The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Searcy, AR for 2024

Searcy-area assisted living facilities are overseen by the Office of Community Services, a division of the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The office is responsible for licensing assisted living facilities throughout the state. It conducts regular and unannounced inspections to ensure facilities comply with state rules and regulations.

• Searcy’s mild winters are ideal for active seniors. The city gets an average of two inches of snow per year, but with average winter high temperatures in the 50s, it’s rare for snow to remain on the ground. Seniors may prefer indoor activities during the summer, when temperatures frequently top 90 degrees.
• Arkansas is one of the 10 most affordable states in the nation, and Searcy’s cost of living is even lower than the state norm. Compared to the state as a whole, Searcy offers 2.5% lower healthcare costs and 18.5% lower transportation costs. These savings can help seniors afford a more comfortable retirement. 
• In Searcy, both property and violent crimes occur at rates far higher than the state average. However, that doesn’t mean seniors have to feel unsafe during retirement. For seniors’ peace of mind, local assisted living facilities may offer 24-hour video surveillance and other security features.
• Arkansas doesn’t tax seniors’ Social Security benefits or military pensions, and partial exemptions are available for other types of retirement income, including distributions from IRAs. These retiree-friendly tax policies help seniors keep more of their hard-earned money. However, the combined state and local sales tax is 8%, which may strain the finances of low-income seniors.
• Like many small cities, Searcy has limited public transportation options. However, the White County Aging Program provides rides to doctors’ appointments and other essential destinations, such as pharmacies and grocery stores. Assisted living facilities may also offer transportation for their residents.
• Searcy seniors will have no trouble staying busy during retirement. The city offers a thriving arts and culture scene, with music festivals, art galleries and dinner theaters. Seniors who want to enjoy the great outdoors can visit one of the city’s four beautiful parks or take a trout fishing tour on the Little Red River.

Based on data from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2024, assisted living fees in Arkansas range from $3,376 in Fort Smith to $4,433 per month in Searcy. Its typical monthly fee rests a couple of hundred dollars above the state’s median of $4,433 but is substantially lower than the nation’s ($5,350). Compared to their peers in Searcy, seniors in Fayetteville save $108, while those in Hot Springs save $158.

Adult day health care, which costs roughly $1,907 monthly, offers the most affordable care option in Searcy. Conversely, nursing homes have the highest fees, charging about $8,441 for a semi-private room. At $4,433, assisted living offers a mid-range option. Seniors typically pay less for in-home care ($3,623), while those who need the medical services of home health care pay around $5,720 each month.

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.