Publication of Pima Council on Aging, Helping Pima County Age Well Since 1967
Never Too Late Para información en Español ver páginas 20 - 23
January 2023 What’s News • Aging in Our Community • Dementia Capable SoAZ • Medicare Open Enrollment • Rights & Benefits • Caregiving • Healthy Living: Classes Happening Now! • Healthy Minds for Life • PCOA Puzzle • Ending Life Well • Neighbors Care Alliance • Visibility Matters • Advocacy • Senior Companion Program • CareGiver Training Institute • PimaCare at Home
Happy New Year
PUBLICATION OF PIMA COUNCIL ON AGING, HELPING PIMA COUNTY AGE WELL SINCE 1967
Independence. Vitality. Respect.
Inside • Aging in Our Community 3 • Dementia Capable Southern Arizona 4 • Medicare & SMP 5 - 6 • Rights & Benefits 7 - 8 • Caregiving 9 - 11 • Community Lunch Program 12 • Healthy Living 13 - 16 • Healthy Minds for Life 17 • PCOA Puzzle 18 - 19 • Nunca Es Demasiado Tarde 20 - 23
• Advocacy 26 • Senior Companion Program 27 • Neighbors Care Alliance 28 - 29 • PRIMEtime & Wisdom Circle 32 • Philanthropy: FreeWill & Human Spatial Cognition Lab 33 • Featured Artist 34 • CareGiver Training Institute, Healthcare Education by PCOA 35 • PimaCare at Home, In-Home Care by PCOA 36
PCOA Helpline: (520) 790-7262 Administration: (520) 790-0504 Donate: givepcoa.org E-mail: help@pcoa.org Website: pcoa.org Mail: 8467 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85710 Never Too Late is published by Pima Council on Aging, the Area Agency on Aging, Region II. Material from Never Too Late may be reprinted when permission is given and attribution is used along with ©PCOA 2023. Editor Adina Wingate, (520) 790-7573 ext. 5067 awingate@pcoa.org Editorial Assistant Jan Baker, (520) 790-7573 ext. 5076 jbaker@pcoa.org Advertising Adina Wingate, (520) 790-7573 ext. 5067 awingate@pcoa.org Design Consultant Lori Lieber, Lori Lieber Graphic Design lori@lorilieber.com
• Ending Life Well 24 • Visibility Matters 25
On the Cover: Detail from Best of the Best, acrylic, 30 x 24 canvas by Shireen Altemus, The Drawing Studio. (Story, full image on inside back cover)
Help from PCOA During the Pandemic
Due to the increasing rate of COVID-19 transmission in Pima County and updated guidance from the CDC and Pima County Health Department, PCOA revised its guidance to staff and volunteers, and when interacting with members of the public, effective October 1, 2022. We encourage the public to access our services by phone or email whenever possible. Please remember that although masking in PCOA facilities continues to be option, the following guidelines are still in effect: All staff are expected to offer to wear masks and wear them when requested. PCOA will continue to supply surgical masks and KN95s to staff, volunteers and members of the public entering our facilities as requested. • Our building at 8467 E. Broadway Blvd. is open for those requiring in-person assistance. • Our building at 600 S. Country Club Rd. is open for those requiring in-person assistance. We encourage you to call and make an appointment to ensure the right staff are available to assist you. The best way to access our services, including making an appointment for in – person assistance, is by calling our Helpline between 8:30 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday at (520) 790-7262 or emailing help@pcoa.org
Editorial and Advertising Deadline for Next Issue JANUARY 3 2023
Please include a contact person name and phone number with all submitted material. All articles are subject to editing in accordance with technical and policy guidelines but will not be altered in content without permission of the author. Publication of submissions is not guaranteed. Ads are not to be considered as PCOA endorsements of products, services, or individuals.
