Neighbors Care Alliance
Snap to it! How an Age-in-Place Vision Thrives in the Foothills These are the facts: The majority of us want to remain in our own homes as we age. We want to have the transportation resources, programs and services to achieve this, and to remain productive and healthy as we pursue our quality of life. In the northeastern Foothills communities bordered by Craycroft, Sunrise, Kolb and River, the age-in-place mandate was just a good idea about a decade ago. Today, thanks to the Sunrise Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAP), the idea has become a thriving reality. SNAP is an 11-year old non-profit 501(c)(3) organization—“at the heart of the community.” SNAP helps the community’s adults (+55) and also the disabled to live in their own homes safely and independently for as long as possible, through core services, education and social programs. Aging in isolation is a seminal issue of the 21st century for all communities. By providing transportation, friendly visits, reassuring phone calls and caregiver support for residents, SNAP intends to promote age-friendly placemaking that increases individual well-being in the community. A core of dedicated volunteers provides the fuel for the SNAP engine, which last year fulfilled more than 1400 services for SNAP clients through more than 3800 hours of free volunteer services. SNAP also welcomed more than 200 members of the community last year to education or social programs that ranged from tech training and ice cream socials, to discussions on successful aging in place. Beginning in May 2019, SNAP began hosting a series of “info-expo” programs that bring together experts and community leadership to share resources and news about age-in-place topics including security, caregiving and smart technology. An August 2019 info-expo session will focus on legacy and matters related to estate planning, advance directives and ethical wills. SNAP also hosts small group gatherings, including monthly “Lunch Bunches,” Caregiver Support groups and an annual Home & Garden Tour fund-raiser for socializing and positive aging idea-sharing.
It really comes down to the question: How can a neighborhood take responsibility for enhancing community quality of life? As SNAP sees it, a community can help generations today and tomorrow to live independently longer, through a strong neighbors-helping-neighbors vision. The goal is to know that our communities are with us providing the services and programs needed as we age. And that goal is being realized in the neighborhoods served by SNAP. To learn more, to volunteer, or to participate in SNAP programs and services: (email) info@sunrisesnap.org or visit www.sunrisesnap.org. By Monica Surfaro Spigelman, Managing Director, SNAP Rural Metro Battalion Chief John Walka was among the speakers who participated during the May 2019 Sunrise Neighborhood Assistance (SNAP) Safety and Security Info-Expo. For information about volunteering or starting a Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, please contact roads@pcoa.org, or call (520) 258-5063. Need help, information? Call the PCOA Help Line at (520) 790-7262
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Page 26 | July/August 2019, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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