The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Pine Bluff, AR for 2024

Pine Bluff is a large city in the Little Rock metro area and home to about 41,000 residents. While its senior community is small compared to the U.S. average, accounting for 15.2% of residents compared to 16.5% nationally, older adults have high access to home care and medical services. Pine Bluff is among the more budget-friendly places in Arkansas for in-home care, with residents paying $4,004 for monthly services. This type of care includes non-medical services such as housekeeping and personal care, distinguishing it from home health care, which features medical services such as wound care and medication administration. Seniors also have access to world-class medical facilities such as Jefferson Regional Medical Center, a 300-bed not-for-profit hospital.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Pine Bluff area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reveals Seniors in Pine Bluff pay $4,004 per month on average for home care, which is a little lower than the state rate of $4,185 and substantially cheaper than the national average rate of $4,957. Jonesboro is one of the only cities in Arkansas with cheaper home care rates, with residents paying $3,909 for services. In Fort Smith and Little Rock, respective monthly averages come in at $4,176 and $4,290. In Fayetteville, home care rates are the highest surveyed in the state at $4,957. 

Long-term care in Pine Bluff is generally affordable. Adult day health care is the cheapest option at $2,035, and for those who want services in their homes, basic home care and specialized home health care cost $4,004. Seniors may save money by opting for assisted living, which includes personal care services, meals and recreational activities in a residential community for $3,329 per month. Nursing homes have the highest monthly fees, with seniors in shared rooms paying $6,039 for monthly services.

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 for paying 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.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.