As the Valley continues to experience rapid growth in population, so comes a higher need for community support and comprehensive services to assist our older population to attain and maintain an active, autonomous and engaged lifestyle. Aster Aging is one of the many partners Valley of the Sun United Way has joined forces with as part of its MC2026 Health initiatives to support and address this growing need, and more.

From center-based services including social hubs, congregate meals, educational programs and social activities to in-home and social services support, Aster Aging provides a continuum of services to help older adults and their families navigate aging with independence and dignity.

In her mid-70s, Jean began receiving home-delivered meals through Aster Aging after suffering a fall that left her temporarily homebound. A little over a month after the fall, Jean was gaining increased mobility and finding herself feeling isolated and seeking more socialization and in-person connection. Aster Aging helped Jean transition from in-home meal delivery to its congregate dining in Downtown Phoenix where she was able to enjoy café-style meals created by nutritionists, but most importantly, among friends. In addition to dining with peers, Jean was able to work with Aster Aging’s social services team to identify different assistance programs that would allow her to continue living independently, while still supporting herself.

Jean is just one of the many adults that benefit from the services at Aster Aging. Between its Downtown Phoenix and Red Mountain campuses, the organization serves lunch to approximately 150 individuals each day for their congregate meal. Community partners like Aster Aging and their array of services help address the needs of our community on a personal, yet significant level.