Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock is situated within the Downtown CBD area of Little Rock, Arkansas. It is a 35 bed nursing home facility. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with an average ...
Memory Care in Arkansas
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Arkansas
- Memory Care Directory for Arkansas
- Memory Care Costs in Arkansas
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Arkansas
- Arkansas Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in Arkansas
Alzheimer’s disease is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue among those aged 65 and over. In Arkansas, where over 17% of residents are within this age demographic, the number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to climb over the next few years. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 58,000 seniors are living with this condition. By 2025, that number is expected to grow by nearly 16% to 67,000 state residents.
Currently, Alzheimer’s has no cure, but innovative therapies and early interventions can slow the progression of this disease, improving the outlook and quality of life for those with this diagnosis. While some seniors in the earlier stages of dementia prefer to remain in their own home or with an informal caregiver, this may no longer be a safe or practical option as symptoms become more profound. Memory care facilities provide residents with dementia the care and support they need for physical, social and mental health. On average, memory care costs $3,969 in Arkansas, which is affordable compared to state and national figures.
In this guide, we outline the cost of memory care services in and around Arkansas and how it compares to other senior care options within the state. The guide also summarizes financial assistance programs that help cover expenses for qualifying seniors, along with local and government resources and the regulations that govern memory care facilities.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Arkansas
The SeniorScore is a livability index formulated based on the needs and interests of seniors. It weighs 100 variables divided into four categories, including General Quality of Life, Health & Safety, Finances and Recreation & Leisure. Arkansas’s SeniorScore is 69, which is a few points lower than the national score of 72.
Arkansas ranked highest in the General Quality of Life category with a score of 68. The state has a relatively warm climate with average annual highs around 71 degrees and average annual lows around 48 degrees, and it gets nearly 50 inches of rainfall each year. The state has a high public school quality ranking but a comparatively low graduation rate, which may impact factors such as housing prices and civic involvement.
Arkansas scored fairly well in Finances with a score of 63. Property taxes are low here, but sales taxes are very high. While the state’s income tax rate is high compared to the nation as a whole, Arkansas doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and deductions are provided for taxable retirement income, which may leave more money in the bank. This, paired with affordable memory care services and a low cost of living, may appeal to seniors and families with restrictive budgets.
Arkansas scored lowest in Recreation & Leisure at 58 and Health & Safety at 55. The lower Health & Safety score may be caused by the state's crime rates. However, 31% of the state’s residents are aged 55 and over compared to the national average of 28%, which may result in a relatively high number of senior services and supports. The state has 161 golf courses, numerous municipal parks and over 1,400 churches to support an engaged lifestyle. The number of doctors and specialists who accept Medicare is consistent with national averages, and there is an average number of hospitals within the state.
Top Memory Care Communities in Arkansas
Good Samaritan Society - Mountain Home is a 70 bed senior care community. It is located at 300 Good Samaritan Dr in Mountain Home, Arkansas. With a median per-family income of $36,192, the community is in a generally ...
Located at 101 Brougham Ave in Marion, Arkansas, Willowbend at Marion is a 98 unit senior housing facility. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with an average family income of $54,917. With about 17,000 residents ...
Southern Heritage Health and Rehabilitation is a 119 room skilled nursing facility located in McGehee, Arkansas. The neighboring area has a sparse population, with about 6,000 residents in the 71654 zip code. It is a primarily lower income ...
Springdale Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 140 room nursing facility. It is located at 102 North Gutensohn in Springdale, Arkansas. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $53,777. ...
Jonesboro Health and Rehab is a 136 bed skilled nursing facility located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The surrounding area has a dense population, with approximately 24,000 residents in the zip code of 72404. It is a largely middle class ...
Highland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is located at 670 Rogers Rd in Bella Vista, Arkansas. It is a 90 bed skilled nursing facility. With a median household income of $57,756, the community is in a generally middle income ...
Located at 2701 Twin Rivers Dr in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Courtyard Gardens Health and Rehabilitation is a 100 room nursing care facility. With a median per-household income of $33,162, the community is in a largely working class area. It ...