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Read Never Too Late online at nevertoolate.pcoa.org
Page 2 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Aging in Our Community A Message from W. Mark Clark, President and CEO
As 2023 begins, I find myself in a reflective mood, maybe a little more so than usual. For me, 2022 was a very challenging year, both personally and professionally. On the personal side, in early September my spouse and I moved from central Tucson to Green Valley. We have moved easily 10 or 12 times in our life together, twice across the Country. We found this move, just about 25 miles, to be the most challenging of all, which surprised us. Certainly, the physical aspects of moving proved more difficult than I expected, but we are ten years older than at our last move. More than that, there is a different emotional quality to this move. Some of it may be the thought that this is most likely our final move (of course we’ve said that before), and there is also for me the reality that I still have feet in both our new community and the old one, as I am still working in town (as I have taken to thinking of central Tucson). I really appreciate still having those longstanding, important relationships while also building a bit of a new life in a new part of our wonderful County. This reality, plus the nearly hour long commute have proven to be a bit exhausting at times. But Stacy and I are enjoying our new community and the opportunities it provides. And after 3 months, I think I am settling in. On the professional front 2022 has been a challenge for a number of reasons. As the pandemic has wound down (or has it? Not so much.), we are diligently working to figure out how to work in this new reality. Not unlike my personal reality of both Tucson and Green Valley, we are in a work
world of both the pandemic and the post pandemic. Conversations about masking continue while also planning in-person holiday celebrations (both inside and out of doors tables, widely spaced) and meetings. This year has also been a challenge as some highly valued and dear colleagues decided to move on from PCOA. This is another reality of work life, just as life in general. And they have gone with all our best wishes to continue to do great things for other organization in the community. Unfortunately, hiring in this new pandemic/post-pandemic time is even more challenging than it was previously. I recently read an article which noted that if we want to see the future of these times, we have only to look back to the early 1920s, the post Great Influenza Pandemic times. The article noted those were times when much was new and many of the old ways did not return. Former President Warren G. Harding had won the 1920 election on a platform of a return to normalcy. Certainly, the 1920s were anything but, and time will only tell about the 2020s. You have our commitment, however, to continue to put all our efforts into ensuring that the issues of concern to Older Adults and those who care for and support them will be in the forefront of public policy awareness. Of course, 2022 has also been inspiring and rewarding. As always, I am so humbled and inspired by the generous support PCOA receives from so many
kind and generous supporters in our community. Sadly, some of that support comes from friends and people we don’t know who have remembered PCOA in their estate planning. And while we are saddened at their passing, we are so appreciative of their remembrance and support. These past few years have seen a significant increase in requests for emergency assistance, especially in the area of affordable housing. We have strengthened our work in this area both directly with those in need and on the advocacy front. Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher just appointed me to the new Pima County Regional Affordable Housing Commission, and I continue to serve as a Commissioner on the City of Tucson’s Commission on Equitable Housing and Development. This will surely be a defining issue of these times. And one final note, in the spirit of our award winning Take YOUR Shot Campaign. Please, please, please get a Booster and a Flu shot. The Pandemic is not over. And Older Adults continue to be of significant risk. Don’t become a statistic. And of course, Best Wishes for a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2023!
W.Mark Clark President & CEO
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 3
Pima Council on Aging
Dementia Capable Southern Arizo na
Happy New Year! 2023 is here and did you know that by 2025 Arizona is projected to be the fastest growing state in the nation for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias? Dementia Capable Southern Arizona is working to create a welcoming, compassionate community in which people with dementia can connect and thrive! We are working to make Pima County more dementia friendly, which means that all areas of the larger community are dedicated to serving those with dementia and their families and caregivers with dignity, respect, and understanding. One way you can help is by learning more about Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Read a description of some of our trainings listed below and register
for one at https://www.eventbrite.com/ cc/dcsa-1070149 or by calling Nicole Thomas at (520) 790-7573 x 1739 - email nthomas@pcoa.org. Dementia Friends Information Session This training offers a general understanding of dementia with a focus on adopting a mindset of creating a dementia friendly community. After participating in the session, you will be able to describe dementia and know the most common type of dementia, you will understand five key messages about dementia, and you will learn tips to effectively communicate with a person living with dementia. This session is encouraged for all members of the community.
Memory Loss: Progression, Behaviors, and Interventions (a 2-part series) An in-depth look at dementia, this training focuses on the 3-stage model of dementia progression, brain changes that occur with dementia, caregiving strategies, common challenges with dementia patients and strategies for addressing them, and activities that people living with dementia may enjoy. Anyone who would like to learn more is welcome to attend, but this is especially helpful for caregivers.
Memory concerns? Call the PCOA Helpline at 520.790.7262 or visit our website to complete a referral form online https://www.pcoa.org/dementiareferral/
Dementia Capable Southern Arizona January & February 2023 Schedule
TITLE
LOCATION
DATE
TIME
Memory Loss Part 1
The Katie, 600 S. Country Club
Tuesday 1/17 Thursday 1/19 Tuesday 1/24 Thursday 1/26 Thursday 2/9
10–11:30am
Dementia Friends Information Session
Online (Zoom)
2–3pm
Memory Loss Part 2 Memory Loss Part 1 Memory Loss Part 2
The Katie, 600 S. Country Club
10–11:30am 10–11:30am 10–11:30am
Online (Zoom) Online (Zoom)
Dementia Friends Information Session with a special emphasis on the African American population
Online (Zoom)
Wednesday 2/15 3–4pm
Page 4 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Medicare Corner
Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplaces The Health Insurance Marketplaces were created by the Affordable Care Act. It is also known as the ACA. The Marketplaces allow people to buy insurance if they do not have insurance or do not have enough insurance. Some states have their own Marketplaces, and other states use the federal Marketplace. Plans sold through Marketplaces are also known as Qualified Health Plans, or QHPs. How does the Marketplace affect my Medicare coverage? • If you are currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan, you should most likely disenroll from it and enroll in Medicare when you are first eligible (with two exceptions, listed on the next page). • If you are eligible for Medicare, you should usually not use the Marketplace health and drug coverage. It is illegal for someone to try to sell you a Marketplace plan if they know you are eligible for or enrolled in Medicare. • You do not use the Marketplace to buy Medicare plans. Why should I switch to Medicare when I become eligible? • If you do not enroll in Medicare when you are first eligible, you may have a late enrollment penalty when you sign up later. You may also experience coverage gaps. • Marketplace plans do not work with Medicare. If you keep your Marketplace plan, it may not cover you once you are eligible for Medicare. • Once you are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you will no longer be eligible to receive cost assistance for your Marketplace plan. Although you may keep your Marketplace plan after becoming eligible for Medicare, it can be very expensive without cost assistance. The exceptions: You can choose to enroll in a Marketplace plan instead of Medicare if either:
• You are eligible for Medicare due to End-Stage Renal Disease. • You are eligible for Medicare and have to pay a premium for Part A.
Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program to learn more about your options. Your local SHIP contact information is on the final page of this document.
What are SHOP plans? Marketplaces also provide coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). This program lets small businesses provide health insurance to employees. If you have a SHOP plan through a current employer, you may still need to enroll in Medicare. The timing depends on the size of your employer and how you qualify for Medicare. Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn more. Your local SHIP contact information is on the final page of this document. Should I use the Marketplace if I have Medicare? No. You cannot buy a Medicare Advantage Plan, Part D prescription drug plan, or Medigaps through the Marketplace. It is illegal for someone to sell you a Marketplace plan if they know you are eligible for or are enrolled in Medicare. If someone tries to sell you a Marketplace plan, let them know that you have Medicare and cannot enroll in a Marketplace plan.
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 5
Pima Council on Aging
Medicare Corner
Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplaces What is a Medicare billing error?
A Medicare billing error is an honest health care service or product mistake related to billing. While transitioning from the Marketplace to Medicare, your provider could mistakenly bill claims to the wrong insurance plan. A pattern of errors by a physician or provider could be considered a red flag or potential fraud or abuse if it is not corrected. Read your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) and Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) carefully to detect any potential errors. If you see anything incorrect, or receive a suspicious bill, first contact your provider. Sometimes providers may make billing mistakes, which they can correct. If the problem continues, contact your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Who to contact for more information • State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Contact your SHIP if you have questions about Medicare coverage and how to transition from a Marketplace plan. It may be helpful to also contact your SHIP if you are eligible for Medicare due to ESRD and choosing between Medicare and a Marketplace plan (also known as a QHP). • Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): Contact your SMP if you have experienced potential Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse. SMPs can provide you with information to prevent, detect, and report such experiences. • Marketplace: Contact your health insurance Marketplace to disenroll from your Marketplace plan. If you are enrolled in a plan through the federal Marketplace, you can call 800-318-2596 or visit www.healthcare.gov. If you are enrolled in a plan through your state’s Marketplace, contact it directly to learn how to disenroll. • Employer: If you are enrolled in a SHOP plan through your employer, speak to your employer about how your insurance will work once you are enrolled in Medicare. If your employer is unsure, you can reach out to your SHIP. • Social Security Administration (SSA): Enroll in Medicare through SSA. You can visit or call your local Social Security office, call the national SSA number at 800-772-1213, or create your secure my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov to enroll. Pima Council on Aging is your local SHIP and SMP. Call (520) 546-2011 or email SHIP@pcoa.org for assistance.
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Pima Council on Aging
Rights & Benefits Information
Tax breaks for older adults 2023 There are three types of tax programs for which you may be eligible: The Arizona Property Tax Refund Credit , also known as the 140PTC, may be filed if you meet the following criteria: • Arizona resident for the entire year of 2022. 1 • Age 65 or older by 12/31/2022 or a recipient of SSI. • Limited taxable household income (non-taxable Social Security and Railroad Retirement are not included as taxable income) • You paid property taxes and/or rent in 2022. Call PCOA Intake at (520) 790-7262 in Tucson for 140PTC forms, or to make an appointment for assistance in completing this form. THIS CREDIT IS PROVIDED BY THE ARIZONA STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE. This program is open from January until the tax filing deadline in April 2023. PCOA will be providing telephone appointments for assistance beginning February 1, 2023.
• Income limitations **
o $36,077 for applicant, including spouse’s income and/or income of children over the age of 18 who reside in the home o $43,733 for applicant with dependent children under the age of 18 residing in the home o $43,733 for applicant with a disabled son or daughter over the age of 18 residing in the home (must be certified by a licensed Arizona medical authority as totally and permanently disabled) *These amounts are taxable income (non-taxable Social Security and Railroad Retirement are not included as taxable income) • The Assessed Value limitation is $29,418 Residential Property for each owner. • Applicants must have owned the subject property as of January 1 of the year you are filing for exemptions. • Applications made after October 1st, 2023, may only be eligible for a reduction to the second half of 2023 property taxes. • Additional restrictions may apply. Additional Qualifications for widows/widowers: • Spouse must have been an Arizona resident. • Spouse must not be separated or divorced at the time of death. • If remarried, the applicant cannot claim an exemption. Applicants must file in person at the Pima County Assessor’s Office between the first Monday in January through March 1st. Applications submitted after March 1st must be accompanied by a request for Waiver redemption. (continued on next page)
2
Qualifications for widow/widower and disability exemption applicants:
• The applicant must be a widow, widower, or 100% disabled. Veterans who are partially disabled can receive the percentage of the exemption for which they are determined to be disabled by the VA. • The applicant must be a permanent Arizona Resident. • The applicant must be over the age of 17.
