Publication of Pima Council on Aging, Helping Pima County Age Well Since 1967
PUBLICATION OF PIMA COUNCIL ON AGING, HELPING PIMA COUNTY AGE WELL SINCE 1967 Never Too Late ISSUE 5 || SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2026
Aging with dignity is a human right
Fit for Life Staying Strong & Steady
Voter Information PAGE 3 INSIDE Resource Line p. 6 Donas and a Conversation with Pete p. 8 Memory Cafés p. 12 What to do After a Fall p. 14 Falls Prevention Events p. 17 Medicare Updates p. 18 Nunca Es Demasiado Tarde p. 24
Participants in the EnhanceFitness® program stretching during class.
AGING WITH DIGNITY IS A HUMAN RIGHT VISIT US AT pcoa.org
INSIDE
PCOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Your Vote is Your Voice . . . . . ...... 3 Resource Line . . . . . . . . . .......... 6 El Pueblo Senior Center . . . . ...... 8 US Aging Conference . . . . . ..... 10 Fuel for Life Partnership . . . . . . . . . 11.............. .......... ...... ................ ..................... ........ ..... Dementia Capable SouthernArizona............... 12 What to do After a Fall . . . . . . . . . . 14 Caregiver Support Groups . . . . . . 16 Falls Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Medicare...................... 18 Neighbors Care Alliance ........ 20 Nunca Es Demasiado Tarde . . . . . 2 2
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 2026. Editor Debbie Rich, (520) 790-7573 ext. 5043 drich@pcoa.org Graphic Designer Rebecca Manchester rmanchester@pcoa.org Advertising Jan Slonaker, (520) 790-7573 ext. 5076 jslonaker@pcoa.org Editorial and Advertising Deadline for Next Bi-Monthly Issue SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 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 endorse- ments of products, services, or individuals. Aging with dignity is a human right
Paula Chronister, Chair Ava S. Butler, Vice Chair
Christina Noz, Esq., Secretary Silvia Amparano, Treasurer Piper Frithsen, RN Kristin Norstad C. Mary Okoye, Esq.
Estella Searcy Denise Taylor R.Wayne Wood, MD
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Tucson and Pima County businesses, are you looking for a way to reach the 60+ market? Advertise with us and reach over 7,500 readers! Never Too Late is distributed at no cost in local grocery stores, libraries, community centers, and other venues frequented by older adults and caregivers along with a digital edition that receives over 1,200 views monthly. Contact Jan Slonaker at jslonaker@pcoa.org or (520) 790-7573 ext. 5076 for more information.
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Pima Council on Aging
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE
Know the dates • October 5 is the last day to register to vote or update your registration for the November election. If you have moved, changed your name, or are not certain your registration is current, check today. • Early voting begins October 7. Ballots go out in the mail to voters on the Active Early Voting List. • October 23 is the last day to request an early ballot. • October 30 is the last day to vote early in person. • November 3 is Election Day. Vote centers in Pima County are open from 6:00 am–7:00 pm, and you may vote at any of them, not only the one closest to your home. If you are returning a mail ballot by post, send it back roughly a week before Election Day, so it arrives in time. Ballots must be received by 7:00 pm on November 3. A postmark is not enough. If you are close to the deadline, drop it off in person instead of mailing it. Where to find information you can trust There is no shortage of election infor- mation, however there is a shortage of election information that is not trying to sell you something. A few sources exist for the sole purpose of telling you what is true and letting you decide what to do with it. • Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission azcleanelections.gov This is the state’s nonpartisan voter education agency, created by Arizona voters in 1998. It publishes the Voter Education Guide , which is mailed to households with a registered voter and includes
Dear Friends, Every two years, this community holds a conversation about its future. On November 3, that conversation happens at the ballot box. Arizona will choose a governor, and for the first time a lieutenant governor. Voters will decide on an attorney general, secretary of state, corporation commissioners, all nine congressional seats, the entire state legislature, judicial retentions, and local offices and measures closer to home. Very little on that ballot is abstract for older adults. Decisions made by the people elected in November shape long term care policy, transportation funding, housing, utility rates, prescription drug costs, and the state and federal dollars that support nearly everything PCOA does. I want to be direct about something. Older adults are the most reliable voters in this country. In 2024, roughly 75 percent of citizens 65 and older voted, well above every younger age group. That consistency is a form of power, and it is earned. It comes from decades of paying attention, from knowing how government actually touches a life, and from understanding that showing up matters more than being loud. But reliability is not the same as certainty. Turnout in a midterm year is always lower than in a presidential year, and the barriers that keep an older person from voting are rarely about willingness. They are about a ride that did not come, a ballot that arrived while someone was in the hospital, a form that was hard to read, or simply not knowing where to find information that has not already been shaped to persuade. Those are solvable problems. This letter is about solving them.
