Arizona’s elderly population is growing, and the Area Agency on Aging is one of many organizations that provide support to caregivers and seniors. Now, the agency has opened a resource center to meet the growing need.

Located near Seventh Street and Thomas Road, AGEconnect is supposed to do just that, connect individuals to services and resources. Area Agency on Aging President and CEO Mary Lynn Kasunic said the clients they serve are in need of transportation, meals and in-home help. And the number of clients is on the rise. Kasunic says in fiscal year 2017, the agency served 103,000 people.

"This last year, fiscal year 2018 we actually saw 114,000 individuals, so an increase of over 10,000 request for people wanting help," Kasunic said. 

Help that can be difficult to come by at times. Kasunic said they have a waiting list for all of their services, including respite care, which many caregivers seek out.

"And this is really important for a caregiver that when they’re taking care of their loved one 24/7, they just need a break. They usually get two-, four-hour breaks to get their hair done, go have lunch with a friend, go to church," Kasunic said. 

Kasunic says there are between 200 to 300 people on that waitlist. There are about 800 people waiting for other services like grocery shopping or help with laundry.