4.7
(22 reviews)
"They sent us the perfect person for our needs. She’s very kind, efficient & caring. We feel blessed to have her helping us since March 2018. ..."
READ MORECaring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Fort Smith, AR, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.6 out of 5 stars across the 13 options below.
13 Results
4.7
(22 reviews)
"They sent us the perfect person for our needs. She’s very kind, efficient & caring. We feel blessed to have her helping us since March 2018. ..."
READ MORE5.0
(7 reviews)
"I am so glad that I found The Cutting Edge Senior Care. The care is FANTASTIC and the rates are reasonable. I know that the caregiver that Frankie sends to care for my parents is going to be Qualified and Caring. All her caregivers are State Certifie..."
READ MORE5.0
(1 reviews)
"I used FirstLight to provide care for my wife who has Alzheimer's. The care was provided over a period of several months until my wife was able to move into a Memory Care facility for full time care. The service provided by FirstLight was mostly to..."
READ MORE4.6
(3 reviews)
"Thank you so much for the professional and compassionate care provided for my father. His caregivers have been life savers in his acute situation. ..."
READ MORE3.0
(2 reviews)
"We have tried and tried to get help for my dad who can be not so easy to get along with. Addus in FORT SMITH AR is absolutely answered prayers!! Tabitha is so helpful and my dad loves his aide Jessica. We can't say enough good things about the wonder..."
READ MORE"Home is the Place to Be: We all want to be independent, meeting our own needs; but sometimes situations arise when we require short or long ..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
"We are a small family owned and operated company. We provide Quality Care at a Reasonable Rate. Because we are small it's more personal. ..."
READ MOREAccording to Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care averages $4,176 monthly in Fort Smith. While expenses in the city are comparable with the state average of $4,185, they're $781 less than the national norm. Comparing the cost of home care in Fort Smith to fees throughout Arkansas, Hot Springs is $114 more, but Jonesboro is $267 less. At $4,004, Pine Bluff is also highly affordable. However, home care is $781 more expensive in Fayetteville.
Fort Smith
$4,176
Arkansas
$4,185
United States
$4,957
Hot Springs
$4,290
Jonesboro
$3,909
Pine Bluff
$4,004
Fayetteville
$4,957
While home care is affordable in Fort Smith, it can still be worthwhile for seniors to compare options, as some can be cheaper yet still provide support and independence. Assisted living offers savings of up to $326 while providing similar services such as personal care and meal preparation. Home health care is $209 more expensive but includes access to medical services that may benefit individuals with chronic illnesses. Nursing homes offer the most intensive level of care, allowing seniors to access skilled nursing and medical treatments daily. However, they also provide the most expensive type of care in Fort Smith, costing $1,907 more than home care.
Home Care
$4,176
Home Health Care
$4,385
Assisted Living Facility
$3,850
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$6,083
Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help to pay for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Fort Smith:
Resource | Contact | Address | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas | (479) 783-4500 | 524 Garrison Avenue, P.O. Box 1724, Fort Smith, AR 72902 | The Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas is a nonprofit organization that provides a number of low-cost services to Sebastian County’s older residents. Representatives can assist seniors in finding local resources that can help them remain independent, such as financial support, in-home care and benefits counseling. Transportation to medical appointments is offered at no cost for those who qualify, and rides to shopping centers and similar destinations are also available in some areas. |
Sebastian County Homestead Credit and Tax Freeze | (479) 784-1516 | 35 South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 | Fort Smith offers multiple tax benefits for retirees with limited incomes. Property owners have access to Sebastian County’s Homestead Credit, which can reduce their annual tax obligation by up to $350. A related program can also help applicants save money on taxes by freezing the tax value of their homes, potentially protecting them from the effects of inflation. In this case, eligibility requirements include being over the age of 65 or having a qualifying disability. |
Senior Activity Centers | (479) 782-1192 | 1411 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901 | Fort Smith’s Senior Activity Centers work to improve the lives of older adults in the area. Homebound individuals aged 65 or over may qualify for one hot meal per day delivered directly to their home. This service is available from Monday to Friday; donations are encouraged but not mandatory. Residents can also visit a nearby center to access free counseling, health screenings and recreational activities. |
Weatherization Program | (479) 785-2303 | 1617 Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 | The Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council provides minor home modifications at no cost to help improve energy efficiency and reduce utility bills. Services include door and window sealing, duct maintenance, air leakage reduction, and insulation installation. Both property owners and tenants are eligible, and applicants may be subject to income limits depending on their household size. Priority is given to older adults and people with disabilities. |
Personal Care Services | (479) 783-4500 | 524 Garrison Avenue, P.O. Box 1724, Fort Smith, AR 72902 | This program, offered by the local Area Agency on Aging, provides assistance to Fort Smith residents who want to age safely in their own homes rather than move into a care facility. Seniors have access to multiple services that can provide respite to their families, including companionship, meal preparation and help with personal hygiene. Services can be paid for by the participant’s Medicaid plan or private health insurance. |
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
Home Care
Dr. Barnes
1.0
Review of Home Instead - Fort Smith, AR
Home Instead so-called "care-givers" do NOT put the client's needs first. Time after time, my mother treats the paid employees as if they are her guests. I have complained via phone numerous times....
Home Care
Jim Selig
5.0
Review of Home Instead - Fort Smith, AR
They sent us the perfect person for our needs. She’s very kind, efficient & caring. We feel blessed to have her helping us since March 2018.
Home Care
markiemarc
5.0
Review of Home Instead - Fort Smith, AR
The service is great