News
Your Incredible Neighbors: GVAS case manager helps seniors stay safe at home
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| MARIO AGUILAR | SAHUARITA SUN Elizabeth Martinez, case manager for Green Valley Assistance Services, has a special interest in working with older adults. |
By Karen Walenga, Green Valley News
Thanks to help from Green Valley Assistance Services Inc., a 95-year-old local widow now knows she can pay her bills and even can think about enjoying an ice cream cone for a change.
With help from GVAS Case Manager Elizabeth Martinez, the visually impaired widow — who could not read her bill statements and had trouble bathing herself — now has better Medicare coverage, food stamps and more, saving her $4,000 annually.
“We look for all the programs we can get them on,” Martinez says.
In her job, Martinez provides information to seniors who are frail, disabled or socially isolated so they can remain independent and safe in their own homes.
“The majority of people I see are low income,” Martinez says. “They’re mostly alone, isolated and on fixed incomes.”
When area seniors contact GVAS, Martinez works to determine their needs, visit them at home, share information about available services, create a plan for them and follow up.
GVAS — in collaboration with organizations like the Pima Council on Aging, Catholic Social Services, Casa de Esperanza and Friends in Deed — works to get action in place quickly.
Many local seniors in need have no idea there is help available, little or no family they can call on, and Social Security income of $1,000 a month or less.
In cases like that of the 95-year-old widow, “we’ve improved her quality of life,” GVAS Executive Director Chris Kang says.
“We feel fortunate to have her,” Kang says of Martinez, who joined GVAS last April.
“We’ve seen a 98 percent increase in the number of (senior) households helped in our case management program since Elizabeth’s been here,” Kang points out.
“I take every call very seriously,” says Martinez, who has a special interest in working with older adults.
This 33-year-old Vail resident has a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology and a master’s degree in rehabilitative counseling, with a focus on geriatrics, from the University of Arizona, as well as a gerontology certificate.
Her work in the field for the past decade includes vocational rehabilitation of the visually impaired, caregiving support outreach, administration and outreach social work for a wellness center, and behavioral health case management for the Arizona Long Term Care System.
Martinez recalls that when working toward her bachelor’s degree, she was the primary caregiver for two years for her grandmother, who had dementia.
“It opened my eyes to her needs, and the medical system, and made me feel directed in pursuing a career in helping older adults,” she says.
Martinez thoroughly enjoys meeting people, sitting and talking with her clients about their lives and experiences, and getting to know and appreciate them.
“They get a sense of comfort, someone to listen,” she notes.
Martinez admits she worries about her clients after the office closes at 5 p.m., but knows she does the best for them that she can.
GVAS sends out satisfaction surveys to its clients after Martinez’s home visits so Kang can find out how well their needs were met.
“A lot of nice things are written,” Martinez says with a smile. “The majority of the feedback is really good.”
“And we get a 90 percent return rate” on the surveys, Kang says, adding that Martinez “has given us hope.”
All of GVAS’ programs — which include the senior advocacy case management, in-home volunteer and personal budget programs for seniors, and temporary emergency monetary assistance—are free, with client information strictly confidential.
In 2007, GVAS overall had a 50 percent increase in the number of households helped, totaling more than 1,100, or about 3,000 individuals, Kang says.
To fund its work, the social service agency relies on the generosity of community members, civic groups, area churches and more, Kang points out. It also receives a grant from the town of Sahuarita and is seeking another from Pima County.
GVAS is at 250 E. Continental Rd., Suite 102. Phone: 625-5966.
kwalenga@gvnews.com | 547-9739
With help from GVAS Case Manager Elizabeth Martinez, the visually impaired widow — who could not read her bill statements and had trouble bathing herself — now has better Medicare coverage, food stamps and more, saving her $4,000 annually.
“We look for all the programs we can get them on,” Martinez says.
In her job, Martinez provides information to seniors who are frail, disabled or socially isolated so they can remain independent and safe in their own homes.
“The majority of people I see are low income,” Martinez says. “They’re mostly alone, isolated and on fixed incomes.”
When area seniors contact GVAS, Martinez works to determine their needs, visit them at home, share information about available services, create a plan for them and follow up.
GVAS — in collaboration with organizations like the Pima Council on Aging, Catholic Social Services, Casa de Esperanza and Friends in Deed — works to get action in place quickly.
Many local seniors in need have no idea there is help available, little or no family they can call on, and Social Security income of $1,000 a month or less.
In cases like that of the 95-year-old widow, “we’ve improved her quality of life,” GVAS Executive Director Chris Kang says.
“We feel fortunate to have her,” Kang says of Martinez, who joined GVAS last April.
“We’ve seen a 98 percent increase in the number of (senior) households helped in our case management program since Elizabeth’s been here,” Kang points out.
“I take every call very seriously,” says Martinez, who has a special interest in working with older adults.
This 33-year-old Vail resident has a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology and a master’s degree in rehabilitative counseling, with a focus on geriatrics, from the University of Arizona, as well as a gerontology certificate.
Her work in the field for the past decade includes vocational rehabilitation of the visually impaired, caregiving support outreach, administration and outreach social work for a wellness center, and behavioral health case management for the Arizona Long Term Care System.
Martinez recalls that when working toward her bachelor’s degree, she was the primary caregiver for two years for her grandmother, who had dementia.
“It opened my eyes to her needs, and the medical system, and made me feel directed in pursuing a career in helping older adults,” she says.
Martinez thoroughly enjoys meeting people, sitting and talking with her clients about their lives and experiences, and getting to know and appreciate them.
“They get a sense of comfort, someone to listen,” she notes.
Martinez admits she worries about her clients after the office closes at 5 p.m., but knows she does the best for them that she can.
GVAS sends out satisfaction surveys to its clients after Martinez’s home visits so Kang can find out how well their needs were met.
“A lot of nice things are written,” Martinez says with a smile. “The majority of the feedback is really good.”
“And we get a 90 percent return rate” on the surveys, Kang says, adding that Martinez “has given us hope.”
All of GVAS’ programs — which include the senior advocacy case management, in-home volunteer and personal budget programs for seniors, and temporary emergency monetary assistance—are free, with client information strictly confidential.
In 2007, GVAS overall had a 50 percent increase in the number of households helped, totaling more than 1,100, or about 3,000 individuals, Kang says.
To fund its work, the social service agency relies on the generosity of community members, civic groups, area churches and more, Kang points out. It also receives a grant from the town of Sahuarita and is seeking another from Pima County.
GVAS is at 250 E. Continental Rd., Suite 102. Phone: 625-5966.
kwalenga@gvnews.com | 547-9739
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