Publication of Pima Council on Aging, Helping Pima County Age Well Since 1967
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THIS ISSUE A Seat at the Table . . . 1 Aging Well at Home . . 2 Donor Impact . . . . . . 2 Your Gift, Your Credit . 3 A Caregiver Finds HerVoice........3 A New Season of Nosh&Know. . . . . . 3 A Note of Gratitude . . 4
A Seat at the Table Community Lunches Across Pima County
For more than two decades, Ruth and her husband have been part of PCOA’s Community Lunch program. Since moving here in 1999, they’ve gathered week after week with friends and neighbors. Ruth says the lunches keep them healthy, connected, social, and have become a simple tradition central to their lives.
My husband and I have been coming since we moved here in 1999. It’s good, it keeps us healthy, and it keeps us social. —Ruth D.
Ruth’s story is echoed by so many others who find more than just a meal at our lunch sites. Christopher told us, “I really enjoy the community here. I like getting to meet people.” David shared how important the program is for him. “I go on a walk every day and come here for a good lunch after. This is my main meal.” Regina described the feeling best. “There is a real sense of community here, you really become like a family.” Each of these voices tells the same story: your generosity makes this possible. Because of you, hundreds of older adults across Pima County come together each week to share meals, celebrate milestones, and enjoy the gift of belonging. This season of gratitude, we thank you for ensuring there is always a seat at the table. Your support provides nourishment, companionship, and a lasting sense of community for our older neighbors.
Aging Well at Home Innovation for Safety and Independence
Each year, one in four adults over 65 experiences a fall, often with devastating consequences. Many falls can be prevented with small home modifications.
For older adults, the dream of staying safely in their own homes and aging in place can be at risk when everyday environments become hazardous. Each year, one in four adults over 65 experiences a fall, often with devastating consequences. Most of these falls happen in the home and are preventable with the right support. Thanks to your generosity, PCOA is leading the way in keeping older adults safe through our new Aging Well at Home program, funded by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through this initiative, an Occupational Therapist visits older adults in their homes to
identify risks and recommend simple but impactful modifications, from grab bars and improved lighting to floor repairs and safer bathroom fixtures. Each participant may receive up to $5,000 in modifications, tailored to their needs, to make daily life safer and more accessible. This approach is innovative because it goes beyond “fixing” the home, it empowers older adults to be partners in designing solutions that meet their individual needs and preserve independence.
Over the next three years, this program will reach 150 older adult households across Pima County. Because of you, PCOA is positioned to lead this work with expertise, compassion, and a vision for a community where no one has to leave their home before they’re ready. Your support ensures that older adults can not only live longer, but better, safely, securely, and with dignity in the homes they love.
Donor Impact You Are the Difference Because of your generosity, PCOA reached thousands of older adults and their families this past year. Behind every number is someone who feels safer, healthier, or less alone because of you. • 24,000+ calls answered through our Helpline, guiding older adults and families to vital resources. • 1,200+ home repairs and adaptations completed, keeping older neighbors safe and cool at home. • 3,000+ people assisted with Medicare benefits, protecting health and financial security. • 76 caregivers received one-on-one coaching, with 2,300+ community members reached through caregiver education. Every number represents a neighbor whose life is brighter because of you.
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Your Gift, Your Credit PCOA Qualifies for the Arizona State Charitable Tax Credit Your gift to PCOA qualifies for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, allowing you to support older adults right here in Pima County while receiving a dollar-for-dollar credit on your 2025 state taxes. • Up to $987 for couples filing jointly • Up to $495 for individuals It’s a powerful way to make an impact today while planning wisely for tomorrow. Give today at pcoa.org/donate A Caregiver Finds Her Voice Sandra works part-time while caring for her mother at home. When her brother began applying for their mom for the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), a Medicaid program that helps pay for care, he dismissed her input and handled the paperwork alone. It was heartbreaking. Sandra knew her mother’s needs better than anyone, yet she felt invisible at the very moment she most wanted to help. Through PCOA’s Caregiver Support program, Sandra found encouragement and a simple solution: write her brother a letter. In it, she could share the care she provides, her perspective on their mother’s needs, and her feelings about being excluded. When Sandra called back a few weeks later, her voice carried relief. The letter had worked: her brother was listening, and the family was beginning to make decisions together again. “I feel happy, understood, and seen.” Because of you, caregivers like Sandra don’t face these moments alone. Your support ensures caregivers at every stage have the tools and encouragement they need.
A New Season of Nosh & Know After a hugely successful first year, PCOA’s Nosh & Know educational series is entering its second season stronger and more community-centered than ever. Last year, hundreds of older adults joined us for timely conversations on health, caregiving, and planning for the future. The response was overwhelming: people want reliable information in a welcoming, accessible setting. That is why season two is about more than continuing the conversation, it’s about taking it to where our neighbors live and gather. This fall, our opening session took place both at one of our Tucson sites and in Green Valley, ensuring older adults across the county could participate. Our next program, a Medicare overview, will be hosted at our Katie Dusenberry Healthy Aging Center and offered in Spanish at Casa de Encanto in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa. By bringing Nosh & Know into diverse communities, we are making knowledge, connection, and empowerment available to more people. Your generosity makes this possible, ensuring older adults receive the tools they need to thrive wherever they call home. Learn more at pcoa.org/noshandknow THE STERLING 3 FALL 2025
Nonprofit Org US Postage PAID Tucson, AZ Permit #1456
8467 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85710-4009
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A Note of Gratitude Dear Friends,
In this season of gratitude, I want to thank you for the difference you make in the lives of older adults across Pima County. Your generosity makes every story of impact possible, from shared meals to confidence during Medicare Open Enrollment to supporting family caregivers. Together, we are creating a community where older adults are not only cared for, but truly valued. With thanks,
Robert Ojeda, Ph.D. President & CEO, Pima Council on Aging
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