If your parents are anything like ours, they've poured their hearts into creating a better life for you and their community. Now that they're in their golden years, they deserve to relax and savor the fruits of their labor.
However, as our loved ones age, the need for extra support around the home becomes evident, whether it's preparing meals or managing medications. When they can no longer care for themselves as they once did, worries about their safety and well-being arise. It's natural to think about their quality of life and how you can give back to them while balancing your own responsibilities.
Most seniors -94%, according to Forbes- prefer to remain in their homes as they age. If the senior in your life wants to stay at home as they get older, what's the best way to make that happen? For many families, non-medical home care offers a compassionate and affordable solution. In-home care is quickly becoming the first choice for older seniors because it supports your family while allowing your loved one to age gracefully in the familiar, safe surroundings they're used to.
If you're committed to keeping your mom, dad, or senior relative safe and happy at home, working with a home care agency might be the best way to achieve that goal.
When it comes to maintaining good senior health, early intervention is often key. Unfortunately, many adults with senior parents are stretched too thin to notice signs that their mom or dad needs help around the house. Wondering whether you really need to consider home care for you, your parents, or your loved ones? Keep these warning signs in mind.
As men and women get older, it's perfectly natural for them to have some aspects of mental decline. Age-related memory loss doesn't affect everyone, but when it involves your loved one, it can be a lot to digest. When forgetfulness begins to impact your parents' quality of life, it's time to take action.
Commonly referred to as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), this forgetfulness often arises from reduced blood flow to the brain, a phenomenon frequently associated with aging. Other contributing factors can include typical neural lapses and a decline in hippocampal function, which is a crucial area of the brain responsible for memory. These changes can lead to frustrating side effects, such as
Seniors showing any of these signs can greatly benefit from non-medical home care providers who can help them with their daily tasks. This support can include reminding them of scheduled appointments, preparing meals, light housekeeping, and assisting with reading and other essential activities. Professional caregivers can also incorporate healthy memory practices into your loved one's daily routine. Strategies may include social interaction, engaging in simple strategy games, maintaining a nutritious diet, and participating in light exercises like slow walks around the block.
As your parents or senior loved ones get older, they often have trouble completing dayto-day tasks that are fundamental to living a normal life. There are several activities of daily living, or ADLs, that senior citizens struggle with and include
A reliable caregiver from a trusted senior care agency in Decatur, AR, can help make daily life much easier for your elder relative. If they have trouble putting on or tying their shoes, your caregiver is there to help them choose their shoes and put them on correctly.
If your senior citizen isn't eating healthy food, your caregiver can help create a nutritious meal plan and assist them in preparing the food they need for energy and daily activities. When searching for a home care agency, make sure they offer tailored care plans that address your loved one's needs, not someone who has similar issues.
If you notice that your loved one can't keep themselves clean and groomed, it could be a sign that their health is on the decline. It could also be a red flag that your senior may be experiencing the early stages of dementia. Other signs include:
The best non-medical caregivers are trained to attend to your loved one's needs and quality of life as they move through the Functional Assessment Staging test of Alzheimer's Disease, also known as the FAST Scale. If you believe your parent or relative might be in the early stages of dementia, it's absolutely critical to work with a home care business like ameriCARE that specializes in dementia care.
There's a reason why almost 12 million people in the United States rely on some type of non-medical home care. Working with the right home care agency and team caregivers can be life-changing for seniors who need help but don't want to live in a nursing home. Here are just a few of the most effective services that help older adults stay happy, healthy, and active as they age.
If you notice that the senior in your life can't or won't maintain their hygiene and health, hiring an experienced caregiver can help. They'll assist with daily tasks like:
Companion home care is a unique type of in-home support tailored for individuals who require help with daily living tasks while also benefiting from meaningful social interaction and emotional support. Unlike other care options that primarily focus on medical or personal needs, companion and lifestyle home care helps form strong personal bonds and improves the overall quality of life.
People who benefit the most from companionship and lifestyle home care include:
Veterans are a special breed. They're service members who have made sacrifices for our country and deserve dignified, respectful attention. In-home care gives Veterans customized, compassionate care when they need it most. Whether they have new health challenges after returning from combat or need an extra hand throughout the day, home care can make a meaningful difference for those who deserve the utmost respect and compassion.
