Memory Care Facilities in Fort Smith, AR

 

The Alzheimer's Association reports that 1 in 9 individuals over the age of 65 is affected by Alzheimer's or dementia, and some of those individuals may live for 20 years after their diagnosis. According to research by the CDC, around 9.55% of all deaths in Fort Smith in 2016 were related to Alzheimer's, while in 2020 that figure increased to 12.87%. It's clear Alzheimer's and dementia are becoming a serious issue in the Fort Smith community, where 15.1% of its 91,000 residents are senior citizens, and the availability of good dementia care is essential.

Memory care communities provide a safe and supportive environment for seniors who are living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Trained caregivers help seniors with activities of daily living and engage them in activities designed to promote cognitive well-being. These communities encourage seniors to remain independent and active and help them maintain their dignity as they age.

In this guide, we discuss the pros and cons of life in Fort Smith and list low-cost and free resources to help those considering their senior care options. 

Memory care facilities in Arkansas are regulated by the Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services, Office of Long Term Care. This department publishes regulations for long-term care facilities and sets requirements for care plans, new resident admissions, health and safety, hygiene and living standards. The department regularly inspects long-term communities to ensure they are adhering to these requirements.

 

• The cost of living in Fort Smith is far lower than the national average, and this includes the cost of essentials such as housing, health care, groceries and transportation. Seniors who are looking to keep costs low in their retirement years may find Fort Smith a good choice as a retirement destination.
• Violent crime and property crime rates in Fort Smith are higher than the national average. However, seniors living in memory care facilities should find they are unaffected by this, as the communities are staffed 24 hours a day and often have security gates and cameras, helping residents feel safe and secure at all times.
   
• The water quality in Fort Smith meets or exceeds state and federal guidelines, however, the Environmental Working Group found 25 contaminants, of which 10 exceeded their health guidelines. These guidelines are stricter, and the EWG suggests filtering tap water to bring the quality up to their standards.
• The air quality in Fort Smith is typically fair, with low levels of nitrogen dioxide but moderate levels of ozone and PM2.5. A 'fair' rating means most people in Fort Smith should find the air quality acceptable, but those who are affected by certain respiratory conditions may find prolonged exposure aggravates their condition.
• The layout of Fort Smith makes it quite easy to get around. The average commute time for working adults is 16.4 minutes, far shorter than the national average. Seniors in memory care facilities may not need to commute, but they can still benefit from this urban planning, especially if the community they live in offers regular excursions as part of its scheduled activities.

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Memory care communities in Fort Smith typically charge $113 more per month than the Arkansas average but around $812 less than the U.S. average. Seniors in Pine Bluff pay approximately $650 less per month, on average, and those in Fayetteville and Jonesboro see fees around $250 less. However, memory care residents in Hot Springs typically pay $812 more per month than those in Fort Smith.

Compared to other types of senior care, memory care is usually more expensive. In-home care providers who offer help with the activities of daily living typically charge $4,176 per month, compared to $4,813 for memory care. Home health care, which offers similar services but with nursing assistance, is also less costly at $4,385. Assisted living communities offering room and board plus personal care services are among the most affordable options in Fort Smith, averaging $3,850 per month. Pricing data for adult day health care, delivered in a group setting, is not available. However, these care providers are usually more affordable than memory care. Semi Private rooms in nursing homes are more expensive than memory care, at $6,083 per month, due to the skilled nature of the services.

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Arkansas page.