Assistance programs in Arkansas that help seniors.
Various assistance programs are offered by the Arkansas Office of Aging, non-profits and the local offices. Older adults can get grant money from the government to help pay bills, free food or USDA commodities, transportation and more. Senior citizens, the disabled, and caregivers across the state are the primary beneficiaries. Find more details below on programs in Arkansas that help seniors.
Homecare type programs in Arkansas
Assisted Living Choices can help people meet their scheduled and unscheduled needs with activities of daily living. A number of supportive services are available, with a focus on seniors over the age of 60. The Office of Aging centers in Arkansas coordinate this program with the Assisted Living Federation of America.
ElderChoices is a home and community-based Arkansas Medicaid waiver program that was created for seniors and elderly. It can help people who due to cognitive, physical or medical reasons require a level of financial, health, or medical assistance that would have to otherwise be provided in a nursing facility if it were not for the resources offered through the ElderChoices program. This program can provide a number of different types of assistance that can help eligible persons live with their family or remain in their homes.
Area on Aging in Arkansas, partnering with others, will give out free air conditioners during the summer. This is done in partnership with LIHEAP grants to pay utility bills and local charities, like the Salvation Army. Some volunteer HVAC companies also give reductions on fixing a unit too, and look here for a free air conditioner program and how to get one.
Food programs in Arkansas for seniors and caregivers
Senior Centers in Arkansas often operate with the Office of Aging as well as local community agencies in Arkansas. Most of these centers are open five days per week and they offer senior citizens a number of assistance programs. Among them include transportation, socialization, free or low cost home-delivered meals and hot and nutritious congregate meals. These programs are available and were created to help foster the well-being and health of older persons. They also help seniors over the age of 55 find, and apply for money from the government or a charity to pay their bills.
- As indicated, a major focus is on ensuring older people get the food and nutrition they need. Most of the senior centers also serve a hot congregate meal which is required by regulations to meet at least 1/3 RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance), with also information on local Arkansas food banks too. Centers also offer various social activities and workshops for seniors.
If you can’t make it to a local senior center center, then home delivered meals may be made available to homebound older and disabled adults. The goal is to ensure people that are homebound, who meet the greatest social and economic need, also get the food they need.
Arkansas financial assistance and employment resources for senior citizens
Employment may be offered from the Arkansas Senior Community Service Employment Program. This may be able to offer part-time jobs for Arkansas residents who are low-income, age 55 and over, and people who have poor employment prospects. Participants in the program will receive job assignments at government agencies and community service groups across Arkansas. At first, people will be paid the minimum wage in the state, or equivalent Federal wages, whichever is higher.
- Not only can a part time job be provided to senior citizens and people over 55 by the Agency on Aging and this government program, but also participants may also be able to receive assistance in locating a permanent job and developing career skills. There are even resources for at home jobs. Qualified seniors will receive both work experience and on-the-job training. During the training that is provided to them, participants work with their local Employment and Training Coordinator to achieve either permanent part time or full time unsubsidized employment either at a local non-profit, their host agency or with other employment sources in their local Arkansas town or county.
- Examples of some of the benefits participants will be able to receive while in the program are an opportunity to establish a current work history, temporary paid work experience; development of new skills; and gain improvement of marketable skills.
Case Managers at Area Agency on Aging locations can provide seniors in Arkansas with information on other assistance programs. Their services are available to assist low individuals and can help ensure they receive all benefits they qualify for. Case workers help people get emergency financial assistance to pay their bills, or public assistance to which they are eligible. A case manager from one of the locations will conduct an interview and an evaluation in the individual’s home to determine possible needs for aid.
- Social workers can provide information or help people apply with one or more of the following. Food Stamps; Medicaid; or the LIHEAP Home Energy Assistance Programs. Older adults can often also get Social Security Programs; Indigent and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs; Weatherization; and phone assistance from Link Up. Housing assistance and vouchers may be offered from HUD too.
Additional social services for seniors in Arkansas
Fraud prevention is provided from Arkansas SMP. This government organization is involved in Empowering Seniors to Prevent Healthcare Fraud and the program is run by the Arkansas Administration on Aging (AoA). A number of specialists, including highly trained volunteers, will help residents understand more about healthcare fraud and scam tactics. The program will even help seniors identify and address other types of fraud - not just medical.
- When it comes to medical needs, the SMP program can help people ensure people that they are billed fairly, and that they do not waste money due to a scam. The program is also involved in recruiting retired persons to teach Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries to recognize and report healthcare fraud to the proper state and federal government authorities.
Some offices in Arkansas provide a service known as Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, or EMT. This program may be able to provide free or very low cost transportation to individuals to medical as well as other trips, like a pharmacy, caregiver house or other important locations. The program is open to seniors, disabled, and qualified Arkansas residents of all ages. Transportation is offered for both local or long distance appointments. Locate a Non Emergency Medical transport program near you.
Adult Protective Services will help ensure that seniors across Arkansas remain safe and are not abused. It combines legal aid in Arkansas as well as people to check on the seniors. Whether the mistreatment is accidental or intentional, people will be protected.
Information, addresses and locations of Arkansas centers
The main center of the Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services can be called at (501) 682-2441 The office address is 700 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72201. They are part of the state’s Office of Long Term Care with information here. https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/provider-services-quality-assurance/office-of-long-term-care/.
The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas, 1510 Rock Springs Rd, Harrison Arkansas 72602-1795. Dial 870-741-1144 or the toll free number of 1-800-432-9721. This location covers the regions of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy and Washington County. Read more on Area Agency on Aging in Northwest Arkansas assistance programs.
White River AAA can help senior citizens in the counties of Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White, and Woodruff. Address is 3998 Harrison Street, Batesville AR 72503. Phone 870-612-3000.
East Arkansas Agency on Aging is located at 2005 E Highland Dr, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Phone 870-409-0684. Supports the Arkansas counties of Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Lawrence, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, Poinsett, Randolph, and St. Francis.
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas is based at 709 East 8th, Pine Bluff AR 71611. Telephone number is 1- 800- 264- 3260. Residents of Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln County should call this location for information and assistance.
CareLink, the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging. Location is 700 W Riverfront Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72114. Main number is 501-372-5300. Counties of Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski and Saline.
Area Agency on Aging West Central Arkansas supports residents of Clark, Conway, Garland, Hot Spring, Johnson, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Pope and Yell. Main address is 905 W. Grand Avenue, Hot Springs AR 71913. Main number is 1-800-467-2170.
Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas is located at 600 Lelia, Magnolia, AR 71753. Call 870-234-7410 if you live in Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, Hempstead, Howard, LaFayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Sevier or Union County.
AAA of Western Arkansas, 524 Garrison, Fort Smith Arkansas 72902. Telephone number is 479-783-4500 or call 1-800-320-6667. Provides seniors and elderly programs in Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Polk, Scott and Sebastian County.
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