Yuma, Arizona (azfamily) – Local agencies serving rural seniors in Arizona said budget changes are enforcing tough decisions.
West Arizona State Government Council (wacog), operate it Local Aging Agent The counties of Yuma, Mojave and La Paz recently announced they will not accept new clients from Yuma and Mojave counties due to lack of funding.
“We are committed to providing a comprehensive range of services to our customers,” said Carol Brown, Senior Program Manager Integration Policy and Advocacy at WACOG. “For us to serve them, that means someone has to stop serving us. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes they’re recovering for surgery, they’re getting better, they need extra help, and the spots are opened.”
WACOG currently serves 1,400 seniors across the region, providing important support including homemade meals, attendant care and case management. These services allow seniors to live safely and independently at home.
Brown said demand is outweighing resources. With over 200 people on the waitlist and new clients are not being accepted in the two biggest service areas, concerns are growing about what’s coming next.
A new client has been added to the waitlist asking for help. Brown said he will work to connect individuals with other local resources whenever possible. She warns that reducing access to these services could lead to early declines in health among older adults.
“They’ll move on to Medicaid and Medicare services,” she said. He said that enforcement of elderly people into relief facilities could increase long-term costs for the state and federal governments.
At 84, Rafael Dominguez understands the impact firsthand. The retired farmer recently sought utility support from WACOG. He said he could manage his Social Security income, but he is worried about others that he can’t.
“I feel sorry for the people now, those who can’t pay their bills or rent,” Dominguez said.
Arizona’s aging population is rapidly increasing. By 2030, the state’s elderly population is expected to increase by 50%.
“The number of seniors will only increase, and some of them may need the services we provide,” she said. Brown traveled to the State Capitol and even to Washington, D.C., to talk to lawmakers about the growing needs of seniors.
“We must help our representatives realize that this really means in a truly tangible way for all seniors sitting in a home in need. If we can help them, we can save thousands of dollars per person,” she said.
As Wacog is waiting for good news about future fundraising, Brown said those who want to help can donate to Wacog and volunteers.
“We sometimes lose older people, because they are very insecure and there is no help provided to them, so that’s not something we don’t want,” she said.
She encourages those who help contact WACOG.
Do you see spelling or grammatical errors in our stories? Please click here to report.
Are there any photos or videos of broken news stories? send Here to us With a brief explanation.
Copyright 2025 KTVK/KPHO. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
