Healthy, Independent and Active Seniors

More senior citizens stay healthy, active and independent in our community due to the efforts of your local United Way and its partners. Contribute today to help fund our Health Initiatives.

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona recognizes the importance of supporting both self-sufficient and dependent seniors. United Way sponsors many core programs that help seniors stay healthy and lead active, productive lives.

United Way's newest publication to aid seniors through the retirement planning process is the all-encompassing retirement guide, "Transforming Retirement with Extended Life Options." Click here to learn more.

CAREGIVERS: United Way of Tucson also provides family caregivers of dependent elderly with the help they need to balance work, family and caregiving responsibilities. The strategy includes linking caregivers to support services through doctors and faith-based and neighborhood leaders. More than 9,000 family caregivers have received a copy of United Way’s free manual (printed in English and Spanish), “How to be a Resilient Caregiver.” The manual is divided into 5 parts available for download:  

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

VOLUNTEERS: United Way supports programs that provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for retirees that enable them to use their time and experience to give back to the community.  Hundreds of volunteers serve as teachers, mentors, tutors, advisors and companions to others.  Additionally, more than 80 local neighborhoods and congregations have initiated volunteer caregiving programs for the elderly. More than 100 community and church volunteers are trained as ambassadors to seniors and caregivers at dozens of sites throughout Pima County.

ORAL HEALTH: Oral health is a major issue for our seniors.  Whether caring for natural teeth or dentures, seniors face a range of special oral concerns, including root decay and periodontal disease. United Way has made it possible to complete many senior oral projects, including distributing oral health manuals in the community. 

Click here to obtain a copy in English and Spanish.

SNAP: Maintaining adequate nutrition on a limited income is often hard to do. Many retirees are not aware that they might be eligible to participate in the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (the new Federal name for the Food Stamp Program). Others find it difficult to navigate the application process. In September 2008, United Way was selected to work with Arizona government agencies to streamline the application process statewide. We have been working with several local faith-based and community organizations to assist eligible individuals in applying for SNAP in their own neighborhoods.

For assistance with the SNAP application, contact:

Cochise County:
Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization
300 Collins Road
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Contact: Graciela Murcio at 520.432.5301 ext. 205 or Kathleen Heard 520.432.5301 ext. 208

Pima County:
Community Food Bank (Tucson)
3003 S. Country Club Road Tucson, AZ 85713
Contact: Sandra Hinojos 520.622.0525 ext. 243

Community Food Bank (Green Valley)
250 E. Continental Road #101 Green Valley, AZ 85614
Contact: Toni Lauterio
520. 625.5252

Community Food Bank (Nogales)
284 E. Baffert Drive Nogales, AZ 85621
Oscar Rosas
520.281.2790

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest:
Tucson, AZ
Susie Elliot 520-312-5004 (Refugee)
Nancy Clark 520-822-4617
Teresa West 520-820-9349
Tiffany Covington 520-748-2300 ext. 224

Pio Decimo Center
Tucson, AZ
520-622-2801 ext. 121

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance
Phoenix, AZ
Cynthia Tesinky
602-343-2525

You can use Health-e-Arizona to apply on-line for medical assistance, Food Stamps, and cash assistance.

Usted puede utilizar Health-e-Arizona para solicitar asistencia médica, Estampillas de Comida, y asistencia en effectivo atraves de el internet.

Recommended Web Links

• Web based Training - Financial Exploitation Prevention Training for Financial Institutions
• Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)
• American Society on Aging
• Caregiving
• National Alliance for Caregiving
• Caregiver Consortium
• Civic Ventures
• Generations Together
• Medicare
• Pima Council on Aging
• Social Security Administration

Contact

For more information about keeping Seniors Independent and Active, please contact:

Kathy Wilson, PhD
Seniors Director
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
520.903.3924

Click here to email Kathy