Robert Ojeda, PhD
candidate statements in the candidates’ own words, without editing or endorsement. It also hosts candidate debates. • Vote411.org from the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Enter your address and see your actual ballot, the candidates on it, and their answers to the same set of questions. It is free and nonpartisan. • Pima County Recorder’s Office recorder.pima.gov or (520) 724-4330. This is the official source for your registration status, your sample ballot, your early ballot status, and voting locations. Pima.vote maps every early voting site and vote center. • Arizona Secretary of State azsos.gov for statewide election information and registration. A word of caution that I offer without apology. Election season brings a rise in calls, texts, and mailings designed to confuse or frighten older people, and some of them are outright scams. No legitimate organization will call and ask you to pay a fee to vote or ask for your Social Security number or bank
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 3
Pima Council on Aging
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE
information to register. If a call feels wrong, hang up and call the Recorder’s Office directly at (520) 724-4330. Our Resource Line can also help you sort out whether something is legitimate. Getting to the polls, and voting without leaving home Casting a ballot should not depend on whether you drive. Several options exist, and most people do not know all of them. • Vote by mail. Any registered voter in Arizona can join the Active Early Voting List and automatically receive a ballot by mail for every election. There is no excuse or eligibility requirement. Ballots come with a postage paid return envelope, which means no line, no parking lot, and no ride to arrange. For many older adults, this is the single most practical option, and it is the one I recommend most often. • Free public transit. Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Van, Sun Express, Sun On Demand, and Sun Shuttle currently operate fare free by direction of the Mayor and Council. Sun Van provides curb to curb paratransit for riders certified as ADA eligible through the City of Tucson’s ADA Eligibility Office, at (520) 791-5409. Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride serves Green Valley, Oro Valley, and other communities outside city limits. Rides generally need to be reserved one to seven days ahead, so plan before the last week of October. • Special Election Boards. If you cannot get to a polling place or complete a ballot on your own, and you do not have someone you trust to help, two trained workers from different political parties will come to you, whether you are at home, in
disappeared survive because someone with standing said they mattered. That is not sentiment. It is arithmetic. In Pima County, older adults are a large, growing share of the electorate, and elected officials know exactly who turns out. There is a temptation, especially in a year that feels noisy and unkind, to conclude that none of it is worth the trouble. I understand the impulse. I would ask you to resist it. Stepping back does not quiet the noise. It only removes your voice from the record and leaves the decisions to people who may know very little about what it takes to age well here. You have watched this community change over decades. You know which promises were kept. You know what it costs to get to a doctor from the far east side, or from Ajo, or from Green Valley. That knowledge is not incidental to good government. It is the substance of it, and it does not enter the record unless you put it there. So, make a plan. Check your registration before October 5. Decide how you will vote and, if you need a ride or a ballot brought to you, arrange it in early October rather than the final week. Then call someone you know who may be having trouble getting there, and help them do the same. A neighbor with a working car and an hour to spare is still one of the most effective pieces of election infrastructure we have. Your vote is your voice. Use it. With respect and gratitude,
a hospital, or in a care community. Call the Recorder’s Office at (520) 724-4330 to request this. The service is limited, so call early. • A voter assistant of your choosing. Anyone unable to mark a ballot because of illness, injury, or disability may ask a friend, family member, or anyone they trust to help. The assistant signs the ballot affidavit. The ballot must reflect your choices and only yours. Arizona law does not permit voting by power of attorney. • Accessible voting devices. Every early voting site and vote center has one, always set up and ready, with no appointment needed. They offer audio instructions, large print display, adjustable contrast, and tactile controls, and ballots are available in English and Spanish. Large print voter registration forms and braille ballots are available from the Recorder’s Office on request. • Ballot drop off. Every vote center also serves as a drop off site. Beginning this year, you may show identification when you drop off an early ballot rather than waiting for a signature comparison. If any of this raises a question, call PCOA’s Resource Line at (520) 790-7262. We do not tell people how to vote and we never will. We help people find their way to the ballot. Why this matters PCOA has been part of this county since 1967, and in that time I have watched a pattern repeat itself. When older adults are present in a public conversation, the conversation changes. Budgets look different. Priorities shift. Programs that would have quietly
Robert Ojeda, PhD President & Chief Executive Officer Pima Council on Aging
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Pima Council on Aging
The Balance Sheet Nobody Reads Aloud
Put plainly: much of what gets delivered as community service in this county is delivered by older adults working for free. Pima Council on Aging receives public funding, and we are grateful for it. But public dollars alone do not cover the coordination, the transportation, and the screening that turn 5.76 million volunteer hours into meals, rides, and hours at a bedside. None of it is secure. Ten percent of residents 65 and older, live below the poverty line. One in four older homeowners is cost-burdened; that is 31,553 households doing hard arithmetic at the kitchen table each month. Both things are true at once. The contribution is enormous, and it is at risk. So, when you hear aging services described as charity, something nice to fund if money is left over, you are entitled to correct the record. You are 28 percent of this county’s household income. You are 41.9 percent of its owner-occupied homes. You are 71,702 workers and 87,400 volunteers. That is not a request for sympathy. It is a balance sheet. If you know someone who signs checks at a bank, a hospital, a utility, or a grocery chain, tell them what you just read. The case is not hard to make. It mostly needs someone willing to say it out loud. ◆ Figures: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates; Social Security Administration county data, December 2023; AmeriCorps civic life data; Independent Sector volunteer valuation. Age bands 60+ and 65+ are reported separately and are not interchangeable.
store on Grant and the pharmacy on Speedway. If you were one of those households, you already know it from the inside. What the data adds is that you were one of nearly 49,000. The contributions do not stop at spending. More than 71,000 residents 60 and older are on payrolls right now. Older homeowners occupy 126,061 owner-occupied homes, 41.9 percent of all of them in the county. And roughly 87,400 of us volunteer, contributing an estimated 5.76 million hours a year, valued near $208 million. Another 2,999 grandparents 60 and older are raising their own grandchildren.
