The capital of Arkansas, Little Rock, is home to around 202,000 residents. Nearly 15% of its population is seniors aged 65 and older who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Studies from the Alzheimer’s Association show that one in three American seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This makes the need for dementia care very important.
Little Rock has seen a significant rise in the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths. In 2016, the CDC reported that 234 seniors died with Alzheimer’s. By 2020, that number had reached 346, which is an increase of nearly 48%. This is significant as the number of total deaths in the city during the same time period only rose about 24%.
Fortunately, there are many resources and care options for seniors living with dementia, including memory care facilities. In these communities, seniors can benefit from secure surroundings, dementia-specific programming and around-the-clock support from specially trained caregivers. This guide explains memory care in more depth, including the cost of these services, where to find local support and what it’s like living in Little Rock.
Directory of Memory Care Facilities in Little Rock, AR
With shopping malls, restaurants and major thoroughfares nearby, Brookdale Chenal Heights assisted living facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, is set in a very convenient location. Visitors note the hel
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With shopping malls, restaurants and major thoroughfares nearby, Brookdale Chenal Heights assisted living facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, is set in a very convenient location. Visitors note the helpfulness of staff members and particularly appreciate the cleanliness, fresh scents and excellent overall condition of the facility. Families are impressed with the knowledgeable, trustworthy, and reliable caregivers, who are attentive, kind and respectful of the residents. Brookdale Chenal Heights gets high marks from visitors for its inviting common areas and large living spaces. Some of the residents’ favorite activities include field trips, sing-alongs and exercise classes.
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With shopping malls, restaurants and major thoroughfares nearby, Brookdale Chenal Heights assisted living facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, is set in a very convenient location. Visitors note the hel
… (read more)
With shopping malls, restaurants and major thoroughfares nearby, Brookdale Chenal Heights assisted living facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, is set in a very convenient location. Visitors note the helpfulness of staff members and particularly appreciate the cleanliness, fresh scents and excellent overall condition of the facility. Families are impressed with the knowledgeable, trustworthy, and reliable caregivers, who are attentive, kind and respectful of the residents. Brookdale Chenal Heights gets high marks from visitors for its inviting common areas and large living spaces. Some of the residents’ favorite activities include field trips, sing-alongs and exercise classes.
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<p>Woodland Heights is situated in a wooded setting with beautiful views that overlook Little Rock. Woodland Heights is a cozy senior living community located near UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St Vincent
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<p>Woodland Heights is situated in a wooded setting with beautiful views that overlook Little Rock. Woodland Heights is a cozy senior living community located near UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St Vincent as well as Park Plaza Mall, the Outlets of Little Rock and numerous boutiques and department stores. Wake up everyday in a safe, intentionally designed living space. We tend to the cooking, housekeeping and maintenance, so you can participate in social, cultural and fitness programs including happy happy hour, yoga and painting classes. Enjoy discreet supportive care, a maintenance free lifestyle including transportation and boutique amenities. </p>
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<p>Woodland Heights is situated in a wooded setting with beautiful views that overlook Little Rock. Woodland Heights is a cozy senior living community located near UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St Vincent
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<p>Woodland Heights is situated in a wooded setting with beautiful views that overlook Little Rock. Woodland Heights is a cozy senior living community located near UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St Vincent as well as Park Plaza Mall, the Outlets of Little Rock and numerous boutiques and department stores. Wake up everyday in a safe, intentionally designed living space. We tend to the cooking, housekeeping and maintenance, so you can participate in social, cultural and fitness programs including happy happy hour, yoga and painting classes. Enjoy discreet supportive care, a maintenance free lifestyle including transportation and boutique amenities. </p>
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Parkway Village in Conway, Arkansas is conveniently located near Highway 430 on 87 acres of park-like grounds outside of Little Rock. The facility offers three types of independent living: apartments,
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Parkway Village in Conway, Arkansas is conveniently located near Highway 430 on 87 acres of park-like grounds outside of Little Rock. The facility offers three types of independent living: apartments, cottages and villas. Assisted living and memory care living are also available. Residents’ families mention the numerous activities, friendly staff and free transportation as just a few of their senior loved ones’ favorite amenities. Chef-prepared meals, on-site beauty salons and barber shops, and a resident pool make this facility feel like luxury living. Small pets are allowed in the independent living.
