Assisted Living in Arkansas

Known for its beautiful waterways, hot springs and naturalized areas, Arkansas is home to just over 3 million residents. The state’s population has grown by 3.3% over the past decade, and 17.4% of Arkansans are seniors aged 65 and older. Little Rock is the state capital and most populous city in Arkansas, and it serves as the regional health care hub. A number of top-ranked health care facilities are located here, including UAMS Health, a full-service teaching hospital. 

Arkansas ranked 46th on our 2022 Senior Living Report, despite the fact that the state’s average assisted living rate of $3,760 is well below the nationwide median of $4,500. This low ranking reflects that Arkansas has fewer primary care physicians per capita than the U.S. average, and crime rates in the state are relatively high. 

This guide offers an overview of assisted living costs in Arkansas, and compares those costs with other states and long-term care options. There’s also an overview of Medicaid-funded programs that seniors can access to help finance their long-term care expenses, a list of state regulations for assisted living facilities and links to free resources for Arkansas seniors. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Arkansas

Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average monthly cost of assisted living care in Arkansas is $3,760, which is $740 below the nationwide average of $4,500. Rates in neighboring Missouri are lower at $3,000 per month, while in Mississippi, assisted living residents pay an average of $3,500 per month. To the south of Arkansas in Louisiana, assisted living rates average $3,748 per month, and in Oklahoma, the same type of care costs around $3,855. 

Within Arkansas, average monthly assisted living rates range from a low of $3,329 in Pine Bluff to $4,500 in Hot Springs. Assisted living care in Jonesboro and Fayetteville costs about $3,650 per month, while rates in Fort Smith are slightly higher at $3,850. In the state capital, Little Rock, assisted living care costs an average of $4,488 per month. 

Arkansas seniors have access to a range of community-based and residential care services. Average monthly rates start at $1,733 for adult day health care, which includes supervised recreational programming and nonmedical assistance in a group setting. Assisted living costs about $3,760 per month and includes room and board in a licensed residential facility along with access to organized social activities and common amenities. Seniors who prefer to age in place in their own homes can expect to pay around $4,185 or $4,195 per month, respectively, for 44 hours of home care or home health care services. For those who need around-the-clock medical care, the average monthly rate for a semiprivate room in an Arkansas skilled nursing facility is $6,083, while a private room costs an average of $6,692.

Does Medicaid Cover Assisted Living in Arkansas?

Arkansas’ Medicaid program directly covers personal care services delivered to residents living in an assisted living facility that’s registered as a Medicaid-authorized provider. Medicaid beneficiaries may also be eligible for services through the Living Choices program Medicaid waiver.

What Assisted Living Services Are Covered by Medicaid in Arkansas? 

Arkansas’ Medicaid program covers some personal care services for eligible beneficiaries who reside in a community-based, noninstitutional setting such as an assisted living facility. Services are assigned on an individual basis based on need, and may include: 

• Nonmedical assistance with activities of daily living 
• Intermittent skilled nursing care
• Medication monitoring and assistance with self-administration 

Arkansas seniors who meet the admission criteria for placement in a skilled nursing facility, but who can be safely supported in an assisted living facility with enhanced services, may qualify for enrollment in the Living Choices program. 

Assisted Living Waiver Programs in Arkansas

Living Choices 

Living Choices is an assisted living Medicaid waiver program that’s designed to delay or prevent nursing home placement among frail seniors. Services funded through this program include: 

• Assisted living services such as recreational programming
• Nonmedical transportation 
• Case management 
• Intermittent and skilled nursing services 
• Medication monitoring and administration 
• Assistance with transfers, personal hygiene and other activities of daily living

To qualify for enrollment in the Living Choices Waiver, you must be at least 65 years old, or be assessed as permanently disabled in accordance with the criteria set by Medicaid. You must also meet the criteria for admission to a nursing home at the intermediate care level, need at least one of the services covered by the program and meet the financial criteria. 

To apply for the Living Choices Waiver, you must: 

1. Apply and be approved for the Arkansas Medicaid Program. 
2. Contact the nearest Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) county office to arrange for a needs-based assessment. Alternatively, you can call the Choices in Living Resource Center at (866) 801-3435 to set up an assessment. 
3. If the DHS assessment confirms that you meet the functional criteria for enrollment in the program, DHS staff will determine what services you’re eligible to receive.   

How To Know If You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Arkansas 

Eligibility for Arkansas Medicaid is based on age, income, financial resources and need. Individuals who are approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits automatically qualify for Medicaid coverage. If you don’t receive SSI payments, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be at least 65 years old, or
• Be blind or have a permanent disability that meets Medicaid guidelines, and, 
• Meet the current income and asset limits

As of 2022, single applicants may have an annual pretax income of no more than $17,131 and $2,000 in countable assets. Married couples who are both applying can have a combined income of up to $23,169 per year and $3,000 in assets. If only one spouse applies, the assets limits are $2,000 for the applicant and up to $137,400 for the non-applicant.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Arkansas

Arkansas Medicaid applicants must also:

• Be permanent residents of Arkansas
• Be either a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident or legal alien

How To Apply for Medicaid in Arkansas

Your application for Medicaid can be submitted online through Access Arkansas.  Alternatively, you can call the Choices in Living Resource Center at (866) 801-3435 for assistance with completing and submitting your application. 

Information You Will Need 

When applying for Medicaid, you should be prepared to provide the following documentation:

• Proof of age via government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
• Proof of citizenship status and permanent residency in Arkansas
• Verification of income from all sources, including wages, investment dividends, VA benefits and pension payments
• Verification of all assets, including real estate, vehicles and investments 
• Social Security number 
• All insurance policies, including the cash value of any life insurance 
• Any prepaid burial contracts or funeral services 

How To Get Help Applying for Medicaid 

If you need help applying for Medicaid, obtaining Medicaid-funded services or appealing a declined Medicaid application, you can contact the following programs and agencies for assistance. 

Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living in Arkansas?

The short answer is that no, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Arkansas. Assisted living facilities are considered to be a “residential setting” and not a “clinical setting,” (think nursing homes). While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of care received in an assisted living community, it does still cover things like approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc., just like it would if you lived at home.

For more information about when Medicare can be used to pay for senior living in a nursing home, and for Medicare-related resources, see our guide to Nursing Homes in Arkansas.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Assisted Living in Arkansas

Seniors who are not eligible (due to location, financial situation, or other factors) for other types of financial assistance, do still have some options. See the table below for an overview of some of the most common ways to make Assisted Living affordable.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Arkansas

There are a number of government agencies and nonprofit organizations that help Arkansas seniors who need long-term care services. The following resources may be of use to older adults, their caregivers and loved ones who need assistance with government benefit programs, legal information and community-based supports.

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Arkansas

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including healthy.arkansas.gov. These rules apply to nursing homes and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 3/22/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visitation Policies

*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.

Outings & Social Activities

*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.

COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents

*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Arkansas

Arkansas Level I and Level II assisted living facilities are regulated under state laws designed to ensure that all residents receive high-quality care in a safe environment. Regular and unannounced inspections are performed by staff from the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care. Some key regulations are detailed in the following table.