One of the mandates of the Older American’s Act is that the Area Agencies on Aging serve an advocacy role for the rights and needs of seniors. The agency fulfills this obligation through several endeavors. Every two years, prior to the regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly, the agency sends delegates from each of our 10 counties to the Silver Haired Legislature. This group, composed of seniors themselves, proposes legislation relevant to seniors to the General Assembly.
The agency's Ombudsman Program and Volunteer Ombudsman Programs are other Older American’s Act programs designed to protect and advocate for the rights of seniors in nursing homes. Through the Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the agency also participates in direct discourse with legislators, public officials, and other government entities to promote the needs of seniors in Arkansas.