What’s New at PCOA

As PCOA enters a new fiscal year on July 1, we’re looking forward to an exciting year filled with opportunities to serve our community in new ways.

We are pleased to announce that PCOA is now the home of the Senior Companion Program in Pima County. This program has been offered since 2001 by another organization, but was slated to end this June, and we are very excited to have received a federal grant award to keep the project in our community under PCOA’s umbrella. Through the program, trained low-income volunteers 55 and older receive a modest stipend to provide companionship, respite for family caregivers, and transportation to older adults in need of socialization and assistance.

As research about the enormous mental and physical health impacts of social isolation continues to emerge, we believe that ensuring these kinds of companionship and supportive services are in place is a priority for the overall well-being of older people in our community. We look forward to offering this valuable program to older people and caregivers, and growing our programming to help keep people living independently in their homes.

We are also pleased to be expanding our work with the Veteran’s Administration of Southern Arizona to provide additional support to veterans they serve.

You’ll be hearing more from us over the coming months about how to get involved with a planned Statewide Senior/Older Adult Day at the Legislature during next year’s legislative session.

We’re also thrilled to announce that we are in the process of planning to establish a Healthy Aging Center, offering exercise programs, classes, and healthy living workshops to help our community age well, in addition to the array of other programs we provide. You will be hearing much more about that from us soon.

More and more people are turning to PCOA for assistance and information, and we continue to look for new ways to support our older community members and their families.

In closing, don’t forget to vote in the primary election on August 28. Voting is an important civic duty and we encourage you to make your voice heard about issues important to you.

Stay cool,

W. Mark Clark
President & CEO