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Parkway Village in Conway, Arkansas is conveniently located near Highway 430 on 87 acres of park-like grounds outside of Little Rock. The facility offers three types of independent living: apartments,
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Parkway Village in Conway, Arkansas is conveniently located near Highway 430 on 87 acres of park-like grounds outside of Little Rock. The facility offers three types of independent living: apartments, cottages and villas. Assisted living and memory care living are also available. Residents’ families mention the numerous activities, friendly staff and free transportation as just a few of their senior loved ones’ favorite amenities. Chef-prepared meals, on-site beauty salons and barber shops, and a resident pool make this facility feel like luxury living. Small pets are allowed in the independent living.
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I was very impressed. It was a very homey setting. It did not look institutional. It was very open and roomy. The furnishings were very nice. They had three very nice patios. I was impressed with the
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I was very impressed. It was a very homey setting. It did not look institutional. It was very open and roomy. The furnishings were very nice. They had three very nice patios. I was impressed with the facilities and what staff that I saw. They had a room for bingo, cards, and things like that. They had a chapel/movie theater, where they have worship services. They were showing a movie when I was there.
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I was very impressed. It was a very homey setting. It did not look institutional. It was very open and roomy. The furnishings were very nice. They had three very nice patios. I was impressed with the
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I was very impressed. It was a very homey setting. It did not look institutional. It was very open and roomy. The furnishings were very nice. They had three very nice patios. I was impressed with the facilities and what staff that I saw. They had a room for bingo, cards, and things like that. They had a chapel/movie theater, where they have worship services. They were showing a movie when I was there.
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Avenir Memory Care at Little Rock was real nice. I saw everything. I liked the apartments. I saw a one-bedroom, and it was very clean. The staff was real nice, answered all my questions, and were real
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Avenir Memory Care at Little Rock was real nice. I saw everything. I liked the apartments. I saw a one-bedroom, and it was very clean. The staff was real nice, answered all my questions, and were real good. I got a lot of information from them. After looking at the residents, I think my husband is in better shape than some of them. That was one of my impressions. He’s still active and most of them were just sitting around, and he’s not one to do that. They had things for them to do, but there weren’t a lot of group activities going on. I saw the dining room, and the outside area was nice where they could walk. He’s active, and he likes to be outside.
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Avenir Memory Care at Little Rock was real nice. I saw everything. I liked the apartments. I saw a one-bedroom, and it was very clean. The staff was real nice, answered all my questions, and were real
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Avenir Memory Care at Little Rock was real nice. I saw everything. I liked the apartments. I saw a one-bedroom, and it was very clean. The staff was real nice, answered all my questions, and were real good. I got a lot of information from them. After looking at the residents, I think my husband is in better shape than some of them. That was one of my impressions. He’s still active and most of them were just sitting around, and he’s not one to do that. They had things for them to do, but there weren’t a lot of group activities going on. I saw the dining room, and the outside area was nice where they could walk. He’s active, and he likes to be outside.
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Fox Ridge is clean. The people are knowledgeable and keep me updated on what’s going on. I am very happy with them. My wife has been in their memory care for about a month already. Her room has all th
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Fox Ridge is clean. The people are knowledgeable and keep me updated on what’s going on. I am very happy with them. My wife has been in their memory care for about a month already. Her room has all the furniture in it. It is kept clean every day, and I feel very confident that she’s being kept safe there. The dining area is clean too. She is very happy there, and they keep her busy with all kinds of things like walking. I have no problems at all with them.
