Washington, DC –  Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representatives Vic Snyder (AR-02) and John Boozman (AR-03) today announced a $20,000 federal grant for the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging and Adult Services. The funds will be used to help Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Northern Arkansas pay for previous and ongoing expenses incurred as a result of their work assisting seniors after January’s ice storm.

“This January’s ice storm was one of the most damaging and deadly that our state has seen, and our Area Agencies on Aging rose to the challenge of ensuring that Arkansas’s seniors in need remained healthy and safe,” Lincoln said. “Senior citizens are one of our most vulnerable populations, and our Arkansas offices have long provided assistance and support to meet their needs.”

 “AAA staff rose above and beyond expectations to serve the most vulnerable members of our community during January’s powerful ice storm,” said Pryor.  “These funds are well-deserved and will ensure Arkansas seniors continue receiving the food, utilities and medical care necessary to live well and stay independent.” 

“At the beginning of this year, Arkansas endured yet another natural disaster; senior citizens along with families and communities across the state shouldered the burden of the ice storm,” said Snyder.  “This funding will help the Area Agencies on Aging ensure that needed resources and support services are available to our seniors as they recover from this storm.”

“We are blessed to have the services of Area Agency on Aging and we are grateful for the important care they provided to our senior citizens during the ice storm,” Boozman said. “It is essential that our senior citizens get the help and care they need on a daily basis and AAA went to great lengths to accomplish that in dangerous conditions.”

During January’s ice storm, AAAs in Northern Arkansas remained open past normal business hours, providing meals and heat for seniors without power.

Also as a result of the storm, AAA staff expanded transportation services for seniors who needed to visit their utility companies, pharmacies, doctors, or insurance agencies. AAA staff also responded to an increased need for debris and tree limb removal at the homes of seniors across the region.

The funds will be used in the following counties declared as federal disaster areas: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Poinsett, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington.