The average starting cost of home care in Arkansas is $29 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Arkansas are Home Instead - Fort Smith, AR, HomeWell Care Services of Conway, AR or Cornerstone Caregiving - Fort Smith, AR. Home care can be a flexible and cost-effective option for seniors who want to remain at home while receiving help with daily activities and household tasks.
Finding the right home care agency in Arkansas can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance your loved one’s comfort, safety, and budget. Families in communities across the state, from Rogers and Little Rock to Hot Springs and Fayetteville, often look for dependable caregivers who can provide personalized support while helping seniors maintain their independence and familiar routines.
It’s also important to understand the difference between home care and home health care. Home care focuses on nonmedical assistance, such as help with personal care, meal preparation, housekeeping, and companionship. Home health care involves skilled medical services provided by licensed professionals. While some agencies offer both types of support, the agencies in A Place for Mom’s network provide nonmedical home care services. A Place for Mom has partnered with 79 home care agencies to help seniors and their families find the right fit.
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(6)Great to work with and flexible. Yes, we would recommend this home care service to other families based on the experience so far.
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(8)We reached out to this agency to assist a 93 year old with Alzheimer's and Dementia who had started falling. This was going to be a short term need. However, the consistent staffing and great care given has...
Reviewer Ranking
3.7/ 5.0
(3)Everyone was very professional, caring and helpful. We felt very fortunate to have found your agency. The responsiveness and the turnaround time exceeded our expectations. The care provided was compassionate...
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(8)We reached out to this agency to assist a 93 year old with Alzheimer's and Dementia who had started falling. This was going to be a short term need. However, the consistent staffing and great care given has...
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(2)They have been very reliable and we are happy with them. I would give them a five at this point. We haven't had any major issues or concerns at all.
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(2)They did a good job. They were usually there on time, and if one of them called in and couldn't be there, they had a replacement quickly.
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(2)They have been very reliable and we are happy with them. I would give them a five at this point. We haven't had any major issues or concerns at all.
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(8)We reached out to this agency to assist a 93 year old with Alzheimer's and Dementia who had started falling. This was going to be a short term need. However, the consistent staffing and great care given has...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(2)They did a good job. They were usually there on time, and if one of them called in and couldn't be there, they had a replacement quickly.
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(8)We reached out to this agency to assist a 93 year old with Alzheimer's and Dementia who had started falling. This was going to be a short term need. However, the consistent staffing and great care given has...
Reviewer Ranking
5.0/ 5.0
(2)They have been very reliable and we are happy with them. I would give them a five at this point. We haven't had any major issues or concerns at all.
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(2)5 on all. The only problem we had is they kept sending young women. My husband would not let them take him to the bathroom. We had asked for a man or an older woman. I am looking to find someone again...
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(8)We reached out to this agency to assist a 93 year old with Alzheimer's and Dementia who had started falling. This was going to be a short term need. However, the consistent staffing and great care given has...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(2)They did a good job. They were usually there on time, and if one of them called in and couldn't be there, they had a replacement quickly.
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(2)5 on all. The only problem we had is they kept sending young women. My husband would not let them take him to the bathroom. We had asked for a man or an older woman. I am looking to find someone again...
Home care in Arkansas typically costs $29 per hour, which is about 10% lower than the national average, $32.[01]
Costs can vary across Arkansas. For example:
Monthly costs also vary depending on how many hours of care your loved one needs. The following costs are determined based on the average hourly rate in Arkansas.
Several factors can affect home care costs in Arkansas, including:
Average monthly costs
Arkansas
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Arkansas
Greenbrier, AR
Average monthly costs
| Community type | Arkansas | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,926/mo | $5,830/mo | 15.5% below national average |
| Memory Care | $6,266/mo | $6,999/mo | 10.5% below national average |
| Independent Living | $3,045/mo | $3,520/mo | 13.5% below national average |
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
In Arkansas, families typically pay for home care through a combination of private funds and public assistance programs. While nonmedical home care is often paid for out of pocket, some seniors may qualify for government programs or benefits that help offset the cost of care.
