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Arkansas aging officials tell lawmakers senior centers face funding, staffing and transportation pressures
Summary
Area Agencies on Aging told a Senate committee that senior-center programs rely on large local fundraising, face high staff turnover tied to low Medicaid reimbursement, and need vehicle and capital funding; lawmakers asked for detailed spending and turnover reports and pledged follow-up.
Brad Bailey, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Area Agency on Aging and president of the Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, told the Senate committee that area agencies on aging (AAAs) provide an array of services beyond congregate meals, including home-delivered meals, caregiver supports, ombudsman services and care coordination.
"We are your senior center contacts out there," Bailey said, describing AAAs’ role in assessing needs, coordinating services and directing consumers to programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and food-stamp assistance. He said AAAs also operate nutrition and health-and-wellness programs and run an ombudsman program funded under Title III-B.
Bailey told the committee…
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