The Arizona ElderBuilders® Project is a multi-partnership project designed to meet specific clients needs, to the elderly and/or disabled populations living in six rural Arizona counties and keep them from early institutional placement.
ElderBuilders® provides volunteers to help homebound persons with services that may include: transportation, minor repairs, yard work, shopping, companionship, light housekeeping, respite, and other services as needed.
Why the ElderBuilders Project?Rural health and human service agencies have traditionally had severe limitations as to the kind of services they provide due to higher costs per service covering large geographic areas. Ironically, rural elder populations have poorer health and lower incomes, indicating a need for more services, not less. In rural Arizona, issues are intensified by rapid in-migration of retirees, who then age in place, become widowed, and develop acute and chronic health problems. Consumer reports present a view of upward mobility and blue skies ahead, while in truth rural elders are facing a severe crisis in terms of access to affordable health and human services. Small community programs struggle to meet the burgeoning requests for assistance. The Arizona Rural ElderBuilders Project provides a cutting-edge approach to meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by our culturally diverse and geographically isolated aging communities.
Building Communities of Care....
ElderBuilders is a partnership between existing volunteer interfaith care giving sites throughout six contiguous rural counties in Arizona. The primary goal for the partnership is to provide more equitable service delivery to disadvantaged rural elders experiencing acute and chronic health conditions utilizing volunteers and service networks. We are working to build community service networks that capitalize on the unique individual capacities of those served by offering culturally sensitive training and resources to homebound elders, retirees, and their families
Meeting the unique needs of Care Partners....
Perhaps, most uniquely, this project provides individualized comprehensive health-related services that are designed by and for the cultural minority of at-risk elderly while maintaining their autonomy. Through the development of a service purchasing fund and supervised volunteer case management, we offer client specific care plans that address unmet needs using existing providers, volunteers, and/or spontaneously developed services. This has a significant and measurable effect on preventing premature institutionalization.
Making every dollar count....
By providing services at no or reduced costs, we promote health and reduce personal, social, and economic burdens to communities and families alike.
Building a brighter future together....
The AZ Rural Elder Builder Project presents a new vision for the future that is deeply embedded in the strengths and uniqueness of diverse communities and individuals. It focuses on increasing health, maintaining autonomy, raising community awareness, and involvement. It is about people…helping people…helping people… and sharing the resources necessary to do so.
This is a vision that must move forward if we are to effectively meet the challenges and opportunities of an aging nation.