Arkansas is known as "The Natural State" thanks to its stunning state parks, hot springs, ranches and other beautiful attractions. Out of the state's 3 million residents, 17.4% are aged 65 or over, and area seniors can take advantage of pleasant weather, beautiful surroundings and a wealth of leisure facilities.
Arkansas was listed as one of the top places in the country for retirement according to MoneyRates' Best States to Retire 2020 list. The state also has a positive SeniorScore rating of 69 as compared to the national average of 72. SeniorScore is a measure of how comfortable a state may be for seniors based on four categories. Arkansas has a good rating for General Quality of Life thanks to its pleasant climate. The state earned 63 points for Finances due to its lower than average cost of living, and it has a Recreation & Leisure rating of 58 thanks to the variety of amenities available. However, the overall score is pulled down by low Health & Safety ratings that can be attributed to the state's average life expectancy of 76 years, which is slightly lower than the national average of 78.6.
This guide looks at typical home care costs in Arkansas as well as financial assistance programs and free home care resources available statewide.
Located in Rogers, Arkansas at 5 Halsted Cir Ste 2, Home Helpers is an in-home care service provider offering in-home personal care services along with in-home medical care. They provide various medical services such as urinary catheter care, cardiac care, ...
Home Health and Hospice Services of Saline Mem Hospital is a senior in-home care service provider located in Bryant, AR at 23157 Interstate 30. They offer personal care as well as home health services for senior clientele. For almost ...
Located at 540 E Appleby Road, Suite 103 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Alliance Home Health Care of Benton County is a home health care company that offers in-home nursing in addition to in-home personal care services. Since 2003, they have been ...
Comfort Keepers is a senior in-home care provider located in Bentonville, AR at 701 NW Mcnelly Rd Ste 5. They offer home health care in addition to in-home care to senior clientele. They offer multiple medical services including urinary ...
Located in Fort Smith, Arkansas at 524 Garrison Ave, Visiting Nurses Agency of Western Arkansas, Inc is a home care service provider that offers in-home nursing services and also in-home personal care. They have been serving customers in Fort Smith ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a in-home care company located in Fort Smith, AR at 3501 Old Greenwood Rd Ste 11. They offer in-home health services and in-home personal care for senior clientele. They can provide CPR and ...
Located in Little Rock, AR at 1152 N Rodney Parham Road, Suite 1, Elite Home Health is a home healthcare company offering in-home nursing services in addition to in-home care. They have been providing care in Arkansas for 37 years. ...
Located in Paragould, AR at 900 West Kingshighway, Ar Meth Med Center Hh is a senior in-home care service provider that offers personal home care and also in-home nursing services. They have been providing care in the area for nearly ...
Located at 1425 Malvern Ave in Hot Springs, AR, Garland County Health Unit is a senior home care company offering in-home personal care along with in-home health care. Since 1966, they have been serving seniors in the Hot Springs area. ...
Located at 2700 Bryan Road, Suite A in Van Buren, Arkansas, Amedisys Home Health Care of Arkansas is an in-home care provider offering personal home care and in-home nursing. They have been serving seniors in Arkansas for nearly 40 years. ...
Located at 1200 West Walnut Street, Suite 1800 in Rogers, Arkansas, Mercy Home Health is a in-home care service provider offering in-home medical care in addition to home care services. Since 1993, they have been helping customers throughout the Rogers ...
Home Bound Medical is a senior home health care provider located in Mountain Home, AR at 358 Highway 5 North. They offer personal home care as well as in-home health care to senior clients. They have been in business ...
Lifeline Homecare is a senior in-home care company located in Fordyce, AR at 300 North Clifton St. They offer personal care services and also in-home health services for senior clients. For nearly 16 years, they have been serving customers ...
Located at 8 Shackleford Plz Ste 101 in Little Rock, AR, Home Helpers is a home healthcare company offering home healthcare and also in-home personal care. They can provide multiple medical services like cardiac support, dementia care, CPR / First ...
