

Comparison of Age Distributions of Senior Citizens in Borough
and City, 1970 Census and 1975 Survey

1970 Census Survey Sample
Age Group Borough City -Wo-usehold Respondents

55-59 1,031--------623. - 820 10
60-64 576-352 18%-
65 38
20@,
6.5-69 264-159 45%- 72 58
70-74 133-70 59% 30 - - - - 41 7
75-79 69- .42 50% 21 18
4o7
80-84 9%
48-35 - - - - - - 17 12
%@ 17.
85 & Older 59 48 - - 6- .6

Total 2,180 1,329 304 169

Totals represent those under 60 years old.
-2

-3
0.

Two assumptions could be made: either cohorts in the 1970 Census
are now 5 years older and fall into the next highest age category, as
represented by the solid lines in Figure 1; or, the attrition rate
has been such that the population pyramid has remained fairly constant
in 5 years. If the first assumption is made, then the sample in the
survey represents 10-40% of each age group, with an average of 17%.
If the second assumption is made, the sample represents 13-59% of each
age group, with an average of 30%. The real situation lies somewhere
.between the two assumptions. Thus, one could safely say that the
.sample represents 17-30% of the Senior Citizens. The Fairbanks North
Star Borough.Dept. of Planning and Zoning estimated that 750 Senior
Citizens lived in the Borough as of March 1, 1974. If this were so
the sample would represent 29.6% of Senior Citizens.

Because many problems considered in the questionnaire relate to
.income, in the initial analysis questionnaires were grouped according
to monthly incomes of the respondents. This resulted in the groups
listed in Figure 2. However, these groups are somewhat misleading
as indicators of income levels. Another approach is to divide the
combined monthly household income by the number of persons residing
in the household, which was done in Figure 3. When there is more than
one person in the household, this generally results in a lower per
capita income than the income of the respondent. Approximately 36%
of the respondents, not including those living at the Pioneer Home
,or Careage North, live with other persons in their,'household.
@Because of the distribution of persons and income, most of the data
"has-been consolidated into fewer income groups. These groups could
be regarded generally as,poverty level (under $300 per month), low
income($300 - $700 per month) middle income($ 700-$ 1100 per month),
and upper income( more than $1100 per month).

These verbal classifications would probably be inaccurate in
describing the population of Fairbanks as a whole, since an income of
$13,000 per year is more middle income than high income locally. The
U.S. Census does not give the distribution of income by age; however,
some comparisons can be made between the distribution of income of
Senior Citizens as indicated by the survey, and that of the population
.as a whole, as indicated by the Census. According to 1970 Census
data, 38.5% of the population of Fairbanks as a whole had incomes
greater than $15,000 per year; whereas, only 4.6 % of the Senior
Citizens surveyed had incomes above $13,200 per year. Similarly,
17.1% of the population as a whole had incomes less than $6000.
in 1970 as compared to 53.4% of the Senior Citizens surveyed.

Figure 2

Distribution of Income of Respbndents

Monthly Yearly Number Percentage Accumulative Percentage
Income Income Respondents Respondents of Respondents

under $300 Under $3,600 54 31.0% 31.0%

r
$301- $500 $3,612- $6,000 39 22.4% 53.4%

$501- $700 $6,012- $8,400 22 12.6% 66.0%

$701- $900 $8,412-$10,800 11 6.3% 72.3%

$901-$1100 $10,812-$13,200 15 8.6% 80.9%

more than $1100 more than $13,200 8 4.6% 85.5%

no information no information 25 14.4% 99.9%

174 99.9%

Figure 3

Average Income Per Person in Household

1-Person Households 2-Person Households More

Average Income Average Income Average Income
Income of Number of Person in Number of Person in Number of Person in
Respondent Respondents Household Respondents Household Respondents Household
under -.$300 33 $ 233.03 $ 245.33 $ 275.21@
$300 --- $500 19 400.68 9 257.17 7 262.26
$501---$700 9 576.77 10 354.70 2 185.71
$700---$900 3 847.00 3 456.16 5 405.31
$901-41100 7. 1007.14 7 565.71 0 ------

more than $1100. 3 1271.33 3 1050.00 2 800.00
74, 41 21

Does not include persons in Pioneer Home or Careage North.

+ Per capita income was derived by dividing combined monthly household income by
number of persons in household. These tabulations exclude respondents for
which information is inadequate.

Three-fourths of the Senior Citizens surveyed made less than
$10,800 per year, while only 40% of the total population were in that
category. Hence, compared to the 1970 Census figures, the distribution
of incomes of Senior Citizens is well below that of the population
as a whole. The differences in income have probably widened as the
introduction of high-paying pipeline jobs has escalated wages for
persons in the community not on fixed incomes.

Figure 4 gives the ages of both the respondents and the other
persons in their households by the income of the respondents. It
may be seen that older persons tend to have lower incomes, probably
because they are less likely to be working.

Results of the questionnaire suggest three major problems for
Senior Citizens: inflation, housing, and transportation. These
and other problems are discussed following a section describing
sources of income for Senior Citizens.

SOURCES OF INCOME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

According to the survey of Senior Citizens, a majority (81%)
receive income from Social Security (see Figure 5). The next most
common form of income is Longevity Bonus, which 47% of those
surveyed receive. Nearly one-fifth of those surveyed receive
public assistance. This section explains some of the limitations
on Social Security, Public. Assistance, Longevity Bonus, and Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act payments.

Social Security. Social Security was established by the
federal government in 1935 to supplement the decreased income that
occurs for older Americans, particularly after they retire. Persons
who have worked at jobs covered by,Social Security are eligible for
Social Security Administration benefits, or SSA, if they are 62
years old or older or if they.are disabled. Social Security
benefits also extend to dependents of deceased,persons who worked
at jobs covered by Social Security. Not all jobs have Social Security-
coverage, and therefore not all persons who have worked are eligible
for Social Security. Neither federal civil service nor the tail-
roads, two sources of employment for many Alaskans over the years,
Accrues Social Security benefits. However, self-employed persons,
including persons engaged in trapping, fishing, or carving, may be
eligible for SSA benefits.

Social Security payments are based upon individual earnings
and contributions throughout the working years. The U.S. Congress
sets the rates for Social Security paymen ts, and these rates are
consistent throughout the country. In 1974, the Congress raised
the rates of payment for Social Security by 11%. Although this
increase is roughly consistent with the national rate of inflation,
older Alaskans are trying to live on the same amount as persons in

Figure 4

Distribution of Ages of Persons in Household by Personal Income of Respondents

More than
Total ample Under $ ONTO. $300-$700/mO. $1100/mo. -1100/mo. ncome Unknown
4J 4-1

Cn W
0 @4 -1 0 P r--1 0 @4 r-@ 0 P 0 @4 0 P
CL Q) z a) Co ed Cd M 01 (D Ct
4J U) 4J 4J U) En 4J
a; 4-J0 0 -W 0 4J 0 a) 4J 0 Q) 0
Aix Qroury
60 & under 10 18 8E .4 12 16 2'- 35 37 2 14 16 2 4 6 0 13 13

61-65 38 21 59 9 5 14 1.4 5 19 6 6 12 2 0 2 7 5 12

66-70 58 14 72 19 4 23 20 5 25 10 1 11 .4 2 6 5 2 7

71-75 37 4 41 9 2 11 16 0 16 7 1 8 0 0 0 5 1 6

76@80 18 3 21 7 0 7 5 1 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 4 3 7

81-85 12 5 17 6 0 6 3 4 7 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 3

Older 6 0 6 2 0 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 -0 0 0 1 1 2

Total 179 125 304 56 23 79 61 51 112 27 22 49 9 6 15 24 26 50

Average
Number Persons/
Household 1.69 1.41 1.81 1.66 2.08

Some of the totals for numbers of respondents in each category are greater then the number of questionnaires as
indicated in Figure 2. This is attributed to a situation in which on some questionnaires couples answered
jointly giving both ages as the age of the respondent.

