Southcentral Foundation Elder Program Expands Services

By Public Relations and Corporate Communications

The Southcentral Foundation Elder Program added a behavioral health consultant to its team, making behavioral health more accessible to Elders.

Southcentral Foundation is continually making improvements to better serve Elder customer-owners who visit the SCF Elder Program. Elder Program Manager Chris Klabunde recently announced a new service that provides on-site behavioral health services.

While Elder customer-owners attend lunch or activities held at the Elder Program, located at 6901 East Tudor Road Suite 8, a behavioral health consultant is now available on-site. Customer-owners have direct access to check in with a BHC about life changes, trauma, grief, and other mental health issues. The BHC will provide a listening ear and work with Elder customer-owners to develop a plan to address any issues they may be experiencing.

“Integrating a BHC into the Elder Program enables customer-owners the ease of access to short-term support and referral for longer-term treatment services,” Klabunde shared. “Examples would be grief and loss support, as well as referral for substance use treatment. Having this located at the Elder Program is a priority of the Elder Advisory Council and is the result of coordinated efforts of many departments working together to provide exceptional service for Elder customer-owners.”

Elder customer-owners gather for hot lunch and live music during a Friday Elder jam.

The Elder Program provides a comprehensive approach in delivering services to address the needs of Alaska Native and American Indian people, ages 55 and older, who reside in the Anchorage area. The services are designed to enhance the quality of life and promote independent living through fostering an environment of quality, dignity, and pride.

The Elder Program provides a hot lunch service during the week, advocacy, information and assistance, and referral services. Light housekeeping, in-home visits, and scheduled transportation are provided for those who are eligible. Group outings and health and social activities are scheduled on a regular basis.

For more information about the services provided or volunteer opportunities at the Elder Program, call (907) 729-6500.