Private pay funding sources include:
Veterans in Arkansas may be eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that can help cover the cost of home care. The Aid and Attendance benefit provides additional monthly payments to qualifying veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance with daily activities.[02]
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may also have access to in-home support programs, including homemaker and home health aide services, home-based primary care, skilled home health care, hospice care, and respite care for family caregivers.[03,04,05,06,07] To learn more about eligibility and available benefits, visit VA.gov or contact the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
Medicaid is a joint state and federal government program that can help low-income seniors receive the care they need. It can help cover the cost of some home care services, including:
Arkansas Medicaid covers the cost of services like these in two ways: through the Personal Care program, part of the state’s regular Medicaid plan, and the ARChoices in Homecare.[08,09]
All Medicaid programs require recipients to demonstrate financial need and some require recipients to demonstrate medical need. The Personal Care program is an entitlement, meaning all eligible seniors will receive services. The ARChoices in Homecare program isn’t an entitlement, so your loved one may be placed on a waiting list.
Medicare typically doesn’t cover nonmedical home care services like help with bathing, grooming, or medication reminders. However, Medicare may cover personal care services when they’re part of a medically necessary home health care plan provided by licensed medical professionals.[10]
Arkansas regulates both home health agencies and nonmedical home care agencies, which the state refers to as private care agencies.[11,12] These regulations protect seniors and their families by ensuring agencies meet standards for safety, training, and quality of care.
Yes. In Arkansas, home care agencies must be licensed through the Arkansas Department of Health.[13]
Yes. The Arkansas Department of Health inspects private care agencies before licensure and then periodically at least once every three years.[11]
Arkansas doesn’t make inspection reports for private care agencies available online, but families can ask an agency for its inspection results. Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:[11]
Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations such as The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.[13]
Arkansas requires agencies to follow hiring and training practices, including:[11]
These standards help ensure caregivers are qualified to provide safe, effective support.
Finding the right home care agency can help ensure your loved one receives safe, reliable support that meets their unique needs and preferences. Here are some tips to guide your decision:
Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
The average cost of home care in Arkansas is $29 per hour.
It depends. Medicare covers home health care, and can cover nonmedical home care services, such as help with bathing, grooming, and feeding, if they are medically necessary and provided in conjunction with skilled services.
Yes, Arkansas’ Medicaid program will cover the cost of certain home care services for eligible seniors through the state’s regular plan and through the ARChoices home- and community-based services (HCBS) waiver.
Yes, certain family members can be paid for providing nonmedical care services. Under the state’s regular Medicaid plan and its waiver program, adult children and other relatives, but not spouses or legal guardians, may be paid to provide care.
Home care assistance eligibility depends on income, health needs, and program requirements.
Home care agencies typically provide help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, mobility, transportation, and companionship.
Common signs that your parent or loved one needs help include mismanaged medications, difficulty with daily tasks, poor hygiene and nutrition, safety concerns, and difficulty getting around.
A Place For Mom. (2026). A Place For Mom proprietary data.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, April 27). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, March 6). Geriatrics and extended care: Homemaker and home health aide care.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, June 3). Geriatrics and extended care: Home based primary care.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, March 6). Geriatrics and extended care: Skilled home health care.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, March 6). Geriatrics and extended care: Hospice care.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2026, March 6). Geriatrics and extended care: Respite care.
Arkansas Department of Human Services. Personal care.
Arkansas Department of Human Services. ARChoices in Homecare.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Home health services. Medicare.gov.
Arkansas State Board of Health. (2024, June 17). Rules for private care agencies in Arkansas.
Arkansas State Board of Health. (2024, June 17). Rules for home health agencies in Arkansas.
Joint Commission. Home care accreditation program.
Overview of home care in AR
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
Please enter a valid email address.