Figure 5

Distribution of sources of Income of Respondents and Whether Income
Increased in Last Year by Personal Monthly Income of Respondents

Under $300- $500- $700- $900-
Source Total Sample $300/ma. 500/mo. 700-/mo. 900/mo. 1100/mo. More/mo.

Social Security 141 81% 51 94% 36 92% 14 64% 9 82% 7 47% 5 63%
Welfare Assistance 33 19% 22 41% 7 18% 1 5% 0 - 0 - 0 -
Employment 29 17% 4 7% 5 13% 4 18% 3 27% 8 53% 2 25%
Food Stamps 10 6% 9 17% 1 3% 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -
Money from Children 4 2% 0 - 2 5% 0 - 1 9% 0 - 0 -
Insurance 3 2% 0 - 2 5% 0 -- 1 9% 0 - 0 -
Longevity Bonus 81 47% 18 33% 24 62% 10 45% 7 64% 6 40% 2 25%
Land Claims Payments 17 10% 8 15% 7 18% 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -
Private Savings & Investments 32 18% 3 6% 6 15% 9 41% 2 18% 3 20% 1 13%,
Pension 66 38% 3 6% 19 49% 12 55% 9 82% 8 53% 6 75%

Changes in Personal Income in
Last Year

Income Increased 67 39% 15 28% 8 21% 10 45% 7 64% 11 73% 6 75%
No Income Increase 94 54% 36 67% 28 72% 10 45% 3 27% 4 27% 2 25%
No Answer 13 7% 3 6% 3 8% 2 10% 1 9% 0 - 0 -
-74- - 54 39 22 -11 15 8

Total includes 25 respondents for whom the amount of income of respondents was not given.

Florida, for example, where the costs of housing, clothing, and
food are substantially less. U.S. Senator Ted Stevens from
Alaska and others have introduced legislation to provide for
cost of living adjustments in Social Security payments, but
differentials in Social Security payments do not appear to be
forthcoming.

Social Security payments range from $93 per month to $340
per month. The upper limit of $340 per month applies to persons
who were earning more than $14,000 per year during the time that
they,were making contributions to.Social Security. Persons who
receive Social Security benefits may not substantially-increase
their income through employment. If a person's total yearly
earnings exceeds $2,520, the Social Security Administration holds
back $1 in Social Security for every $2 earned for each month in
which the recipient earns more than $210. Although Social Security
places restrictions on employment, pensions and other sources of
money, such as savings or Longevity Bonus, do not affect Social
Security payment rates.

The local Social Security Administration Office is located
in Room 311 of the Alaska Sportsmans.Mall at 1514 Cushman Street.
Most transactions are conducted there; however, service-
representatives will make home visits. The seven-person SSA
staff is managed by Gordon F. Taylor. According to Mr. Taylor, it
now takes 2 days to one week or more to make adjustments in Social
Security checks for local residents. A new data retrieval system
with a remote computer terminal is scheduled to be installed in
Fairbanks by Sept. 30. However, this system which uses satellite
communications is so sophisticated that no one in Alaska is
qualified to repair it. This has created several delays in
installation. Once installed, the new data retrival system would
enable the Social Security office here to make adjustments in
Social Security checks in 7 seconds, which should help to minimize
some of the problems affecting Senior Citizens on Social Security.

SSI. Prior to 1974, the State of Alaska Department of Health
and Social Services Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS)
administered all public assistance programs. Some programs, known
as "categorical assistance,".received partial funding from the
federal government. These programs included Old Age Assistance
(OAA), Aid to the Disabled (AD), and Aid to the Blind (AB), as
well as other programs. In Jan. of 1974, the federal government
began to administer its public assistance funds for adults through
the Social Security Administration in what is known as Supplemental
Security Income (SSI).

The maximum SSI payments ard $146 per month. -Persons are
eligible for SSI if they meet certain requirements and if their
total resources are less the $1,500. Any amount of unearned income
above $20 per month and one half of earned income above $60 per month
,is deducted from SSI payments. Persons must apply to the Social

Security Administration for SSI. By law, every year each SSI
recipient is re-evaluated and the amount of assistance is re-
determined,

In 1974, SSI payments were increased by 11% in keeping with
the national inflation rate. Like Social Security, there are no
regional cost of living adjustments for SSI recipients across the
nation. SSI payments are scfteduled to increase by 8% in July 1975
but according to Mr. Taylor, President Ford has asked Congress
to increase SSI only by 5% in July to '.'hold down on inflation."

State Public Assistance. State public assistance elegibility
requirements are often less rigid than the federal requirements.
However, before a person can apply for state categorical assistance
funds, he or she must first apply to the Social Security Administration
for SSI. Persons ineligible to receive SSI may still'be eligible
to receive state public assistance. Nevertheless, each adult in
need of public assistance must go through two application processes:
first at the Social Security Offices at 1514 Cushman and then at the
DFCS offices in the Chena Building at 510 Second Avenue.

State categorical assistance supplements income to a level of,
$250 per month for persons renting or owning their own housing,
and $185 for persons living with other persons, such as their children.
The amount of assistance received from SSI and/or Social Security
is deducted from the state assistance limits so that'nobody receiving
state public assistance has an income of more than $250 per month,
excluding Longevity Bonus.

Shirley Coleman, DFCS Eligibility x@ork manager, acknowledges
that the level of public assistance is not commensurate with the
cost of living in Fairbanks. And some of the regulations are such
that people are forced into compromising &ittiations. For example,
married persons who separate can receive *100 per month more from
the state than if they live as a couple. According to Ms. Coleman,
some people are so desperate for the income that they either lie
about their marital status or actually separate.

As of March 31, 1975, 312 persons in Fairbanks receive adult
categorical assistance from the state including 125 persons receiving
Old Age Assistance, 184 receiving Aid to the Disabled, and 3 receiv ing
Aid to the Blind. Since no one can receive two types of assistance,
persons who are disabled and are 65 or older receive Old Age
Assistance.

In addition to financial assistance, persons receiving
categorical assistance from the state may receive other types of
social services. Rogenia Thims, a social worker with DFCS, handles
the adult categorical assistance caseload. The types of social
services which Ms,. Thims provides includes home visits, counselling,
referral, and arranging transportation. In addition the DFCS can
arrange for homemaker service for homebound older persons. Alaska
@Home Health Aide Service, Inc. contracts to provide homemaker services
such as nursing, shopping, preparing meals, housekeeping, etc.

Alaska Longevity Bonus. The Alaska Longevity Bonus Program was
established by the State Legislature in 1972 and became effective
January 1, 1973. The enabling legislation, AS47.45.170, sets forth
the purpose of the Bonus, as follows:

"The sole purpose of this chapter is to offer and
provide all law-abiding Alaskans capable of managing their
own affairs who have maintained a domicile in the state for
at least 25 years and have reached a retirement age of 65,
an incentive to continue uninterrupted residency in the
state. Under no circumstances shall this chapter be
considered a form, type, or manner of public relief."
Sec. 47145.170

Eligibility for the Longevity Bonus is not based upon income or
.,need. Every person who has maintained continuous residency in
Alaska since Jan. 3, 1959, is eligible for the Bonus.

The Longevity Bonus is administered by the Department of
Administration. Persons may rec&ve the Bonus by filling out an
application which-may be obtained from the local Office of the
Governor, in the State Office Building. The application form
requires proof of birth, which may.be either a birth certificate
or a statement from the Social'Security Administration, as well as
three references who can establish that the person has lived in
Alaska for 25 years.

Currently the Longevity Bonus pays.persons.who apply and
qualify $100 per month. This money isexempt from State income
tax and is not deducted from Social Security, SSI, or state public
assistance paymentL Sharon Brosky of the Office of the.Governor
in Fairbanks explains, "The Longevity Bonus can make the difference
betweensurviving and living." Currently 5,374 Alaskans are
receiving Longevity Bonus, 468 of whom reside in the Fairbanks
Area.

Native Claims Payments. Senior Citizens who are enrolled in
Doyon, Ltd., the Native corporation for Interior Alaska, have
been receiving Alaska Native-Claims payments in yearly installments.
These payments, which started on Dec. 18, 1971, will continue for
the next seven years at approximately the same rate..

