Alaska Veterans & Pioneers Home

Overview

The Alaska Veterans & Pioneers Home (originally known as the Palmer Pioneer Home) first opened in 1971 on the former site of the Alaska State Fairgrounds. Nestled in the heart of downtown Palmer, the home is surrounded by beautiful views of the Chugach and Talkeetna Mountain Ranges, as well as the massive Knik Glacier. In May 2004, the Alaska Legislature approved development of the state’s first veterans’ home. After extensive remodeling and program development to meet U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs requirements, the facility was renamed the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in 2007. Seventy five percent of the 79 beds in the home are designated for veterans with the remaining 25 percent available for non-veterans.

The home is laid out in six neighborhoods designed to provide an atmosphere where loved ones with dementia are safe and feel appreciated. There are a wide variety of elders who call the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home their home and possess incredible histories they love to share. Some are great pioneers from the first half of the 20th century who worked as homesteaders, miners, and bush pilots across Alaska; others are passionate veterans whose experiences range from World War II to Korea, Vietnam and state-side service. These pioneering icons range in age from mid-60’s to over 100!

Services

The Alaska Veterans & Pioneers Home is an Eden Alternative® Registered Home dedicated to ensuring quality of life for elders and staff through an environment rich with plants, animals, children and activities with community members of all ages. The home is committed to providing compassionate care to elders, staff, family and community by nurturing the body, mind and spirit and preserving dignity and individuality. Our staff are passionate about meeting the diverse needs of our elders, from those who are fully independent to those with in-depth physical and memory care needs. For a detailed listing of services and levels of care offered by the Alaska Pioneer Homes, please see our About Us webpage.

Qualifying Veterans

Qualifying Veterans are eligible for a per diem from the VA to offset costs of their care. For more information on how to qualify for VA benefits call the Veteran’s Liaison at 1-888-355-3117, if calling from an Alaskan telephone number. Otherwise, please, call 907-745-4241.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home please contact the home’s activities department at 907-745-4241.