Located in El Dorado, AR at 431 West Oak, South Arkansas Home Health is a home healthcare provider that offers in-home medical care in addition to personal care. For nearly 38 years, they have been helping customers in the El ...
Doctors Home Care is a home care service provider located in Camden, Arkansas at 726 California Avenue SW. They provide in-home health care along with home care for seniors. Since 1981, they have been serving customers in the Camden ...
Spring River Home Health Agency is a senior in-home care company located in Salem, AR at 121 South Pickren. They offer home health services along with personal home care for senior clientele. For nearly 37 years, they have been ...
Recovery from illness, injury or surgery is usually physically and emotionally difficult for both the patient and the caregivers. When part of the recovery can take place at home, the patient is often more comfortable, happier and can recuperate more ...
Located in Fort Smith, Arkansas at 3300 South 70th, Mercy Home Health is a home health care provider offering in-home personal care and in-home health care. For almost 40 years, they have been providing care to clients in the Fort ...
Located at 901 South 3rd St in Mc Gehee, Arkansas, Southeast Arkansas Home Health Agency is a home healthcare provider offering home health care along with personal care. For almost 41 years, they have been providing care to customers in ...
The Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2019 lists the average monthly cost of home care in Arkansas as $3,623, which is far lower than the national average of $4,290. Home care services include companionship and assistance with activities of daily living. The cost is the same for home health care services in Arkansas compared to $4,385 nationally. Home health care services are similar to home care but also include skilled nursing.
The Cost of Home Care in Arkansas Compared to Nearby States
The cost of home care in Arkansas is quite affordable compared to many parts of the United States. Arkansas home care services are more than $500 per month lower than similar services in Oklahoma and Missouri. However, regional home care services are about $400 more expensive than Louisiana. Overall, statewide home health care prices are more affordable than average. Home care in Mississippi is $191 per month less expensive than Arkansas, and home health care prices are $96 lower.
Cost of Home Care
Cost of Home Health Care
Arkansas
$3,623
$3,623
United States
$4,290
$4,385
Oklahoma
$4,195
$4,242
Missouri
$4,195
$4,195
Louisiana
$3,218
$3,241
Mississippi
$3,432
$3,527
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Arkansas
Home care is just one option available to seniors in Arkansas. Other options include adult day care, assisted living and nursing homes. Adult day care is the most economical option. Averaging just $1,984 per month, this arrangement allows seniors to live in their own home while receiving support at a community center. Assisted living facilities provide a room, board, personal care and meals at a cost that's around $450 less per month than home care. Nursing homes are more expensive due to the level of skilled care provided.
In-Home Care: $3,623
Home Health Care: $3,623
Adult Day Care: $1,948
Assisted Living Facility: $3,175
Nursing Home Care: $5,505
The Cost of Home Care in Arkansas's Top Cities
The average cost of home care services across Arkansas varies significantly from $3,432 per month in Jonesboro to as much as $4,385 per month in Fayetteville. In most areas, average prices for home care and home health care are similar; although, in Hot Springs home health care costs $189 per month more than nonmedical home care services. Jonesboro is the most affordable city in the state for both home care and home health care.
Cost of Home Care
Cost of Home Health Care
Arkansas
$3,623
$3,623
Fayetteville
$4,385
$4,385
Jonesboro
$3,432
$3,432
Hot Springs
$3,670
$3,861
Little Rock
$3,813
$3,813
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Arkansas
Personal Care Program
This state Medicaid program provides support with the activities of daily living, such as grooming, dressing, eating and taking medications. To qualify for the program, the senior must have been assessed as requiring support by a physician.
Contact Information
To request information about the Personal Care program or to apply for Medicaid in the state, call (800)-457-4454.
AR Choices in Homecare
The AR Choices in Homecare program supports seniors who live independently in their own homes or with a relative. The program helps seniors avoid premature placement in a nursing home by helping them with activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living. Support may include meal preparation, light housework and help with dressing or bathing. To be eligible for this program, seniors must have an income that's no more than 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate, and they must meet other financial criteria, such as holding no more than $2,000 in countable assets.