There are two types,of.6nrollments, each having different
benefits: the non-village enrollments, and the village enrollments.
Persons who are enrolled in Doyon, but not in a village corporation,
have received $1,528.55 since Dec. 1971, or approximately $500 per
year. Persons who are enrolled in.both Doyon and a village
corporation have received $275.27 to date, or less than $100 per year.

Alaska Native Claims payments are not taxable, although interest
on the payments may be taxable. Also, Claims payments are disregarded
in determining eligibility for Social Security, SSI, or state
public assistance.

The administrator for Alaska Native Claims payments in the
Interior is Kathryn Harwood, whose office is located in the Doyon,
Ltd., offices at First and Hall, across from the Eagles Hall, in
Fairbanks. Ms. Harwood says that Older Native persons who have
selected non-village enrollment will probably accrue greater
financial benefits in their lifetimes.

Entitlement. Each of the forms on income discussed here
SSA, SSI, State Public Assistance, Longevity Bonus, Native Claims
payments - involve administrative and bureaucratic decisions about
eligibility and amount to which Senior Citizens are entitled by
law. Persons who feel that they are not getting all to which they
are entitled have legal recourse. However, to appeal administrative
and bureaucratic decisions usually requires legal councel. Senior
Citizens who cannot afford private attorneys may be eligible for
free legal assistance from Alaska Legal Services.

On Feb. 2, 1975, Alaska Legal Services in conjunction with
the State Office of Aging established a Senior Citizens Law Office
in the Fairbanks offices of Alaska Legal Services, 510 Second Avenue.
The Senior Citizens Law Office is served by two paralegals,
Bernice Aldridge and Jackie Saffel, and by Attorney Barbara Evans.
Senior Citizens are eligible for services if their incomes are less
that $2, 980 per year not including Longevity Bonus or Native Claims
payments. Senior Citizens who do not meet the income requirements
may be given advice and referral services.

The Senior Citizens Law Office handles a variety of legal
problems including entitlements, tax problems, adoptions, evictions,
and some consumer complaints. They cannot take "fee-generating"
cases, or civil suits which ask for monetary payments. The Senior
Citizens Law Office will make visits to homebound persons, and they
are engaging in a legal education outreach program which includes
visiting the North Star Council on Aging Lunch Program, Careage
North, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP), and other places.

At the end of April, 1975, the Senior Citizens Law Office was
handling approximately 30 cases. The office has been funded through
August, 1975, specifically to deal with pipeline-related impact
.on Senior Citizens.

Summary. "The green check is Social Security, the yellow check
is SSI, the blue check is from the state.... it Senior Citizens receive
their income in bits and pieces. The amounts of each check in some
way depends on the amounts of every other check. Changes in
administrative procedures of an agency or life circumstances of a
recipient may change the amount of one check which starts a chain
reaction known to some as a bureaucratic nightmare. One social
service worker calls it "the battle of the computers."

In order to receive the benefits to which they are entitled,
Senior Citizens often have to deal with many interdependent
bureaucracies (a list of a encies is given in Appendix I). Yet.-
9
Senior Citizens are often the group with the least stamina for such
processes. Regulations for each agency are so complex that the
system is mystifying, and Senior Citizens can feel much more
powerless undef those circumstances.

Although 54% of the Senior Citizens surveyed indicated that
their incomes had not increased in the last year (see Figure 5), this
is probably an inaccurate representation since 81% of the sample
receives Social Security which increased.by 11% in 1974. With
income from so many different sources and with adjustments in amounts
to which person are entitled due to administrative changes ot life
circumstances, it is likely that many Senior Citizens are not awake
of those types of increases. Perhaps a more accurate interpretation
of Figure 5 is that, unlike persons in the Fairbanks community who
have taken pipeline jobs in the last year,54% of the Senior Citizens
surveyed have not perceived appreciable-increases,in their incomes.

IN17LATION

inflation is an integral part of most impact-related problems
in Fairbanks. It is considered separately here because the Senior
Citizens singled out inflation as their major problem.

Inflation is a problem for many members of the Fairbanks
community, but it is intensified for persons on fixed.incomes.

.III think the pipeline-related prices have made it
twice as hard to get@by on the'fixed income of so many
of the people that are on pensions and social security."

The Senior Citizen"s survey showed that not all older persons have
fixed incomes - 40% of tho'se surveyed indicated that their incomes
had increased within the last year. According to the survey,
persons with low incomes are more likely to have fixed incomes
(see Figure 5)

Income level depends in part upon the source of income.
Figure 5 suggests that higher income persons tend to be less
dependent upon Social Security, public assistance, food stamps, and
Native Claims payments, and more dependent upon employment and
pensions as sources of income than lower income persons. The
survey indicates that less than 2% of the respondents in the sample
depend upon their children for financial support.

Inflation is the greatest concern of the people surveyed.
Problems with the cost of living extend beyond the excalating prices
of food, clothing, and housing. One retired person who has not yet
reached the age of 65 wrote:

"Inflation in all directions; my greatest concern at
the moment is receiving my tax assessment notice and -finding
the valuation of my property and home has gone up $41,000 in
one year's time. I realize I am living in a business zone,
but have been for a good many years, and to have that tax at
the mill rate which I am sure will be not less than last year
is hard to face in lieu of the fact that I am living on a
fixed income."

The cost of fuel oil and maintenance of automobiles is another factor
.affecting the lifestyles of Senior Citizens.

The survey asked Senior Citizens if they have had to change their
lifestyles as a result of changes in the community in thd last year.
Responses to that question (see Fig'ure 6) indicate that most life-
style,changes are a result of inflation. More than 37% of the total
sample said that they had made changes in their lifestyles. The most
common change is that older persons are spending less on recreation
and staying home more. This may have ramifications in terms of
mental health.

"It is quite difficult to sit at home all the time,
so I take my car, all of which is paid for, and go visit
other friends of which I have known and worked with in all
the years I have lived up here. And that takes some of my
pension checks for gas, oil, and upkeep. In this way I
try to control.my illness and visits to doctors which are
exceedingly high (expensive)...."

Other changes in lifestyle common to Senior Citizens surveyed are
buying less clothing and walking rather than taking taxis.

Nearly 30% of the Senior Citizens surveyed said that they are
buying less food and different types of food than they did one year
ago. Particularly for older persons, this may affect nutrition and
health. More than 14% of the respondents said that"they are
participating in the nutrition program sponsored by the North Star

Figure 6

Lifestyle Changes in Last Year by Income

Lifestyle Changes in Last Year Total Sample Under $300/mo. $300-$700/mo. $700-$1100/mo. More/mo.

Change 65 37.3% 19 35.2% 22 36.0% 13 50.0% 3 37.5%
No Change 73 41.9% 20 37.0% 25 41.0% 14 53.8% 5 62.5%
No Answer 33 18.9% 16 29.6% 8 13.1% 2 7.7% 0 -
Total 1:-74 54 61 26 8

Type Changes

Moved to less expensive housing 10 5.7% 5 9.3% 4 6.6% 0 - 0 -
Sold home 6 3.4% 0 - 3 4.9% 1 3.8% 0 -
More people living in household 6 3.47. 3 5.6% 1 1.6% 2 7.7% 0 -
Buying less food 52 29.9% 16 29.6% 23 37.7% 6 23.1% 2 25.0%
Buying different kinds of food 51 29.3% 16 29.6% 22 36-.0% 7 26.9% 1 12.5%
Senior Citizens Lunch Program 25 14.4% 9 16.7% 10 16.3% 1 3.8% 2 25.0%
Walking rather than cab 34 19.5% 10 24.6% 15 24.6% 5 83.3% 2 25.0%
Using Senior Citizens Transportation 24 13.8% 11 20.4% 7 11.5% 0 - 2 25.0%
Staying home more 65 37.4% 20 37.0% 27 44.3% 5 83.3% 2 25.0%
Spending less on recreation 62 35.6% 19 35.2% 27 44.3% 8 30.8% 2 25.0%
Buying less clothes 54 31.0% 22 40.7% 20 32.8% 6 23.1% 2 25.0%
.Making fewer visits to doctor 28 16.1% 9 16.7% 13 21.3% 2 7.7% 0 -
Other 19 11.0% 7 13.0% 10 16.4% 0 - 0 -
Total 174 54 61 26 8

Total incl@des 25 respondents for whom no income information was provided,

Council on Aging as a result of higher food prices. The nutrition
program, which is federally funded through Title VII of the Older
Americans Act, provides a main meal at noon each day. Each day
approximately 45-50 persons eat their noon meal at one of the two
nutrition program sites. Meals are served at the Ninth Avenue
Golden Age Apartments and at the American Legion Hall on First Avenue.
In addition, the nutrition program has a "meals on wheels" program
which provides food for shut-ins.

