Pima Council on Aging Awarded Grant for Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative
TUCSON, AZ – Last week, the federal Administration of Community Living announced their 2020 awards for the Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative. Pima Council on Aging was selected as one of the twelve organizations in the nation to receive funding for a three-year program to improve dementia-specialized support for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and their caregivers with a special focus on those living alone and underserved populations.
PCOA’s three-year, one-million-dollar award will fund various community initiatives to:
• Increase the community’s understanding of Alzheimer’s and related dementias
• Work with local governments to create a dementia-friendly communities plan
• Increase the identification and referral of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias through client services systems
• Create memory cafés in the Tucson-metro area
• Partner with local businesses to provide training and support to caregivers in the workplace
PCOA joins forces with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona to partner with the following organizations to meet the goals of the project:
• University of Arizona Center of Aging
• Elder Alliance
• The End of Life Care Partnership
• Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
• Intermountain Centers
• Casa de la Luz Hospice
• Posada Life Community Services
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Tucson Collaborative Community Care (TC3)
• Interfaith Community Services
It is estimated that 20,442 people in Pima County are living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. In Arizona, Alzheimer’s Disease is the 5th largest leading cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This disease impacts older adults and caregivers alike.
“We are excited to partner with ten organizations in Pima County to increase our community’s response to the growing issue of Alzheimer’s and related dementias,” said W. Mark Clark, President & CEO of Pima Council on Aging. “We are so honored to work with our federal partners at the Administration for Community Living and the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center to achieve the goals and outcomes of this grant.”
If you or a loved one requires service, please contact the PCOA Helpline at (520) 790-7262.