Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
by Dr. Brittney Schrick - January 29, 2021
Although loneliness is not something only experienced by older adults, a lot of factors make loneliness more likely for that group. Things like empty nest, children and other relatives moving farther away, death of a spouse or close friends, and fewer opportunities to interact with others socially can cause feelings of disconnection and loneliness. The pandemic has made many of these factors even more difficult to cope with, especially as older adults are at the highest risk of dying of COVID-19. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of premature death among older adults more than smoking, obesity, or physical inactivity.
Loneliness: The feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact.
Social isolation: Lack of social connections; can lead to loneliness in some people. (CDC, 2020)
Even though loneliness and social isolation are often used to mean the same thing, they are, in fact, different. Sometimes, people feel lonely even when they are not alone. This can be especially common among caregivers. You may never be alone, but you don't have anyone around to really talk to. This is an example of social isolation that has caused loneliness.
Someone who has lost their spouse or close friends may feel very lonely but hesitate to ask for help.
Others may be alone or socially isolated but never feel lonely; however, even people who claim to be just fine alone all the time often benefit from some social interaction. Humans are built to interact with others, but every person's situation is different.
There are many factors to take into account when deciding to go out or to be around others during a pandemic.
It is advised that you take risk factors into account:
* Driveway visit with family or friends: Wearing masks, sitting 6 feet apart, outdoors
* Join your “bubble” with someone else who is alone: If you and a neighbor or friend are both isolated and not interacting with anyone else, you should be able to safely meet together with minimal precautions. If either one of you is meeting with others, this increases risk, and all precautions should be taken.
* Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime with family members and friends: This can be done for the most mundane reasons or for a special occasion.