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 7
Pima Council on Aging
Rights & Benefits Information ALTCS Workshop
Tax breaks for older adults (continued from previous page) The Pima County Assessor Valuation Relief office is located at 240 N Stone Ave in the Pima County Public Service Building. You can call (520) 724-7500 for information on other locations that will be available during the filing period, or you can visit the website at www.asr.pima.gov. The Senior Property Valuation Freeze Option may be filed if you meet the following criteria: • At least one of the owners must be 65 years of age by September 1 of the current application year. • The property must be the primary residence of the taxpayer (primary residence is defined as “that residence which is occupied by the taxpayer for an aggregate of nine months of the calendar year”). A taxpayer can only have one primary residence. Rentals, mixed use properties, and properties over 10 acres do not qualify. • The owner must have lived and owned the home for at least two (2) years prior to applying for the option. • The household’s (owner/s and residents) total income from ALL sources, including non-taxable income, cannot exceed $43,872. The total income from ALL sources for two or more property owners cannot exceed $54,840 per the Arizona Department of Revenue. • The deadline for submitting the application is September 1, 2023. You will be notified by December 1, 2023 on the decision of your application. For further information, please visit our website at www.asr.pima. gov, or contact us at (520) 724-8630. 3
Learn about the Arizona Long Term Care System, including what it is, what it takes to be eligible for the program, and what kinds of services are available once a person becomes eligible. A great place to start when you are considering ALTCS for yourself, or for a loved one.
Please join the ALTCS Presentation on Zoom from your computer, tablet, or phone. Topic: ALTCS Workshop Time: January 12, 2:30 p.m. MST
The ALTCS workshop is held every month on the Second Thursday. Participants who would prefer in-person you are invited to register for our February training held on Thursday, February 9, 2023. To register , go to: https://altcsjan23.eventbrite.com, or call Donna DeLeon at 520.305.3450. Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/PCOAALTCS23 Or call +1 669 900 9128 US Meeting ID: 897 2167 3847 Passcode: 700090
Page 8 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Caregiving
Ann Gile, Aging and Caregiver Specialist—the Newest Member of PCOA’s Family Caregiver Support Team
Ann recently moved from Colorado Springs to Tucson and is acclimating to Tucson quite nicely (although, she has yet to experience a July in Arizona)! She brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and wisdom in serving older adults, and we are thrilled to introduce her as part of our caregiver support services! Ann is a National Certified Guardian and served in a court-appointed role of protecting and supporting persons who are incapacitated and in need of championing. “I love advocating for seniors and want them to be afforded all possible opportunities at living life to the fullest.” Ann also worked in assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in
supported employment, host homes, group homes and in independent living. In her spare time Ann likes to garden, hike and rock climb! PCOA’s Family Caregiver Support Team recognizes that caring for a loved one creates many challenges. Our goal is to decrease your stress by providing you with information and resources, facilitating individual and family conversations, suggesting respite options, and offering caregiver support groups. To be connected with a member of this remarkable team, simply call our Helpline at (520) 790-7262.
By Deb Seng , Director of Caregiving and Community Initiatives Help! My Loved One Isn’t Doing Well!
The Holidays are often a time for loved ones to gather, create memories, and share joy. But for many—especially long- distance caregivers—these gatherings reveal the realistic and often heartbreaking perspective that their loved one is experiencing significant decline, physically, cognitively, and/or emotionally. Perhaps you discovered that your Mom is struggling to do her laundry and has lost a lot of weight. Maybe you observed unexplained damage to your Dad’s car. Or maybe your most enduring friend seems strangely withdrawn and confused. These are signs that your loved one’s needs are changing as they age, and we are here to help! Typically in January, PCOA staff receive many calls from family members who spent time with loved ones in real—even desperate—need of assistance. And these caregivers sometimes feel helpless, embarrassed, or afraid. But there is support, information, and assistance available! Simply reach out to our Family Caregiver Support Team, by calling the PCOA Helpline at (520) 790-7262.
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 9
Pima Council on Aging
Caregiving
PCOA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS – JANUARY Five are currently being held by Zoom plus six in person.
Participation in the groups can be in person (6 groups), by telephone or by computer/tablet/smartphone w/ video. Support groups are a way to connect with others who are walking the journey of caregiving like you are. You get to SEE (if you use the video option) that you are not alone. You get to hear other’s challenges and successes, learn about helpful resources, know that your story matters and that you have been heard. Support groups are facilitated by a professional and are a safe place for you to express your concerns, frustrations, etc. and learn that others feel this way too. 1/17, 3rd Tuesday , 9–10:30am Virtual ON ZOOM 1/19, 3rd Thursday, 1:30–3pm Virtual ON ZOOM 1/20, 3rd Friday, 1–2:30pm (Midtown) In Person 1/23, 4th Monday, 11am–12:30pm Virtual ON ZOOM 1/24, 4th Tuesday , 9–10:30am (Southwest) In Person
To protect the confidentiality of the group sessions, access information will only be given to registered participants. Emails are sent out on Fridays with updated schedules and additional information. If you participated in the groups before COVID, and have not been receiving the emails, please check your junk or spam folder. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact: Tonetta Clay, Support Group Facilitator 520-305-3405, tclay@pcoa.org 1/3, 1st Tuesday , 12–1:30pm (Oro Valley) In Person 1/4, 1st Wednesday , 1–2:30pm (East) In Person 1/5, 1st Thursday, 1–2:30pm Virtual ON ZOOM 1/9, 2nd Monday , 1–2:30pm (Green Valley) In Person 1/10, 2nd Tuesday, 5:30–7pm Virtual ON ZOOM 1/12, 2nd Thursday , 1–2:30pm (East) In Person
JANUARY
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein
*NOTE: There will be no meetings on days where holidays are observed PLEASE RSVP for all groups. At all in person meetings we continue to social distance and mask wearing is optional. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact: Tonetta Clay, Support Group Facilitator 520-305-3405, tclay@pcoa.org
Page 10 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Caregiving
Free training for informal, nonpaid family caregivers Caregiving Essentials: First Steps Training Schedule 2023