Contact Information
To learn more about the program and how to apply, call (866) 801-3435.
Independent Choices Program
The Arkansas Independent Choices program provides seniors with a monthly allowance to spend on personal care. This program also includes counseling to help seniors or those acting on their behalf to make appropriate use of the funds. The program can be used to pay third parties for assistance with care and activities of daily living, and it allows certain relatives, including adult children, to receive payment for the care they provide.
Contact Information
To request more information about the Independent Choices program, call (866) 710-0456.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Arkansas Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Arkansas, in-home care is provided by home health agencies that are regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health. Agencies that provide these services must employ caregivers who are registered as Trained In-Home Assistants. State laws determine the standard of care that must be provided, the training aides must have, background check requirements and other rules that agencies must follow.
Scope of Care
Home care aides provide nonmedical services to support seniors wishing to remain in their own homes. Services may include basic housekeeping, laundry and companionship as well as help with ambulation, bathing, grooming, dressing or meal preparation and other day-to-day supports.
Care Plan Requirements
Home health agencies provide medical care for seniors living in their own homes. Patients must receive a written plan of care that is established and periodically reviewed by a medical professional. A medical professional must be consulted before any modifications are made.
Home care agencies do not provide medical care.
Medication Management
Home health care services can include the administration of medications that are prescribed by the patient's doctor.
Home care aides can assist with medication reminders or self-administration but are not permitted to administer medicines.
Staff Screening
Home care agencies and home health care agencies must perform background checks on staff.
Home care staff must complete training to qualify as a Trained In-Home Assistant, and home health aids must have appropriate qualifications.
Free Home Care Resources in Arkansas
Seniors in Arkansas have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
CareLink
CareLink works with active seniors, homebound older adults and caregivers. It provides seniors with information and resources to help them remain in their own homes while staying fit, healthy and active for as long as possible. In addition to providing practical resources, CareLink also runs its own fitness and wellness center, provides Medicare counseling and offers advice and legal assistance.
Contact Information
To learn more about the services provided by CareLink, fill out their contact form or call (501) 372-5300.
Senior Health Insurance Information Program
The Arkansas SHIIP provides seniors with unbiased, vendor-neutral advice about health insurance. The SHIIP is staffed by professionally trained, knowledgeable insurance advisers who are qualified to offer advice about Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage, long-term care insurance and Medigap policies. Advice is provided at no cost to seniors, and advisers do not receive a commission for making referrals. This ensures that each senior is given recommendations based on their personal circumstances.
Contact Information
Use this map to find the telephone number for a SHIIP partner in your local area.
Center for Arkansas Legal Services
This 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides low-income seniors in Arkansas with free legal services for civil cases. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services is headquartered in Little Rock and provides services in 44 Arkansas counties. To receive free legal services, seniors must meet certain income and assets requirements that are based on Federal Poverty Levels. Support is available for debt issues, consumer matters, benefits appeals, Medicaid, food stamps, SSI, wills, domestic abuse and other common civil legal matters.
Contact Information
To learn more about the eligibility requirements or to request a consultation, call (501) 376-3423.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This state program provides food assistance to eligible households, including seniors, in the form of an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that can be used to purchase food. The program also provides nutrition education and support with employment and training for those who may benefit from it. SNAP eligibility is means-tested.
Contact Information
To request more information or make a claim, call (501) 682-8253.
Homestead Tax Credit and Property Tax Relief
Arkansas residents aged 65 or over may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $375 per year if they own their home. In addition to this credit, homeowners may also have the assessed value of their home frozen starting on their 65th birthday.
Contact Information
To request more information about homestead tax relief, contact the county assessor for your area.
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
Seniors who served in the United States military may be eligible for a number of benefits, tax exemptions, pensions, health care services and other forms of support. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides advice and connects veterans with agencies that can help them at each stage of their lives. Services are provided free of charge to veterans and their surviving family members.
Contact Information
To find the Veteran Service Officer in your county, use this search tool.