PCOA has a variety of ways to assist disabled and older individuals and their caregivers in our community. These programs and services can be accessed by appointment, phone, email or regular mail. Availability of subsidized services will depend upon availability of funding. Services listed below can be reached at:
HELPLINE: 520-790-7262 E-MAIL: help@pcoa.org
BUSINESS LINE: 520-790-0504 FAX: 520 790-7577
VISIT or WRITE (calling for an appointment is strongly recommended)
PCOA IS LOCATED AT 8467 E Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85710 Map
The PCOA HELPLINE/Community Services System Intake Line is staffed by trained professionals who conduct initial telephone screenings and provide information and assistance to callers. Referrals to PCOA departments and to other community agencies can be made depending upon needs. Information about a wide variety of programs, benefits and services for disabled and older adults can be provided.
This is the Central Intake for potential Community Services System (CSS) applicants. CSS is a non-medical home and community based services system to assist frail elderly or disabled younger adults to remain independent in the community and avoid institutionalization. If subsidized services are needed or requested, intake staff conduct a more thorough telephone interview and financial screening to determine eligibility. Depending upon eligibility and need, referrals may then be made to Catholic Social Service, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Our Family Services or the Marana Health Clinic, depending upon where people live, to schedule follow-up in-home assessments. Availability of services will depend upon funding.
Click on the links below for programs or services that may be available to elders or disabled individuals:
Is a 20 member group of community volunteers who assist PCOA staff in developing Older Americans Act program priorities, funding recommendations, and the Area Plan - our “blueprint” for action. The Council meets the third Wednesday morning of each month at PCOA; site visits alternate with business meetings; there are no meetings in July, August or December. Council meetings are open to the public. Volunteers interested in aging issues are encouraged to apply for membership. More.
Advocacy takes several forms. Issue analysis and grassroots mobilization about local, state and national aging issues is available through Council of Senior Citizen Organizations’ monthly meetings. Advocacy for individual representation is available through the Elder Rights and Benefits Department. For more information, call PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org. More
Interested in community resources? Trained volunteers serve as PCOA emissaries to provide factual information, educational materials, and referrals to local resources at a wide range of community-based settings throughout Tucson area and Pima County. Monthly in-service training and resource materials are provided. More information Ambassador locations
Arizona Living Well is a series of health promotion programs sponsored by PCOA in collaboration with community partners. Living Well is about managing one's personal health, staying fit and maintaining or improving quality of life. The 3 evidence-based personal health promotion programs for adults 60 years & older are "Healthy Living: Managing Ongoing Health Conditions", "Enhance Fitness" and "A Matter of Balance". Sign up now to begin your journey to improved personal health! More
Professional social workers conduct in-home assessments to determine individual circumstances and needs, identify community resources, problem solve and, if needed, determine eligibility for subsidized Non-Medical Home and Community Based Services. If services are authorized, case managers arrange for their delivery and monitor their quality. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org View the Community Services System Handbook
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
Practical skills training classes, taught by licensed nurses and clinical social workers, provide relevant information on caregiving topics. Free and held in locations throughout the Tucson area. More
These services, provided under subcontracts with community agencies, are funded and monitored by PCOA. Availability will depend upon funding.
Community Services System (CSS) in Pima County is a home and community based services program for frail elderly and younger disabled adults. It is a program of Pima Council on Aging in partnership with Pima Health System. The mission of CSS is to assist frail elderly and younger physically disabled residents of Pima County in remaining safely at home for as long as possible and enhancing each individual's quality of life and ability to remain independent. Services are authorized and monitored by case managers from four agencies within the Community Services System. Availability will depend on funding. Services may include:
The Arizona Attorney General’s staff assist with consumer and civil rights complaints. For more information, call 520-628-6504 (Tucson) or 800-352-8431 (toll free) e-mail communityservices@azag.gov or visit the Attorney General's website
COSCO is a coalition of concerned citizens representing local clubs and organizations who participate in monthly forums, September through May, to listen, learn, and have dialogue with local experts, elected officials and community leaders about pending legislation and effective ways to advocate for the rights of older adults. For more information call PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org. For upcoming meetings, visit our Calendar
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. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org
Includes several information, advocacy and direct assistance services available to an older adult, family member or friend who needs help with resolving problems, assistance with applying for a variety of benefits, information or referral to other social service agencies. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org More
Are available for individual and family consultation; information on community resources and referrals; reviewing options for caregivers, friends and families. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org. More
The Kinship & Adoption & Resource & Education.(K.A.R.E.) Family Center provides a wide range of services available through its one-stop center for grandparents and other relatives raising children under 18. The KARE Center is located at 4710 E. 29th St., Building 7, Tucson. For more information, call 520-323-4476. More
May be available to persons age 60 and over in greatest social or economic need who need correction of health or safety hazards to remain living in their own homes. More
PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 is available to callers of any age seeking assistance for a disabled or older individual.