Thur., Jan. 26 Fri., Feb. 17 Mon., Mar. 6
Wed., Apr. 19 Tue., May 16
600 S. Country Club Rd., Tucson If staying for both, bring your own lunch. Coffee and water available.
Workshop 1: Steps to Resilience (9 am – 12:30pm)
Workshop 2: Physical Care and Safety (1:00 – 3:30pm)
• Stress Management & Grief • Communication • Dementia Behaviors & Issues • Finances & Legal Resources • Lifelines for Support: Respite & Support Groups • Nutrition Support • Phone and Technology Use • Grief & End of Life Resources
• Activity Planning, Outings and Car Etiquette • Infection control and providing Personal Care
• Proper Body Mechanics • Home Environment Safety & Fall Prevention • Planning for an Emergency • Understanding Assistive Devices • Proper Walking /Transferring techniques • Re-positioning with reassessment
Register on Eventbrite: https://caregivingessentials23.eventbrite.com or call Pima Council on Aging, 520.790.7573 ext. 1750; ddeleon@pcoa.org
For questions, call Kelley Hansen 520-790-7573 ext. 3413; khansen@pcoa.org For possible respite during training, call Arizona Caregiver Coalition 888.737.7494 or our Helpline 520-790-7262. This training does not provide certification or CEU’s for employment. *Classes are subject to change due to health precautions. See page 30 for details.
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 11
Pima Council on Aging
PCOA Community Lunch Program
Do You Know... • Someone who could benefit from a lunch program that also provides an opportunity to make new friends. Let’s face it, eating alone, at home, is no fun. • These programs are typically open from Monday – Friday (except as noted and holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 1pm. • There are fun activities available during these hours. Depending on the site, activities include games, movies, crafts and even field trips. • A transportation subsidy may be available to get someone to these lunch programs. Transportation is provided via Sun Van, to individuals with disabilities with a current ADA Eligibility Card issued by the City of Tucson. • That these lunch programs are open to all individuals 60 and older and their spouse regardless of age. Once you register at a meal site, you will be required to reserve your meals each week. That way, we know you’re coming and your lunch is waiting for you. A suggested donation of $2–$3 is requested. Community Center Lunches are a program of the Pima Council on Aging in collaboration with sub-contracted agencies: Catholic Community Services, and the City of Tucson Parks & Recreation Department. Have Lunch and Make a Friend
Check it out here: https://pcoa.org/ways-we-help/ meals-nutrition.html/ Click on “View Monthly Menu” This Month’s Menu
COMMUNITY LUNCH CENTERS NEAR YOU
Ajo Community
290 W. Fifth St., Ajo 85321
520-387-5040 520-791-4353 520-791-4070 520-889-0928 520-837-8210 520-887-9786 520-791-4969 520-791-3247 520-791-2509 520-485-7413 520-791-5787
Archer Neighborhood Armory Park Senior *
1665 S. La Cholla Blvd., Tucson 85713 220 S. 5th Ave., Tucson 85701 101 W. Irvington Rd., Tucson 85714 1390 W. Speedway Blvd., Tucson 85705 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd., Tucson 85705
El Pueblo Neighborhood Center El Rio Neighborhood Center
Ellie Towne/Flowing Wells Community Center **
Freedom Recreation Center
5000 E. 29th St., Tucson 85711 2160 N. 6th Ave., Tucson 85705
Donna Liggins Center
780 S. Park Centre Ave., Green Valley 85614 520-393-6814
Posada Life Community Center Quincie Douglas Senior Center
1575 E. 36th St., Tucson 85713
Saguaro Christian Church William Clements Center
8302 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson 85710 8155 E. Poinciana Dr., Tucson 85730
Please call in advance to reserve a meal and for days and hours of operation. Funded by: Federal Older Americans Act through AZ DES/DAAS, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, City of Tucson, and Individual Contributions * Dinner meal only ** Open Mon., Wed., Fri.
Page 12 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Healthy Living
Healthy Living with Chronic Pain, offered in person February 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 Mondays, 1:30 – 3:00 pm The Katie , 600 S. Country Club Rd. Contribution Fee: $30 (covers your book & supplies)
Are you looking for ways to live and age well? Practice with purpose
EnhanceFitness®
EnhanceFitness®
Our current schedule for EnhanceFitness® classes (1 hour class) is: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays • Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way, Bldg. 1 , 9–10 am • El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd. , 11am–12 pm • Clements Regional Ctr., Fitness Center , 8155 E. Poinciana Dr. , 8:30–9:30 am • Udall Park, Carol West Senior Center, 7222 E Tanque Verde Rd. , 11 am–12 pm • The Katie , 600 S. Country Club, and Remote , 10:30 to 11:30 • Tucson Estates (TENHN), 5900 W Western Way Circle , 10:30–11:30 am Mondays – Recreation Hall, Wednesdays & Fridays Multi-Purpose Hall
A Matter of Balance®
Healthy Living with Chronic Pain®
Contribution: $27 per person (January only). All other months, it is $36 per person/month.
