The central arkansas senior companion program has been sponsored by carelink for 32 years, and has been the central arkansas area agency on aging for 39 years

Carelink serves six counties; faulkner, lonoke, monroe, prairie, pulaski and saline. In 2017 carelink served a total of 13,225 older people and their families. Carelink serves three types of older people: homebound adults, active elderly, and family caregivers. With the help of carelink, homebound adults are able to stay in their homes as long as possible, avoiding the need for costly long-term care facility. Carelink also provides information to family caregivers and assists them in navigating through the maze of available services. Through wellness programs, senior centers and volunteer opportunities, the active elderly are able to continue to stay fit and healthy. Carelink is committed to sponsoring the senior companion program to meet the needs of the changing elderly demographics in our regions. As the baby boomer population retires, the need for elderly programs will greatly increase. Carelink has the ability to manage these services through its professional staff that oversee the senior companion program. The senior companion services are crucial to older people in the central arkansas community. With the high cost of privately paying for home care services and the change in medicaid eligibility, older people are relying on senior companions to help them stay independent in their own homes as long as possible. The program is designed to provide the SR. Companion volunteer with a rewarding experience to engage them in volunteer service, provide an hourly stipend and mileage reimbursement, and fulfilling relationships with others. The program targets homebound older adults with disabilities and provides respite to family caregivers. The senior companion program's total cost for 2018/2019 will be $167,867. The corporation for national and community services investment of $116,632 and the investment of $38,617 from carelink, will provide the funding to fully execute the senior companion program.