By Debbie Sisco Rich, Chief Operating Officer
I want to share some numbers with you, because I think you have been undersold on your own worth. There are 308,787 of us in Pima County who are 60 or older. Nearly three in ten residents. And households headed by someone 65 or uphold an estimated $12.6 billion in annual income, roughly 28 percent of every household dollar in this county. Twenty-eight percent. That is not a service population. That is a market. Here is the part I find most striking. Every month, $456.1 million in Social Security benefits arrive in this county, spread across 251,065 beneficiaries. Unlike almost any other income here, it does not stop. Not in a downturn, not in a soft tourist season, not when an employer decides Tucson was a mistake. When times get hard in Pima County, the people keeping the pharmacy, the grocery store, and the corner restaurant open are dispro- portionately the ones being offered the early table by the kitchen. You have likely never thought of yourself as an economic stabilizer. You are one. Which is why the last ten months should concern all of us. Between July 2025 and April 2026, this county lost 48,804 SNAP households, an estimated $178 million a year in food funding. That money did not shift to another line in a budget. It left the grocery
28 % of Pima County adults are 60 and over
You are 28 percent of this county’s household income. You are 41.9 percent of its owner-occupied homes. You are 71,702 workers and 87,400 volunteers.
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 5
Pima Council on Aging
For decades, older adults in Pima County and the families who care for them have picked up the phone and called the Pima Council on Aging Helpline. As of July 15, 2026, that same number reaches the same people, but it goes by a new name: the PCOA Resource Line . The change is small on paper and significant in practice. Ask the staff who answer those calls and they will tell you the old name described only part of the work. Why the name changed “Help Line” suggests a single answer waiting on the other end of the line. What actually happens is closer to an interview followed by an investigation. A Community Resource Specialist begins by listening. What is the caller worried about? What has already been tried? Who else is involved? What does the household look like, and what does the older adult actually want? Only after that conversation can the specialist begin to sort out what kind of support the situation calls for. Sometimes the answer sits inside PCOA. The caller may need a care manager, a benefits counselor, a caregiver support group, a home delivered meal, or a visit from the Long Term Care Ombudsman. Those connections can be made directly. Just as often, the answer lives somewhere else in the community. The right response might be a legal A New Name for a Bigger Job Inside PCOA’s Resource Line RESOURCE LINE
tangled together, and untangling them takes research. Consider a few situations that arise regularly: A daughter in Chicago whose father lives alone near Grant Road. He has fallen twice. He refuses to move. His income is a few hundred dollars above the limit for one program and well below the cost of private in home care. She wants to know what exists in between. Answering her means understanding eligibility rules for more than one program, knowing what private pay agencies charge in Tucson, and finding out whether a home safety assessment or grab bar installation might reduce the immediate risk.
aid organization, a housing authority, a utility assistance program, a faith community, a hospice provider, a veterans service officer, or a county agency. In those cases, the specialist’s job is to identify the correct resource, confirm that it is still operating and still accepting people, and hand the caller a referral they can actually use. That second category is why the word “resource” fits better than the word “help.” The team is not simply dispensing services. They are locating the right door, anywhere in Pima County, and pointing the caller toward it. Most calls are complicated The simple calls are the exception. Most of what comes into the Resource Line involves several problems
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Pima Council on Aging
A 79 year old woman whose rent just went up by two hundred dollars. She is on a fixed income. She is also skipping doses of a prescription to make the money work. This is not one problem. It is a housing problem, a food problem, a utility problem, and a Medicare Part D problem sitting on top of each other, and each one has a different application, a different waiting list, and a different set of documents. A grandmother raising two grandchildren. She needs to know how to enroll them in school without formal custody, whether she qualifies for any financial support as a kinship caregiver, what a guardianship would involve, and where she can find childcare while she attends her own medical appointments. Three of those four answers come from outside PCOA. A husband caring for a wife with advanced dementia. He calls to ask about adult day programs, but the conversation reveals he has not slept through the night in months and has not seen his own doctor in two years. The useful response includes respite options, a caregiver support group, and an honest conversation about what palliative care can offer. It also requires the specialist to know which day programs currently have openings, which accept his wife’s level of need, and which are within a reasonable drive. A veteran discharged from the hospital after a fall. He needs a walker, a ramp at his front step, transportation to three follow up appointments, and someone to explain whether his VA benefits or his Medicare coverage
• The older adult’s approximate age and zip code • A plain description of what is going on, including what has already been tried • Any coverage or benefits already in place, such as Medicare, AHCCCS, ALTCS, VA benefits, or long term care insurance • Whether there is an immediate safety concern terminology. Say it the way you would say it to a neighbor. The specialist will sort it out. The same people, doing what they have always done There is no need to organize the information neatly or use the right Nothing about the phone number, the staff, or the commitment has changed. What has changed is the honesty of the name. The team members who answer are now called Community Resource Specialists, because identifying and connecting people to the right resource, wherever that resource lives, is the actual job. For older adults in Pima County, and for the people who love them, that phone call remains the most reliable starting point there is. Leave a good message. The call back will be worth it. ◆ Pima Council on Aging has served older adults in Pima County since 1967 as the region’s Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center. The Resource Line can be reached at (520) 790-7262 .
