As part of CBS Austin and Telemundo Austin’s Community Partner Program, this month’s spotlight shines on AGE of Central Texas. This nonprofit has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support, AGE helps thousands of families navigate the realities of aging, completely free of charge. Blair Loaiza, Chief Development & Communications, joined Trevor Scott to introduce us to their mission and to share how you can help.

Blair Loaiza, Chief Development & Communications, joined Trevor Scott to introduce us to their mission and to share how you can help.

Blair Loaiza, Chief Development & Communications, joined Trevor Scott to introduce us to their mission and to share how you can help.

Supporting Caregivers and Older Adults

AGE serves more than 4,000 individuals each year through eight programs focused on helping older adults and caregivers thrive.

“God willing, we will all age,” said Blair Loaiza with AGE of Central Texas. “And most of us will become caregivers at some point. These aren’t ‘if’ issues, they’re ‘when’ issues.”

AGE of Central Texas has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support

AGE of Central Texas has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support

The Dignity Drive

Right now, the organization is in the middle of its annual Dignity Drive, collecting adult pull-ups and hygiene items for low-income older adults in the community.

This year’s goal is ambitious: 40,000 adult pull-ups. The need continues to grow, and many recipients rely on the program month after month.

“These are items that can truly change someone’s quality of life,” Loaiza said.

“We’re about halfway through the drive, but we haven’t quite gotten to that halfway point on the goal,” said Loaiza, “So the segment could not be coming at a better time. Now, to be clear, I’m not asking your viewers and all of Austin to get enthusiastic about adult incontinence. Although it is an important issue that’s not talked about often enough. I’m asking everyone to do something small and impactful for the older adults in our community. So this might be your mother whose living on a fixed income, maybe Social Security checks, or your neighbor who is quietly and silently caregiving and struggling to keep their head above water as they juggle the tasks and challenges of caring for a loved one in the financial constraints.”

The Dignity Drive also supports AGE’s Health Equipment Lending Program, which provides free durable medical equipment, such as:

WheelchairsWalkersShower chairsBedside commodes

The organization removes barriers to access by not requiring insurance, income verification, or doctor referrals.

“If we have the item and you need it, it’s yours,” Loaiza said. “This is just one program, but it’s also our largest program, serving over 2500 individuals each year. And these are our lowest-income and no-income individuals. And a lot of those clients are coming back month after month. So that 2500 number doesn’t really represent the depth to which we’re serving these individuals. And adult pull-ups are just one piece of this program. We also provide free hygiene items and durable medical equipment. So that means things like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, bedside commodes, shower chairs, items that are extremely cost-prohibitive but can be life-altering, life-changing, and even life-saving.”

AGE of Central Texas has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support

AGE of Central Texas has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support

Community members can support the drive by:

Donating adult pull-ups or hygiene itemsPurchasing directly through the organization’s Amazon wish listMaking a financial contribution onlineThe Dignity Drive runs through May 31.

For more information, visit AGE of Central Texas online or follow the organization on social media.

AGE of Central Texas has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support

AGE of Central Texas has spent the last 40 years supporting older adults and caregivers across Central Texas. From caregiving resources to medical equipment and hygiene support

For more information or to apply for the CBS Austin and Telemundo Austin Community Partner Program, visit cbsaustin.com/communitypartner.

For more information or to apply for the CBS Austin and Telemundo Austin Community Partner Program, visit cbsaustin.com/communitypartner.

For more information or to apply for the CBS Austin and Telemundo Austin Community Partner Program, visit cbsaustin.com/communitypartner.

And thanks to RBFCU for helping make these segments possible and supporting the incredible work local nonprofits, like AGE of Central Texas, are doing in our community.

Thank you to RBFCU for helping make these segments possible and supporting the incredible work local nonprofits, like AGE of Central Texas, are doing in our community.

Thank you to RBFCU for helping make these segments possible and supporting the incredible work local nonprofits, like AGE of Central Texas, are doing in our community.