In-home care can be very helpful for Veterans suffering from:
Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's can be quite challenging, as it involves managing a mix of complex and changing needs. Those living with the disease may face memory problems, mood swings, and difficulties in communicating. Alzheimer's care includes various services aimed at providing a supportive environment that helps maintain both physical and emotional well-being, even as the disease evolves.
Common Alzheimer's care services include:
Giving the older adult in your life the gift of in-home care can be a hugely positive decision on multiple levels. It not only gives them access to high-quality care in a place where they feel comfortable - it gives them the independence they crave and have earned over their lifetime.
Some of the most significant advantages of hiring a home care agency to help your senior loved one include:
Great in-home caregivers support your loved one's independence while providing the necessary assistance to ensure their safety and well-being. When you choose an agency that creates tailored care plans, your loved one can continue to live their lives on their terms, making choices about their daily activities and routines with the support of caregivers.
Receiving care at home offers a unique set of benefits that facility settings just can't match. Home care companies like ameriCARE offer personalized care services designed to cater to specific needs while allowing seniors to stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
Choosing non-medical home care in Decatur, AR, can be a cost-effective solution, especially when compared to long-term, residential options like nursing homes. Care provided in facilities typically incurs significant costs for lodging and extra services. On the other hand, home care enables clients to receive tailored support at a much lower price.
Having you and other members of your family involved in your loved one's care process is integral. If you're on the hunt for a home care agency to work with, make sure to choose one that encourages your involvement. This collaborative approach allows for care that aligns with your family values, expectations, and overall goals.
When you work with a senior care agency that carefully selects caregivers and provides ongoing training to provide a range of services, your parent or relative benefits greatly. ameriCARE caregivers are seasoned professionals, dedicated to serving others in ways that often go unnoticed.
We know that choosing the best senior care agency for your loved is a top priority. Some key factors to consider include:
The agency you choose should have a proven track record and should be transparent when talking about caregiver credentials, training, and programs.
Working with a home care company that pushes open communication, transparency, and responsiveness keeps everyone in your circle informed about care plan updates and adjustments.
Look for a company that offers a robust range of senior care services and provides custom care plans that meet your senior's unique needs.
Inquire about the agency's caregiver recruitment process, including background checks, screening procedures, and ongoing training.
By taking these factors into account, you can make a well-informed choice when selecting a home care agency that provides the quality, compassion, and support necessary to improve the well-being and comfort of yourself or your loved one.
At ameriCARE, we understand that in-home care should reflect the individuality of those we assist. Our guiding principle focuses on creating a caregiving experience that is tailored, uplifting, and impactful. We aim to broaden and strengthen your care circle.
Our dedication to conscientious in-home care has helped establish our reputation for outstanding service. We believe that non-medical in-home care holds the potential to sustain and enrich one's quality of life, regardless of the challenges a person faces. By adopting a holistic perspective on care, we ensure our services are thorough, nurturing, and beneficial to our clients' overall wellness.
At ameriCARE, our goal is to deliver caregiving that is reliable, compassionate, and respectful. We are committed to positively influencing the lives of those we assist by making certain that our care is more than just a service - it's a source of comfort and empowerment. We aim to foster an atmosphere where each person feels appreciated, supported, and honored, thereby enhancing their capacity to live while improving their quality of life.
Our agencies are at the forefront of a new kind of in-home care that extends beyond traditional services. Unlike some home care companies, we believe in addressing the needs of the whole person.
To that end, we see care as a collaborative effort. Our caregivers are dedicated professionals who serve others in often unrecognized ways. We honor their commitment by providing top-notch training and career opportunities, ensuring they have the skills and support necessary to deliver exceptional care.
By going above and beyond to provide care that exceeds your expectations, we help ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your family. Seniors, their adult children, and other relatives choose ameriCARE because we're committed to:
Our care plans are customized to address the specific requirements of every individual and their family. We consider personal preferences, health issues, and family relationships to deliver care that is both personal and impactful.
We utilize cutting-edge technology to enhance your home care experience. With straightforward booking and payment methods, along with real-time updates and feedback, our technological solutions simplify and optimize care management.
If you're looking for help after surgery, a break from caregiving, or just someone to keep you company, our trustworthy caregivers are here for you. We provide a free care assessment with no strings attached to help you develop a home care plan that's just right for you.
The first step to seeing your loved one happy at home is to call ameriCARE for a free, no-obligation care assessment. Let us help you create a home care plan that brings your family peace of mind, comfort, and support. Request More Info today, and by tomorrow, you'll be closer to keeping your loved one safe and comfortable, no matter how many miles you may be apart.
