I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Hot Springs, AR
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is located in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains. It’s known for being the country’s first spa city thanks to its naturally occurring warm thermal waters. Over a fifth of the city’s estimated 38,000 residents are aged 65 and over.
Choosing to retire in Hot Springs means you can spend your golden years exploring an array of amenities such as walking the trails in Lake Ouachita State Park, visiting historical Hot Springs National Park visitors center and tasting the liqueurs crafted at the Crystal Ridge Distillery. The city is also home to restaurants to suit all tastes and a wide range of shopping opportunities. The Hot Springs Recreation Department manages several parks and green spaces and administers free community programs. Retirees in the city enjoy mild weather and an average of 215 days of sunshine every year.
The city administers a range of accessible aging-in-place programs and CHI St. Vincent operates a Senior Activity Center, where you can enjoy a meal and take part in fun activities with other retirees. Hot Springs has plenty to offer its senior residents, including many home care and home health care providers to help you remain living in the familiarity of your home for as long as possible.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Hot Springs, AR
Seniors in Hot Springs pay $3,909 per month for both home care and home health care services, per Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. Home care providers can generally help with daily errands and household chores and offer companionship, while home health care providers also offer nursing services, such as diabetes or wound management.
The monthly cost data from Genworth is based on 44 hours of care per week, at an average hourly rate of $20.50 for either type of in-home care service. If you only needed part-time in-home care, then your monthly cost could drop to $2,037, based on 20 hours of assistance per week.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
At $3,909 per month, home care and home health care costs in Hot Springs fall around midrange compared to other Arkansas cities. In Pine Bluff, both services average $3,432, or $277 less than in Hot Springs. The costs in Jonesboro of $3,790 for home care and $3,802 for homemaker services are slightly under the median in Hot Spring. However, in Little Rock, both types of care are more expensive than in Hot Springs, at an average monthly price of $4,157.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
At an average of $3,909 per month, home care or home health care in Hot Springs costs $284 more than the residential care offered in an assisted living community ($3,626). The costliest option for seniors in Hot Springs is nursing home care, at a monthly median rate of $6,083. The least expensive senior care option is typically adult day care, which offers weekday care in a group setting. While no local cost data is provided for Hot Springs, the statewide average is $1,820 per month, which is over $4,200 less than the cost of care in a skilled nursing facility.
III. How to Find Home Care in Hot Springs, AR
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Hot Springs, AR.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Hot Springs, AR
Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas
What You Should Know
The Area Agency on Aging can offer you a robust list of services and programs created to encourage aging in place. The agency provides an information and referral service connecting seniors with local resources and community-based programs. In some cases, you may receive personalized advice from a trained care manager. Seniors who served in the military can receive support from the AAA by applying for federal and state pensions and other veteran-specific benefits they might be entitled to.
There is one senior center in Hot Springs managed by the AAA, where you can take part in fun activities such as Zumba classes, art classes and social lunches. The agency also manages the local Meals on Wheels program.
Who Is Eligible?
Services and programs offered by the AAA are available to all seniors aged 60 and over living in the West Central Arkansas area. Some programs may be offered on a sliding scale, based on income.
How to Get Started
For more information and to find out what programs you’re eligible for, you can call the AAA at (501) 321-2811 or send an email to [email protected].
The Oaklawn Center on Aging
What You Should Know
The Oaklawn Center on Aging is funded by the nonprofit Oaklawn Foundation. The center provides information and an array of educational resources for local seniors seeking to age in place. Services available include Medicare insurance counseling, and in some cases, financial assistance with paying for medication. The center operates several community-based programs, such as nutrition education, chronic illness self-management workshops and A Matter of Balance, which is a six-week fall prevention class.
You can also visit the center’s website for access to a free directory of helpful aging resources in the area.
Who Is Eligible?
The programs provided by the Oaklawn Center on Aging are available to older adults aged 65 and over who reside in Garland County.
How to Get Started
For more information on services and to register with the programs available, you can contact the Oaklawn Center on Aging on (501) 623-0020 or by completing the online form.
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
What You Should Know
The ADVA can help senior veterans apply for federal and state benefits they’re entitled to. Services of interest to seniors include assistance with checking eligibility and applying for VA healthcare in specialized military hospitals, disability compensation and VA pensions and supplements such as Aid and Attendance benefits, some of which may help them pay for in-home care services.
Who Is Eligible?
ADVA services are available to all Arkansas residents who served in the U.S. military and received an honorable discharge.
How to Get Started
You can get in touch with your local Garland County Veterans Service Office by calling (501) 622-3795.
ARChoices In Homecare
What You Should Know
If you’re a Hot Springs senior living on a low income, this statewide Medicaid program may provide you with in-home care services that can allow you to remain independent and delay or prevent the need to relocate to a long-term care facility. If you’re eligible for these services, you may receive in-home help with daily living activities, such as household chores, bathing, preparing meals and shopping. ARChoices may provide you with home-delivered meals and a personal emergency device you can use to quickly call for first-responder help.
Other available services include adult day care, short-term respite and making home modifications, such as adding a wheelchair ramp for easier access or installing grab bars in the bathroom.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be at least 65 years old, a resident of Arkansas and meet the eligibility criteria for Medicaid coverage to qualify for ARChoices services.
How to Get Started
You can check eligibility, find out which services are appropriate for your needs and get help with the application process by calling the Choices in Living Resource Center at (866) 801-3435.
Arkansas Legal Services
What You Should Know
This nonprofit organization offers free legal advice to low-income Arkansas residents. You can call its helpline to make an appointment and discuss civil matters such as Social Security, health insurance, living wills and guardianship. In some cases, free attorney representation may be available. Lawyers with the service can help you understand the legal jargon, fill in court forms correctly and make appeals if you’ve been refused public benefits.
The Legal Services website also offers a broad range of articles, self-help forms and other useful legal knowledge documents.
Who Is Eligible?
The legal services provided by ALS are available to Arkansas residents who meet the financial guidelines specified by the organization. Assistance through ALS is limited to civil legal issues.
How to Get Started
To get in touch with ALS staff and discuss your specific issue, you can apply online or call the legal helpline at (800) 952-9243.