In 1999 the Home became registered as an official Eden Alternative™ home. The Home’s casual country charm made for a seamless transition to the Eden Alternative approach to a home environment centered on the residents themselves. Licensed as an assisted living facility, the Home has the capacity to serve 79 residents requiring levels of care that vary from complete independence to those with chronic but stable healthcare conditions. Several resident neighborhoods, complete with their own dining rooms and sitting/activity areas, support the Eden philosophy of deinsitutionalizing long-term care. The Palmer Pioneer Home staff is dedicated to maximizing quality of life by providing warm, loving care and meaningful activities in a setting that promotes independence, the development of positive relationships, and physical, emotional and spiritual growth. In May 2004, legislation was passed to develop the state’s first Pioneer and Veterans Home. In the summer of 2005, in cooperation with the Veterans Administration, the State of Alaska will begin a major remodel and upgrade of the Palmer Pioneer Home. Completion of the project is targeted for the spring of 2006. The current statutory admission criteria of at least one-year Alaska residency and age of 65 will not change, but the Palmer Home is excited to embrace their new mission of becoming the first Alaska State Veterans Home.