The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Fort Smith, AR for 2024

Fort Smith is a beautiful riverside city in Arkansas with a senior population comprising 15.1% of its 89,992 residents. The city has an exceptionally low cost of living, with health care ranking 14.4% below average. Additionally, it has a slightly higher number of physicians than usual and is home to several leading medical institutions, such as Mercy Hospital and the Fort Smith ER and Hospital. Home care is an option for seniors who need some nonmedical help. It is reasonably affordable in Fort Smith, averaging $4,176 per month — just below the national norm of $4,957. It provides personal care, light housekeeping and companionship for homebound individuals, whereas home health care includes skilled nursing and licensed medical services. 

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Fort Smith 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.

According 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.

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.

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.

• 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.