‘Welcome to Medicare’ preventive visits offered

North Little Rock – As the first wave of Baby Boomers move their insurance coverage to Medicare, the program provides a one-time preventive visit within the first 12 months of coverage for Medicare Part B. [Full Text]


Ombudsmen staff, volunteers honored

Region III Certified Ombuds-bman Volunteers and East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging staff attended the state ombudsman luncheon in Little Rock in December. [Full Text]


CareLink board elects new members and officers

Charley Baxter of North Little Rock and David Porter of Little Rock recently joined the CareLink Board of Directors. [Full Text]


Evening Shade’s 25-year volunteer

What can you say about someone who has dedicated 25 years of service in one program? Amazing! [Full Text]


Consumers concerned by rising propane prices

Propane prices have risen dramatically in recent weeks, causing concern among Arkansas consumers who rely on the liquefied gas to heat their homes. [Full Text]


Tai chi, Zumba at senior center

The Jacksonville Senior Well-ness and Activity Center at 100 Victory Circle offers many classes for physical and mental fitness for older adults. Membership at the senior center is $20 a year. [Full Text]


Fighting hunger among state’s seniors is agencies’ top priority

People who serve seniors in Arkansas say senior hunger is always on their minds. [Full Text]


White River Area Agency thanks contributors to recent MLK food drive

Thank you to all who donated to the 3rd annual MLK Food Drive sponsored by White River Area Agency on Aging Foster Grandparent Program. Due to everyone’s generosity it was a huge success! [Full Text]


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February 2014 - Volume 2 - Number 10

A master of marathons

Is he a marathoner of marathoners? Or a marathoner for the ages? Perhaps a marathon maniac? Or just a guy who likes to run? Steve Hughes, 65, of Little Rock is actually all the above. On Feb. 1 with a Top 3 finish in the Sedona Marathon in Arizona, Hughes joined the elite few. Those who have run marathons in all 50 states, not once or twice, but four times. [Full Text]


Questions? Your Area Agency on Aging has some good answers

Area agencies on aging are where seniors who are looking for help can get it. Offices located throughout the state provide seniors with numerous resources to help them improve their lives, from finding help paying for food to getting home care. [Full Text]


SNAP helps link older people to good nutrition

Arkansas ranks first in the nation for food insecurity for older people. That means people we know, people in our communities, are having to make hard decisions at the grocery store and often are not purchasing the healthy foods they need to remain strong and well. [Full Text]


Personal alert systems save lives

You’ve probably seen them advertised on television: “Personal Emergency Response Systems” (PERS). These are the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” units that can be used to alert first responders to an emergency. They are broadly advertised, manufactured by a number of different companies, and available through many different sources. But are they useful to seniors? Do they work? And, about how much do they cost? [Full Text]


How to keep your memory sharp as you age

We have all had times when we have drawn a blank on a friend’s name or acquaintance, misplaced our keys, or wondered whether or not we watered the plants. There is a difference between this type of normal memory loss and when it is time to be more concerned. [Full Text]


Psychiatry expands for seniors’ needs

North Metro Medical Center in Jacksonville houses the largest inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit in the state that is located inside a hospital, according to manager Debbie Turner-Stout. [Full Text]


Legislative priorities for area agencies

Area agency directors said that this legislative session, their focus will be on keeping their budgets at the same level. [Full Text]


Keeping seniors in their homes

The area agencies help to keep people out of nursing homes by providing home-care attendants. Jerry Mitchell of the agency which serves northwest Arkansas, said keeping people in their own homes allows them to be independent. Home care also saves the state and federal government money by keeping the program participants healthier, and keeping them out of institutions. “This allows them a choice,” Mitchell said. [Full Text]


Eastern Arkansas support groups available

There are many support and self-help groups at the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (EAAAA) that offer assistance and information about health-related problems and diseases. [Full Text]


Senior companions honor local veterans

The Senior Companions Program of the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas joined thousands of Americans across the country in volunteer service by honoring our country’s veterans on Martin Luther King Day. [Full Text]


Medical homes will focus on chronic illness

Hundreds of primary care physicians in Arkansas will soon begin receiving supplemental monthly payments to help them provide better and more comprehensive patient care as part of Medicaid’s effort to transform the state’s health care system. [Full Text]


Workshop focuses on making hard decisions

The MidSouth Coalition for Comfort Care and Bioethics will present a free conference at the University of Memphis for family caregivers, health-care providers, hospice educators and volunteers, and anyone interested in learning about issues that could arise when faced with health-care decisions. [Full Text]


Tim Ernst presents new photos of the Buffalo River

On Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. nature photographer and author Tim Ernst will present his latest work from “Buffalo River Beauty” at the James A. Gaston Visitor Center at Bull Shoals-White River State Park. [Full Text]


Ted Hall Named Executive Director of White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc.

Ted Hall has been named Executive Director of White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc., according to Board President, James Miller. “I believe Mr. Hall’s extensive professional background will prove invaluable to the entire WRAAA System. [Full Text]


Self-management program scheduled

The East Arkansas Area Agency will be offering two new CEDMP Program beginning in March. This is an evidenced based program designed by Stanford University to teach people with chronic conditions to better manage their health. Classes are taught once a week for a six-week period. Classes are: [Full Text]


Alzheimer’s Support Group in Phillips County

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 11, Matisha Bland, Community Support Specialist for the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging will hold an Alzheimer’s Support Group meeting at the Lakeview Senior Center. [Full Text]


Gardening classes scheduled in February

he University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Lonoke County Master Gardeners will host a series of basic-gardening classes in February. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Lonoke Agricultural Center in Lonoke. [Full Text]


Quilting work shop slated at Plantation Agriculture Museum

The Plantation Agriculture Museum will celebrate National Quilting Monday in March by holding a workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at the museum. [Full Text]


Commodities slated to be distributed Feb. 12

Central Arkansas Development Council will distribute USDA Commodities beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the following locations: Allport City Hall, Austin City Hall, Cabot Church of Christ located at 500 North 2nd Street, Carlisle Old City Gym, Humnoke City Hall, Lonoke County Fairgrounds, Ward Chamber of Commerce, Woodlawn Community Center, and the England Community Center. [Full Text]


Computer training for seniors

Senior Net at Little Rock Learning Center provides computer training for senior adults 50 and over who want to learn computer skills including using the Internet and the Web. [Full Text]