Ready to learn more or need personalized support? Contact ameriCARE today! Our dedicated team is here to answer your questions, provide expert advice, and guide you through every step of the homecare journey.
Added flows from Decatur wastewater plant will result in further phosphorus pollution in Eucha-Spavinaw watershed, according to the Oklahoma cityThe city of Tulsa is challenging an Arkansas agency’s modification of a Northwest Arkansas treatment plant’s permit that discharges into the watershed that supplies the Oklahoma city’s drinking water.The city of Decatur’s wastewater plant receives waste from Centerton and a nearby Simmons Food plant and discharges into streams that feed Lakes Eucha and Spavina...
The city of Tulsa is challenging an Arkansas agency’s modification of a Northwest Arkansas treatment plant’s permit that discharges into the watershed that supplies the Oklahoma city’s drinking water.
The city of Decatur’s wastewater plant receives waste from Centerton and a nearby Simmons Food plant and discharges into streams that feed Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw, from which Tulsa draws its water. Decatur entered into a consent order with the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality last year over numerous violations of its federal Clean Water Act permit. Tulsa said the violations, which have continued since the order was signed, are reason enough to reject expanding the plant until Decatur complies with its original permit.
Tulsa has additional concerns: that the modified permit could result in higher levels of pollutants discharged into the watershed that supplies its drinking water.
The modified permit increases the plant capacity by just over 1.5 million gallons per day (MGD), to 5.36 MGD, reflecting the construction of additional capacity at the plant due to “rapidly increasing” waste flows. But Tulsa says modification shouldn’t be approved until plans for unaddressed “choke points” within the treatment plant are submitted and approved, or until a survey is completed to determine what waste pretreatment, if any, should be required.
“Decatur has no plans to increase pre-treatment or reduce the amount of wastewater which it takes from sources outside of Decatur,” Tulsa wrote in public comments on the permit in October. “The increase in flow via the permit modification should be denied until such time as Decatur can increase flow while also decreasing the total amount of phosphorus which Decatur discharges into the watershed.”
Decatur and Tulsa are parties to a 2003 federal court settlement that came after Tulsa sued Decatur and six poultry companies in 2001, alleging that discharges by the companies and the city’s wastewater plant contained phosphorus that polluted Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw, where Tulsa gets its drinking water.
Tulsa argued in its request for an administrative hearing with the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission that the modified permit violates the 2003 settlement and that the city is “directly and negatively impacted by the issuance of [Decatur’s modified permit].” Tulsa wrote the permit is unable “to address Decatur’s long history of numerous violations of the Settlement Agreement between Tulsa and Decatur,” nor was it able to address violations under the current permit and “ADEQ’s own water quality standards.”
Administrative permit appeals are an uncommon event in recent years — this is the first filed with the commission since 2023.
A spokesperson with the city of Tulsa on Friday was unable to provide further information without speaking with Tulsa’s water utility board and the lawyers representing them in the challenge.
Tulsa’s 2001 lawsuit was separate from ongoing efforts by successive Oklahoma attorneys general to hold Arkansan poultry companies responsible in court for phosphorus pollution in the Illinois River watershed.
When contacted Friday afternoon, the mayor of Decatur said he was unable to get an Advocate reporter in touch with someone from the wastewater department by the end of the day, and that he couldn’t comment until next week.
“In Tulsa’s view increased flow into the Waste Water Treatment Plant (“WWTP”) and discharge from the Decatur WWTP will only result in greater pollution to the watershed Tulsa utilizes for clean water and result in damage to the people of Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas,” the city wrote in its Nov. 26 hearing request.
The city wrote that DEQ did not explain how any additional phosphorus that enters the watershed as a result of the higher flow would not harm water quality in the agency’s response to Tulsa’s comments on the permit modification. It asks the pollution control commission to vacate the permit changes and find that DEQ acted “arbitrarily and capriciously and contrary to law” when it granted the change.
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Environment, DEQ’s parent agency, did not respond to a request for comment on the permit appeal.
Decatur has a documented history of permit violations, with two consent orders with DEQ in the last ten years. Tulsa alleges in its appeal request that “Decatur is not actively working to address any of its exceedances or deficiencies.” DEQ’s 2024 consent order “came only after years of ignoring exceedances and Decatur as yet to reach compliance. Furthermore, it confounds logic to increase the flow into the plant without the existing plant coming into full compliance,” Tulsa wrote to DEQ.