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Fox Ridge is clean. The people are knowledgeable and keep me updated on what’s going on. I am very happy with them. My wife has been in their memory care for about a month already. Her room has all th
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Fox Ridge is clean. The people are knowledgeable and keep me updated on what’s going on. I am very happy with them. My wife has been in their memory care for about a month already. Her room has all the furniture in it. It is kept clean every day, and I feel very confident that she’s being kept safe there. The dining area is clean too. She is very happy there, and they keep her busy with all kinds of things like walking. I have no problems at all with them.
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COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Little Rock
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in Arkansas. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Little Rock
Memory care facilities in Little Rock and throughout the state are licensed by the Division of Medical Services’ Office of Long Term Care within the state’s Department of Human Services. Areas of assisted living facilities reserved for seniors with dementia and other forms of memory loss are referred to as Alzheimer’s Special Care Units.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Little Rock
- The Walker Memory Center inside the University of Arkansas’ medical school administers memory evaluations and provides treatments designed to maintain brain function and delay cognitive decline.
- Unfortunately, Little Rock isn’t known for its safety. The city’s violent crime rate is more than triple the national average, and its property crime rate is over double the countrywide figure. Some types of violent crimes have declined over the past couple decades, and property crimes as a whole have steadily decreased over the past 20 years.
- Little Rock’s air quality is 31% worse than most parts of the country, but its water quality is over 60% better than the national average. Additionally, the city has more than twice as many physicians per capita than the majority of the nation.
- Many of Little Rock’s seniors see significant financial savings compared to most older adults around the country. The city’s cost of living is 17.5% lower than the national average, and the local government offers tax breaks for its older homeowners.
- Little Rock has been part of AARP’s Age-Friendly Network since 2019. To earn its designation as an Age-Friendly Community, the city had to demonstrate its efforts to become more liveable for seniors, making changes such as improved transportation and housing options for older residents.
Paying for Memory Care in Little Rock
Most assisted living facilities that offer memory care provide it as an extra care level, typically costing 20%-30% of the cost of assisted living. When making the following comparisons, we calculated each city’s average cost of memory care by adding 25% to its average cost of assisted living, as reported in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Memory care in Little Rock costs slightly less than the national average and $910 more than the statewide median. Out of the closest cities surveyed by Genworth, Pine Bluff is the most affordable, with its $4,161 median cost of memory care, followed by Fort Smith, where memory care averages $797 less a month than in Little Rock. Hot Springs’ average cost of care is the same as the statewide average: $5,625 a month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
After nursing home care, memory care is the most costly type of senior care in Little Rock. Assisted living costs an average of $1,122 less per month than memory care, and for either home care or home health care, seniors usually pay the same amount: $4,290 a month. At $1,907 a month, adult day health care is the least expensive type of senior care in the city.
Nursing Home (semiprivate)
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Little Rock
In Little Rock, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in Arkansas page.
More Ways to Pay for Memory Care
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.
Free Memory Care Resources in Little Rock
In the list below, we’ve included programs that could help seniors and their families find a memory care facility within their budgets as well as organizations involved in dementia care research and advocacy.
Carelink is the Area Agency on Agency serving seniors in Little Rock. Some of its services include insurance counseling programs which could help families choose the best long-term care option for their loved ones as well as transportation services offering Little Rock's seniors and caregivers low-cost ways to travel to medical appointments.
The local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association maintains a directory of programs and services to assist seniors in Little Rock living with dementia and their caregivers, especially those who are unpaid. With the help of volunteers, the organization is able to provide respite care to family caregivers in addition to its education and advocacy efforts.
If families suspect one of their loved ones at a Little Rock memory care facility is the victim of abuse unable to express their rights, they can file a complaint with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman which will investigate the details and seek satisfactory resolution with all involved parties. Ombudsmen also assist families when researching local long-term care communities, typically pulling inspection records and educating seniors and their families on care financing options.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Little Rock
Little Rock Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Arkansas are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Arkansas page for more information about these laws.
