Local advocate helps fill gap in senior resources

Senior living in Maricopa has gotten a little easier.  

Living-in-place advocate Ron Smith jumpstarted a comprehensive online resource guide for Maricopa seniors earlier this year. Think of it as a “Senior Living 101” for Maricopa and Pinal County residents.  

“It has the big things, the little things,” Smith told InMaricopa. “I tried to think as a senior, what you might need and try to anticipate those needs.” 

The resource guide, Maricopa Senior Living, was created as an easy-to-navigate and easy-to-read directory for city, county and national resources. Topics range from adult education opportunities in the city to links on preventing falls at home. 

It’s a resource Maricopa seems to be lacking.  

After joining the Senior Advisory Committee in 2019, Smith quickly saw a need for a consolidated source of senior resources. 

“One of the big things we were hearing from seniors was they wanted information, but they couldn’t find it,” he said. “They went from place to place to find information but couldn’t find it in one central place.” 

Even the senior resource page published by the city leaves much to be desired. Under resources tabs, the page only lists contact information for local veteran centers and how to reserve space at the Maricopa Community Center. 

From there, Smith worked with a local web designer to create an accessible online guide with up-to-date links, phone numbers, addresses and descriptions. It also includes printable quick contact lists for seniors to keep on hand.  

In the end, Smith just hopes people use the resource. 

“I enjoy doing this stuff; I see a need and I try to do what I can to fix it,” he said. “I’m hoping some people start to play with it.”