Koczor: Nonprofit offers variety of services to seniors

The nonprofit Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens was incorporated in 1974 and designated an Area Agency on Aging. It is part of a national network of more than 650 organizations established under the Older Americans Act. It receives state and federal funding to offer a broad roster of services.

Over the last decade, Region V (Pinal and Gila counties) had the fastest growth rate for older adults in the state, according to the PGCSC. Since 2010, the senior population (60 and over) in Pinal County grew by 91%, from 38,858 to 74,125, and now comprises 20% of the county’s total population.

The organization’s focus is assisting seniors and people with disabilities in both counties by providing resources and a wide variety of services.

One such resource is Bridges of Care, a 30-day program for adults 60 years and older, or disabled adults 18 or older, who have personally been impacted by COVID-19. Participants are assigned a personal transition coach to help them take advantage of a variety of services and resources.

Another program, the Caregiver Resource Center, provides many community-based services, including personal care and educational workshops. A Caregiver Support Group meets virtually the second Wednesday of each month.

These resources — and many others — are available to the residents of Maricopa, mostly at no charge.

Our residents are fortunate this organization is available and will do whatever it can to provide seniors with the help they need to allow them to remain in their homes.

Joan Koczor is a senior advocate and a member of the Age-Friendly Maricopa Advisory Board.

This story was first published in the September edition of InMaricopa magazine.