applies to each piece. Coordinating that means contacting more than one system and confirming what each will pay for. None of these questions can be answered accurately in ninety seconds. Getting them wrong sends a person on a long trip to a closed door. Support is not immediate, and that is on purpose This is the part the Resource Line wants callers to understand clearly. When you call, you will often be asked to leave a message. A Community Resource Specialist will return your call. The wait is not a sign that no one is listening. It is the time required to do the work properly, which frequently means making calls, checking current eligibility criteria, and verifying that a program still exists in the form it did six months ago. The quality of the return call depends heavily on the quality of the message left behind. A specialist who has details in hand can research before dialing. A specialist with only a name and a number has to start from zero, which means a longer conversation for the caller and often a second call after that. What to include when you leave a message Callers get faster and more accurate answers when they include: • Your name and the best phone number to reach you • The best times of day to reach you • Who needs help, and whether that is you or someone else
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 7
Pima Council on Aging
Donas, coffee, and a conversation with Pete By Dora Martinez, Advocacy Director EL PUEBLO SENIOR CENTER
sure you bring the donas before 1:00 pm, that’s when I get picked up.” Pete started coming to the senior center decades ago after his doctor encouraged him to start walking regularly. He shared that there were days he would do up to 50 laps and then head home. One day, Pete had a fall. He had to stop driving, which really impacted his daily routine. Eventually he made the hard decision to sell his home and moved in with his sister. Pete’s physician encouraged him to remain at the senior center after his daily morning walk and explained the benefits of hanging around the center for a few more hours. He reminded Pete of the fall risks when you find yourself home alone. Having people around him who are not only aware but are trained to assist in those situations is an added benefit. Pete recognized this and the value of building relationships with the people at the center. Today, Pete had done 10 laps. He was finishing his coffee as we went back and forth. The room behind us was playing a familiar tune, a muffled version of Suavemente. A Spanish song played in every quinceañera and Best Buy in the late 90’s early 2000’s that continues to inspire the elders in our community to move their feet and cue half turns. The music stopped and the doors to the lobby welcomed the sweaty and chatty señoras into the common area. “It’s 11:00,” Petey looked at his watch. “Time to take my meds.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two loose pills. He jokingly blew the
make-believe “lint” or “dust” off them and reached for the plastic bottle to wash them down. “When the Zumba class is over,” he continued, “it’s my reminder to take my medication.” I smiled in acknowledgement. As part of the back and forth, we eventually talked about the rains we were blessed with over the last few days. Pete kept repeating that it was not enough. That 11 inches was the average rainfall in our part of the desert. He pulled his phone out to confirm. Holding the phone close to his lips, “Google, how much rain has Tucson received in 2026?” The voice inside the phone answered. We discussed the findings and compared it to the best monsoon either of us had experienced. Pete Googled two or three other things during our conversation. “How old is the Tucson Rodeo,” and “what is the oldest rodeo in North America?” This led to conversations about mutton busting and barrel racing. At one point he cut me off to say goodbye to Google and thank her for always answering his questions. “Gracias, Bonita,” he said in a tender voice. “Don’t forget to comb your hair.” He laughed at his own joke and turned the phone towards me to expose the screen. I squinted and read “always hold a section of hair near the roots and start combing at the ends…” The next time I visited Pete, I was sure to stop for some donas on my way. I’m still teased about the “micro donas ” I brought to the center. ◆
“If you really want them to talk with you, bring them a box of donas next time,” said a low, raspy voice from behind me. It belonged to an older gentleman who was slouched on a tall chair next to a matching high top table with his grey coffee mug and a plastic water bottle. He was sitting just outside a room that held eleven animated elders, two pocket billiards tables, and a framed picture of the Virgencita. I was near the doorway watching their game. Everything about this felt familiar. This was my first time at the senior center and yet the warm conversations, the smells of coffee, the cowboy hats, and hearing his words felt so familiar. I turned around to introduce myself. “Buenos dias, this is my first time at this senior center. ¿Cómo se llama usted?” “Pete,” he replied quickly. “Pedro, but my friends call me Pete.” He reached for the leather phone case secured to his worn-down leather belt. The holder was the size of a modern iPhone and had PEDRO stamped in big block letters on it. For the next hour or so, Pete and I discussed monsoon season in Tucson, growing up on the south side, his experiences as a construction worker, and moving in to live with his sister. I eventually apologized for not bringing donuts and committed to bringing a baker’s dozen the next time I came to visit. “I’m here Monday through Thursday,” he chuckled. “Just make
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Pima Council on Aging
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September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 9
Pima Council on Aging
PCOA Brings Tucson’s Work to the National Stage Staff return from the USAging Answers on Aging Conference with new ideas, new partners, and confirmation that Pima County is setting the pace US AGING CONFERENCE
Three members of the Pima Council on Aging team spent four days in San Diego this July at the 51 st annual USAging “Answers on Aging” Conference, joining roughly 1,500 professionals from Area Agencies on Aging across the country. President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Ojeda, Chief Program Officer Lisa Reams, and Director of Resources and Supports Deb Seng came home with pages of notes, a list of new contacts, and something harder to measure: proof that the work happening here is worth other communities studying. A conversation the field is ready to have Reams and Seng led a conference workshop on end-of-life care planning. Their session covered two things at once. First, how PCOA has built education and hands-on assistance with this planning directly into the services older adults already come to us for, rather than treating it as a separate specialty. Second, how that education can be shaped for Spanish-speaking older adults and their families, and for people living with dementia, so that the conversation happens in the right language and at the right moment. The response was immediate. Attendees from USAging and from agencies around the country stayed to ask questions, and several asked conference organizers to put more sessions like it
on future agendas. Planning for the end of life is a subject many families put off and many organizations avoid. The interest in that room suggested the field is ready to stop avoiding it. Learning in both directions
Pictured left to right: Robert Ojeda, President & CEO, Lisa Reams, Chief Program Officer, and Deb Seng, Director of Resources and Supports.
