HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

United Way’s Healthy Communities work focuses on improving quality of life for older people in Tucson and Southern Arizona, from retirement to end of life.

ELDER ALLIANCE

United Way’s ELDER Alliance is a broad collaboration of non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, community partners and age 50+ residents. Through its dedicated action teams, the ELDER Alliance has established a strong system to support the rapidly growing older adult population, allowing older people to stay healthy longer, remain active and involved, and maintain maximum independence.

END OF LIFE CARE PARTNERSHIP

The End of Life Care partnership began as an ELDER Alliance Action team. Through funding from The David and Lura Lovell Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), a partnership of Arizona nonprofits and healthcare institutions formed to cooperatively address issues related to end-of-life care. This innovative community-wide collaboration is one of the largest end-of-life care initiatives in the nation. The End of Life Care Partnership has evolved into a network of organizations and individuals committed to ensuring quality of life at every stage through education, support, sound policy and choices. More at azendoflifecare.org.

• 5,843 Older Adults received tools to plan for end of life care through workshops and coaching sessions
• 3,103 active senior volunteers helped 
• 18,416 seniors remain at home with supportive services

MEET TIM

Approximately 10,000 baby boomers retire in the U.S. each day. We now have the largest senior population in history. At United Way, we’re dedicated to caring for seniors in our community not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we know that a healthy community is a strong community.

Tim Wernette is a 73-year-old Gender Equity Educator and diversity trainer at the University of Arizona. He is especially passionate about social justice and creating a more equitable Southern Arizona for all. This past year, Tim became involved with the Elder Alliance and The Arizona End of Life Care Partnership (EOLCP), organizations anchored at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. The Elder Alliance is a broad collaboration of non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, community partners and age 50+ residents. Guided by the voices of elders, Elder Alliance advocates and designs solutions that improve the quality of life for all and work to ensure older adults thrive, and play a role in shaping livable communities for all ages in Pima County. EOLCP is a collaborative partnership dedicated to creating a comprehensive network of end of life care support and resources in Tucson and Southern Arizona. EOLCP community partners provide direct services including advance care planning workshops; hospice and palliative services; education and events that honor diverse cultures; faiths and communities; bereavement and grief support; and assisted living. Tim has become an active member in both organizations to ensure that inclusive and effective support is available for all older adults in Southern Arizona. “Not only does UW support important social service non-profit organizations, but also hosts important community organizing activities. I hope Tucson can become a model for what a healthy, prosperous and just community looks like and I admire the community organizing United Way of Tucson does to help connect the pieces to ensure a more equitable Southern Arizona."