In-Home Care in Arkansas

The low cost of living in Arkansas is likely one of the reasons an above-average 17.4% of its residents are aged 65 and older. Houses and transportation are generally more affordable, and health care is less expensive on average. It’s a tax-friendly state too because it only partially taxes pension incomes and withdrawals from retirement accounts and doesn’t tax Social Security income at all. Health care services may also factor in its appeal, as Arkansas boasts several high-performing hospitals, such as the Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.

Some people use in-home care and home health care interchangeably, but the two services address quite different needs. In-home care agencies tailor non-medical services for their clients, which may include assisting with personal care, shopping for essentials and light housekeeping. Home health care agencies offer basic medical support from professionals, such as skilled nurses and qualified therapists. Despite the differences, average costs in Arkansas are almost identical, with in-home care fees at around $4,185 per month and home health care at $4,195.

This guide discusses costs in more detail, including support afforded by Medicaid and Medicare. It also lists some useful resources for homebound seniors.

The results of the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey show Arkansas to be $772 per month cheaper for in-home care compared to the $4,957 national median, which makes it one of the most affordable states in the region. Only Louisiana, where costs average $3,623, and Mississippi, where the norm is $3,813, are more competitive. Other neighboring states are considerably costlier, such as Texas, where the average is $4,576 (an annual increase of $4,692 when compared to Arkansas), and Missouri, at $4,767. The region’s most expensive state for in-home care is Oklahoma, which, at $4,862 per month, costs its seniors $8,124 more per year than they might pay in Arkansas.

At $3,909 per month, Jonesboro is the most affordable city in Arkansas for in-home care. The difference with Pine Bluff, where costs average $4,004, is slightly less than $100, but that could make a difference to some over the course of the year. The median cost in Fort Smith is $4,176, which is around the state’s average, and Little Rock’s typical fee of $4,290 is on the more expensive end of the spectrum. At $4,957 per month, the average fee for in-home care in Fayetteville is, by far, the costliest in the state.

Adult day health care centers offer the most affordable care in Arkansas, with fees in the region of $1,733 per month. Assisted living facilities levy about $2,027 more for their services, which include care and accommodation. At $6,083 per month, nursing homes are the costliest option because their care is administered by highly qualified professionals, including physicians, and the staff-to-senior ratio is narrower. Costs for in-home care ($4,185) and home health care ($4,195) are also at the higher end of the scale, but they reflect the one-on-one care that each provider delivers.

Arkansas’ Medicaid pays medical and non-medical costs for home care via programs and waivers. The ARChoices in Homecare program mostly covers non-medical services, but it can pay for skilled nursing in certain circumstances. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a medical and non-medical option that combines services available via Medicare and Medicaid, and the Self-Direction/Independent Choices Program is a non-medical choice for seniors able to manage their care services.

Although Arkansans can apply for several programs online, the state’s only method of applying for Medicaid is through downloading an LTSS Medicaid Application Packet and sending a completed copy with supporting documents to the nearest Department of Human Services county office.

What Information You Will Need

All applicants need to provide documentary evidence to support the information in their applications. These typically include:

• Social Security card
• INS card, if not a U.S. citizen
• Medicare card
• Health insurance card
• Birth certificate
• Marriage license or divorce decree
• Proof of income, such as a retirement benefits letter
• Proof of resources, such as property deeds and life insurance policies

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.