Assisted Living in Arkansas
Home to former President Bill Clinton, retail giant Wal-Mart and fine Southern hospitality, Arkansas boasts some of the best in the U.S. Surrounded by the Ozark Mountains, Mississippi River and Arkansas Delta, seniors who choose assisted living in Arkansas enjoy unparalleled natural beauty.
Conveniently located in the central United States, residents of Arkansas are only a few hours away from the amenities and services of major cities such as Little Rock, Dallas, St. Louis and Memphis.
Assisted Living in Arkansas Defined
The State of Arkansas defines assisted living as any facility that provides assisted living services to three or more adult residents for a period of more than 24 hours. Residents live in apartment-style housing with an emphasis on personal self-direction and independence.
Assisted living services include:
- Room and board
- Laundry service
- Social activities
- Direct care and healthcare services
- 24-hour supervision
- Limited nursing services
Arkansas also breaks down assisted living facilities into two different types:
- Level I assisted living facilities are for seniors who need assisted living care and nothing else. Residents are free of serious medical conditions and do not require skilled nursing care.
- Level II assisted living facilities may provide nursing home care as well as assisted living care, but must keep residents with different needs in separate areas of the facility.
Cost of Assisted Living in Arkansas
The average cost of assisted living in Arkansas ranges from $1,200 to $3,900 per month for a private, one-bedroom apartment. Prices vary based on location, type of facility and the services offered. Additional fees may be charged based on the type of assisted living care a resident receives.
Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single occupancy apartment in an Arkansas assisted living facility:
| City | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers | $2,100 | $3,328 |
| Fort Smith | $1,300 | $2,715 |
| Hot Springs | $1,500 | $3,420 |
| Jonesboro | $1,558 | $3,000 |
| Little Rock/Conway | $1,500 | $3,900 |
| Rest of State | $1,200 | $3,300 |
*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.
While using personal savings is the most common way to pay for assisted living, there are additional resources available to help cover the costs. The State of Arkansas allows reimbursement of certain services through a Medicaid plan called “Living Choices,” which covers residents in Level II assisted living homes. Private health or long-term care insurance as well as veteran’s benefits can also be used to finance assisted living care.
Regulation of Assisted Living in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services issues licenses and oversees assisted living communities in the state. In order to operate, a full-time Administrator must be on-site at the facility 40 hours per week and, depending on the number of beds, a second administrator may also be employed.
Communities of assisted living in Arkansas must have a Registered Nurse on call at all times to respond to medical situations and all staff are required to complete a background check and ongoing training each year. Employees are trained within the first 30 days of hire on medication monitoring and emergency response to ensure resident safety.
Find Assisted Living in Arkansas
You can find assisted living in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, North Little Rock and other parts of Arkansas.
Written by senior housing writer Jacqui Tom.