Currently the meals which are served are prepared by the food
service at the University of Alaska. The North Star Council on Aging
purchases the meals at $2.25 each and provides them to Senior Citizens
at less than cost. The "suggested fee" is $1.25 per meal, but
Seniors average $1.00 per person per meal. Food stamps may be used
to purchase the meals, but this is rarely done. In general, the
nutrition program appeals to persons who are fairly healthy. It
helps in addressing two r@ajor nutrition problems for Senior Citizens
1) for income reasons, older persons tend to eat a disproportionate
amount of starches; and 2) because they cannot affort good dental
care, older persons tend to have denture problems which prevent
them from chewing adequately and from eating meats. However, the
nutrition program does.not address special dietary needs such as
low-salt, diabetic, or low-cholestrol diets.
Another result of inflation is that older people are delaying
retirement.

"I am still working, but I hope to retire in June 1975,*
but I do know high cost of living hurts very much. Very much."

Another man stated that he simply can't afford to retire. Some Senior
Citizens have been forced out of retirement.

"Came here with retired husband to live out our lives.
Both been foreced to return to work as his pension will not
even pay rent..."

"I went back to work as a full charge bookkeeper so we
could still get by on our own. Thanks to my working for a
sub-contractor on pipeline camp job we are doing OK at present.
Before that was not able to get by on Social Security and
Alaska bonus as only income. Will try and have all indebtedness
paid in full before my job over, so can exist on S.S. and
AK Bonus, if they continue paying it."

By going to work, Senior Citizens who earn more than $2,510 a year
can lose their Social Security payments according to law.

How do Senior Citizens with fixed incomes copo with the rising
cost of living? One Senior Citizen reports that she has "made 30%
savings on power bills due to better management of electric power
and car use." Others are saving money by walking rather than using
more costly forms of transportation. For some, the Longevity Bonus
has provided the extra margin of income which combats the effects
of inflation.

"If it wasn't for the Longevity Bonus we would have
to sell our house and move out of Alaska. Sorry to say after
living in Fairbanks 30 years, the pipeline is good for Alaska,
otherwise I think we all would be in the red; that is what
started the Longevity Bonus and saved lot of us Seniors in
Alaska."

Other people are selling their possessions to make ends meet.

"Have had to sell many household items, antiques, misc.
Desperately hunting for heated one bedroom house or apartment
unfurnished. Sold my home."

"Sold my jewelry."

And, an unknown number of Senior Citizens are following the course
contemplated by this older Alaskan:

"We will probably sell out in a year or two and move
back south but we prefer Alaska after 1/4 of a century. This
is 'home' to us."

HOUSING

Housing appears to be the second most critical problem for
Senior Citizens. 'According to the survey, 50% of the respondents
are homeowners. Information on the location and type of
residence by income is presented in Figure 7. Low income persons
are less likely to.be homeowners than high income people; however,
nearly 40% of people with incomes of less then.$300 per month own
their own homes. Few of the older people surveyed live with their
children

Currently Senior Citizens are spending a disproportionate
percentage of their income on housing. Figure 8 shows the percentage
of combined monthly household income spent on housing for each of
the income groups. A total of 22% of the people surveyed spend
more than 50% of their income on housing. As with other age groups,
.people with lower incomes spend.a greater percentage of their incomes
on housing than people with higher incomes. This may be partially
due to the fact that people with higher incomes are more likely to
own their own homes. However, homeownership is not always without
expenses.

"I paid $113.93 for repair on furnace; $37.00 for repair
on water heater. My home needs repairs - a new roof - chimney
repair - roof leaks and the siding is old and water runs down
the walls how can I get help to do this repair?"

Figure 7

Place of Residence by Income of Respondents

Location Total Sample Under $300/mo. $300-$700/mo. $700-$1100/mo. More/mo.

City of Fairbanks 140 80.5% 47 27.0% 41 67.2% 23 88.5% 7 88.0%
Fairbanks North Star Borough 31 17.8% 7 13.0% 17 27.9% 3 11.5% 1 12.0%
Outside Borough 2 1.1% 0, - 2 3.3% 0 - 0 -
Total 174 -i-6

Type Residence
Home-Owned + 88 50.6% 20 37.0% 32 52.0% 19 73.0% 4 50.0%
Uncontrolled re t 40 23.0% 12 22.0% 14 23.0% 5 19.0% 4 50.0%
Controlled rent 22 12.0% 12 22.0% 6 10.0% 1 4.0% 0 -
Health facility 8 5.0% 6 11.0% 1 1.6% 0 - 0
Live with children 7 4.0% 4 7.0% 2 3.0% 0 - 0
Other 12 7.0% 2 4.0% 6 10.0% 3 12.0% 0
Total 174 54 61 26 8

Total includes 23 respondents for whom income information was not given.

Uncontrolled rent rented home, apartment, rooming house.
Controlled rent Birch Park 'Apartments, 9th Avenue Apartments.

Figure 8

Percentage of Combined Monthly Household Income Spent on Housing

% of Income
Spent on
Housing Total Sample Under $300/mo. $300-$700/mo, $700-$1100/mo. More/mo.

0-10 % 16 12% 2 4% 5 9% 4 33% 1 14%
10-20 % 31 23% 10 22% 8 15% 7 29% 6 86%
20-30 % 28 21% .12 27% 8 15% 8 M 0 -
30-40 % 20 15% 4 9% 12 23% 4 17% 0
40-50 % 11 8% 3 7% 11% 1 4% 0
50-60 % 10 8% 5 11% 5 9% 0 - 0
60-70 % 4 3% 1 2% 3 6% 0 - 0
70-80 % 6 5% 4 9% 2 4% 0 - 0
more 8 6% 4 9% 4 8% 9 - 0
Total 134 -4-5 53 24 7

Homeownership also requires many activities on the parts of the
owner which some Senior Citizens are no longer able to perform,
such as shovelling snow from the roof and drive.

Persons over 65 who are homeowners are given a break on their
property taxes. Alaska Statute 29.53.020, passed in 1973, provides
that Senior Citizens are exempt from property tax, and allows the
state to reimburse local governments for the amount of property
tax from which Senior Citizens are exemted. When the law was
adopted in 1973, there was an income eligibility requirement which
has subsequently been ammended so that any Senior Citizen may be
eligible for property tax exemption regardless of income. To
receive the property tax exemption, persons older than 65 must file
an application each year prior to Jan. 15. Persons who miss the
Jan. 15 deadline are still entitled to some property tax relief if
they file applications prior to May 31. Applications may be obtained
from the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assessing Office at 517 1/2
First Avenue. The application form is brief, and persons-working
in the Assessing Office will help Senior Citizens fill out the form.
According to the law, the property tax exemption applies to mobile
homes as well as conventional houses.

Two types of rental situations occur which have been designated
as "uncontrolled rents" and "controlled rents". Uncontrolled rents
are homes, apartments, or rooms which are rented from private concerns.
Controlled rents are low income housing which has federally regulated
rent structures, such as Birch Park and the Ninth Avenue Golden Age
Apartments. Places with controlled rents have income requirements
which select for low income persons.

