NEWS RELEASES

At 79 years old, Donna, a Verde Valley Caregivers client, enjoys cooking but struggles finding the freshest ingredients and using parts of her kitchen.

But for the past few months, she has been eating healthier since receiving nutritious meal boxes from the new Verde Valley One-to-One Outreach Program. Overseen by Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition (VVCC) and Manzanita Outreach, the One-to-One Program is made possible through a $54,000 grant award from Health First Foundation. Health First is an independent foundation that supports sustainable community health programs in Northern Arizona. 

The One-to-One Program provides tailored meal boxes from Manzanita to 18 low-income, VVCC clients living at the same senior housing apartment in Camp Verde. Inside the meal box, participants can find nutrition guides, recipes for three meals and healthy food tailored to low-sodium diets. The program also hosts a free, once-per-month cooking demonstration based on ingredients in that month’s meal boxes.

The smells from the cooking demonstration often draw curious visitors to the apartment complex’s common room. December’s demonstration used the meal box ingredients to cook a seasoned, oven-baked white fish with cucumber, asparagus, and baked sweet potato. During the demonstration, participants often learn about nutrition, socialize with friends and eat the final cooked product.

Kent Ellsworth, VVCC executive director, the administering organization for the grant, said his favorite part of the program is seeing participants talk together at the cooking demonstrations. 

“The One-to-One Program puts those older adults — who often live alone — back on track to not only understand how to prepare nutritious meals for themselves but also how to do that with a sense of joy and camaraderie, like they’re not in this alone,” Ellsworth said. “They can make themselves a lot happier just by eating really good, healthy foods.”

The program aims to eliminate both food insecurity and nutrition insecurity for participants. To accomplish this, the meal boxes are filled with nutritious, fresh foods to keep people healthy and feeling full.

Kate Morrill, interim executive director for Manzanita Outreach, believes the success of the One-to-One Program demonstrates how community partners can deliver great food to people who need it in rural communities. 

“Manzanita’s mission is all about providing people food with kindness and dignity, so seeing this program in action is the epitome of joy for me,” Morrill said at the December meal box delivery. “There is always so much joy in sharing food, a meal, and a recipe together. You can see immediately that this food has made a difference.”

To ensure the food and its demonstrations are truly nutritious, the program had each meal approved by dieticians and nutritionists with Yavapai County Community Health Services and the University of Arizona. 

Donna said she lost two pounds during the holidays by relying on the food and recipes from the One-to-One meal boxes. “The food box fills me up,” Donna said. “And its fresh ingredients make mealtimes convenient.”

Heather Smith, VVCC’s care manager, hopes participants learn how to buy, cook, and eat healthy foods. “We know our community cares about each member we have in it, and this program invests in our community to make sure everyone’s needs are met,” Smith said.

VVCC is a 501 (c) (3), in its 33rd year, with approximately 3,900 older adults and adults with disabilities enrolled throughout the Verde Valley. VVCC’s services are provided at no cost to eligible clients. Volunteers provide many of the services. For information about services and/or volunteering please call (928) 204-1238 or visit our website https://vvcaregivers.org/ to donate, enroll, or volunteer.

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.

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.”

February 13, 2023—Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) and Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition (VVCC) are collaborating to provide virtual care assistance to NAH patients who need help with telehealth appointments.

The program will provide the device, software and volunteer staff assistance enabling patients to have telehealth appointments with their health care providers.

Travis Boren, director of telehealth systems at NAH, stated, “we are grateful to be able to partner with the volunteers at VVCC on this program that will increase access to care for many patients that have difficulties leaving their homes for their medical appointments or experience challenges with technology.” 

VVCC Executive Director, Kent Ellsworth, said the virtual care assistance program will allow VVCC’s older adult clients to meet with their health care providers in the comfort of their homes. “This service will help ensure the people we serve can access their health care providers even when they cannot travel or are mobility challenged.” 

NAH and VVCC plan to launch the program in mid-February. 

Ellsworth said virtual care assistance and support will be provided by VVCC staff and retired nurse volunteers. NAH will provide the volunteers with digital tablets and software. 

“Our volunteers will facilitate linking to the telehealth appointment and provide patient support and scribing instructions from the health care provider if needed.”  

Ellsworth adds the partnership is a perfect match. 

“VVCC is here to improve the lives of the people we serve. We’re earnest about improving health outcomes for all our clients. Our partnership with NAH is essential to support our success in ensuring our clients can age in place in their communities of choice.”

“The virtual assistance program will help our providers connect with patients who have a tough time travelling to their health care appointments. NAH is committed to the Verde Valley and access to quality health care in northern Arizona is a priority,” said Josh Tinkle, acting CEO at NAH.

VVCC, established in 1992, provides assistive services to 2,200 older adults who wish to live independently in their homes. Services provided by volunteers include transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping, shopping for homebound clients, installing Guardian Angel emergency alert units, making friendly visits, providing respite assistance, handyperson help, pet assistance and more. For more information and to volunteer call (928) 204-1238 Ext, 8104 or email Linda.

NAH is inclusive of Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center – Sedona Campus, Northern Arizona Healthcare – Camp Verde Campus, Northern Arizona Healthcare – Village of Oak Creek, Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group, the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare, Northern Arizona Healthcare Orthopedic Surgery Center, EntireCare Rehab & Sports Medicine, Weight Management Clinic, Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group – Cardiology, Guardian Air and Guardian Medical Transport. We also provide comprehensive imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services throughout the region. 

For more information on NAH programs and services, visit NAHealth.com. “Like” NAH on Facebook by searching Northern Arizona Healthcare Flagstaff and Northern Arizona Healthcare Verde Valley. Follow NAH on Instagram by searching Northern Arizona Healthcare. 

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.