Canyon Springs Health and Rehabilitation is a 140 room nursing facility situated in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with an average per-household income of $35,511. With around 30,000 poeple living in ...
Seven Springs Health and Rehabilitation is a 140 room nursing home facility situated in Heber Springs, Arkansas. The facility is in a primarily lower income area, with a median household income of $33,180. With around 14,000 people ...
Located at 1407 North Main St in Nashville, Arkansas, Mine Creek Health and Rehab is a 78 bed nursing care facility. The facility is in a generally working class area, with an average household income of $34,912. It ...
Saint Elizabeth Place is a 110 bed senior care community. It is located at 3010 Middlefield Dr in Jonesboro, Arkansas. With roughly 55,000 residents in the 72401 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. It is ...
Stonegate Villa Health and Rehabilitation is located at 118 Jerry Selby Dr in Crossett, Arkansas. It is a 76 unit nursing home facility. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-family income of ...
Lexington Place Healthcare and Rehabilitation is a 152 unit nursing care facility. It is located at 2911 Browns Ln in Jonesboro, Arkansas. With about 55,000 poeple living in the 72401 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. ...
Located at 615 Mountain View Rd in Glenwood, Arkansas, Glenwood Health and Rehabilitation is an 80 unit nursing home facility. The community is in a primarily low income area, with an average per-family income of $30,383. It is ...
Pinewood Health and Rehabilitation is an 83 bed nursing facility. It is located at 1101 Waterwell Rd in Crossett, Arkansas. The neighboring area has an average population density, with roughly 13,000 poeple living in the 71635 zip code. ...
The Woods of Monticello Health and Rehabilitation, is located at 1194 N Chester St in Monticello, Arkansas. It is a 122 bed nursing home facility. The surrounding area has an average population density, with around 16,000 individuals residing ...
The Green House Cottages of Wentworth Place is a 113 unit senior care community. It is located at 26 Warnock Springs Rd in Magnolia, Arkansas. With approximately 18,000 people residing in the zip code of 71753, the encompassing ...
Batesville Health and Rehab is a 150 unit nursing care facility situated in Batesville, Arkansas. The encompassing area has a dense population, with around 26,000 residents in the 72501 zip code. With a median family income of $36,362, ...
Pine Hills Health and Rehabilitation is a 106 room nursing home facility. It is located at 900 Magnolia Rd in Camden, Arkansas. With about 21,000 poeple living in the zip code of 71701, the encompassing area is densely ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Arkansas
In Arkansas, memory support services are provided in assisted living facilities that make special accommodations for residents with dementia. These facilities offer therapeutic programming with memory exercises and familiar activities to promote confidence while maintaining as much cognitive ability as possible. Staff members undergo extensive training to prepare them for handling the unique needs and challenges of those with Alzheimer’s. These services are provided in addition to typical assisted living services such as housing, meals, housekeeping and laundry. Generally, memory care costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living. Because there is no authoritative source that provides nationwide cost data for memory care, we’ve based the following figures on Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, plus 25% to account for higher care costs.
Arkansas is among the cheapest states in the nation for memory care services, with monthly fees averaging $3,969 compared to the U.S. average of $5,064. Of its bordering states, only Missouri is more affordable, with monthly costs averaging $3,601. In Oklahoma, seniors pay $4,598, and in Mississippi, this type of care costs $4,405 on average. Louisiana, which shares Arkansas’s southern border, is the costliest bordering state for memory care, at $4,563.
- Arkansas: $3,969
- National: $5,064
- Missouri: $3,601
- Oklahoma: $4,398
- Louisiana: $4,563
- Mississippi: $4,405
The Cost of Memory Care in Arkansas’s Top Cities
Across Arkansas, the price of memory care services varies drastically depending on factors such as access to amenities and local living costs. Pine Bluff, which is situated in the central region of the state, is the most affordable city for this type of care at $3,314 per month. In Fort Smith, seniors pay a little more, with fees coming in at $3,656 per month, and in Jonesboro, the cost of care is close to the statewide average at $4,000. The northwesternmost city of Fayetteville is moderately priced at $4,514, and in Hot Springs, care costs are comparable to the national average at $5,000. The capital city of Little Rock is the most expensive in the state for memory care, with monthly fees coming in at $5,979.