According to An ne Cothron, who manages the Alaska State Housing
Authority (ASHA) low-income housing projects, there are a total of
26 ASHA units which are designated to be occupied by persons or
families in which the heads of households are older than 65 or
disabled. These units are distributed such that 20 are located at
the Ninth Avenue Golden Age Apartments, 6 are at Birch Park, and
2 are at Spruce Park. To be eligible for ASHA housing, a single
person must have an income less than $7,800 per year and a couple
must have a combined income of less that $8,700 per year. Rent
is determined by deducting 10% of the monthly income and then setting
the rent at 1/4 of the remainder. Most persons in ASHA housing
are paying approximately $44 per month for rent. This formula,
which was determined by ASHA and approved by the federal government,
has remained unchanged except for An increase in the income limit
in Sept. 1974.

A total of 27 Senior Citizens are officially on the waiting list
for ASHA housing. However, the turnover rate is so.low that vacancies
rarely occur unless someone dies. Because chances of obtaining ASHA
housing are so slim, many older persons do not even apply. Also, ASHA

V@-. 77

Aives preferential treatment to persons displaced by highway projects.
Thus, 10 ASHA apartments are currently occupied by persons displaced
by a highway project in Feb. 1974, even though other persons had been
on the waiting list for a longer period of time. Ms. Cothron says she
is already receiving calls from persons who would like their names
placed on the waiting list for the Senior Citizen's high-rise apart-
ments, which have not yet been built.

Although ASHA housing provides rent subsidies which aleviate
the problems of rent increases for ASHA residents during the rental
housing shortage in Fairbanks, subsidized housing do.es not solve all
of the housing problems for Senior Citizens.

"...If I could move to some apartment, I'd be satisfied
because, there is always fighting and noises in our n&ighbors.
Cantt sleep sometimes. That is the reason..."

Other Senior Citizens living in ASHA housing have complained that
they don't feel free to pursue the activities which would make them
happy - such as scraping skins. One older woman noted that she
could not live in ASHA housing because she could not bear to part
with her pets.

Subsidized housing presents a trade-off of freedom for security.
Persons who rent private housing are often findin5z thpmselves having
to contend with rent increases which they cannot afford.

."Had to move. Couldn`t afford to pay $235 rent."

?twill have a new landlord this summer and rent on
apartment will go up from $225.00 presently paid to $350.00."

"The rent may be raised, so I would need to 'find a living
place where the rent is not more than I now pay."

Like other persons in Fairbanks, the choice of rental housing is limited
for Senior Citizens and they do not always have the option.of moving to
less expensive housing when the rent is raised.

Of the 35% of the sample who are renters, less than half are
renting in controlled-rent situations. According to the survey, 25
of the 40 persons who are renting in uncontrolled situations have
experienced rent increases. The amounts of rent increases range from
$2 to $460, which represents a range of .9 to 328.6 percent increase
in rental prices in the last year. The largest percentage of rent
increases are under 10%, with the modal increase $25. Although this
is fairly consistent with the rate of inflation nationally, a $25
-increase in rent is significant to persons on fixed incomes under
$300 per month. The average rent increase, which includes several
extreme rent gouging situations, is $57.56, or 49.6%. Half of the
rent increases are over $25 and more than 20%.

Senior Citizens were asked if they favor some type of rent
control this summer. The group as a whole favored some type of
rent control by 2:1 and the non-homeowners favored rent control
by 3:1. Answers to that question by homeownership and income levels
of respondents are given in Figure 9.

To stay within their budgets, older persons often rent sub-
standard housing. This not only presents potential safety hazards
such as fires, but it also makes them more vulnerable to the housing
shortage as land use and zoning change to accomodate the increased
demands for space utilization in the city.

"I was iiving at the Deluxe Hotel that is going to be
torn down."

"I lived in a pretty good place, the Rose apartments@
and they condemned it. Why? When housing is so short."

Shortly after the Nordale Hotel burned in 1972, several of the rooming
houses in which oldtimers lived were condemend, including the Steele
Hotel, Deluxe Rooms and the Wayfarer. Some of the older tenants had
lived in these hotels for 15 years at reduced rates. Older persons
living in these condemned places ranged in age from 65 to 91 and in
income from $1,600 to $3,000 per year. At that time all of the Pioneer
Homes were full, and the Polaris Hotel helped by taking all of those
who could find no other housing.

At that time a campaign was begun to build additional Senior
Citizen housing. An an hoc committee, later called the "Golden Towers
Board," began to collect data on the need for Senior Citizen housing.
Individuals on this ad hoc committee wrote letters, sent telegrams, and
talked personally with legislators and government administrators on the
local, state, and federal levels in an attempt to see their dream of a
high-rise apartment building for Senior Citizens realized. Now, three
years later, a site for the high-rise apartments has been purchased by
the Borough, and the st@ate has commissioned an architect to draw the
plans. However, the source of funding for the project has not yet
been determined and plans have not been finalized. It appears that
Senior Citizen housing will not be finished, and perhaps not even
begun, in time to alleviate the pressures on Senior Citizens in
the housing shortage caused by:pipeline impact.

Another type of vulnerability in relation to the housing
shortage is that Senior Citizens, like other renters, are faced
with a greater demand for housing than supply, thus allowing
landlords to change tenants rather than responding to their
requests. An older man who had lived on Ft. Wainwright for 20
years while he worked there as a civilian claims that he was
forced to move to make room for the pipeline operations there.
The housing into which he was re-located was more costly and less
accomodating. After trying unsuccessfully to have heat in his
apartment adjusted, he approached the owner of the apartment
complex to request that the temperature be controlled more
satisfactorally. Despite a lack of housing alternatives for this
Senior Citizen, the landlord's only response was that the man
ought to look for other housing.

Figure 9

Senior Citizen's Survey

Question 11: Do you favor some type of rent control this summer?

Total Sample Homeowners Non-Homeowners
Income of Respondent Yes NO N/A Total Yes No NTA--Total Yes No NIA Total

Under $300 30 13 12 55 6 9 6 21 24 4 6 34
$300-$500 25 .4 10 39 11 4 8 23 14 0 2 16
$501-$700 13 2 7 22 9 1 6 16 4 1 1 6
$701-$900 7 2 2 11 5 2 2 9 2 0 0 2
$901-$1100 7 5 3 15 5 3 3 11 2 2 0 4
more than $1100 4 4 0 8 1 3 0 4 3 1 0 4
unknown 10 11 4 25 9 2 3 14 1 9 1 11
Total T6 -4-1 3-8 f7_5 -4-6 2-4 _@_8 @_8 TO 1-0 77

During the housing shortage, trailers have become more popular
as a housing alternative-to some segments of the population. Many
persons who buy trailers must rent a space in which to park the
trailer and hook-up utilities. In addition to facing trailer-
space rent increases, owners of trailers have the same types of
maintenance problems that face homeowners.

"The court owners have increased rent twice in the last
year - but not for Senior Citizens. Our mobile home will have
to be gotten rid of, as I'm no longer able to do necessary repairs
and upkeep. And we cannot buy a new one, when my wife can only
work one more year."

A survey of Senior Citizens conducted by the Golden Towers Committee
in April 1974, indicated that trailers are the least favored type of
housing among the group of 100 persons surveyed.

One type of housing which is currently readily available for
Senior Citizens is the Pioneer Home. The Fairbanks Pioneer Home is
one of five operated by the State of Alaska Department of Health and
Social Services. According to Alaska Statutes, any person older than
65 who has lived in Alaska for 15 years prior to applying for Pioneer
Home residency may live in a state Pioneer Home, regardless of income.
The Pioneer Home offers dormitory-style accomodations with private or
semi-private rooms and a common dining area. In addition, the Home
provides housekeeping, recreational and medical services. Regular
residents are charged $180 per month, which includes food. Persons
requiring nursing care are charged $225 per month. Persons who are
unable to make these payments apply the amount of their Social Security
checks to rent and are given $35 per month for personal expenses.