strengths, and this one did. Reams and her colleagues identified four areas where PCOA has room to grow: contracting and partnership with health care systems, building volunteer engagement more deliberately across the whole organization, forming more partnerships to address food insecurity, and working more closely with organizations across Arizona to change the systems older adults have to navigate. That last one may be the most ambitious. Statewide change asks more of everyone involved than any single agency can deliver on its own, but it also holds the most promise for the people we serve. PCOA is grateful for the chance to learn alongside colleagues from every corner of the country, and to bring the experience of Pima County’s older adults into a national conversation about what aging with dignity should look like. ◆
Beyond the workshop, PCOA staff took seats at roundtables and shared learning sessions on social connection, dementia programming, family caregiving, and veteran directed care. They also attended presentations on the growing use of artificial intelligence in aging services, nutrition programs that break from the standard model, transportation, elder rights and justice, and volunteer engagement. Three areas of PCOA’s work drew particular attention from colleagues elsewhere: end-of-life care planning, Memory Cafés for people with dementia and the people who care for them, and initiatives that help older adults keep their housing or find it again. In each of these, PCOA is being pointed to as a place other communities can learn from. What we came home to work on Conferences are useful when they show you your gaps as clearly as your
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Pima Council on Aging
A Partnership That Powers Independence: Southwest Gas Fuel for Life Supports PCOA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
When Southwest Gas employees give through their Fuel for Life program, they aren’t just writing a check. They are investing in the ability of Pima County’s older adults to live safely and with dignity in their own homes. This year, PCOA is proud to count Fuel for Life among our valued supporters, and we recently had the privilege of hosting the Fuel for Life team for an up-close look at what that generosity makes possible. Southwest Gas’s Fuel for Life program is built on a simple but powerful idea: employees choose the causes they care about, then give directly to them through payroll donations. It’s a grassroots model of philanthropy, driven by the people who work at Southwest Gas rather than dictated from the top. For more than a decade, that giving has added up to millions
of dollars flowing into nonprofits across the company’s service area, including right here in Pima County. Numbers on a page, though, only tell part of the story. That’s why the Fuel for Life team didn’t just send a donation this year. They came to see PCOA’s work firsthand. During their visit, team members sat down with the staff who show up for older adults every single day. They heard about the caregivers who quietly hold families together, often at real cost to their own health and finances, and about the clients who depend on PCOA’s case managers to stay safely and independently in the homes they love. They learned about one man in particular whose Social Security check had been delayed, leaving him without the resources he needed to get by, and how PCOA staff stepped in to
help him bridge that gap until his benefits were restored. It’s the kind of story that rarely makes headlines, but for that individual, it made all the difference. The visit also took the Fuel for Life team beyond conversation and into a hands-on look at Pima Care at Home, PCOA’s program that trains direct care workers and family members to become confident, capable caregivers. Walking through the training process themselves, team members gained a firsthand appreciation for the skill, patience, and heart it takes to care for an aging parent, spouse, or friend, and for how much PCOA’s guidance can ease that journey. Partnerships like this one matter because aging well is rarely a solitary effort. It takes case managers who answer the phone when a crisis hits, caregivers who show up day after day, and community partners willing to invest not just their dollars but their time and attention in understanding the need. Southwest Gas’s Fuel for Life program has shown up as exactly that kind of partner. On behalf of everyone at PCOA, and especially the clients and families whose lives are touched by this support, thank you to Southwest Gas and every employee who chose to give through Fuel for Life. Your generosity, and your willingness to see our work up close, helps ensure that Pima County’s older adults can continue to age well, safely, and with the dignity they deserve. ◆
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 11
Pima Council on Aging
DEMENTIA CAPABLE SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Dementia Capable Southern Arizona in the Community A Memory Café is a welcoming social gathering for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. It provides a safe, supportive space to enjoy activities and connect with others in a relaxed environment. Cafés help promote social connectedness and foster community for those affected by memory loss. Join our community today! Please visit bit.ly/memory-cafes for café-specific information or to register.