- Fayetteville Area: $4,514
- Fort Smith: $3,656
- Hot Springs: $5,000
- Little Rock Area: $5,979
- Pine Bluff: $3,314
- Jonesboro: $4,000
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Arkansas
Memory care is the second most expensive senior care option in Arkansas, with only nursing home care costing more at $5,505 per month for a semiprivate room. Assisted living, which is situated in the same type of community setting, is nearly $800 cheaper per month at $3,175. Seniors who prefer to live at home generally pay more for their care in Arkansas, with nonmedical in-home care and home health care both averaging $3,623 per month for 44 hours of weekly care. Adult day care is the least expensive option at $1,948 per month.
- Memory Care: $3,969
- Assisted Living: $3,175
- In-Home Care: $3,623
- Home Health Care: $3,623
- Adult Day Care: $1,948
- Nursing Home Care: $5,505
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Arkansas
Living Choices Waiver
Address: Not Available
Phone Number: (866) 801-3435
Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/daabhs/aging-and-adult-services/Living-Choices
The Living Choices Waiver covers services provided in licensed assisted living facilities, including those with memory care units. This program, which is administered by the Department of Human Services, is for seniors who need around-the-clock care and supervision. It doesn’t cover room and board, but it does cover services such as housekeeping, laundry, attendant care, transportation and medication administration.
To qualify for this waiver, applicants must be aged 21-64 and have a qualifying disability or be aged 65 and over. They must need an intermediate level of care that’s generally provided in a nursing home, and they must need at least one of the services covered by the waiver.
Personal Care Program
Address: Not Available
Phone Number: (866) 801-3435
Website: https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov/Beneficiary/Covered.aspx#perscare
The Personal Care Program is part of the state Medicaid program and is for seniors who need long-term services and supports. It covers personal care services in an assisted living or memory care setting, including dressing, bathing, toileting and eating. The program has a self-direction option, called IndependentChoices, which enables beneficiaries to receive a cash allowance to cover services from the providers of their choosing.
To qualify for the Personal Care Program from Arkansas Medicaid, applicants must be permanent residents of Arkansas and need assistance with daily living activities. They must also meet income and asset guidelines. As of 2020, the maximum annual income for a single applicant is $16,971, and the countable asset limit is $2,000.
Arkansas Memory Care Rules and Regulations
In Arkansas, memory care services are provided within assisted living facilities that meet additional licensing requirements. These facilities are governed by the Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care. This department enforces rules and regulations to ensure a consistently high level of quality and care. It conducts scheduled and random inspections at least once every 18 months to verify compliance.
Scope of Care | Memory care facilities are required to provide around-the-clock care for residents’ scheduled and unscheduled needs. Some services that they provide include assistance with daily living activities such as mobility, grooming, bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. They must provide social and recreational opportunities that are specially tailored for residents with dementia, along with supportive services such as transportation, housekeeping and laundry. Memory care facilities must also provide three balanced meals, plus drinks and snacks, daily. |
Care Plan Requirements | Before a resident moves in, a memory care facility must conduct an assessment to determine the level of care and services needed. This care plan must also detail the therapeutic activities that will be provided and what stages of Alzheimer’s the unit will provide care for. The assessment must be conducted on an annual basis or any time the resident’s needs change. |
Medication Management Requirements | Memory care residents are allowed to administer their own medications unless a physician has found them unable to safely do so. Medication administration can be conducted or overseen by a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or pharmacist. Certain medications, including injectables, can only be administered by a registered nurse. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Each memory care facility is required to have its own written employment and personnel policy. At minimum, this policy must include job descriptions, minimal education and experience qualifications, documentation of education, documentation of training, an employee’s signed acknowledgment that they’ve read the Residents’ Bill of Rights and the results of a criminal background check. To be eligible for hire, applicants must be at least 18 years old and free from communicable diseases. They must not have been convicted of or have a substantiated report of abusing or neglecting residents. |
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