The Fairbanks Pioneer Home was expanded last year and currently
has a capacity for 120 persons. At the present time there are 78
residents and patients, which means that approximately 40 beds are
unoccupied. According to Stella Muckenthaller, Administrator of the
Fairbanks Pioneer Home, many of Alaska's older persons do not choose
to live at the Pioneer home because they do not wish to give up their
independence. However, the current situation created by the pipeline
construction has created conditions which make the Pioneer Home more
attractive to older persons. Recently three oldtimers moved to the
Pioneer Home because they felt that they were no longer safe on city
streets and because they were experiencing rent increases.

TRANSPORTATION

Although transportation was not a focus of the Senior Citizen
survey, it emerged as a significant problem for Senior Citizens. "I
have no transportation," writes one older person, "I walk." In
response to a question about changing lifestyles, 19.5% of the
respondents indicated that they were walking more rather than taking
taxis. Those who can afford taxis cannot always find them. "Many
times you have to wait over an hour for a cab," a Senior Citizen
complained. Walking may be good for the health, but it can also be
dangerous for older persons who are not always sure-footed and steady,
particularly during winter when the streets are icy.

Some Senior Citizens are also finding driving.to be more hazardous.

"Style of living will change sharply by mid-summer; I feel;
driving car much less because of high rate of accidents; too many
reckless drivers and people who don't know how to handle a motor
vehicle on ice and snow."

"As a result of the increase in auto traffic, public
transportation is even more desirable."

Driving has also become more costly, not only for fuel, maintenance,
insurance and repairs, but also for associated costs, such as parking.
Persons living in downtown apartments often have to pay to rent parking
spaces on a regular basis.

IlParking facility rent increased from $30 to $50 for plug-in."

"Parking increased $5 per month in summer, $10 in winter.
Up from $10 to $15 in summer; $15 to $25 in winter plus electricity."

Thus, the effects of the pipeline both in terms of inflation and traffic
conjestion, as well as the increased demand for taxi service, have
affected the mobility of Senior Citizens.

To address the special transportation needs of Senior Citizens, the
North Star Council on Aging initiated a transportation service in Jan. 1974
The transportation program is federally funded by Title III of the Older
Americans Act. The vehicles used and side-band radios have been donated,
and persons using the transportation system have also made donations which
are used for maintenance of the vehicles. The transportation system is a
a "dial-a-ride" type which has three vehicles when all are in working
condition.

In the mornings, from 8:00 to 11:00., Senior Citizens are
transported to medical appointments. From 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. the vans
are used to take Senior Citizens to the North Star Council on Aging
lunch programs. And, in the afternoons, from 1:00 to 4:00., older
persons are.provided transportation to assist them in shopping.

Each month since June 1974, the number of persons using the
transportation system has increased. In March, a total of 117
persons used the North Star Council on Aging transportation. The
transportation was used by 124 persons to go to-the lunch program,
by 79 persons for medical appointments, and by 69 persons for
shopping assistance. Transportation to recreational events in the
evenings or on weekends may also be arranged if five or more
persons desire it.

Persons older than 60 and their spouses may use the North
Star Council on Aging transportation system regardless of income.
To arrange a ride, the persons must call the Council on Aging
office, 452-1735, in the morning or a couple of hours prior to
the time that the ride is needed. Although the service is
primarily designated for persons in the City of Fairbanks, persons
living in Graehl and in the College area may also use the services.
There are two regular routes which function each day for which
reservations do not have to be made. One route, called "the town
route" stops at the following places at the following times:
Northward Building, 11:05; Penney's, 11:15; NAACP, 11:30; Eskimo
Village, 11:45; Birch Park, 11:55; Ninth Avenue (lunch program),
12:00 . The other route, called "the Graehl route," picks up persons
at home on the north side of the Chena River. Persons who attend
the Senior Citizen's lunch program often want to stay downtown to
shop. They have agreed to meet at the downtown Safeway store at
3:00 p.m. at which time the North Star Council on Aging-transportation
system takes them home.

Senior Citizen's transportation is not a solution for all
-the transportation needs of the older persons in the community.
The service operates on a restricted schedule, with no regular
service on weekends or in the evenings. During the noon period,
the system is directed toward transporting persons to the lunch
program and therefore is not available for other purposes. Also,
the program is a "dial-a-ride" type which is difficult for persons
without telephones to use.

Many Senior Citizens appear to look forward to a community
public-transportation system.

"Pipeline or not, Fairbanks needs a public transportation
system (whether Dial-a-bus or standard, probably subsidized
at the outset, with a central terminal - however small -
that is warm and clean) ...

In the meantime, the North Star Council on Aging's transportation
.service is helping older Fairbanksans meef some of their
transportation needs. Of those Senior Citizens surveyed, 13.89%
said that they had begun to use the North Star Council on Aging
transportation in the last year as a result of changes in the
community.

HEALTH CARE

Aging brings health problems, so as people grow older their
health care needs often become greater.

For the most part, Senior Citizens surveyed did not indicate
that they are having more difficulties obtaining medical care as
a result of pipeline impact (see Figure 10). However, persons
surveyed did not answer the questions about health care as
accurately or completely as they answered other questions.which
.may suggest that the questions were,unclear or contusing. It is
possible that it is difficult for Senior Citizens to assess whether
or not their health care problems are pipeline-related.

"So far we have met our payments for medical care, but
it is getting a burden. $300 plus $60 per month for over
2 years and will run some more the next 2 years, but we have
some insurance. It seems as if the cost of health care is
getting ridiculous. So far we havealways managed our
payments at a sacrifice of all trips, money for recreation
or needed clothes. I do not think our complaint is a res@Llt
of pipeline impact."

It is likely that persons with large medical,bills would have had
those bills regardless of the pipeline; however, with inflation
excalating, the medical bills are more of a burden.

Most Senior Citizens'haVe some type of health insurance
(see Figure 11). In addition to private health insurance, Senior
Citizens may be entitled to Medicare, Medicaide, or services of
the U.S. Public Health Service Ala�ka,Area Native Health Service
(ANHS).

Medicare. Persons entitled to Social Security benefits may
receive health insurance coverage called "Medicare." Medicare is
a federal-program in conjunction with Blue Cross. Persons
receiving Social Security automatically.receive hospital coverage
under Medicare. Their room and board is paid for a 60 day period,
except for $92 which the Senior Citizen must pay. Senior Citizens
may elect to receive additional coverage by paying $6.70 each
month. This entitles them to receive insurance for other medical
expenses. According to this plan, Medicare pays 80% of "allowable"
doctor bills, except for $6.0 per year which the Senior Citizen
must pay. The "allowable" medical bills are figured as an average
of all charges for the same types of services for a given. state.
If local doctors charge more than this amount, the Senior Citizen
must pay the difference plus 20% of the standard charge.

Persons with Medicare coverage are not without extensive
medical expenses.

Figure 10

Difficulties in Obtaining Medical Care

Total Sample Under $300/mo. $300-$700/mo. $700-$1100/mo. More/mo.

Persons having more difficulty 26 14.9% 10 18.5% 8 13.1% 4 15.4% 2 25.0%
Persons not having more difficulty 101 58.0% 34 62.9% 27 44.2% 20 76.9% 4 50.0%
No answer 47 24.0% 8 14.8% 3 4.9% 0 - 2 25.0%
Total 174

Source of Difficulty

Dental care appointments 17 9.8% 3 5.6% 4 6.5% 5 19.2% 2 25.0%
Eye care appointments 7 4.0% 2 3.7% 0 1 1.6% 2 7.7% 0 -
Routine medical care 15 8.6% 3 5.6% 3 4.9% 5 19.2% 2 25.0%
Emergency medical care 5 2.9% 1 1.9% 1 1.6% 2 7.7% 0 -
Medicines 4 2.3% 2 3.7% 0 - 1 3.8% 0 -
Payment of medical expenses 15 8.6% 8 14.8% 5 8.2% 2 7.7% 0 -
Ot'ier 11 63.0% 4 7.4% 4 6.6% 1 3.8% 0 -

Figure 11

Distribution of Health Insurance
by Income of Respondents

Health Insurance

Yes 133 76.0% 30 55.0% 49 80.0% 24 92.0% 8 100%
No 30 17.0% 15 28.0% 12 20.0% 0 - 0 -
No Answer 6.0% 9 17.0% 0 2 8.0% 0
Total 174 54 26

"I lived with my daughter until I broke my hip in July
I was moved to the Pioneer Home - I receive 2 checks and
they go the home - I receive $35.00 from the Home - I have
2 doctor bills that amount to $650 after Medicare paid - I
have no way to pay these bills. I need help with these
Dr. bills."

