OLDER ADULTS

BACKGROUND

Piper Trust promotes a positive, active view of later life. From the beginning, Piper Trust has drawn upon successful national models to launch a number of initiatives. Taken together, these initiatives represent a "New Maricopa Model for Living the Last Third of Life." Piper Trust has worked closely with national partners Civic Ventures, Mather LifeWays and National Council on Aging.

STRATEGY

The Trust adopted three recognized strategies for successful aging: avoid disease and disability, maintain high cognitive and physical function, and stay involved with life and living.

Disease and disability prevention. Grants in this area promote good nutrition, physical exercise and healthy habits to help older adults remain in optimal physical and mental condition over time. Grantmaking initiatives focus on fall prevention through accessible and safe environments, enhanced mobility, wellness programming and medication management.

Peak physical and emotional health. The Trust funds programs to keep older adults in their homes, to support caregivers coping with caring for older adults, to improve senior centers and attract the next generation of older adults to those programs, and to train health professionals in understanding better patient and family wishes at the end of life.

Rewarding and productive activities. Grantmaking that encourages civic engagement explores meaningful paid and volunteer opportunities for older adults to benefit the community. Major collaborative initiatives include Next Chapter projects, Experience Corps, Maricopa Models of Significant Service and Experience Matters.

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