Author: admin

In 10 short years, 20% of Arizona’s population will be 65 or older and nearly 30% of these individuals will be living on annual incomes of $25,000 or less. This “tsunami” of baby boomers, fueled by more than 10,000 a day turning 65 through 2030, threatens to land an economic and humanitarian wallop that can be avoided if we wake up and collectively ensure the care and housing that all elders deserve, no matter their economic standing. Without action too many of our elders will face substandard housing, inadequate care, poor nutrition, unaffordable prescriptions and the high levels of anxiety and depression that make people sicker and lead to multiple emergency room visits. Inaction costs money. And the price tag will be substantially higher tomorrow if we don’t invest in…

Linda Hollis, PhD, joined St. Luke's as Chief Executive Officer on April 8. Her career spans more than 20 years in various sectors including nonprofits, behavioral health clinics, educational institutions and nursing homes always holding Elder care near and dear. Most recently, Hollis served as Executive Director of Catholic Community Services in Tucson and Sierra Vista. “We are thrilled to have an individual of Hollis’ caliber as the new head of St. Luke’s Home,” said Nancy Nagle, President of the St. Luke’s Board of Directors. “Her combined expertise with Elders and in executive leadership roles make her the ideal candidate to work with the St. Luke’s Board as we continue to build St. Luke’s as a model of high-quality assisted-living for low-income Elders.” Hollis holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and…

A very special thanks to Susan, Michael, Tiffany, Case and Gretchen -- St. Luke's extraordinary volunteers who lead our Elders through a range of exercises for body and brain as part of  Stronger, Longer, St. Luke's integrated approach to nutrition, exercise and mental development aimed at improving Elder health and well-being. As part of Stronger, Longer, Elders can choose from a range of exercise options offered five days a week. Monday Wellness with Susan (class pictured above) kicks off the week. Yoga, Tai Chi, memory health, stretching and balance classes each week. An active lifestyle is especially important for Elder health and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and reduce pain associated with arthritis. By improving balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength, St. Luke’s Elders stay healthier longer. In fact, guess how…

UA Students have taken the lead to continue the Inter-Professional Clinics offered through a partnership between the University of Arizona and St. Luke's. The clinics provide the opportunity for students to learn about Elder health in interdisciplinary student teams in Medicine, Pharmacy and Nutrition. The first clinic of 2019 was held February 16th at St. Luke's with a lecture on Emotional Health and Older Adults by Dr. Ole J Thienhaus, MD., FACPsych of the UA Department of Psychiatry. Afterwards, 24 students facilitated a clinic for the Elders who volunteered to share details of emotional issues they had experienced. Last year, over 150 students and 30 Elders participated in the Clinics. In addition to providing a hands-on and cross-discipline learning experience for the students, Elders thrive as volunteer mentors for the students.