06/02/2026
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