The Healthy Living suite of classes covers things like the cause of falls and how to prevent them, strategies to bolster physical fitness and balance, as well as other ways to empower older adults to keep themselves safe and healthy.
Pre-registration is required through Eventbrite (located on the PCOA homepage), https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/enhancefitness-classes-176939 . Class size is limited. For assistance, call us at (520) 305-3410.
Picture Rocks Community Center 5615 North Sanders Rd. Mon., Wed., Fri., 11:45 am –12:45 pm Drexel Heights Community Center 5220 South San Joaquin Ave. Mon., Wed., Fri., 12–1 pm Ellie Towne/Flowing Wells** Community Center, 1660 W Ruthrauff Rd. Mon., Wed., Fri., 10:30–11:30 am
Register Now! Search for Senior Fitness , at https://webcms.pima.gov/government/ natural_resources_parks_and_recreation/ Chose the center of your choice from the list and go their class listing, look for EnhanceFitness to register. **There are no classes in Jan.
(520) 305-3410 healthyliving.pcoa.org Small steps. Positive changes. Healthier living.
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 13
Pima Council on Aging
Healthy Living
Looking for Volunteer Coaches! Looking for Volunteer Coaches !
A Matter of Balance® offered in person
Tucson Estates (Multi-Purpose Hall) 5900 W. Western Way Cir. Jan. 31, Feb. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 Tuesdays & Thursdays 1 – 3 pm Udall Park 7222 E. Tanque Verde Rd. February 6, 8, 13, 15, 22, 27, March 1, 6 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Mondays & Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
Golder Ranch Fire District 1741 W. Magee Rd. Jan. 23, 27, 30, Feb. 3, 6, 10, 13, 17 Mondays & Fridays 10 am – 12 pm Jan. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 24 (Tues.) and 25 (Wed.). Wednesdays & Fridays 1:30 – 3:30 pm except as noted above Posada Life Community Services 780 S Park Centre Ave, Green Valley
Looking for Volunteer Coaches !
A Matter of Balance® Chances are you know someone who has fallen or has a fear of falling. A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. PCOA is looking for volunteers to help offer this program. Training is provided. A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls Volunteer Lay Leader Model ©2006 This program is based on Fear of Falling: A Matter of Balance. Copyright ©1995 Trustees of Boston University. All rights reserved. Used and adapted by permission of Boston University. A Matter of Balance Lay Leader Model Recognized for Innovation and Quality in Healthcare and Aging, 2006, American Society on Aging. A Matter of Balance Lay Leader Model was developed by a grant from the Administration on Aging (#90AM2780). This work is funded either in whole or in part by a grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Healthy Ohio, Violence and Injury Prevention Program and as a sub-award of a grant issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant under the grant award number 3B01DP009042-13S1 and CFDA number 93.991. A Matter of Balance Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling. A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. Union County Older Adult Falls Coalition is looking for volunteers to help provide this program. Free training provided. Coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls, help to identify ways to reduce falls, and lead exercises to help increase strength and balance. What do you need to be a coach? · good communication and interpersonal skills · enthusiasm, dependability and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults · ability to lead low to moderate level exercise. For more information call 937-642-2053 or email rebecca . honaker @ uchd . net . This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Classes are free and held twice a week for 4 weeks for 2 hours each. Participants learn to: · view falls as controllable · set goals for increasing activity · make changes to reduce fall risks at home · exercise to increase strength and balance
For more information and to register for an upcoming training, contact Jennifer Cain, jcain@pcoa.org or call 520.790-7573, ext. 3411. Coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls, help to identify ways to reduce falls, and lead exercises to help increase strength and balance. What do you need to be a coach? · good communication and interpersonal skills · enthusiasm, dependability and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults · ability to lead low to moderate level exercise. For more information call 937-642-2053 or email rebecca . honaker @ uchd . net . A Matter of Balance Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling. A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. Union County Older Adult Falls Coalition is looking for volunteers to help provide this program. Free training provided. This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Classes are free and held twice a week for 4 weeks for 2 hours each. Participants learn to: · view falls as controllable · set goals for increasing activity · make changes to reduce fall risks at home · exercise to increase strength and balance A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls Volunteer Lay Leader Model ©2006 This program is based on Fear of Falling: A Matter of Balance. Copyright ©1995 Trustees of Boston University. All rights reserved. Used and adapted by permission of Boston University. A Matter of Balance Lay Leader Model Recognized for Innovation and Quality in Healthcare and Aging, 2006, American Society on Aging. A Matter of Balance Lay Leader Model was developed by a grant from the Administration on Aging (#90AM2780). This work is funded either in whole or in part by a grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Healthy Ohio, Violence and Injury Prevention Program and as a sub-award of a grant issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant under the grant award number 3B01DP009042-13S1 and CFDA number 93.991.
The Katie, PCOA Healthy Aging Center, 600 S. Country Club Rd., Fitness Rm. March 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Contribution: $30.00 (covers your book and supplies)
A Matter of Balance® is a a workshop designed to reduce the fear of falling and help participants learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity and make changes to reduce fall risks at home. It includes 8 two-hour sessions for 10-15 participants and is led by trained coaches.
For more information and to register, contact Jennie at (520) 305-3410.
Page 14 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Healthy Living
The Aging Mastery Program (AMP) classes in person Tuesdays, February 14 – April 18, 2023, 1:30 – 3:00 pm* • Navigating Longer Lives • Exercise and You • Sleep The Aging Mastery Program (AMP) classes will explore: ® • Financial Fitness • Healthy Relationships • Advance Planning ®
• Healthy Eating and Hydration • Medication Management • Fall Prevention • Community Engagement
A comprehensive approach to aging well. The program combines classes with expert speakers, group discussion and goal setting to help you gain new skills to make small meaningful changes in your life. Registration is payable in advance for all 10 weeks of the program. Limited spots available: Sign up now! Fee: $89/person if registered and paid by Tues., January 31. After Jan. 31, fee is $99/person Registration and Fee (payable in advance) by Tuesday, January 31, 2023 (No refunds after Tues., January 31, 2023 ) Location: Offered in person at The Katie PCOA Healthy Aging Center (TEP Room), 600 S Country Club Rd
*Classes are subject to change due to health precautions.
Join the adventure!
For more information and to REGISTER, call Pima Council on Aging, 520-305-3409
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 15
Pima Council on Aging
Healthy Living Aerobic Exercise Reinvigorates the Aging Brain
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter Regular aerobic exercise improves blood flow to the brain, which should help keep seniors sharper as they age, a new trial has revealed. At least a half-hour of power walking or jogging four to five times a week promoted better blood flow in and out of the brain among a small group of older adults, said study co-author Rong Zhang. He directs the cerebrovascular laboratory at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, a collaboration between UT Southwestern and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. "The intensity was like if you're rushing to a meeting where you are 10 minutes late," Zhang said. "You're brisk walking, and you feel a shortness of breath." The brain requires about 20% of the body's total blood flow to maintain its function as an organ, he said. But as people age, blood starts to flow less freely in and out of the brain, a condition called cerebrovascular impedance. Less blood flow means the brain is receiving lower levels of oxygen and nutrients, Zhang said. It also means that toxins could build up in the brain, since reduced blood flow is less able to carry away waste products generated by the brain's high metabolism. To see whether regular exercise could help people maintain healthy blood flow to their brain, Zhang and his colleagues recruited 72 people between the ages of 60 and 80 to take part in a yearlong experiment.
Half were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise group, while the rest were placed in a control group that performed stretching and toning activities. The aerobics group started with three half-hour exercise sessions a week, and gradually increased to four or five sessions that could run as long as 40 minutes. After a year of exercise, researchers performed brain scans and arterial tests to see how well blood was flowing in and out of the participants' brains. The aerobics group showed a significant improvement in brain blood flow by the end of the year, but the stretching and toning group did not. This sort of improvement in blood flow should lead to better brain health, said Dr. Donn Dexter, a neurologist with the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Wisc., and a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "The data on exercise improving cognition is pretty solid," Dexter said. "I have not seen this tack taken before. It's interesting that they're looking at exercise as a way to improve vascular health inside the brain. This adds more fuel to that hypothesis that exercise improves brain health." Current guidelines recommend adults get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate- intensity exercise, Dexter and Zhang said. "It's hard to remember 150 minutes a week. Keeping track of that might be difficult," Dexter said. "So what I tell them is do 30 minutes a day, because 30 minutes a day will get you that 150 minutes a week, even if you miss a day or two." This study shows that people can receive the benefits of exercise at any age, given
that the participants were at least 60, Zhang said. "Exercise should be a habit for your whole life. It's never too late," he said. "The research out there suggests what is good for your heart is good for your brain. That's a message we need people to understand." At the same time, people shouldn't feel they have to overdo it, Zhang added. "I haven't seen any evidence suggesting that if you go to the extreme, like people training for a marathon, you will receive more benefits compared with the program we have recommended," he said. The clinical trial report was recently published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. What This Means for You Get out and move, as your brain will thank you for a regular program of aerobic activity. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about exercise and brain health. https://www.cdc.gov/ nccdphp/dnpao/features/physical-activity- brain-health/index.html SOURCES: Rong Zhang, PhD, director, cerebrovascular laboratory, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Dallas; Donn Dexter, MD, neurologist, Mayo Clinic, Eau Claire, Wisc.; Journal of Applied Physiology, Oct. 4, 2022
Page 16 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
Healthy Minds for Life A Message from Lee Ryan, Professor and Head of the Psychology Department at the University of Arizona Healthy Minds for Life The statistics are alarming: Sixteen million
