Chapel Ridge Health And Rehab
4623 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR, 72903
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Best place to be.No regrets"
READ MOREThe 10 Best Nursing Homes in Fort Smith, AR for 2023
Located on the Arkansas River just east of the Oklahoma border, Fort Smith is centrally located near major roadways, cultural amenities and world-class medical facilities. It has about 90,000 residents, including a senior community that makes up nearly 15% of the population. Two hospitals are located within the city proper, including Baptist Health-Fort Smith and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, and nine more major medical facilities are within 30 miles. For those who are coming out of inpatient care or otherwise need a high degree of skilled nursing services, the Fort Smith area has numerous nursing homes to choose from. Local care is affordable at $5,551 per month, which is nearly 30% lower than the national median.
Nursing homes are suited for those who need around-the-clock medical monitoring and extensive skilled nursing. These residential facilities are staffed by licensed professionals who provide care for those who would otherwise need extended periods of time in a hospital. For those with less extensive care needs, assisted living or home health care may be more appropriate options.
This guide provides more information on senior care costs in Fort Smith and highlights some local resources for older adults.
Directory of Nursing Home Facilities in Fort Smith, Arkansas
13 Results
Covington Court Health and Rehabilitation Center
4500 Old Greenwood Road, Fort Smith, AR, 72903
4.0
(1 reviews)
"My wife is at Covington Court Health and Rehabilitation Center. Everything I have seen so far is just very good. The staff had been good so far. They don't accept visitors. Up until yesterday, or a day before maybe, she was in a private room; they..."
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Mercy Home Care
7301 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR, 72917
4.0
(1 reviews)
"We were able to do the last mass for dying people. It was one of the most amazing things to ever be a part of. The staff was very comforting and alert but not overbearing. From what I saw that day, many elderly people comfortably take there final ..."
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Methodist Nursing Home of Fort Smith
1915 SOUTH 74TH ST, Fort Smith, AR, 72903
3.7
(3 reviews)
"My father had been in rehab at Methodist Nursing Home of Fort Smith before, and he was very happy there and happy with the facility. He came out of rehab. Actually he and my mother are both back in rehab there right now. I have seen it from the ou..."
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River Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center
5301 WHEELER AVENUE, Fort Smith, AR, 72901
3.5
(2 reviews)
"I suppose what struck me most was the smell. What I mean by that is that most nursing homes we visited before my family decided on putting my grandmother in an assisted living center had a distinct mix of putrid smells: urine, feces and -I hate to..."
READ MORELegacy Health and Rehabilitation Center
3310 NORTH 50 STREET, Fort Smith, AR, 72904
2.4
(7 reviews)
"I had a friend that did rehab at this facility, he was very satisfied with the knowledge of the staff and the caring way they went about it."
READ MOREDidn't find what you were looking for?
Caring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
Fianna Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
8411 SOUTH 28TH STREET, Fort Smith, AR, 72908
Van Buren Healthcare & Rehabilitation
1404 North 28th Street, Van Buren, AR, 72956
5.0
(1 reviews)
"Great facility with friendly staff. Wouldn't want my family members anywhere else. "
READ MOREAshton Place
318 STROZIER LANE, Barling, AR, 72923
4.6
(5 reviews)
"My dad is at Ashton Place. It's amazing. It's one of the best places around the Fort Smith area. They've got awesome and caring people that work there. I can't say enough about the place. I live three and a half hours away and for me to have to le..."
READ MOREValley Springs Rehabilitation and Health Center
228 Pointer Trail West, Van Buren, AR, 72956
Nursing Home Costs in Fort Smith, AR
In Fort Smith, nursing homes charge $5,551 per month for shared rooms. Seniors in private rooms typically pay $5,703 monthly.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
Nationally, seniors pay $7,756 per month for semiprivate rooms in nursing homes, and in Arkansas, monthly fees are well below average at $5,931. Nursing home care in Fort Smith is very competitively priced at $5,551 monthly.
Nursing homes in Fort Smith charge among the cheapest rates in the state for nursing home care. However, care in all surveyed cities across the state is affordable compared to the national average. In Jonesboro and Fayetteville, respective monthly fees come in at $5,779 and $6,007. Seniors in Hot Springs pay $6,083 for care, and those in Pine Bluff pay a little more at $6,183.
Fort Smith
$5,551
Arkansas
$5,931
The United States
$7,756
Fayetteville Area
$6,007
Hot Springs
$6,083
Pine Bluff
$6,183
Jonesboro
$5,779
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Fort Smith is a relatively affordable city for all types of senior care. Nursing homes charge the highest rates of $5,551 for shared rooms and $5,703 for private accommodations. Older adults seeking residential services but who only need personal care services may save money by opting for assisted living, which costs $3,406 monthly. In-home care, including home care and specialized home health care, costs $3,586 per month. Local data for adult day health care isn’t available, but statewide, monthly fees average $1,820.
Home care
$3,586
Home health care
$3,586
Adult day health care
0
Assisted living
$3,406
Nursing home (semiprivate room)
$5,551
Nursing home (private room)
$5,703
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Fort Smith, AR
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used to pay for skilled nursing care.
- Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
- Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
Free Resources for Seniors in Fort Smith, AR
Numerous nonprofit programs and resources help seniors in Fort Smith make informed decisions regarding their long-term care options. Through the following resources, older adults can connect with community-based supports that may enable them to avoid or delay nursing home placement. The table also features information specialists who can help seniors understand their care options and identify ways to cover monthly nursing home fees.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, Inc. | (479) 783-4500 | The AAA provides 24-hour in-home care for medically needy individuals in Fort Smith, which seniors can pay for through Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, private pay and donations. Home health care staff includes licensed nurses, nurse aides, therapists and medical social workers. It also has a personal care program with trained aides who prepare meals, change linens, provide housekeeping and laundry and complete essential shopping. |
| Sebastian County Veterans Services | (479) 782-3421 | The county’s Veterans Service Office helps older veterans in Fort Smith apply for VA benefits, including pension, disability compensation, health insurance and medical care through the VA Regional Center and Milwaukee Pension Center. Staff members also help with overpayment waivers and applications for Aid and Attendance and Housebound status. |
| Senior Health Insurance Information Program | (800) 282-9134 | SHIIP is a statewide program that provides free, impartial health insurance counseling to Medicare beneficiaries. Through the helpline, trained volunteers help callers understand their Medicare coverage for in-home and nursing home care, as well as benefits under available Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. They can also help individuals determine whether paying for nursing home care through Medicaid is an option. |
| Arkansas Lifespan Respite | (866) 801-3435 | Arkansas Lifespan Respite is a statewide initiative that helps families in Fort Smith connect with caregiver resources and relief. The program maintains a database of registered respite care options. It also administers the Arkansas Lifespan Respite Voucher Program, which provides funds for those who need financial assistance for respite care. Funds are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and may be up to $300 quarterly or $1,200 annually. |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | (870) 972-9224 | Legal Aid of Arkansas provides free legal assistance to older adults in Fort Smith. It has licensed legal professionals who help seniors obtain public benefits and resolve issues, such as Social Security overpayment or denied health insurance claims. It can also help address nursing home issues, including billing errors, problems with intake or discharge procedures and insufficient or excessive care services. |