Provides assistance with routine household maintenance that involves the health or safety of disabled or older low income individuals within the Community Services System. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org View the Community Services System Handbook
Legal Assistance for seniors seeking information or direction regarding legal issues involving aging, including estate planning, living wills and advance directives, neglect, elder abuse and exploitation, consumer fraud, Identity theft, guardianship & conservatorship. More
An emergency alert system may be available to disabled or older low income individuals within the Community Services System. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org View the Community Services System Handbook
Recruits volunteers and has staff specialists to visit assisted living and nursing home residents in Pima County to advocate for residents rights as part of the State and National Long-term Care Ombudsman Program. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail ltco@pcoa.org. More
Is the federally funded home delivered meals program in Pima County that provides low fat, low salt, 1/3 RDA meals to homebound, isolated individuals who have no other access to nutritious meals. Chilled meals are delivered by paid drivers through 16 meal routes throughout Pima County. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org More information View monthly menu Mobile Meals is the local meal program that utilizes volunteer drivers to deliver hospital prepared special dietary meals; contact 520-622-1600.
Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, AHCCCS, ALTCS, Long-Term Care Insurance, etc. A health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers and their families. PCOA is the local Arizona Heath Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and a partner of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Call PCOA's Medicare Line at 520-546-2011 or e-mail ship@pcoa.org. More For the federal government's Medicare site Click Here
Interested in your immediate neighborhood? NEIGHBORS CARE ALLIANCE (NCA) assists neighborhoods and faith-based communities in helping seniors remain independent and in their homes as long as possible through the support of neighbors helping neighbors. NCA Outreach Coordinators can help you join an active program or take a leadership role and start a new group. For additional information please contact an Outreach Coordinator at 520-790-0504. More information
The PCOA newsletter started in 1969 as a benefit of membership and today distributed to more than 20,000 readers with news and information about PCOA services, aging factoids, and special events of interest to older adults and their families. Memberships and advertisements are available. Contact the PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 for membership information or visit our Membership Center. Contact the business line 520-790-0504 for advertisement and subscription rates.
Geriatric nurse practitioners provide direct health screening, patient education and supportive counseling to individuals age 60 and over at selected public housing facilities and senior centers. Assistance with chronic diseases and positive lifestyle changes may alleviate the need for other health interventions. View the nursing clinics schedule
Partners in Planning for Long-Term Options is a decision-support process where individuals, family members and/or significant others can find assistance in planning for their long-term care needs. More
Local experts on aging issues and PCOA specialists are available by arrangement to give presentations for local audiences of 20 and more. Call 520-790-0504 to ask for more information.
Trained volunteers assist low income individuals to balance their bank accounts, prepare a budget and organize bills. Volunteers visit clients in the client’s home once or twice a month for one to two hours to accomplish this. The AARP Foundation provides volunteer liability insurance. Contact Bernie Bennett or Stew Grabel at 520-790-0504. More
Provides assistance with physical cleanliness for disabled or older low income individuals within the Community Services System. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 or e-mail help@pcoa.org View the Community Services System Handbook
The Pima County chapter of RSVP was established in 1973 and is administered by PCOA for adults 55 and older who are ready to put their unique talents and expertise to work in their own communities, whether they live in Tucson, Green Valley, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Catalina or Ajo. For more information click here, call 520 546-2002 or e-mail rsvp@pcoa.org.
Provides regularly-scheduled group and one-on-one meetings with older adults to bring some of PCOA’s services directly to rural residents in outlying locations and towns across non-metro Pima County. PCOA HELPLINE 520-790-7262 View Outreach Schedule
Social activities and nutritious meals for individuals aged 60 and over (or spouse regardless of age) are available at selected facilities in metro Tucson, Ajo and Green Valley. Meals are provided on a donation basis to persons pre-registered. View monthly menu Service is targeted to those in greatest social and economic need. Call center managers at selected sites for more information. List of Centers
Is available to anyone age 15 and over who interacts with older adults on a regular basis, including family members and caregivers. Evidence-based suicide awareness, alertness and intervention skills training is provided through suicideTALK, a 90 minute to half day presentation; safeTALK, a half-day or full day workshop; or ASIST a two day workshop. Call 520-790-0504 for a schedule of fees, training dates and registration. Check our Calendar for the next upcoming trainings. View the brochure
Subsidies may be available for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) eligible individuals aged 60 and over (or spouse regardless of age) to attend the PCOA senior center meals program closest to their home. Call center managers at selected sites for more information. List of Centers
Click here for a list of other transportation resources in our community.