Area Agency on Aging hires executive director
A veteran of the senior living services profession has been named the new executive director of Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas, a private, nonprofit charitable organization that helps seniors lead independent lives.
Barbara Flowers succeeds Timothy A. Herr, who retired after 16 years with the agency, Joe Jirinec, chairman of AAA’s board of directors, announced Friday in a news release.
Herr announced his retirement during the board’s April meeting. The release said the board commended Herr for “his years of faithful service and thanked him for what he has done for the agency.”
Flowers, who was named executive director by the board on July 27, is only the third executive director in the agency’s 43-year history. Herr was preceded by Darrell Smith, the agency’s first executive director, who recently retired as the Foundation board president.
Flowers has 11 years of experience as a case manager and case management supervisor in the agency’s Morrilton and Russellville offices, the release said.
She worked for 10 years as executive director for Emeritus/Brookdale Senior Living in Russellville, Little Rock and Conway. Flowers also worked with the Department of Human Services for sev-
eral years serving the citizens of Conway and Van Buren counties, it said.
“Ms. Flowers’ previous experience with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, in addition to her experience working directly with seniors, will prove very beneficial in leading the Agency in serving the needs of our seniors,” Jirinec said.
“My professional career has been focused on improving the quality of life for seniors and the families with whom I have had the opportunity to interact,” Flowers said in the release.
“My new position will enable me to use my experiences to support our staff at Area Agency on Aging in providing the best services to our clients as possible,” she said.
Flowers, a 1981 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, was recognized by Emeritus Senior Living in 2010 as the executive director of the year for the Midwest Division. She also served as an executive director mentor, assisting in the training of executive directors in Arkansas and Mississippi.
Flowers will be relocating to the Hot Springs area in the near future, the release said.
The goal of Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas is to “help seniors remain in their own homes as long as it is possible for them to do so safely,” Flowers said.
Area Agencies on Aging were created across the United States in 1974 by an amendment to the Older Americans Act.
Flowers will work out of the main office for West Central Arkansas at 905 W. Grand. It supports 10 counties and offices in four other locations, including Malvern, Arkadelphia, Russellville and Morrilton, the release said.
“The specialized home-care that AAA provides allows seniors or disabled adults to stay in their homes, even as their physical abilities become limited. In addition to RNs and home care aides, case managers visit clients regularly to ensure they are receiving the services they need. They are knowledgeable about the problems of aging, as well as the resources and services that are available to help this special population,” it said.
Area Agency on Aging also offers the Senior Companion Program, a volunteer-centered program that allows seniors 55 and older to provide friendship, and help with errands and light housekeeping for seniors who need help maintaining their independence, allowing them to stay in their own homes.
Also included in the agency’s services are 14 senior activity centers across the 10-county West Central Arkansas region, offering Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, socialization, recreational and educational activities, wellness programs and other services beneficial to seniors. Area Agency on Aging is the main source of funding for the senior centers, the release said.
In addition, the agency offers long-term care ombudsmen, who advocate for seniors in long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities. Most of the services provided by Area Agency on Aging are free to the recipient and the in-home personal care provided by certified aides, which if not, can be covered by Medicaid, private insurance or private payment.