up pretty easily – aging is complicated. No single risk factor can explain all age- related cognitive impairment. And none of them have led to the discovery of a magic bullet, providing a sure-fire way to prevent or treat age-related cognitive impairment. The reason is also pretty simple: most of these risks apply to some, but not all, older adults. Consider, for example, three individuals in their 70’s. One person has heart disease and high blood pressure. A second person is a caregiver who is living with chronic stress. The third person has an extensive family history of Alzheimer’s disease. All three people may be struggling with memory impairment that negatively affects their daily lives, but for very different reasons, each leading to very different types of brain injury. And, as a result, the interventions that may best help each of these three individuals will also be quite different. Recently, my colleagues and I decided it was time to move away from the “one size fits all” view of aging. Instead of focusing on single risk factors, our research takes an individualized approach to understanding, preventing, and treating age-related cognitive impairment. Our goal is to consider the unique risk profile that best characterizes each individual, based on their health, lifestyle, and genetics. Then, based on that profile, we can create a customized treatment plan that will optimize brain health and maintain cognitive functioning throughout their life. That’s a lofty goal, but one that has the potential to extend independent living, improve quality of life, and, hopefully, decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The National Institute on Aging thought it was a pretty good idea too. Last
older adults in the USA are currently experiencing problems with memory, attention, or decision making. As many as 1.6 million of these individuals may go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease every year. However, as frightening as these numbers may be, Alzheimer’s disease is not the inevitable end point of aging. In fact, the majority of older adults—approximately 85%—will not develop Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime. Nevertheless, for many people, age-related cognitive impairment can have life-altering consequences including decreased work productivity, increased hospitalizations, decreased quality of life, and possibly even loss of independence. There’s a long list of factors that can influence brain health as we age. These include lifestyle choices such as diet, physical activity, and the quality of social interactions, life stressors such as chronic illness, bereavement, and depression, diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as demographic factors such as level of education and even our biological sex. We are also learning much more about genetic variants that either increase the negative effects of these risk factors or are protective against them. Most often, scientific studies focus on a single risk factor at a time. Researchers may explore how a risk factor, such as depression or diabetes, affects memory and other cognitive functions, or how it impacts brain structure and function using magnetic resonance imaging. Or, they may consider how that factor increases the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. What we’ve learned collectively from all these studies can be summed
year, researchers at the University of Arizona were awarded a $60M grant to establish the Precision Aging Network in partnership with top-ranked research institutions across the USA including the University of Miami, Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, Georgia State University, and the Translational Genomics Institute in Phoenix Arizona. Our hope is that the “precision aging approach” – considering each individual as unique – will lead to novel advances the understanding, prevention, and treatment of age-related cognitive impairment. In this monthly column, I’ll explore the precision aging concept. We’ll discuss the various factors that may increase risk or protect against age-related cognitive impairment. We’ll consider some of the promising new interventions that may help maintain brain health throughout our lives. And, I’ll update you on new scientific information that the Precision Aging Network is discovering, so that we can all move closer to our ultimate goal: Healthy Minds for Life. To learn more about the Precision Aging Network, visit our website at https:// precisionagingnetwork.org/. Lee Ryan is a Professor and Head of the Psychology Department at the University of Arizona. She is a researcher studying aging and Alzheimer’s disease, and is a member of the Precision Aging Network.
January 2023, Never Too Late | Page 17
Pima Council on Aging
PCOA Puzzle
January Puzzle
66 "Before Abraham was, ---" (Jesus) 67 Farm fertilizer
68 Yesteryear 69 Chest bone 70 Ooze
71 Theater for some vets, briefly 72 Double helix molecule (Abbr.) Down 1 Egg beater 2 Spanish card game 3 Rot 4 Type of Venetian type 5 Howls at the moon 6 Hail 7 --- Solo (Harrison Ford character) 8 Heart test 9 Careen 10 Vitriol 11 Catch 14 "Arrested Development" star Will --- 15 Sensitivity 20 Team 22 Social gathering 25 In order 26 Aid 27 "The Locomotion" singer Little --- 29 Forbidden activity 31 Track legend --- Zatopek 32 Informal negative 33 Stepped 34 Centers 35 Connecticut university 36 College head 38 Intimidates 40 Chilled 41 Top banana 44 White House defense advisory grp.
37 Cereal grain 38 Outcry 39 The Emirates 40 Ft. divisions 41 Hit
Across 1 Cited as cause of 2003 Iraq war 4 Lawyers' grp. 7 Chef's seasonings 12 Weeding implement 13 Molten rock 15 Deceive 16 Letters after business names 17 Colorist 18 Merkel or Lansbury 19 Inaction 21 S N L network
45 Medicament 46 Tire problem
Answers: following page 62 Chum 63 Wrath 65 Distant but within sight 48 Promise 49 Regard 51 Speed 53 Scottish land proprietor 54 Clemens' pen name 55 Rio de Janeiro dance 56 Hemispherical roof 57 Lizzie Borden took ---, ... 58 Restaurant card 60 Southern soup ingredient
42 NASDAQ debut 43 Vino selection 45 Heated argument
46 Ran off 47 Detect 48 Ship 50 Some music storage media 52 Tars 56 Retains a reservoir 59 Admiration 60 Canadian capital 61 In the slightest 64 Levee
23 Stage 24 Enter 25 Boil 28 Indicate 30 Happening 34 Jekyll's alter ego
Page 18 | January 2023, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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