Find a
Near you MEMORY CAFÉ
AARP Memory Café Fridays, September 25 & October 30 10:00—11:30 am AARP Tucson Office 6700 N. Oracle Rd., Suite 331 Tucson, AZ 85704 Alzheimer’s Association Memory Café Wednesdays, September 9 & October 14 Café at the Murphy-Wilmot Library Mondays, September 28 & October 26 10:30-11:30 am Murphy-Wilmot Library 530 N. Wilmot Rd. Tucson, AZ 85710 Registration not required. Contact Nicole Thomas at (520) 790-7573 ext. 1739 or nthomas@pcoa.org Memory Café at The Katie September 9 & 23, October 14 & 28 10:00–11:00 am Katie Dusenberry Healthy Aging Center (PCOA) 600 S. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716 3:00–4:00 pm Beyond Bread 421 W. Ina Rd. Tucson, AZ 85704
Esperanza Memory Café Thursdays, September 10 & October 8 2:00–3:00 pm United Methodist Church Green Valley 300 W. Esperanza Blvd. Green Valley, AZ 85614 NEW Mt. Calvary Memory Café Wednesdays, September 2 & 16, and October 7 & 21, 2026 10:30–11:30 am Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 210 E. Lester St. Tucson, Az. 85705 Contact Chalonda Jones-Thomas, Medical Ministry Leader at mtcalvarymedicalministry@gmail.com Posada Life Memory Café Fridays, September 18 & October 16 1:00–2:00 pm La Posada Community Center 780 S. Park Centre Ave. Green Valley, AZ 85614 BILINGUAL/BILINGÜE Casa de Encanto Memory Café Mondays, September 14 & October 12 lunes, 14 de septiembre & 12 de octubre 10:00-11:00 am
CPLC Casa de Encanto 250 N. Silverbell Rd. Tucson, AZ 85745
Registration requested. Favor de confirmar su asistencia. Contact/ contaco Mayra Garcia at (520) 310-4516. Casa del Pueblo Memory Café Tuesdays, September 3 & October 1 martes, 3 de septiembre & 1 de octubre 10:00-11:00 am CPLC Casa del Pueblo 4975 S. Liberty Ave. Tuscon, AZ 85706 Registration requested. Favor de confirmar su asistencia. Contact/ contaco Amee Gonzalez at (520) 310-2915. Memory Café with YWCA Thursdays, September 17 & October 15 jueves, 17 de septiembre & 15 de octubre 10:00-11:00 am House of Neighborly Services Registration requested. Favor de confirmar su asistencia. Contact/ contaco Maria Ornelas at (520) 596-0115. 525 N. Bonita Ave. Tucson, AZ 85745
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Pima Council on Aging
Upcoming Presentations Dementia 101 Learn more about what dementia is and how it impacts individuals, families, and communities. Understand common signs of dementia and how to approach memory concerns. Wednesday, September 16 10:00 am–12:00 pm Oro Valley Library IDEA! Strategy A 3-step strategy to help you figure out why a behavior is happening and how to deal with it. This presentation is designed for family members and other caregivers. Friday, October 16 1:30–3:00 pm Valencia Library 202 W. Valencia Rd. Tucson, AZ 85706 Wednesday, October 21 2:00–3:30 pm Katie Dusenberry Healthy Aging Center (PCOA) 600 S. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716 End of Life Care Planning When Living with a Dementia Diagnosis Understand end of life care decisions, decision-making authority, and advance directives. Thursday, October 8 10:00–11:30 pm Katie Dusenberry Healthy Aging Center (PCOA) 600 S. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716 1305 W. Naranja Dr. Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Register online at bit.ly/DCSAevents or by scanning the QR code.
Dementia Friends Champions Take your Dementia Friends status a step further, allowing you to facilitate Dementia Friends Information Sessions for your organization or other community members. Wednesday, October 28 1:00–3:00 pm Katie Dusenberry Healthy Aging Center (PCOA) 600 S. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716
FOR MORE INFORMATION on the presentations, please contact Nicole Thomas at nthomas@pcoa.org or (520) 790-7573 ext. 1739. EnhanceFitness®: Strong and Capable Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 1:00–2:00 pm Katie Dusenberry Healthy Aging Center (PCOA) 600 S. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716 An interactive fitness program for both those living with memory loss and mobility challenges and their caregivers! EnhanceFitness® is an evidence-based falls prevention and physical activity program specifically designed for older adults. For more information and to register please email DCSA@pcoa.org or call (520) 790-7573 ext.1748 .
