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The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Smith, AR for 2024

Fort Smith, AR, is a city with a fascinating past. It was originally a frontier military fort founded in 1817, and today it offers several museums and many parks and cultural attractions. Fort Smith is home to over 89,500 people, and 15.1% of them are seniors aged 65 and up. Fort Smith offers a low cost of living, a relatively comfortable climate and many health care options through the city’s Mercy Hospital and Baptist Health hospital.

Seniors in Fort Smith may choose assisted living care if they struggle to remain safely in their own homes. In an assisted living community, seniors receive help with personal care activities and medication. They also benefit from housekeeping and laundry services, community activities and opportunities to socialize. Assisted living prices in Fort Smith run about $3,850 per month, which is below the U.S. average of $4,500 but just above the Arkansas state average of $3,760.

Seniors can use this guide to learn more about assisted living in Fort Smith. It covers cost comparisons, the city’s benefits and disadvantages, legal issues surrounding assisted living, financial assistance opportunities and local resources for seniors.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Smith, Arkansas

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Fort Smith

The Arkansas Department of Human Services regulates and licenses assisted living facilities. The state carefully monitors assisted living communities to make sure they provide the best possible care and service. Communities must follow strict standards to obtain and renew licenses and submit to regular inspections.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Fort Smith

  • Fort Smith’s cost of living is low compared to the national average. In fact, on a 100-point scale with the U.S. average at 100, Fort Smith’s overall cost of living comes in at 75, which is also lower than the Arkansas state average of 77.5. Housing is especially inexpensive in this city, with prices over fifty points below average. Seniors may find it easier to balance their budgets with lower costs of groceries, utilities, transportation and health care as well.
  • Health care costs in Fort Smith are lower than the national average. Prices come in at 85.6 on a 100-point scale. In other words, the city’s residents can expect to pay 14.4% less for health care than the average U.S. citizen. The number of doctors in Fort Smith is higher than the norm, too.
  • Two major health care facilities serve the Fort Smith area. Mercy Hospital offers a wide range of care, including a cancer center and an outpatient surgery center. Joint replacement and physical therapy are available. Baptist Health hospital also provides general health care and several specialties, such as cardiology, stroke care and orthopedics. The hospital offers a top-of-the-line gym for rehabilitation.
  • The climate index in Fort Smith is 7.1 on a 10-point scale. This is slightly above the national average. While summers are warm, winters are often quite comfortable with an average January low of 28 degrees and not much snowfall. Spring and fall have the most pleasant weather, with many sunny days and moderate temperatures.
  • Arkansas seniors can benefit from several tax breaks that may save them money. The state does not tax Social Security benefits, for example. Certain types of pensions are also tax-exempt, and others are only partly taxable or are eligible for a tax credit. Seniors would do well to talk to a tax preparer, accountant or attorney for more details in this area.

Paying for Assisted Living in Fort Smith

Assisted living care in Fort Smith costs approximately $3,850 per month, although these rates will vary based on the individual care packages seniors create and the size of the apartment they choose.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Fort Smith’s assisted living rates are only $90 more than the Arkansas average, but they are significantly less expensive than the U.S. average of $4,500. When compared to prices in other Arkansas cities, Fort Smith’s costs are in the middle of the pack. Assisted living communities in Hot Springs charge $650 more than those in Fort Smith, and Little Rock comes in with prices averaging $638 higher. On the other hand, Fayetteville’s rates are lower by $200, and Pine Bluff’s prices are lower by over $500.

Fort Smith

$3,850

Arkansas

$3,760

United States

$4,500

Fayetteville

$3,650

Hot Springs

$4,500

Little Rock

$4,488

Pine Bluff

$3,329

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living is among the least expensive options for senior care in Fort Smith. Seniors who want to remain in their own homes may choose to spend $326 or $535 more per month and receive in-home care or home health care. The former focuses on personal care and housekeeping, while the latter adds light medical services. Nursing home care rates are more expensive than assisted living costs by $2,233.

In-Home Care

$4,176

Home Health Care

$4,385

Assisted Living Facility

$3,850

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$6,083

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Fort Smith

Paying for Assisted Living in Arkansas

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits 
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Arkansas page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Fort Smith

Seniors in Fort Smith have access to a number of resources that can make their lives easier and more enjoyable. They can gather with friends at the local senior center, access important information and resources through the Area Agency on Aging, receive help from an ombudsman program and find assistance with a veterans office or legal aid program.

ResourceContactService
Fort Smith Senior Activity Center(479) 648-9970The Fort Smith Senior Activity Center offers meals, games and activities for seniors aged 60 and older. Seniors gather for music, parties, crafts and more. The center also offers meal deliveries and transportation to and from the center. Most services are donation-based.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas(479) 783-4500The Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas guides seniors to the services they need and the activities they want. Seniors can find information about care options, health and wellness, personal care, transportation and hospice. The agency also offers referrals to other benefits and resources as needed.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program(479) 783-4500The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works with residents of long-term care facilities to solve problems, handle complaints and provide education about resident rights. The ombudsman serves as an advocate for seniors and is available to listen to and help with concerns residents and their families have about quality of care.
Sebastian County Veterans Service Office(479) 782-3421The Sebastian County Veterans Service Office assists veterans and their families in understanding the benefits they may access. These include health care, financial assistance and transportation. Veterans should contact the office for more information and help applying for the programs they need.
Legal Aid of Arkansas(800) 952-9243Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free legal assistance to eligible seniors. Those who meet income qualifications may receive advice or even representation for cases involving housing, economic justice, consumer rights and abuse. The organization also provides a variety of self-help resources.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Fort Smith

Fort Smith Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Arkansas are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Arkansas page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Arkansas

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Sharon

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Brookdale Fort Smith

My brother-in-law has moved into Brookdale Fort Smith. They were the friendliest when we interviewed them. They were the most helpful. It was a good location for us, and they had the largest rooms....

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Assisted Living

Sarah

I am/was a resident of this facility

Review of Peachtree Village of Fort Smith

Peach Tree Village is hands down the best Assisted Living Community in the River Valley and I say community because it's not just a "facility!" Everyone is helpful and will do anything they can to...

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Assisted Living

Shiela

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale Fort Smith

Brookdale Fort Smith was absolutely beautiful. The residents had made such a good feeling that I thought about moving in, but then my daughter and I discussed it, and we decided not to. They had...

Read more

Helpful Articles

Assisted Living near Fort Smith, AR

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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