"Need dental work - not covered in Medicare."

In addition, the cost of medicine is not covered by Medicare.

Medicaide. Medicaide is a health insurance program which
is.funded by the federal government, but administered by the
state. Persons receiving state categorical assistance have 100%
of their health care paid through Medicaide. This includes
doctor and hospital bills, as well as medicine.

Alaska Area Native Health Service. The Alaska Area Native
Health Service (ANHS) provides health care, hospitalization, and
medicine to persons of Indian or Eskimo descent and their families
free of charge to the individual. ANHS. functions both as a
direct provider of health care and as a third-party payer. The
local ANHS clinic is located adjacent to Fairbanks Memorial
Hospital.

Other Insurance. In addition to private insurance, some
older Alaskans may have veterans health care benefits.

Health Services. With or without the pipeline, many older
Fairbanksans would not obtain medical care either because of the
cost or because they have not made health care a regular part of
their lives.

"I doctor myself when it's needed."

"What isn't paid for in my health care and medicine
I go without."

"Unable to pay for denture work."

However, 16% of the Senior Citizens surveyed said that as a result
of changes in the community in the last year they are making fewer
visits to the doctor (see Figure 6).

One change in the community is that some health care services
-are being provided to elderly people outside of doctors' offices
at no charge. The North Star Council on Aging has arranged for
some health services to be provided regularly at their lunch sites
without charge including the following:

-weekly blood pressure, provided free by Alaska Home Health
Health Aide Service, Inc.;

-monthly foot care, proveded by a Licensed Practical Nurse
(LPN) who works for the North Star Council on Aging;

-monthly diabetic screening, provided by an LPN who works
for the North Star Council on Aging;

-glaucoma screenings two times each year, provided free by
Dr. Dicksheet.

In addition, the Alaska State Division of Public Health provides
some services to Senior Citizens free of charge. These include
the following:

-complete audiological services provided by the Communicative
Disorders Program, located in the Alaska Cripple Children
and Adults offices, 1020 Barnette Street; an audiologist
provides screening, diagnosis, counselling, hearing aide
evaluation and referrals for hearing aides;

-home nursing visits provided by the public health nurses
at the Fairbanks Health Center; nurses provide such services
in the home as taking blood pressure, providing and teaching
injections, and follow-up after persons have left the
hospital;

-immunizations, evaluation and referral provided by the
Fairbanks Health Center, 800 Airport Road; these services
include flu shots, tuberculosis evaluations and follow-up.

Some new services are being organized for Senior Citizens, slich as a
lip-reading class to be held, at the Pionner Home starting June 1
under the joint sponsorship of the Quota Club and Alaska Cripple
Children and Adults (ACCA). ACCA would like to join forces with
other organizations to start a "stroke club" for persons who have
suffered strokes, which would include many older persons.

In spite of the many services which are provided for Senior
Citizens free of charge, their problems often go untreated. For
example, if the Communicative Disorders Program diagnoses a hearing
problem and recommends a hearing aide, the Senior Citizen must
find a way to purchase the device, which may cost $300 or more.
Neither Medicare nor Medicaide pays for hearing aides. Sometimes
the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
pays for hearing aides, but not every Senior Citizen is eligible
for that type of assistance. According to audiologist K.D. Gish.,
the lack of hearing aides is not always due to financial constraints.
Older people go without hearing aides for other reasons, such as
pride, or they have been told erroneously that it won't help their
hearing problem, or they have had bad experiences with hearing aides.

Whether for financial reasons or otherwise, the resultant loss of
hearing creates communications problems which may also lead to
social and psychological problems for older persons. Similarly,
dental care which is not covered by health insurance may result in
dental problems which may have nutritional, social and psychological
ramifications.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Although no questions specifically asked about safety and
security, the survey of Senior Citizens indicated that this is a
growing concern among many. This may be attributed to pipeline
impact both in terms of influx of new persons in the community
and police force staffing being less than required due to high
turnover rate in response to higher-paying pipeline security
jobs.

"With the pipeline impact on Fairbanks, makes the people
here less trusting - as all people aren't honest - more crime,
break-ins - can't trust taking offyour parka - many people
coming to Fairbanks from states - no work when they get here
so are in need - I have my gloves taken every time I lay them
down - I've had many pairs.taken this winter - see the
difference this year to what our lifestyle has been in previous
years
.1here needs to be more protection against thievery
and. vandalism as well as fear of assault. The courts are
so lenient that too many people are at large who are-going
to do or get whatever they want with no regard for the
feelings or rights of others."

One Senior Citizen stated simply, "I feel less safe living alone."

Security involves more than the fear of assault, thievery,
and vandalism. For older persons, there is also the fear of being
taken advantage of financially.

"My concern is maintenance help we can rely on. I am
alone. 70 years old; I paid $346.00 to get my roof repaired.
All he did was make holes in it. I found out later he'd
done a lot of old people the same way. All the reliable
people are too busy. If we had a place to call in complaints
and get a list we could do something about these crooks."

Senior Citizens do have a recourse for consumer complaints. The
Consumer Protection Agency, part of the Attorney General's Office
located in the State Office Building, investigates complaints of
fraud and other types of consumer complaints free of charge. If
complaints are not within*:-the jurisdiction of the Consumer
Protection Agency, they will refer the person with the complaint
to the appropriate agency or institution.

It has already been noted that increased traffic reduces the
feeling of security among Senior Citizens who are now more hesitant
to drive. Not only have the old hotels and rooming houses been
torn down, but many of the old gathering places for Senior Citizens
have gone by the wayside. The rapidly changing nature of the
community and the new faces affects older persons sense of security.

As one oldtimer put it, "You can't drive your dogsled to the
Post Office anymore."

SUGGESTIONS

Senior Citizens surveyed had many suggestions about how to
improve their lives. Some these suggestions have already been
mentioned in this report:

- regional cost of living adjustments for Social Security,
SSI, state public assistance, and other programs upon
which Senior Citizens are dependent for their income;

- remove or raise earned income limit for Social Security
eligibility;

- construct additional Senior Citizen rental housing;

- imp-lement-a public transportation system.

Suggestions may also be inferred from the reported gaps in types
of services, such as increasing health care coverage to include
dental care and the costs of such of items as hearing aides.

Other suggestions were advanced by some of the Senior Citizens
surveyed:

"I feel that senior citizens should have a discount on-
fuel and electricity or to have a discount on having electric
appliances fixed, just as other cities do outside; also
should have a Senior Citizen Card to present to cab drivers,
lunch rooms, etc."

"It would be perfect if students age 65 were permitted
not to pay tuition (at University of Alaska). Maybe this could
be suggested to Board of Regents, eh? We can try anyway."

"Benches should be put up for the elderly at markets to
sit while waiting. Waiting in longer lines at the mark 'et and
other places - paying more for food and clothing etc. A great
need in this community is public transportation. A great need
for housing for the elderly, and rent within their means. The
traffic has increased and there should be more inter-section
lights put up so it won't be so-danger6us to cross some of the
streets. This is a matter the City Fathers should look into

and soon. The bars should not be allowed to sell booze to
people already drunk. There should not be a sales tax on food.
More rest rooms should be made available to the public, especially
for women and children; this is important for women shopping down-
town. The City and Borough should cut all unnecessary expenses
and try to save the tax-payers money. The Council on Aging has
been helpful to the elderly - providing meals and transportation
plus recreation. They should be encouraged. This is a great
need fulfilled especially for the very elderly who are alone."

