Home care or senior home care in Arkansas is provided by senior home care agencies and can be administered by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, home health aides, home attendants, social workers, or therapists. Senior home care is an option to many because it can provide occupational therapy or a few times a week or 24-hour care. Personal care is another option for those that need less specialized medical care and more help around the house. The point is to keep seniors in their homes and allow them to retain their independence. There are about 436 agencies and the average monthly cost of Senior Home Care is $3,241.
Finding home care in Arkansas will vary from each city to the next depending on what services you need from a caregiver, including the degree of medical attention required. Home care services can provide you or your loved one assistance with the activities of daily life, or more involved medical care depending on the licensing of the medical professional or non-medical paraprofessional of your choice. Since these roles and license types can overlap in their duties, it’s important to have a clear understanding of one’s individual needs in order to make the best decision.
There are a number of cities throughout AR that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly costs range from:
City Homemaker Services Monthly Costs Home Health Aide Monthly Costs Fayetteville $3,623 $3,623 Fort Smith $3,432 $3,432 Hot Springs $3,381 $3,428 Jonesboro $3,203 $3,203 Little Rock $3,527 $3,527
Arkansas has many parks to be seen such as Hot Springs National Park and Mammoth Spring State Park. The Crater of Diamonds State Park offers the public the opportunity to hunt for real diamonds. For history buffs and aviation fans, The Arkansas Air Museum has various 1920’s and 1930’s racing planes, biplanes, and displays the history of flying for visitors young and old.
Other attractions like Buffalo National River provide a protected area for creatures like bobcats, deer, and many other forms of wildlife. This 135-mile long waterway is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states and is truly a natural wonder.
The climate in Arkansas is considered the most continental in the United States meaning that it has very hot summers and cold winters. During the summer, high temperatures average around 92 degrees with high humidity levels. During late summer, the remains of tropical storms pass through providing significant amounts of rain, averaging 49 inches annually. Winters are relatively mild with average lows around 30 degrees, but cold fronts often come through resulting in lower temperatures, occasional snow, and ice. More snow can be expected in the Ozark mountain areas, although the state averages 4 inches per year. The spring is the time of the heaviest rain, often resulting from thunderstorms. Lightweight clothing is recommended for the summer and multiple layers for the colder months.
Arkansas’ culture is influenced by a deep relationship with the art and handiwork of residents of many rural areas who have kept these artisanal crafts alive for generations. The state is very rich with a unique culture and people in Arkansas are characterized by their southern hospitality and a deep sense of Christian spirituality. Arkansans love their college football and mouth-watering country cuisines like barbecue, wild duck, okra, and grits of course!
Sperling’s Best Places ranked Arkansas 51 on a scale of 100 (1 being the lowest crime) for violent crime and 50 for property crime; the United States overall ranked 41 for violent crime and 44 for property crime compared to Arkansas’ ranking. Arkansas has a variety of local crime watch organizations who work together with local law enforcement to ensure that as many areas of the state remain lawful and safe.
Location Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents Greenbrier 0.00 1.57 Malvern 0.73 4.46 Bella Vista 0.94 4.82 Centerton 1.83 6.07
Medicare-certified home health aides are required to have a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of additional education every 12 months following their licensing. Each state’s approved programs for training and evaluation are overseen by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36) to ensure national consistency.
Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next.
To start, the benefits of Medicare do not apply to non-medical care and only applies to medical home health care very selectively. Regardless, Medicare Supplemental Insurances do cover Medicare copayments and deductibles for medical home care, as long as it is determined to be necessary.
Paying privately is also an option for many seniors through several methods. Besides paying with one’s own savings, seniors may choose to pay with a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit, or by converting their life insurance policies. If you purchased long-term care insurance earlier in life, then you are already prepared for this care type and the costs associated with it.
Notably, U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care through benefits like the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. To apply you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
Finally, Medicaid is an insurance program for low-income seniors and their families that can be used to pay for non-medical home care, home health care, and other home support programs. Since Medicaid rules are state-specific, your eligibility and benefits will change based on location. Care received outside of a nursing home is generally referred to as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
As a senior receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency, you retain various guaranteed rights and protections. When you start with your care, it is required that the home health agency’s caretaker must provide you with a written copy of your rights. Firstly, you are entitled to choose your own home health agency, although if you are on a managed care plan your choices may be fewer. Caretakers are to treat you and your personal property with respect at all times, minding your preferences for privacy when necessary. You are also encouraged to make decisions about the services medical or non-medical you are to receive.
Some may reach a point where they are unable to make decisions regarding their own medical care — luckily, a family member or legal guardian can step in as an advocate on your behalf. It is also important to note that your Constitutional rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights are retained throughout your care. If you believe a violation of these rights has occurred, reach out to an elder law professional to understand what actions may be possible.
As a senior receiving home care in Arkansas you have the right to obtain copies of your medical records by submitting a request to your healthcare provider. Although health care workers may mistakenly argue that these records cannot be released due to privacy laws, this is a common misconception. Even if they ask, you don’t need to provide a reason for the request. You will likely be charged a fee and the request may be required in writing, but your records belong to you.
Your protected health information details information regarding your physical and mental health and can also include medical records, billing records, claims adjudication records, and other private documents. Receiving these records can take up to 30 days, or as long 60 days if your healthcare provider utilizes their single extension period. Beyond this point, it is required that you receive a written statement detailing the delay or denial of your records.
