Existing geriatrics initiatives in Arkansas serve as a platform on which to build new projects and expand and improve the educational opportunities for practicing health professionals, faculty, and students who will be the next generation of providers, direct care workers, first responders, and family caregivers.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
UAMS, a campus of the University of Arkansas (UA), includes the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Related Professions, and Public Health, as well as the Graduate School. UAMS is the only institution in the UA system that provides professional and graduate education in the health and biomedical sciences, had the only medical school in Arkansas, and maintains strong ties with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS).
For more information please visit: https://uams.edu
UAMS Donald W. Reynolds (DWR) on Aging and Department of Geriatrics
In 1996, UAMS received a major grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to establish an Institute on Aging that would include a clinical Department of Geriatrics. The Reynolds Institute on Aging (RIOA) sponsors an outpatient clinic, an acute care consult service, several nursing home medical directorships, a house calls program and the 7 rural centers on aging. UAMS Centers on Aging – The UAMS COAs is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. The mission is to improve the health outcomes of older Arkansans through free community education programs. The UAMS COAs also strive to partner with community clinics to provide care to area seniors.
For more information please visit: https://aging.uams.edu
University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
Established in 1907, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), located in Conway, has experienced significant growth and change in the past three years with a surge in enrollments crossing a threshold of 12,300 students, including 1800 graduate students.
UCA seeks to deliver excellence in undergraduate education in Arkansas as well as in several graduate programs. The University offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in liberal and fine arts, in the basic sciences, and in technical and professional fields in addition to its historical emphasis in the field of education.
UCA will be a new partner in the Arkansas GEC consortium. The College of Health & Behavioral Sciences will be the specific collaborator and is the home of Nursing, Dietetics, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, and Psychology programs.
For more information please visit: https://uca.edu
Oaklawn Center on Aging (OCOA)
The Oaklawn Center on Aging (OCOA) is a program funded through the Oaklawn Foundation and is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and caregivers in the Garland County area. The Oaklawn Center on Aging offers a wide variety of educational programs to help older adults and their families live healthy, vibrant lives. By providing information, education and socialization, the Center is also an integral part of a person’s successful journey through the aging years. OCOA works with numerous other agencies, such as AGEC, who are committed to providing quality care and assistance for older adults and their families. OCOA looks forward to being a part of the AGEC and creating collaborative educational and social programs for older adults and caregivers throughout the state of Arkansas.
For more information please visit: https://oaklawncenteronaging.com
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE)
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is a private, not-for-profit institution located on 500+ acres in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The ACHE campus has evolved with the development of five crucial programs: the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), School of Physical Therapy (ACHE PT), School of Occupational Therapy (ACHE OT), Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB), and Master of Public Health (MPH). Adding to the institution’s impressive offerings is the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center (RIHWC), a 317,000 square foot facility that offers health & wellness initiatives through exercise classes, ceramics, teaching kitchen, and art galleries. A 90,000 square foot biomedical research lab will open in fall of 2024. ACHE enjoys the partnership with AR Geriatric Education Collaborative to create educational opportunities for healthcare students and to deliver community health and wellness programs with older adults in Arkansas.
For more information about the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and its programs, visit www.achehealth.edu.
Area Agency on Aging Northwest AR
The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas is a private, non-profit organization that has been serving seniors in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy and Washington Counties in Northwest Arkansas since 1979. We also provide services to Military Veterans and persons with disabilities. Our mission is to commit financial and human resources to enhance the lives of the Northwest Arkansas senior and elderly community. We provide a wide variety of services to the community, including: Adult Day Center & Services, Care Coordination, Family Caregiver Support Program, Housing, In-Home Services & Assistance, Meals on Wheels, Personal Emergency Response Systems (Life Alert), and Senior Activity Centers. We strive to keep senior adults independent and in their own homes as long as possible. We are proud to have served Northwest Arkansas senior communities for over 45 years.
For more information please visit: www.aaanwar.org
Area Agency on Aging West Central Arkansas, Inc
In 1979 the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas was incorporated as non-profit agency under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code. We have been proudly serving our communities located in Garland, Montgomery, Hot Spring, Clark, Pike, Conway, Perry, Pope, Johnson and Yell counties for over 40 years. Our mission is to assist seniors, caregivers and others in need to lead independent, meaningful and dignified lives. We currently sponsor 13 Senior Activity Centers throughout our region. Other services offered include: Case Management, In-Home Care, Caregiver Support Program, Senior Companion Program and Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
For more information please visit: www.seniorspecialists.org
or call 1-800-467-2170
CareLink
CareLink exists to keep seniors in their homes, where they want to be. We have been committed to central Arkansas’ older population and their families for nearly four decades. CareLink provides vital services such as Meals on Wheels, care for homebound older people and our many resources for caregivers. Our mission is to connect older people and their families with resources to meet the opportunities and challenges of aging.
For more information please visit: https://www.carelink.org
Alzheimer’s Arkansas
Alzheimer’s Arkansas is an independent nonprofit organization that provides education, support, and financial assistance to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Their mission is to help family caregivers in Arkansas whose loved ones are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Through monthly lunch & learn presentations, annual caregiver workshops, and respite care grants, this Alzheimer’s Arkansas strives to care for the caregiver. Founded in 1984, this organization strives to meet Arkansans where they are, with what they need, at any point in the caregiver journey.
For more information please visit: https://www.alzark.org
State and local emergency responders
We are proud to announce we will partner with state and local emergency responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) to present programs designed to equip them with knowledge of how to assist people suffering from dementia.