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To stay well, get your flu shot this fall
By Bob Moos - Special to Arkansas Aging

The flu is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you’re an older adult. [Full Text]


Fishnet Missions fills a gap for seniors

Fishnet Missions food pantry in Jacksonville marked its 20th year last month helping to feed the hungry in the area since 1994. [Full Text]


Organizing to fight hunger
By Eileen Feldman - Managing editor

In the June issue of Arkansas Aging, Region VI agency director Tim Herr alerted us to the Senior Hunger Alliance’s upcoming plans. [Full Text]


AAAWCA companions serving seniors

New Senior Companion Volun-teers for Garland County were trained during an orientation and training session in Hot Springs. [Full Text]


Watch what you say to yourself
By Priscilla Pittman - MSW, MA Alzheimer's Arkansas program director

Opinionator…Wow! The computer doesn’t like that word. But we all have opinions don’t we. [Full Text]


Forming a partnership to aid AAAWCA seniors

The Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas and Grand Avenue United Methodist Church have forged a unique partnership born from being neighbors since 1992, and from having the same mission of caring for people’s basic needs. [Full Text]


Little Rock Alzheimer’s unit receives certification

Clarity Pointe Little Rock has received certification as an Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit (ASCU) from the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care. [Full Text]


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September 2014 - Volume 3 - Number 5

Up, up and away
Story and photos by Rick Kron

“Beware power lines and mad bulls.” Advice from Mike Hickey, 66, a 20-year balloon pilot veteran from Hot Springs. He said a run-in with power lines can kill you and a mad bull can ruin a balloon. [Full Text]



Getting Social Security
Story by Tim Herr - Directer of the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas

In July I reached a milestone in my life. I became eligible to collect my full Social Security retirement benefits. No, I’m not retiring. But I decided I would apply to start receiving Social Security checks. (There’s no telling how much longer I may live. And, you can’t take it with you.) [Full Text]


Regional ombudsmen reach out
By Loraine Lamb - NWA Regoinal Ombudsman

The ombudsman program was established through the Older Americans Act in requiring all 50 states to have a Office of the State LTC Ombudsman Program. Later, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam would also be included. The word ‘ombudsman’ is Swedish in origin meaning ‘representative.’ [Full Text]


Ballooning with some comic relief
By Rick Kron - Arkansas Aging staff writer

The assignment was simple: Find a balloon pilot from Arkansas and interview him. No problem: Just stand there take some pictures and ask some questions. [Full Text]


AAANWA designates new wellness centers
By Anige Dunlap - Special to Arkansas Aging

Three senior centers in Northwest Arkansas have earned the designation of Wellness Centers. The Marion County Senior Activity and Wellness Center in Flippin, the Siloam Springs Senior Activity and Wellness Center and the Gentry Senior Activity and Wellness Center received the notification from Division of Aging and Adult Services. Beverly Dunlap, Division of Aging and Adult Services, presented the centers’ certificates Aug. 26 and 28. [Full Text]


Don’t assume bonds will always perform
By Terry Buffalo - Sec registered financial advisor

etirees often have the bulk of their portfolios in bonds, which tend to offer stable income. But you shouldn’t assume they’ll always perform well, thanks to the possibility of interest-rate increases. As you may recall, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed) reacted to the 2008/2009 financial crisis by keeping interest rates near all-time lows to stimulate consumer spending (which is key to any economic recovery.) But interest rates can’t stay low forever, and the Fed has indicated that they’re poised to increase rates, perhaps as soon as 2015. [Full Text]


EAAAA’s new van will transport seniors

State Reps. Harold Copenhaver (D-Jonesboro) and Butch Wilkins (D-Bono) were recently instrumental in helping the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging acquire funds through the Arkansas General Improvement Fund (GIF) to purchase a new van for senior transportation. [Full Text]


Quick suppers
By Rick Kron - Food Editor

It doesn’t make any difference whether you have kids or grandkids in school, September signals the end of the carefree days of summer where time doesn’t matter and food can be served anytime because, well, it’s summer. But everything seems to change in September. Gone is kicking back, replaced with go, go, go. It is a busy month. More traffic on the road, more football on TV, major league baseball games really start to matter, and school’s in session everywhere. Time to cook suppers or dinners (depending on your raising) disappears and the time to eat it also seems to go out the window. [Full Text]


Civil War Driving Tour of Pulaski County
By Glen Schwarz - Special to Arkansas Aging

Little Rock fell to the Union army September 10, 1863, now 151 years ago. The city was surrendered without a major battle. Instead, just a few cavalry skirmishes occurred in the defense of the city which resulted in about 80 combat casualties on each side. However, 10 times that number of soldiers died of disease in the year leading up to the fall of the Capital. [Full Text]


Volunteer ombudsmen advocate for seniors

Have you ever wanted to use your time and abilities to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors? Several volunteers are doing just that after participating in the Volunteer Ombudsmen Training Sessions held recently by Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas and the State Ombudsman Kathie Gately. [Full Text]



Reenactment battle planned in Scott

A re-enactment of the Battle of the Long Prairie will be held from 1o a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at Scott Plantation Settlement, Hwy. 165 east. The event is free. Organizers expect about 30 re-enactors and a cannon. The settlement is on Ashley’s Bayou where a Civil War marker stands memorializing the Civil War skirmish of Ashley’s Mills. It was once part of the Arthur Alexander plantation, Illallee.


Caregiver conference set for Oct. 6

The 2014 Caregivers Conference, sponsored by the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, will be held from 8:50 a.m. until noon Monday, Oct. 6. at St. Bernard’s Auditorium, 505 East Washington in Jonesboro. Pre-registration is required by contacting Dorsy Bowser at 870-972-5980. Featured speakers are from the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, a respite caregiver and guest speaker Judy Perry, LMSW.


Alzheimer’s walks will bring awareness and education

Alzheimer’s Arkansas continues with its annual walk in five cities this year. [Full Text]


Free aneurysm screenings

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will provide free abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 4 at the I. Dodd Wilson Education Building. [Full Text]


Health Fair planned Oct. 16 in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center will host a health fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 16 at 100 Victory Circle in Jacksonville. [Full Text]