UnitedHealthcare Donates $5,000 to Support DOVES Program

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealthcare has donated $5,000 to support DOVES®, an Area Agency on Aging transitional housing program for older victims of domestic violence in Maricopa County.

“in recognition of outstanding innovative practice on behalf of victims of crime.”

DOVES helps victims of late-life domestic violence (ages 50+) overcome the unique challenges they face in attempting to protect themselves from their abusers – including being forced to leave their homes. The Area Agency developed a program that provides older victims of abuse with weekly support groups, emergency housing and meals for up to two weeks, and transitional housing for up to two years.

“The Area Agency on Aging is grateful for our relationship with UnitedHealthcare and the company’s commitment to the quality of life in our community. Through UnitedHealthcare's support for the Agency DOVES program, victims of late-life elder abuse and domestic violence are able to rebuild their shattered lives and gain the tools to live free from fear and abuse,” said Gerry Kroloff, vice president of community relations, Area Agency on Aging.

“UnitedHealthcare very much welcomes the chance to support the Area Agency on Aging’s DOVES program to help ensure older Arizonans have access to important resources that will help them live safely and securely,” said George Young, regional vice president, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.

DOVES is a landmark program designed for victims of late-life domestic violence and elder abuse. It is the first program of its kind in Maricopa County. DOVES is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services.

In 2008, the program received an Aging Innovations Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and, in 2009 the Arizona Attorney General’s Office honored DOVES “in recognition of outstanding innovative practice on behalf of victims of crime.”

Serving nearly one in five Medicare beneficiaries, UnitedHealthcare is the nation’s largest business dedicated to meeting the health and well-being needs of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans, Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare supplement plans in Arizona.

UnitedHealthcare employs nearly 4,000 individuals and serves more than 1.3 million people in Arizona, including more than 240,000 Medicare members, through a care provider network that includes more than 80 hospitals and more than 13,100 physicians.

About the Area Agency on Aging, Region One
Established in 1974, the Area Agency on Aging, Region One serves nearly 90,000 older adults and adults with disabilities each year in Maricopa County. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers and professionals in the community work in concert with the Area Agency on Aging to deliver home and community-based services, protect elder rights, operate senior centers and provide information, assistance and education.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with 780,000 physicians and other health care professionals and 5,900 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 40 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.

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