CareLink

06/16/2026

When an aging parent refuses help, it can feel like stubbornness. But often, something deeper is happening.

They may be afraid of losing independence. Afraid of becoming a burden. Afraid that accepting help means life is changing in ways they are not ready to name.

The conversation does not have to start with pressure. Sometimes, it starts with listening, asking better questions, and offering one small form of support at a time.

This blog shares practical ways to approach these conversations with more patience, clarity, and care.

When elderly parents refuse help, fear drives the refusal. Learn practical strategies to navigate these conversations and connect with Arkansas support resources.

06/12/2026

We are grateful to the people of central Arkansas for trusting CareLink and allowing us to serve this community for 47 years.

As the need for aging services continues to grow, your support helps make this work possible for the next person who calls. Celebrate CareLink’s birthday with a gift that helps older adults and families across central Arkansas stay safe, supported, and connected.

Donate today at carelink.org/give

06/08/2026

Volunteering with CareLink is a way to help older adults in central Arkansas, but many volunteers will tell you they get something meaningful in return.

A sense of purpose. A new connection. A reminder that small acts of service still matter.

There is a real need for volunteers, and there are many ways to help. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, CareLink would love to connect with you.

Start here: carelink.org/volunteer

06/04/2026

Wonderful news! The funding has been restored.

We are proud and grateful for the ways the central Arkansas community has shown its support for our seniors over the last several days.

To learn more about CareLink or how to support central Arkansas seniors, visit carelink.org.

State restores funding to Meals on Wheels program after public outcry.

06/03/2026

CareLink has been part of central Arkansas for decades, helping older adults and families through Meals on Wheels, in-home care, caregiver support, transportation, and more.

If CareLink has helped you or someone you love, we’d be honored to hear your story. Share a memory, a thank-you, or a moment that made a difference in the comments below💚

06/03/2026

*NOW HIRING* CareLink is looking for a Development Officer!

Want to put your fundraising skills to work for a mission that matters? CareLink is hiring a Development Officer to help grow support for programs that serve older adults and family caregivers across central Arkansas.

This is a great opportunity for someone who loves donor engagement, campaign strategy, storytelling, and the details that make fundraising successful. In this role, you’ll help strengthen donor relationships, support direct response campaigns, manage stewardship efforts, track fundraising results, and build meaningful community support for CareLink’s mission.

**Location:** North Little Rock, AR
**Hours:** Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
**Salary Range:** $47,872–$54,584

If you’re mission-minded and excited to help connect people with a cause that makes a real difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply now at CareLink.org/careers

06/02/2026

Update: We are grateful to share that the State Aging Services and State Older Worker funding that had been slated for cuts has been restored. We appreciate DHS and state leaders for hearing the concerns raised by citizens across the state and taking action to restore the funding.

Thank you to everyone who spoke up. Your voices made a difference, and this is an important win for seniors, caregivers, and the organizations working to support them. This restored funding helps protect vital work happening right now. But it does not change the larger reality: Arkansas is aging rapidly, and long-term investment in senior services remains urgent.

CareLink will continue working with state leaders, community partners, and supporters to strengthen the services older adults need to remain safe, supported, and independent at home.
Today, we are encouraged and grateful. The work continues.

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Late last week, CareLink and other Area Agencies on Aging across Arkansas received notice of significant, unexpected funding cuts affecting some of our most essential work. These cuts, to State Aging Services and State Older Worker funds, directly impact seniors’ access to care.

CareLink exists to help central Arkansas seniors live independently in their own homes. Research shows home and community-based care (including Meals on Wheels, in-home caregiving, and other support services) results in better health outcomes, reduced taxpayer burden, and less strain on healthcare systems.

Every year, more than 10,000 people turn to CareLink for help navigating the complex maze of services and resources available to older adults and family caregivers.

For many families, finding help is already difficult. Our experienced staff help seniors and caregivers identify available services, understand eligibility requirements, complete applications, and coordinate care. State Aging Services funding supports the day-to-day operations that make this possible.

Additionally, CareLink and other agencies like us employ older adults through the State Older Worker program. These individuals help facilitate service delivery at senior centers and distribute home-delivered meals.

By 2030, roughly 1 in 4 Arkansans will be over the age of 60, and they are aging in a state that has long underfunded their care. State funding has remained flat for more than a decade. Federal funding for senior services in 2026 is less than it was in 2017. Meanwhile, inflation has significantly weakened the buying power of every dollar, leaving aging-service providers to serve more people with fewer resources.

In an already challenging funding environment, further reductions such as those seen this week directly impact CareLink’s ability to deliver vital services to a growing aging population. Now is the time to invest in supporting our senior neighbors, to dedicate financial resources to bolstering our aging-services infrastructure.

To those of you who have expressed your interest in this topic over the last few days, thank you. In the meantime, if you are interested in volunteering for Meals on Wheels or supporting CareLink financially, please visit the links below:

Volunteer: carelink.org/volunteer

Donate: carelink.org/give

06/01/2026

We’re honored to share that CareLink has been named one of AY Magazine's Best of 2026 in two categories: Home Health Care and Nonprofit.

This recognition means so much because it reflects the trust our community places in CareLink and the dedication of the staff, volunteers, donors, and partners who make this work possible every day.

Thank you for helping us care for the older Arkansans who helped build our communities.

Check out AY's Best of 2026 issue on newsstands now.

05/28/2026

Every family’s needs are different. Some older adults may need help with meals, errands, or light housekeeping. Others may need personal care, companionship, or support while a family caregiver takes a much-needed break.

CareLink’s HomeCare team works with you to build a care plan that makes sense for your situation, your schedule, and your loved one’s comfort.

Because having support at home is not one-size-fits-all. It should feel personal, flexible, and built around what helps your family most.

Learn more today at carelink.org/homecare

05/21/2026

Whether you visit one of CareLink’s centers or a community partner location, you’ll find enriching programs that support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. All centers are committed to fostering independence, mental stimulation, and meaningful relationships.

Find a senior center near you at carelink.org/senior-centers