According to data from the EPA, the amount of phosphorus discharged by the plant nearly tripled between 2010 and 2024. The majority of those increases have occurred since 2020. Incomplete 2025 data shows lower amounts of phosphorus compared to 2024. That data does not yet include November or December discharge data.
But Tulsa says there are still problems. Data collected by the city from Columbia Hollow Creek, where the Decatur plant discharges treated wastewater, showed “a substantial increase in the concentration of total phosphorus and the abundance of E. coli in samples” between April 2025 and September 2025 that indicate an existing, unaddressed issue at the Decatur plant. That data was not provided in the request.
In its October comments on the DEQ modification consent order, Tulsa threatened another lawsuit if Decatur’s permit modification was not overturned.
“Granting the permit as written will absolutely result in more phosphorus in the Eucha-Spavinaw watershed, a greatly enhanced risk of harm to the City Water Supply and will also result in litigation with Decatur and ADEQ,” the city wrote, asserting later that the communications from the Arkansas Department of Health amounted to concerns that “show the project is marginal on a good day, and at worst presents a potential for environmental disaster for the people of Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma.”
Phosphorus flowing from Arkansas poultry growers into Oklahoma’s waters has remained a cause of contention throughout the 21st century — Attorney General Tim Griffin published an op-ed Friday blasting the long-running Illinois River watershed lawsuit in Talk Business and Politics.
“Arkansas will continue to oppose Oklahoma’s attempt to threaten our farmers, weaken our economy, and limit our sovereignty,” Griffin wrote in the op-ed, which was published days after Tyson said it may not enter into contracts with poultry growers in the watershed going forward unless Oklahoma backs off its demands in the long-running lawsuit.
A federal judge ruled in favor of Oklahoma in 2023, but still has not issued a final decision in the case — though he ruled earlier this year that the watershed still remained polluted, fifteen years after it went to trial. Oklahoma’s attorney general said at the time that the final decision could come by the end of 2025.
The City of Tulsa is challenging an Arkansas agency’s decision to modify a Northwest Arkansas wastewater treatment plant’s permit, arguing the change could increase pollution in the watershed that supplies the city’s drinking water.The permit for Decatur’s wastewater treatment plant – which receives waste from Centerton and a nearby Simmons Foods facility – was modified to expand capacity to more than 5.3 million gallons per day amid rising flows. The plant discharges into streams feeding Lakes Euch...
The City of Tulsa is challenging an Arkansas agency’s decision to modify a Northwest Arkansas wastewater treatment plant’s permit, arguing the change could increase pollution in the watershed that supplies the city’s drinking water.
The permit for Decatur’s wastewater treatment plant – which receives waste from Centerton and a nearby Simmons Foods facility – was modified to expand capacity to more than 5.3 million gallons per day amid rising flows. The plant discharges into streams feeding Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw, Tulsa’s primary water sources.
Tulsa argues the expansion should not move forward while Decatur remains out of compliance with its federal Clean Water Act permit. The city entered a consent order with the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) last year over repeated violations, which Tulsa says have continued. In comments submitted to DEQ, Tulsa warned the added capacity could result in higher phosphorus levels and said Decatur has not addressed “choke points” in treatment processes or requirements for waste pretreatment.
The dispute centers on a 2003 federal settlement stemming from a lawsuit Tulsa filed against Decatur and six poultry companies over phosphorus pollution in the lakes. Tulsa says the modified permit violates the terms of that agreement and DEQ’s own water quality standards. The city requested an administrative hearing before the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, calling the agency’s approval “arbitrary and capricious.”
Administrative appeals of permits are rare; this is the first challenge to come before the commission since 2023. DEQ and Decatur officials did not respond to requests for comment.
EPA data shows phosphorus discharges from the plant nearly tripled between 2010 and 2024, with the largest increases occurring since 2020. Tulsa says its own sampling data from Columbia Hollow Creek shows elevated phosphorus and E. coli levels this year, signaling ongoing treatment issues at the plant.
In October, Tulsa warned of potential litigation if the permit change remained in place, saying additional flow “will only result in greater pollution” and threatens the region’s drinking water.
The challenge comes as Arkansas and Oklahoma continue longstanding legal disputes over phosphorus pollution tied to poultry operations in the Illinois River watershed. A federal judge ruled in favor of Oklahoma in 2023, though a final decision in the case has not yet been issued.
For original reporting from Arkansas Advocate, click here.
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