Aging in Our Community A Message from W. Mark Clark, President and CEO
Celebrating Fifty Years of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): A Look at the Past and a Glimpse into the Future This year we commemorate the golden anniversary of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) through the Older Americans Act. The creation of AAAs laid the foundation for what is now known as the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the network of State Units on Aging, which paved the way for establishing core direct services for older adults. Throughout these five decades, PCOA has been a torchbearer, modeling the tenets of an AAA and providing essential services to older adults in our community. However, did you know that PCOA was created before the advent of Area Agencies on Aging? The Community Council was greatly concerned about the welfare of older adults in Pima County and led the fight to create efforts to establish a formal system for their advocacy and created what is now PCOA in 1967. Marian Lupu was engaged to be the founding Executive Director in that year. Today, I stand humbled by our progress, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. As we celebrate this milestone as an Area Agency on Aging, it is essential to acknowledge the progress made and the changes that have shaped the landscape of services for older Americans. The world around us has transformed significantly in these last decades, with the population of older adults nearly doubling and becoming increasingly diverse. The expectations and aspirations of our older adults have evolved, and as a society, we
Falls Prevention Awareness and Medicare Open Enrollment September is here, marking "Falls Prevention Awareness Month," and October brings the beginning of Medicare Open Enrollment, a vital time for older adults. Both events hold significant importance for safeguarding the health and well-being of older adults. Falls can be devastating when we are older, leading to injuries and loss of independence, even death. This month, PCOA and other organizations raise awareness about falls prevention strategies, such as exercise and home safety improvements. Participating in falls prevention programs like our evidence- based Matter of Balance can be a great place to start. This eight-week program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercising to increase strength and balance. On October 15th, Medicare Open Enrollment begins, running until December 7th. This period is crucial for older adults who rely on Medicare for essential healthcare services. However, navigating the complex enrollment process can be daunting. At PCOA, we understand the challenges faced by older adults during Medicare enrollment. We offer expert assistance in navigating the process, ensuring older adults make informed decisions tailored to their healthcare needs. Our highly
must respond to these changing needs with empathy and innovation. With our society constantly evolving, it is imperative to create PCOA strategies that reflect the needs of today's older adults. One way that we excel at this is through our Area Agency Plan that is created every four years. The Area Plan is an official record of the needs, concerns, and challenges faced by older adults in our community, and it is developed based on a wide swath of answers and comments from hundreds of surveys completed by older adults themselves throughout Pima County. This plan helps guide PCOA in providing services that adequately address the needs of our older adult community. However, the plan's impact goes beyond our agency. The current Area Plan will be submitted by PCOA to the public later this year. Looking back at the journey of AAAs and PCOA, I cannot help but be inspired by the resilience and determination of the aging community, just like the older adults we serve. It is a privilege to serve alongside you all and champion the cause of our older adults. As we celebrate fifty years of AAA progress, let us embrace the spirit of collaboration and innovation to pave the way for a brighter future for our community’s older adults. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the staff, volunteers, and supporters of PCOA for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of Pima County’s older adults. Let us move forward with a renewed commitment to our mission, knowing that every step we take today will shape a better tomorrow for future generations.
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September/October 2023, Never Too Late | Page 3
Pima Council on Aging
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