Options Counseling Caring for a loved one with memory loss? You are not alone. DCSA offers Options Counseling to help connect you with memory loss screenings, resources, referrals, and support. Call (520) 790-7262 or fill out a request online at pcoa.org/DementiaReferral
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 13
Pima Council on Aging
WHAT TO DO AFTER A FALL
You’ve probably heard a lot about the importance of fall prevention. After all, falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults, and falling once doubles your chances of falling again. Sometimes we can do everything right and still take a tumble. But what you do next can actually make a big difference in a good way! How to Get Up Safely After a Fall Getting up after a fall can be tricky because we tend to lose some agility and flexibility as we age. However, it’s a skill you can develop with time and practice. Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you get up safely after a fall: A Step-by-Step Guide for When to Get Up, When to Wait and When to Seek Care Submitted by ArchWell Health
When Is It Safer to Stay Down? While you might be in a hurry to get up and put the fall behind you, that’s not always the best course of action. Here are a few instances when it may be unwise to get up after a fall: • Hazards: If a hazard like a throw rug, slippery floor or uneven sidewalk caused the fall in the first place and the hazard is still there, it’s safer to stay down. • Blood: Blood is a red flag telling you not to move. Instead, call 911 and wait for help. • Visible deformities: Bruising or swelling could indicate a fracture or sprain. • Pain: If something hurts after a fall, it’s best to stay put. That’s because if you’re seriously injured and you try to get up, it could make the injury worse. How to Call for Help Falling can be scary, but with the help of technology, you can get the assistance you need. Here are a few different options: Phone • Activate voice control on your cell so you can call for help even if you can’t reach the phone. Just say “Hey Siri” (iPhone) or “Hey Google” (Android); then ask the device to call 911. • If you can’t reach a phone and voice activation isn’t enabled, try to crawl, scoot or roll toward the device. • If the phone is still out of reach, try using a long object like a cane, broom, yardstick, backscratcher or hooked coat hanger to pull the phone toward you.
large and well-trained dog!) to use for support. A. If there’s nothing nearby, scoot your way to a staircase. Put your bottom on the lowest step and use your legs to push yourself up to a higher one. Or sit on the top stair, put your feet on a lower step and pull yourself up using the railing. B. If you fall outside, look for stairs, a low brick wall or even a car bumper to help pull yourself up. Slowly push yourself up onto your hands and knees and crawl to the chair. If you have knee problems and can’t crawl, scoot on your bottom or roll your way over. Place your hands on the chair. Slide your stronger leg forward so that your foot is flat on the floor. Keep the other leg bent so that your knee is on the floor. Push up with your arms and legs to slowly stand up. If you can’t fully stand, turn your body to sit in the chair. Even if you can stand, sit down and rest for a few minutes and reassess for any pain or injuries. It’s important not to get up too quickly and risk falling again. Call your doctor. They can do a thorough exam to see what may have caused the fall and ensure you don’t have hidden injuries or complications.
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Stay calm. Take a few deep breaths, then stay still for a minute or two to help your body get over the shock of falling. Assess for any pain or injuries. Only proceed to the next step if you’re not hurt and think you can get up safely without help. If you’re lying down, carefully roll onto your side. Rest again while your body and blood pressure adjust. Look for the nearest chair or another piece of sturdy furniture like a couch or table (or even a
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Pima Council on Aging
Smart speaker If you have an Amazon Echo device, you can purchase Alexa Emergency Assist, a subscription service that can quickly connect you to live responders as well as your emergency contacts when needed. Just say, “Alexa, call for help” for assistance any time of the day or night. Medical alert system Traditional medical alert systems consist of a wearable device like a bracelet or pendant that will either detect a fall on its own or get triggered when you push the help button. As long as you’re wearing the device when you fall, it will alert the monitoring center, your emergency contact or emergency medical services of your need for assistance. Smartwatch If a nontraditional emergency contact system is more your style, consider wearing a smartwatch that’s equipped with a fall detection feature. The Apple Watch SE 3, for example, can automatically help connect you with emergency services, provide dispatchers with your location and notify your loved ones after a fall. Going to the Doctor After a Fall If you experience any of the following symptoms after a fall, see your doctor as soon as possible: • Signs of head injury (e.g., confusion, dizziness, ringing in the ears or vision changes) • Any new pain (e.g., back, joint or stomach pain) • Any limitations to your usual movement
While not all falls result in injury, you might not notice signs of a problem until days after the incident. A fall can also alert your provider to a problem that can be corrected, such as issues with your medications or eyesight. To help prevent future falls, your doctor
may suggest a walking aid, physical therapy or other lifestyle changes. While taking steps to improve your balance and prevent falls is essential, understanding how to respond to falls is just as critical. ◆
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 15
Pima Council on Aging
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS
SEPTEMBER Tuesday, September 1 12:00–1:30 pm (Oro Valley) Impact of S. Arizona 15930 N. Oracle Rd. Activity Center Conference Room Thursday, September 3 1:00–2:30 pm VIRTUAL Meeting on Zoom Tuesday, September 8 10:30 am–12:00 pm (Marana) Nanini Library 7300 N. Shannon Rd. Wednesday, September 9 1:00–2:30 pm (East) Kirk-Bear Canyon Library 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Small Meeting Room Monday, September 14 1:00–2:30 pm (Green Valley) Friends Indeed 301 W. Camino Casa Verde, Room C Tuesday, September 15 10:00–11:30 am (North) AARP Arizona 6700 N. Oracle Rd. Suite 331 Classroom Wednesday, September 16 1:30–3:00 pm VIRTUAL Meeting on Zoom Thursday, September 17 1:00–2:30 pm (East) Kirk-Bear Canyon Library 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Small Meeting Room
Thursday, October 15 1:00–2:30 pm (East) Kirk-Bear Canyon Library 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Small Meeting Room Friday, October 16 1:00–2:30 pm (Green Valley) Friends Indeed 301 W. Camino Casa Verde, Room C Monday, October 19 11:00 am–12:30 pm (Midtown) Eckstrom-Columbus Library 4350 E. 22 nd Street Tuesday, October 20 10:00–11:30 am (North) AARP Arizona 6700 N. Oracle Rd. Suite 331 Classroom Monday, October 26 1:30–3:00 pm VIRTUAL Tuesday, October 27 9:00–10:30 am (Southwest) Tucson Estates 5900 W. Western Way Circle Recreation Center, Board Conference Room FOR MORE INFORMATION on support groups or to RSVP for a support group listed here, please contact Support Group Facilitator, Tonetta Clay at tclay@pcoa.org or (520) 305-3405. RSVPs are required for all support groups.
