Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc.
“Rooted in Dignity. Serving with Respect.”
1301 S. Century Circle Wasilla, AK 99654 Phone: (907) 376-3104
Organizational Summary
Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. was established in 1981 with a mission to provide for the lives of seniors living in the Matanuska Susitna Valley and to enable seniors to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
The Wasilla Senior Center was founded in 1978 as an activity center. In 1981, Frank Smith donated land and Wasilla Senior Center was relocated, to its current location, and incorporated as Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc (WASI). The building itself was named the Floyd D. Smith Community Center, in loving memory of Frank Smith’s father. Today, in keeping with our mission, WASI provides services and resources to promote health and independence.
Housing: Wasilla Area Senior Housing consists of six housing complexes: Knik Manor, Raven Tree Court, Alder View, Susitna Place, Eagle’s Nest, and most recently, Blueberry Point. The five buildings on campus collectively house 128 units for households comprised of individuals 62 years of age and older. Each of the five buildings has a common area for congregate games, puzzles, reading, or TV. Surrounding the housing complexes are large grassy areas and a picnic pavilion complete with a gas grill and gazebo-covered seating. Blueberry Pointe has recently come under our management and is an 8 unit facility located in Houston. At WASI, we are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Nutrition Program: In FY 2017 WASI served over 105,000 meals through our Community Meals and Meals on Wheels programs.
Community Meals: WASI provides well-balanced, delicious lunches Monday thru Friday from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. The meal menus consist of soup, entrée, vegetables, salad, and dessert. Fruit juices, soft drinks, milk, coffee, and tea are available during meal time.
Meals on Wheels: Fresh, delicious meals – one lunch for each day – are delivered by our friendly drivers three times each week. This program helps to ensure that no senior goes hungry, and helps individuals to remain in their own home and living independently for as long as possible.
Senior In-Home Services: Designed to assist seniors in their homes, allowing them to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. In-Home services are offered on sliding-fee scale basis and to Medicaid Waiver Community Based Services clients.
Chore Services: Senior Care Workers help with housework, meal preparation, light maintenance and other activities seniors may find difficult to do on their own.
Respite Care: Provides substitute in-home care for adults with declining physical or cognitive functions so full-time caregivers can take time for themselves.
Supplemental Services: Helps low-income seniors maintain a safe and healthy environment to avoid a crisis that would jeopardize their ability to remain independently in their own home. Assists with medical, dental, mobility equipment, and home modification costs not covered by other benefits.
Club 50 Fitness Center: Club 50 is a gym, located on the WASI campus, for individuals 50 years of age and older. Club 50 provides clean, accessible exercise equipment and a variety of fitness classes including: Strong Seniors, Yoga, Tai Chi, NIA, and Zumba Gold.
Fall Prevention: Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults, causing severe injuries as well as death. Injuries and fear of falling also significantly limit older adults’ independence. Our Healthy Aging Program offers fitness options and educational materials to assist older individuals in preventing falls. Our In-Home Services Program also supports fall prevention with mobility equipment loans, home safety assessments, and limited home modifications, such as grab bars.
Activities: Our Healthy Aging program also offers activities that promote isolation prevention. Activities include Potlucks, Field Trips, Wii games, card games, arts and crafts groups and classes
Carlene’s Gift Shop: The gift shop is generally open 10 am until 1 pm on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is filled with handmade crafts, donated gifts and trinkets, and snacks and drinks.
Mary Hall Lending Library: The Mary Hall Lending Library has hundreds of books in paperback, audio, and large print format. The library has a computer lab complete with internet access available for public use. WASI also offers classes to seniors interested in becoming computer savvy.
Facility Rental: We have lots of space at the Senior Center available for your use. For very reasonable prices, you can rent our meeting room, dining room, or other spaces for your event or get-together. If you are providing a free service to seniors, you likely qualify to have the space at no charge.
Additional Services:
- Valley Transit picks up and drops off seniors from the front door of Wasilla Senior Center. VT also has a shoppers’ bus on Thursdays at 12:30 pm
- Activities: Wii bowling, Pinochle, Bridge, Cribbage, Poker, Puzzles, and more
- Mobility equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) and other assistive devices are available for lending, depending on availability
- Copy, Fax, and Notary Public services
- Chaplain Services and Bible study
- Church on the Rock Sunday Service
- Space is offered for services that support or inform seniors and include Estate Planning by Attorney Connie Aschenbrenner, AK Hearing, candidate forums, and more
- WASI is an MTA Wi-Fi Hot Spot
- For seniors who qualify, WASI is a Commodities Supplemental Food Program pick-up site
- Carrs/Safeway Bread give-away
- AARP income tax preparation assistance during tax season
- Bingo every Wednesday from 1:00-3:00
Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. 