AGING IN OUR COMMUNITY A Message from Our President & CEO, Robert Ojeda, PhD
A s we look forward to the new year, I want to share my vision for Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) and our commitment to fostering a more inclusive, responsive, and supportive community for older adults. At PCOA, we believe that understanding a community begins with engaging directly with its members. In the coming year, our dedicated team will reach out across Pima County to meet older adults, caregivers, volunteers, and community partners where they feel most comfortable. That may mean sitting at a kitchen table, joining conversations in a neighborhood center, attending a listening circle at a church, or engaging in informal chats after community events. Our primary goal is simple: to listen deeply. We want to hear directly from you about your needs, your aspirations for aging well, and the barriers you face. This outreach is a central part of our Community Assessment & Impact Plan, which seeks to build a more age-equitable Pima County.
As we embark on this listening journey, we continue our essential work across all PCOA programs: Meals on Wheels, Healthy Living, Family Caregiver Support, Rights & Benefits, Medicare counseling , Neighbors Care Alliance, Dementia Capable Southern Arizona, and so many others. These services remain at the heart of our mission. While we listen and learn from you, we remain fully committed to providing the vital support older adults and families rely on every day. We also recognize that the experience of aging varies widely. In our early conversations, we’ve heard from caregivers navigating overwhelming systems, older adults whose fixed incomes no longer stretch far enough, people of color and rural community members who face longstanding inequities, and LGBTQ+ elders seeking affirming support. We’ve also heard from vulnerable older adults, especially women, struggling to remain safely housed. Each story reminds us that aging touches every family differently, and that our services must evolve to reflect those realities.
Robert Ojeda, PhD
As we expand our listening efforts, we do so with humility and gratitude. Our mission goes beyond delivering services; it is rooted in relationships, trust, and showing up for one another. We want to understand not just the challenges but also the strengths, neighbors checking on neighbors, volunteers offering companionship, and cultural traditions that strengthen resilience. I invite you to walk alongside us in this important work. Your insights, experiences, and partnerships are essential in shaping a stronger, more connected future for every older adult in Pima County. Thank you for your presence, your support, and your belief in this vision. Together, we can create a community where every person can age with dignity, independence, and connection. Warmly,
Robert Ojeda, PhD President and CEO Pima Council on Aging
January & February 2026, Never Too Late | Page 3
Pima Council on Aging
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