Maniilaq's long-term care home filled with love and tradition

Nestled in the heart of Kotzebue, Utuqqanaat Inaat, Maniilaq's Long-Term Care Facility, is more than just a care center for elders. It is a home, a family and a community where love, connection and cultural tradition thrive.

A home-like environment

At Maniilaq, the focus is on creating a true home for the residents. "We try to make it as comfortable and familiar as possible," a staff member shared.

Each resident has a shadow box outside their room, filled with personal mementos, photos,and trinkets that remind them of their life and identity.

"We ask them, 'What's your favorite flower back home? What was your favorite activity?' and we incorporate those into their shadow boxes," the staff member explained. Once residents have been assigned their room, they are not moved. The facility can hold 18 residents and does have a waitlist.

The facility also ensures that residents feel a sense of autonomy and freedom. Residents can go wherever they want to go. "There is one elder who likes to do her own laundry, and she can here. We help her as needed, of course, and she says it really feels like home."

A family-oriented approach

The facility's family-oriented approach is evident in every interaction. Visiting hours are flexible, allowing family members to spend quality time with their loved ones.

"When family members come from their villages, they'll come over, eat, hang out, and snack together," an employee shared. "If they're here for only 24 hours, they can come anytime."

This sense of family extends beyond the residents and their relatives. The staff themselves become part of the residents' lives. "Here, you have time to get to know the elders, their life stories, and their families," the employee said. "When I went home for two weeks to Louisiana, they all came to me when I returned, asking for hugs and saying, 'We're happy you're back. How is your family?' After that, I signed on permanently and have been here for more than two years now."

Even children feel the warmth of the facility. During our tour, a young boy interrupted to give a staff member a hug. "He pretty much grew up here," the staff said with a smile.

The cafeteria and dining experience

Maniilaq's cafeteria is another unique aspect of the facility. Residents are not restricted to the daily menu; they can ask to eat whatever they want. "If someone wants a burger and fries, we make it happen," a staff member shared.

"We even order out for them if that's what they want." Hot beverages are always available, and residents can either serve themselves or ask for assistance. This flexibility ensures that residents enjoy their meals and feel a sense of autonomy and comfort.

Traditional foods and cultural connection

Maniilaq is also the first long-term care facility in the nation to be USDA-certified to prepare and serve traditional Alaska Native foods, including seal oil, caribou and sheefish. The food is processed at the Siglauq, a state-certified meat processing facility, ensuring safety while preserving cultural traditions.

"Seal oil is a staple in our culture," said Cyrus Harris, who oversees the Hunter Support Program. "It brings back memories for the elders-memories of their childhood and the foods they grew up with." The facility's ability to serve these traditional foods has been transformative.

Staff shared that they also learn Iñupiaq words from their patients. They might not pronounce them correctly, however, and the elders do correct them! Fire alarms, for example, are announced in both English and Iñupiaq.

Exceptional care and dementia support

The staff-to-resident ratio at Maniilaq is significantly lower than in many other facilities, allowing for more personalized care.

"In other parts of the country, in my experience, you barely have enough time to hand out medications and make sure the patient swallowed them before moving to the next room," an employee shared. "Here, I can sit down, cut their food, and eat with them. I've had 40 patients assigned to myself and just one aide before in the lower 48."

Another staff member, who previously worked in Texas, shared a similar experience. "I was looking after more than 20 patients back home. Here, it's about four residents per staff member. It's a world of difference." Imagine having that many patients during a pandemic.

For residents with dementia, the staff go above and beyond. They accompany patients to their specialty appointments, ensuring they receive the care they need without the stress of navigating it alone. "We don't just call to find out how it went; we're there with them," a staff member said. The employees also use repetition and gentle redirection to help residents feel secure. "We remind them, 'Look for your box,' or 'You're in room one,'" the staffer explained.

Challenges and dedication

While the facility is a haven for residents, employees mentioned only one challenge for themselves.

"Nurses and doctors have housing priority, but CNAs [Certified Nursing Assistants] don't," a staff member explained. "We would have more CNAs sign on permanently if there were more housing options."

Despite these challenges, the staff's dedication remains unwavering. "I told my boss the other day she'd have to kick me out the door!" one nurse joked.

The love and connection between residents, staff and families create an environment that is truly unique. As one staff member put it, "You get emotional when someone passes, and it's a good thing – it means you care. We're here for the elders, and we're here for their families, too."

To learn more, visit http://www.maniilaq.org/long-term-care/. Or call 907-442-7975 and speak to the administrator or social worker to schedule a tour or drop by for a meal.

To support the ongoing flood relief efforts in Kotzebue, visit https://healthyalaskanatives.org/kotzebue-flood/.

Yasmin Radbod is the Rural Outreach Coordinator at Alaska Commission on Aging.