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

In this report both a quantitative and a qualitative over-
view of conditions affecting Senior Citizens in Fairbanks has been
presented with Iinput from Senior Citizens. As with every other age
group in Fairbanks, Senior Citizens are individuals with
distinctive personalities and philosophies. Whereas there may be
consensus among Senior Citizens about defining some of their
problems, such as inflation, it is doubtful that there would be
consensus in decisions about the best way.to solve those problems.

Solving some problems, such as the need for more low-cost
housing, requires massive capital expenditures; however, other
problems facing Senior Citizens can be solved with little financial
expense. For example, persons volunteering their services have
helped to meet some health care needs for Senior Citizens. Similarly,
as some Senior Citizens have suggested, local merchants could help
make life a little easier for older Fairbanksans by providing
toilets and places to rest in their establishments.

Perhaps more than most other groups, Senior Citizens have
had their needs addressed by federal and state government- At this
time there does not seem to be a lack of programs and agencies
directed at meeting the needs of Senior Citizens, but rather a lack
of coordination of programs, and effective referral systems. The
inadequacy of services is largely a matter of degree and type of
delivery.

Special impact problems for Senior Citizens are often
indistinguishable from problems of the community as a whole or
problems of aging. Construction of the trans Alaska oil pip&line
has created problems for Fairbanksans which are often felt most
severely by Senior Citizens for the simple reason that their
@lternatives for problem-solving are limited because of the
limitations of age, health, and income. Senior Citizens with
incomes of less then $300 per month are simply unable to compete
for limited local resources with persons earning three or four
times as much on pipeline jobs.

APPENDIX I: DIRECTORY OF LOCAL AGENCIES SERVING SENIOR CITIZENS

Service Agency Address Phone

INCOME

Social Security Social Security 1514 Cushman, 452-1707
SSI Administration Room 311

Eligibility, Division ofTamily
Foodstamps & Children Services* 302 Chena Bldg. 452-1637

Old Age Assistance Division of Family 302 Chena Bldg. 452-1637
& Children Services

Native Land Claims Doyon, Ltd. First & Hall 452-4755

Longevity Bonus Office of the Governor 604 Barnette 452-1545

Financial Assistance Fbks. Native Assoc. 102 Lacey Street 452-1648

LEGAL SERVICE

Legal Problems, Senior Citizens Law
...Entitlements Office, Alaska Legal 510 Second Avenue 452-1581
Service Corp. Suite 230 452-1582

Consumer Protection Attorney General's 602 Barnette, 452-1568
Agency Office Room 247

Discrimination Human Rights
complaints Commission 602 Barnette 452-1561

HOUSING

Property Tax Assessing Office,
Exemption Fbks. North Star 517'-2 First Avenue 452-4561
Borough ext. 51

Pioneer Home Pioneer Home 2221 Egan 456-4372

Low-Cost Housing, Alaska State Housing Rental Office 456-4453"'.
9th Avenue Apts. Authority (ASHA) Birch Park 456-6009

Emergency Shelter Fbks. Rescue Mission 506 Gaffney Street 452-5343-

Emergency Shelter Salvation Army 117 First Avenue 542-5005

FOOD

Lunch Program North Star Council 9th Ave.. Apts., or 452-1735
on Aging American Legion Hall
129 First Avenue

Food Stamps Division of Family
& Children Services 302 Chena Bldg. 452-1637

Service Agency Address Phone

HEALTH CARE

Medicare Social Security 1514 Cushman 452-1707
Administration Room 311

Medicaide Division of Family 302 Chena Bldg. 452-1637
& Children Services

Hearing Evaluations Communicative Disorders
Program 1020 Barnette 452-6291

Home Nursing, -
Immunizations Fairbanks Health Center 800 Airport Rd. 452-1776

Homemaker Service Alaska Home Health Aide, 528 Fifth Avenue 452-3214
Service, Inc. Room 216

Health Clinic Alaska Area Native
Service (ANHS) 1638 Cowles 452-2131

Blood Pressure North Star Council on 208 Wendell 452-1735
Foot Care Aging
Diabetic Screening
Glaucoma Screening

Sight evaluations Lions International Dr. Dicksheet, Chrm. 456-7045
.Sight Conservation,
Dist. 49B
127 Northward Bldg. -

Mental Health
Services Mental Health Clinic 103 Cushman Street 452-1575

TRANSPORTATION

Dial-a-ride North Star Council on
Aging 208 Wendell Street 452-1735

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

weekdays North Star Council on
Aging 208'Wendell Street 452-1735

noon to 6 a.m. Fairbanks Crisis Line P.O. Box 80437 452-4403

APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE USED IN SENIOR CITIZEN SURVEY

Dear Friend: Please take a minute to fill out this questionnaire so that we may better
understand how Senior Citizens are. being affected by the pipeline impact and how we may better
serve you. your answers are. confidential. A return envelope is provided which requires
no postage. Please return this questionnaire by Thursday, March 20, 1975. Thank you.
Him Dixon, Impact Information Center
Sue Ohata, North Star Council on Aping

SENIOR CITIZEN SURVEY

1. Number of persons living in your household:

2. Your age: _ Ages of other persons in your household-

Your monthly income: Combined monthly income of household:

4. How long have you lived in Fairbanks? How long in Alaska?
-A
5. Which of the. following sources of income do you receive? Please check:
Social Security Longevity bonus
Welfare Assistance Alaska Native Land Claim,,, payments
Employment Private savings and investments
Food stamps Pension (military, civil service, government,
Money from children business, railroad retirement)
Insurance

6. Has your monthly income increased in the last year? no _yes

7. Where do you live? Please check-
City of Fairbanks Outside Fairbanks Borough
College Outside Alaska
Fairbanks North Star Borough

8. What type of housing do you live in? Please check:
home which you own rooming house
home which you rent boarding house
rented apartment or duplex hotel
Birch Park Apartments Pioneer Home
9th Av., Golden Age Apartments Careage North
live with children Other; please explain:

9. If you own your own home, how much did you pay last month for housing (include utilities,
insurance, mortgage payments if any, repairs)?

10. If you rent, please answer the following questions:

a What is your monthly rent?
Does this include utilities? no ____yes

b. Please check the following kinds of rooms if they are in your house or apartment:

efficiency ____ dining room
kitchen bedrooms (give number:
living room other
bathroom

c. Have you moved during the last year? no yes
If yes, why?

d. If your rent has increased since January, 1974, please give the . following information:
Rent before increase Date of increase Rent after increase

11. Do you favor some type of rent control-, this summer? -no ___yes

12. Where do you usually cat your meals? Please check:
Senior Citizens Don't
At home Restaurant Lunch Program Other tat
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

PLEASE TURN OVER

SENIOR CITIZENS SURVEY NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CTR LIBRARY
Page 2
3 6668 14112854 8
13. Have you had more difficulties obtaining medical care in the last 6 months than
previously? no yes
if yes, please cheek the following statements if they describe' changes for you
in the last 6 months:

more. difficult to obtain appointments for dental care
--more difficult to obtain appointments for eye care
more difficult to obtain appointments for for routine- medical care
more difficult to obtain emergency medical care
more. difficult to obtain medicine
cannot afford to pay for services
please explain:

.4. Do you have some type of health insurance? ___no ____yes
On the average, how much do you pay each month for health care?
On the average, how much do you pay each month for medicine?

.5 Do you feel that you've had to change. your lifestyle in the last year as a result of
changes in the community? no _yes
If yes, please check any of the following statements that describe changes in your
lifestyle in the, last 12 months:
moved to less expensive housing
-% sold your home
more people living with you
buying less food
____ buying different types of food
eating at the Senior Citizens' lunch program
walking more rather than using taxis
using Senior Citizens program for transportation
staying home more

_____:spending less money on recreation (travel, movies, etc.)
buying less clothing
making fewer visits to the doctor

other please explain:

16. Please use the remaining space to comment on any special problems or special concerns
which you have which are related to pipeline. impact and how you feel you can better be
assisted in meeting your needs.

THANK YOU!