HEALTHCARE IN TUCSON
Tucson has approximately 2,000 hospital beds and more than 2,300 physicians, surgeons, and osteopaths—a pretty high ratio of medical professionals to population. Additionally, there are more than 200 dental offices in Tucson.
MAJOR HOSPITALS
St. Joseph's Hospital
350 N. Wilmot Rd. 520-873-3000
www.carondelet.org
This full-service community medical/surgical center offers inpatient/outpatient and emergency-room services, plus a regional hospital eye center.
St. Mary's Hospital
1601 W. St. Mary's Rd. 520-872-3000
www.carondelet.org
This full-service community medical/surgical center offers inpatient/outpatient and emergency-room services. Also, it houses the Southern Arizona Burn and Wound Care Center and a hospice unit.
Northwest Medical Center
6200 N. La Cholla Blvd. 520-742-9000
www.northwestmc.com
This full-service acute-care medical/surgical center offers inpatient/outpatient and emergency-room services.
Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley
1551 E. Tangerine Rd. 520-901-3500
www.nmcorovalley.com
A full-service acute-care medical center offering inpatient/outpatient, surgical, and emergency-room services.
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
3601 S. 6th Ave. 520-792-1450
www.southwest.va.gov/tucson
This facility offers a full range of medical care to US military veterans. It is affiliated with the University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, and with Pima Community College.
Tucson Heart Hospital
4888 N. Stone Ave. 520-696-2328
www.tucsonhearthospital.com
This center offers total cardiac care on an inpatient or outpatient basis with a state-of-the-art imaging center, and 24-hour, fullservice emergency room.
Tucson Medical Center (TMC)
5301 E. Grant Rd. 520-327-5461
www.tmcaz.com
This full-service community medical/surgical center offers inpatient/outpatient and emergency services. Also, TMC houses a hospice unit and the only hyperbaric chamber in Southern Arizona.
University Medical Center (UMC)
1501 N. Campbell Ave. 520-694-0111
www.umcarizona.org
This 355-bed facility has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 50 hospitals in nine areas. Offering the full range of routine and specialty care, it is the primary teaching and research hospital for The University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Inpatient/outpatient and complete home-care services are available. UMC also houses the
UA Sarver Heart Center (520-626-2000), the Arizona Arthritis Center (520-626-5040), Arizona Cancer Center (520-694-2873), Steele Children’s Research Center (520-626-7051), and the only Level 1 trauma center in Southern Arizona.
University Physicians Hospital at Kino Campus
2800 E. Ajo Way 520-847-2000
www.uph.org
Kino is a full-service community medical facility, offering women’s care and family health services, and urgent care and emergency-room facilities.
PHYSICIAN REFERRAL SERVICES
If possible, have your previous physician refer you to a doctor in this area. If you are unable to get a referral, try one of these services. Some also answer health questions:
| Physician Referral & Resource Line (bilingual) www.bannerhealth.com | 800-230-CARE |
| Pima County Medical Society www.pimamedicalsociety.org |
520-795-7985 |
| Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation www.tomf.org |
520-299-4545 |
| University Physicians Inc. www.uph.org |
520-889-1111 |
WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES
Several centers handle women's healthcare issues exclusively:
| Associates in Women's Health Care 2355 N. Wyatt Dr., Ste. 101 www.gmawh.com, www.awhcllc.com | 520-795-8080 |
| Carondelet Imaging Center 630 N. Alvernon Way, Ste. 150 www.carondelet.org |
520-322-8273 |
| Costantino & Mudge, P.C. 2055 W. Hospital Dr., Ste. 115 www.maranahealthcenter.org |
520- 797-0011 |
| Grace Maternity & Women's Health
5940 N. La Cholla Blvd. www.gmawh.com |
520-219-5779 |
| Ironwood OB/GYN, P.C. 2300 N. Rosemont Blvd. www.ironwoodobgyn.com | 520-881-1977 |
| Tucson Breast Center 2028 E. Prince Rd www.uph.org |
520-874-6300 |
| The Women’s Center Northwest Medical Center 1920 W. Rudasill Rd www.northwestmedicalcenter.com/womens_ctr |
520-877-4000 |
URGENT CARE FACILITIES
| Marana Health Center 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. 13644 N. Sandario Rd |
520-682-4111 |
| Nextcare Urgent Care (8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.) 6238 E. Pima St. | 520-290-0022 |
| Northwest Medical Center Urgent Care (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) 2945 W. Ina Rd., 13101 N. Oracle Rd., and 8333 N. Silverbell Rd. |
520-469-8295 |
| Santa Catalina Health Center 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri. 15631 N. Oracle Rd., Ste.141 |
520-825-6763 |
| University Medical Center Urgent Care (8 a.m.-12 a.m.) 1501 N. Campbell Ave. | 520-694-4750 |
| University Physicians Hospital at Kino Campus Urgent Care (9 a.m.-1 a.m.) Mon.–Sun. 2800 E. Ajo Way | 520-874-2000 |
| Urgent Care Associates (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.) 1622 N. Swan Rd. | 520-795-8888 |
HOME CARE
Quite a few nursing agencies provide in-home nursing services, from companions who can help with meals and light household duties, to registered nurses who can perform necessary medical procedures, to specialists trained in physical rehabilitation and other therapies. Here are just a few of the many services available.
| Dependable Health Services | 520-721-3822 |
| Dependable Nurses Inc. | 520-795-1290 |
| Gentiva Health Services | 520-731-1333 |
| Interim Healthcare | 520-747-1800 |
| Intrepid USA Health Care Services | 520-722-0555 |
| UMC Home Health Services | 520-694-4663 |
ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE
Tucson offers a large number of nontraditional healing options—including acupressure and jin shin, shiatsu and other forms of therapeutic massage, movement awareness techniques, homeopathic and naturopathic medicine, and hypnotherapy.
