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Arkansas Bulletin State News

April 2008

Help on call – The new Choices in Living Resource Center helps link Arkansans age 65 and older as well as those with disabilities to information about long-term care services. AARP Arkansas was a driving force behind passage of a 2007 law that led to the creation of the center. The law mandates that state government offer information and services to residents about their long-term care needs and help them find local resources. Call the center toll free at 1-866-801-3435 or visit at Seventh and Main streets, 5th floor, in Little Rock, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Or search for services at www.argetcare.org. AARP’s booklet “Prepare to Care: A Planning Guide for Families” is available at http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/articles/foundation/aa66r2_care.pdf.

March 2008

Run and learn – As a sponsor for the March 2 Little Rock Marathon, AARP Arkansas is sharing the Divided We Fail message of affordable, quality health care and lifelong financial security with runners and spectators alike. Echoing for two days at a health and fitness expo, the message is expected to reach about 12,000 people. AARP is fielding a relay team on a 26.2- mile course on race day, and a large group of staff and volunteers is taking part in the Classic Rockers Marathon for runners age 55-plus. To learn more about Divided We Fail, visit www.dividedwefail.org. For more Arkansas events where people can sign the Divided We Fail pledge, call 1-866-554-5379 toll free or visit www.aarp.org/ar.

January/February 2008

Lending limits – Following the defeat of state legislation to restrict payday lending, the North Little Rock City Council in September unanimously approved an ordinance making that city the first in the state to put a moratorium on new payday lenders  Payday loans typically are short-term loans that carry interest rates as high as 400 percent and must be paid in full or else renewed. Such loans can lead to a cycle of debt. The Center for Responsible Lending in Washington says borrowers who take out five or more loans a year account for 90 percent of payday lenders' business. As part of a statewide coalition pushing for payday lending reform, AARP Arkansas is encouraging other cities to follow North Little Rock’s lead. To learn how to push for a local ordinance, call Sam Sellers of AARP Arkansas at 1-866-554-5379 toll free.

December 2007

Money smarts – How to save, manage and protect money for retirement are topics that trained volunteers are ready to discuss as part of AARP Arkansas' Divided We Fail campaign. Volunteers are fanning out across the state to speak at AARP chapter meetings and other gatherings, while AARP staffers take the campaign's financial security message to the media. A 2006 AARP survey of adults age 40 and older found that only 27 percent of workers and 50 percent of retirees were confident they had enough money to live comfortably in retirement. To schedule a presentation, call 1-866-554-5379 toll free.