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Protecting Older Arizonans in their Communities: A Look Back at 2024

Across Arizona, many older adults face economic hardship, diminishing health and physical impairments. According to the United Health Foundation, 10.4% of adults age 65 and older statewide are living in poverty and need assistance to meet their basic needs. Connecting aging adults to all the vital services and resources they need takes a network of professionals committed to putting people first.

Fortunately, the DES Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) has a dedicated Community Engagement Team to help aging Arizonans understand the support available. The Community Engagement Team travels statewide offering face-to-face support, educational presentations and opportunities to listen to older adults in their communities. For many older adults, learning about programs from a person face-to-face is more meaningful than accessing the information online.

In 2024, the team made a significant impact and fostered valuable connections, engaging with 4,625 Arizonans at 180 events which included resource tables and presentations. Notably, Community Engagement Coordinator Patricia Moodie-Brown joined the Attorney General’s Task Force Against Senior Abuse, which focuses on how older adults can protect themselves against the latest scams. “We are striving to educate all communities in Arizona on how to recognize and report maltreatment,” Patricia explained.

In addition to outreach events, DAAS offers educational tools like the Recognizing and Reporting Maltreatment Training. Everyone can fulfill their responsibility to keep vulnerable adults safe and complete the computer-based training where they can learn to identify and report abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Last year, 700 participants, including social workers, health professionals, care coordinators, and first responders, completed the training. “Our speaker, Patricia, shared her expertise on guarding against abuse, signs to watch for and how to properly make an APS report,” one participant said. “I would highly recommend her training to all Mandated Reporters.”

As 2025 begins, the team is already making strides in elder scam prevention and Adult Protective Services education. One initiative is to educate on updates to statutes as a result of last year’s legislative session (see House Bill 2764), which strengthens the protection for vulnerable adults, along with plans to expand outreach initiatives and provide guidance on navigating the Adult Protective Services (APS) Registry.

The DAAS Community Engagement team is always looking for more opportunities to educate! Individuals or groups interested in keeping vulnerable Arizonans safe can request an educational presentation.

  • People at a table at an indoor event with pamphlets and tote bags.
    Visitors engage with DAAS resources on a table at the Senior Referral Networking Event.
  • A woman addresses a group of people seated around a table in a meeting room.
    Patricia Moodie-Brown speaks to a team of professionals in a conference room.
  • People at a food stall serving and receiving food under a canopy.
    The DAAS Community Engagement Team serves food to participants of World Refugee Day.
  • A group of sixteen people stands in front of a screen displaying "Fight Fraud Night" information.
    Presenters pose for a photo on stage at Fight Fraud Night.
  • Five people standing behind a table with informational materials.
    Fight Fraud Night presenters pose for a photo at the DAAS engagement table.
  • Four people standing in front of a large, decorated Christmas tree indoors.
    The DAAS Community Engagement team gathers with volunteers for the Goodyear Fire Department.

February 27, 2025
Annemarie O'Donnell
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