Washington – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02) and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services will receive a $125,000 grant to continue its Arkansas Empowering Older Adults Project, which offers disease prevention programs for seniors. Funds will go to four non-profit agencies that provide services for seniors throughout the state to help older individuals manage their health.
Funding will support three programs under the Arkansas Empowering Older Adults Project: the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, which helps individuals with chronic diseases deal with pain and learn how to live with a chronic disease; A Matter of Balance, a program that helps participants control their fear of falling and improve their strength and balance to prevent falling; and Active Living Every Day, which encourages physical activity and an active lifestyle among seniors.
Eligible seniors can enroll in programs at four non-profit agencies: CareLink in North Little Rock, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of Northwest Arkansas in Harrison, the East Arkansas AAA in Jonesboro, and the AAA of West Central Arkansas in Hot Springs.
“I am pleased to announce this worthwhile investment that will help seniors manage health problems and live healthier, more productive lives,” Lincoln said. “By reducing the need for future care, participation in these self-management programs throughout our state will also help lower families’ health care costs.”
“Helping seniors manage their health both improves quality of life standards and reduces costs in the health care system. These funds are good news for our seniors and our state,” Pryor said.
“Proper exercise and diet become even more vital as you get older in fighting off disease, and I think it’s important that we help older Arkansans in this process,” Berry said. “This not only promotes a healthier lifestyle, but a more affordable one too.”
“With this grant funding, Arkansas can empower seniors to focus on ways to prevent injuries and reduce bouts of illness, so they can enjoy a more healthy and active life,” Snyder said.
“Our senior citizens and elderly are an important part of the fabric of our nation and we must ensure they have the best possible care, nutrition and resources available,” Ross. said “I am pleased to help announce this federal investment because it will give our seniors greater access to important health care programs throughout the state.”