Monday, September 21 1:00–2:30 pm (Midtown) Eckstrom-Columbus Library 4350 E. 22 nd Street, Meeting Room Tuesday, September 22 9:00–10:30 am (Southwest) Tucson Estates 5900 W. Western Way Circle Recreation Center, Board Conference Room Monday, September 28 11:00 am–12:30 pm VIRTUAL Palliative & Hospice Care Virtual Workshop OCTOBER Thursday, October 1 1:00–2:30 pm VIRTUAL Meeting on Zoom Monday, October 5 1:00–2:30 pm (East) City Ward Office 7820 E. Broadway Blvd., Cholla Room Tuesday, October 6 12:00–1:30 pm (Oro Valley) Impact of S. Arizona 15930 N. Oracle Rd. Activity Center Conference Room
Tuesday, October 13 10:30 am–12:00 pm (Marana) Nanini Library 7300 N. Shannon Rd. Wednesday, October 14 1:30–3:00 pm VIRTUAL
Page 16 | September & October 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
FALLS PREVENTION
Falls Prevention Events TMC No Falls Fair Wednesday, September 16 9:00–11:30 am Tucson Jewish Community Center (JCC) 3800 E. River Rd. Come find PCOA to learn falls prevention safety tips and engage with our community. Tucson Fall Senior Expo Thursday, September 17 10:00 am–1:00 pm Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. Connect with dozens of local companies dedicated to helping seniors. Falls Prevention Event Thursday, September 17 9:00 am–1:00 pm Arroyo Gardens 160 N. La Canada Dr. Green Valley, AZ 85714 6 th Annual University of Arizona No Falls Fair This Falls Prevention Fair is focused on helping older adults stay safe, active, and independent. Hosted by the University of Arizona Department of Surgery, this free community event offers practical fall prevention tips, interactive demonstrations, health and wellness resources, and opportunities to connect with experts dedicated to healthy aging. Admission is free, and family members and caregivers are encouraged to attend. Visit pima.gov/3613/Falls-Prevention for more information and resources. Friday, October 16 11:00 am–3:00 pm Tucson Chinese Cultural Center 1288 W. River Rd.
Find us at the Fair! Wednesday, October 14 10:00 am–2:00 pm Hilton DoubleTree Reid Park 445 S. Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ 85711
SOUTHERN ARIZONA’S PREMIER 55+ EVENT!
September & October 2026, Never Too Late | Page 17
Pima Council on Aging
MEDICARE
Medicare and Changes in Residence When you move, it can affect your Medicare coverage. Let’s look at the different kinds of moves, from in-state to abroad, and what they mean for your Medicare. Moving within state • If you have Original Medicare , notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your move to update your address. • If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan, notify the plan of your change of address and see if you will still be in your plan’s area of coverage. º If not, you will have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change plans. You can call State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to use your SEP and change plans. • If you have a Medigap, call the plan to ask if the cost of your premium will change.
Moving out of State All the above applies, plus: • If you have a Medigap, learn about your new state’s rules around Medigaps. You can call your SHIP to learn about Medigaps in your state in case you want to make changes in the future. • If you have a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), learn about the eligibility rules in the state to which you are moving. For help with a new MSP application, contact that state’s SHIP. • If you were automatically enrolled in Extra Help because of your state’s Medicaid (AHCCCS) or MSP, you may need to actively enroll after your move to another state. You can call Social Security (800-772-1213) to learn about the status of your Extra Help. Moving abroad • If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan, contact your plan to disenroll. You will no longer be eligible for these plans while living abroad. If you move back to the U.S., you will have an SEP to enroll in plans again. • If you have premium-free Part A, you should keep it. If you be- come eligible for premium-free Part A while abroad, you should enroll. To enroll while abroad, request forms from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate of the country you live in. • If you plan to move back to the U.S. or travel back frequently,
you may want to enroll in or keep Part B to have medical coverage during your stays and avoid coverage gaps or late enrollment penalties. • If you plan to move abroad permanently and not visit the U.S., you might consider dropping Part B. Be aware of the consequences you could face if you enroll later including coverage gaps and late enrollment penalties. Medicare enrollment decisions if you are incarcerated • If you had Medicare before your arrest, you will remain eligible for the program while you are incarcerated, as long as you continue to pay your Medicare premiums. Your correctional facility will provide and pay for your care during that time, and Medicare will not. • Once you are released, Medicare will resume coverage if you remained enrolled. • If you are released after January 1, 2027 and you missed an enrollment period during your incarceration, you are eligible for an SEP to enroll in premium Part A and Part B when you are released. Take care when sharing personal information • You may need to share your personal information when you move, like when you update your address, enroll in a new plan, or start seeing new providers. • Only share personal information with trusted sources and be on the lookout for medical identify theft.
Page 18 | September & October 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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