- The Cortiva Institute provides training in
massage therapy. Low-cost treatments
are available from the students there.
The institute can also make referrals to
other alternative healthcare practitioners.
623-2160, www.cortiva.com
- The University of Arizona Program in
Integrative Medicine is an outpatient
training clinic for doctors and is a
component of a program directed by
Dr. Andrew Weil. Integrative medicine
focuses on stimulating the body’s natural
healing potential by combining the
best of both conventional and alternative
medical traditions. 626-6417,
www.integrativemedicine.arizona.edu
- The Providence Institute offers many forms of body therapy including shiatsu, craniosacral therapy, and more. The institute also features a yoga center, and its school offers classes in holistic body therapy. 323-0203, www.providenceinstitute.com
SENIOR LIVING
With a wonderful climate, spectacular scenery, and abundant cultural offerings, Tucson and its surrounding communities attract almost as many retired persons as Florida does. In fact, more than one-fifth of Arizona’s population is older than 55.
Opportunities for Seniors
Many businesses in Tucson offer discounts to seniors—including restaurants, movie theaters, gift shops, museums, performing-arts organizations, and travel services. Most local hospitals and each branch of the local YMCA have special programs for seniors that include exercise classes, health seminars, field trips, social events, and more.
SENIOR EDUCATION
Many retirees in Arizona discover that they now have the time and opportunity to go where their curiosity and intellect take them. Many attend the universities and community colleges throughout the state and take life-enrichment classes in topics they’ve always wanted to learn more about.
The Academy Village offers an interesting concept for retirees. Here, retired university professors and academics can find common ground, living near other professionals with similar interests and continuing their studies and research work. Attracting residents from all over the US, The Academy Village focuses on the lifelong learning and wellness of its residents, providing access to The U of A, on-site health services, and recreational facilities. Phone 520-647-7777, or go to www.theacademyvillage.com.
Elderhostel provides programs to teach seniors about the Southwest and much more. Find Elderhostel programs at more than 100 locations in Arizona, from the Hopi mesas and Grand Canyon in the north to Nogales on the Mexican border. Contact the national Elderhostel headquarters in Boston at 877-426-8056 or visit www.elderhostel.org for information.
OASIS Institute, another popular program, is a national nonprofit organization offering classes in volunteer programs, education, culture, wellness, humanities, and the arts. For information call 322-5607 or visit www.oasisnet.org.
Pima Community College’s Senior Education Program also offers noncredit courses especially suited to the needs and interests of older adults. Classes are held at various locations throughout Tucson (206-6579) and Green Valley (625-5063).
The University of Arizona Continuing Education & Academic Outreach’s OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) provides continuing learning-in-retirement experiences for Tucson’s senior citizens and winter visitors. Programs include discussion groups, study sessions, brown-bag lectures with guest speakers, field trips, and social events. Phone 626-9039 or see www.ceao. arizona.edu/seniors/olli.html.
⇑ return to topARIZONA SENIOR-SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteering provides opportunities for you to put your skills and life experiences to work in ways that help your new community. Not only can you help other people, you can help yourself. Studies show that active volunteers enjoy healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives.
Many exciting opportunities exist in Arizona. The National & Community Service Senior Corps (800-424-8867, www.nationalservice.org) offers two outlets for active adults in Tucson: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program–RSVP (790-7262) and the Senior Companion Program (323-1708, ext. 240). Adults of all ages can also volunteer in a number of different areas by contacting the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona at 881-3300 and www.volunteersoaz.org.
Older-Adult Service Agencies
ARIZONA CHAPTER OF THE ASSISTED LIVING FEDERATION OF AMERICA
The Assisted Living Federation provides on request a free brochure called the “Voice of Assisted Living Consumer Guide,” offering advice on choosing an assisted-living facility. Phone 602-322-0100 or visit www.azalfa.org.
GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
The mission of the council is to provide the governor, the legislature, and state agencies with information about issues affecting Arizona’s seniors. The council attempts, to the best of its ability, to represent all seniors residing in Arizona. Phone 602-542-4710. PIMA
COUNCIL ON AGING
This designated Area Agency on Aging coordinates services and programs for the elderly. Some of the services include a newsletter, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), information about collective meal sites, the Pension Information and Counseling Program, and an ombudsman service that helps solve problems in such areas as Social Security, Medicare, health insurance, hospitals, home repair, legal assistance, and the entire spectrum of social-service programs. Phone 790-7262 or 800-686-1431 (www.pcoa.org).
SENIOR LAW HOTLINE
In May 1998, Governor Jane Hull signed House Bill 2618, a law that commits funding to provide civil legal aid, including the establishment of a senior-law hotline. The hotline is designed to offer legal advice, if possible, in the span of a short phone conference. The hotline is available for preventive advice as well as advice once a client is facing a legal challenge. Phone 623-5137 or 800-231-5441.
SENIOR RESOURCE NETWORK
This program provides information about a variety of options and services available to older adults in the Tucson area, including housing alternatives, living assistance, long-term-care services, and caregiver support. Phone 325-2111 or visit www.azinfo.org.
STATE OFFICE ON AGING
Every state government has an office on aging, responsible for coordinating services for older people. In Arizona, it’s the Division of Aging and Adult Services. Phone 602-542-4446 or visit www.azdes.gov.
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