NEWS RELEASES
Solutions with Big Impact: Coordinating Care Across the Verde Valley
October 2, 2024 — Sitting across an everyday dining table from a new Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition (VVCC) client, Aidan unfolds his red welcome folder next to the man’s pill reminder case and local newspaper.
VVCC Care Coordinator Aidan Charles has a list of questions to ask during needs assessment like this one in Cottonwood, but they aren’t your typical hi-nice-to-meet-you questions:
“Do you live alone?”
“Do you have access to transportation?”
“Do you have working smoke detectors?”
Care coordinator’s questions are tightly tuned to identify deficits in people’s lives — deficits in mobility, in home safety, in social connectedness, and more. When new clients join VVCC, these needs assessments are a critical first step.
Heather Kurowski, care coordinator team leader, said many people don’t know about VVCC’s mission or services during their first needs assessment. But by the end of the meeting, Heather and Aidan will explain every VVCC service and leave clients with materials on how they can receive help.
“Our mission is to empower you to age in place,” Heather said. “As a part of that, we want to make sure you have access to proper medical and home care. We want you to stay living at home.”
With our neighbor network of more than 3,900 people, whose needs can change daily, there is always more work to be done. But both Aidan and Heather always have a smile on their faces.
“There’s so much opportunity to be influential even in small ways,” Aidan said.
The Road to Help
Heather has a background in social work where she worked throughout the Verde Valley and earned a master’s in education. She always knew she wanted to use her life to help others.
“That’s who I am, even in my personal life,” Heather said. “If somebody needs help, I’m going to help them.”
Aidan became interested in helping older adults after a Northern Arizona University sociology course. After working as a caregiver in Flagstaff, Ariz. for several years, he recently moved down the hill to the Verde Valley.
His favorite part of a needs assessment is getting to know neighbors. Often in the middle of a needs assessment, the conversation veers into stories from the good-old days, personal likes and dislikes, and more.
“It’s so fun,” Aidan said. “It’s like hanging out with friends. The people are just great. You get to be an enriching presence as a part of the job.”
Clients will have their first needs assessment when they join VVCC. After a year, care coordinators schedule follow-up assessments with every client, so no one is left behind.
An average day for a care coordinator could include buying food for their pets through our pet program, scheduling a first or recurring needs assessment, or driving a neighbor on an errand. It’s always different. But the job is geared toward identifying problems and solving them.
Because care coordinators are empowered to identify needs and fulfill them every day, they are critical to our ability to fulfill our nonprofit mission.
“I’m so proud to be a part of a nonprofit that just goes and does it. We don’t talk about making an impact. We just do it,” Aidan said.
As for challenges, sometimes people don’t realize their lives are deficient, or they don’t know how to voice their needs. Aidan says often people don’t want to appear selfish or burdensome by asking for help.
However, VVCC’s nonprofit mission is to support and encourage older adults in their quest to age in place. We do this by enhancing older adults’ independence, promoting a higher quality of life, and reducing barriers to happiness.
“I personally want them to feel like it’s not selfish to be like ‘This is a need that I have that’s not being met.’ I don’t think that’s a selfish thing to do,” Aidan said.
So, if you tell a care coordinator that you don’t want to burden them with your troubles, don’t be surprised if they get passionate.
“Please think about it. If there’s a resource that we can connect you with then that’s worth it,” Aidan said. “Your community cares about you.”
Make the Holidays Bright for Older Adults in Need
Verde Valley Caregivers is making the holiday season memorable for older adults who are often alone this time of year. VVCC’s Annual Holiday Giving Tree project has launched with trees up throughout the Verde Valley.
The public is invited to select gift tags from the trees, purchase the needed items, and return the wrapped gifts to a box located near each tree. Neighbors typically ask for warm socks, slippers, PJs, or blankets. Some have unusual needs. One neighbor writes, “Dear Santa, after losing most my teeth I have been depending on my electric coffee grinder to be my “molars” to grind my daily rice and the various seeds and nuts. But sadly, my grinder stopped working. So, if you could bring me a new one, oh boy, that would sure make my Christmas a very merry one!”
Many neighbors report this is the only present they receive at Christmas time. A neighbor recently commented: “This is the only gift I will receive this year. Thank you for making it special.”
The trees will be up at the following locations through Dec. 14:
- Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona
- Cottonwood Public Library, 100 S 6th St, Cottonwood
- Camp Verde Community Library, 130 Black Bridge Loop Rd, Camp Verde
- Sedona United Methodist Church, 110 Indian Cliffs Rd, Sedona
- Oakcreek Country Club, 690 Bell Rock Blvd, Village of Oak Creek
For more information please call (928) 204-1238, ext. 8105.
VVCC is also in need of volunteers to drive older adults to medical appointments, grocery shopping or shop for, install Guardian Angel emergency alert units, make friendly visits, provide respite assistance, handyperson help, pet assistance and more. You decide when and how often you can volunteer. There is no set schedule. If you can drive three days a week, you can be a stipend driver.
