Caregivers and Families

One in four families across the United States is involved in caregiving for a person 60 or older. Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) is the starting point for Pima County and long-distance caregivers for older adults who need assistance to learn about and access a wide range of community services and resources.  

Pima Council on Aging Caregiver Specialists provide one-to-one consultation for caregivers.   Caregiver Specialists are experienced master’s level social workers who provide individuals and families with expert guidance and support.  They assist in examining options, locating resources, and helping caregivers maintain their own health while providing care to their loved one.  We offer:

  • Individual and family consultation
  • Information and assistance
  • Resources and referrals to local agencies that assist older adults, including caregivers 
  • Referrals to support groups and classes designed to teach caregivers practical skills
  • How To Be a Resilient Caregiver, a comprehensive manual prepared as part of the Family Caregiver Outreach Program, funded by United Way of Southern Arizona and implemented by the Caregiver Consortium and Pima Health System.

Call the PCOA HELPLINE at 520-790-7262

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Behavioral Health & Older Adults Conference Power Point Presentations

Power Point Presentations from the recent Behavioral Health & Older Adults Conference are now available on our website.  Click here for more information

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Caregivers Services

Caregiver Resource Directory
Caregiver Support Groups
Community Based In-Home Services
Donated Products (DME, incontinence supplies)
Family Caregiver Video Lending Library
Family Consultation and Training
K.A.R.E. Family Center (Are you a caregiver and raising a child under 18?)
Neighbors Care Alliance (NCA)
Pathfinder Guides for Family Caregiving
Respite Services
Supplemental Services
Web Site for Family Caregiver Information

Caregiver Resource Directory

The Caregiver Resource Directory is a directory of aging & disability related resources in Pima County.

Caregiver Supplemental Services:

Caregiver Supplemental Services are designed to assist unpaid, live-in caregivers of an individual aged 60 and over with services or products that help with care giving responsibilities such as durable medical equipment, disability modifications, incontinence supplies, etc.  More  

Caregiver Support Groups, Family Consultation and Training:

The Caregiver Education and Support Program of Pima Health System (PHS) offers family caregivers information and emotional support through support groups and training classes. The practical skills training classes, taught by licensed nurses and clinical social workers, provide relevant information on caregiving topics .  For more information on current classes visit their website. PCOA contracts with PHS for many of these services. For further information, call the Caregiver Education and Support Program at 520-243-8352.

CarePRO: Care Partners Reaching Out

Are you a family caregiver residing in Southern Arizona, helping to care for someone with dementia or memory loss?  Do you provide an average of 4 hours of care or supervision per day?  Do you find caring for your loved one increasingly demanding of your time & energy?  CarePRO's free workshops may be able to help you.  Click here to find out more

Community Based In-Home Services:

These services, provided under subcontracts with community agencies, are funded and monitored by PCOA.


Donated Products:

Donated products may be available for low income seniors or disabled individuals who are not eligible for tax-payer subsidized products such as DME, incontinence supplies, etc., depending upon community contributions for “Stuff the Bus” and other events.  PCOA accepts donated cell phones, (both for client support for 911 emergency calls and fund raising); hearing aids that are donated to ALOHA; and glasses that are donated to the Lions Club.

Family Caregiver Video Lending Library:

PCOA maintains a video lending library with a wide range of materials about caregiving that are available for viewing by professionals, caregivers or small groups. For further information please call Melissa Morgan, M.L.S., at PCOA 520-790-0504 or e-mail mmorgan@pcoa.org. For a listing of available videos, click here.

K.A.R.E. Family Center:

Are you a kin caregiver raising grandchildren or other kinship caregiver for a child under 18? The K.A.R.E. Family Center provides a wide range of services through its one-stop center for caregivers and adoptive families.  These include:

  • Information, education and resource referrals
  • Help in completing guardianship packets for Probate Court  
  • Help with filling out applications for benefits such as TANF, AHCCCS or Kids Care
  • Advocacy for caregivers and children with schools, courts, health care and mental health agencies, benefits programs, Child Protective Services, etc.
  • Case management  
  • Recreation for youth and families 
  • Support groups for kin and adoptive families 
  • Classes for grandparents and others who are "becoming parents again"  
  • Emergency assistance such as diapers, food, clothing, and furniture

The KARE Family Center for caregivers and adoptive families is located at 4710 E. 29th St., Building 7, Tucson. For more information, call 520-323-4476 or visit their website.

Neighbors Care Alliance (NCA):

Neighbors Care Alliance is the association of all Neighbors Care Programs in Pima County. More than 100 neighborhoods, faith communities, and community organizations have become part of the NCA, whose goal is to help seniors remain independent in their homes as long as possible through the support of their "neighbors".     View flyer in English  en Español

Respite Services:

Relief or rest from caregiving activities is called Respite Care and is available on a cost-share basis determined by eligibility, income and ability to pay.  Respite Care may be provided by a trained caregiver for a few hours a week in the home, or through a temporary stay in an assisted living or nursing facility. To qualify, the unpaid caregiver must live with the care recipient and be authorized for services following an in-home assessment.  Lifespan Respite, for adults over 18 and under 60 who are not eligible for other programs, may also be available.  Call the Community Services System Central Intake at PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262.  View the Community Services System Handbook

Pathfinder - Guides for Family Caregiving:

Pathfinders is a series of informational materials covering many topics related to caregiving. These materials were prepared by the University of Arizona Center on Aging, funded by OAA/National Family Caregiver Support Program, Arizona Department of Economic Security, and Division of Aging and Adult Services.

Web Site for Family Caregiver Information:

The caregiver website, www.arizonacaregivers.org, is dedicated to information for family caregivers in Pima County. This is a joint partnership of the Caregiver Consortium, Tucson Medical Center, the Pima Health System’s Caregiver Education & Support Program, and Pima Council on Aging.