Arkansas is One of the Leaders in Assisted Living Care in the Nation

The majority of people who enter assisted living facilities pay by private funds. Some facilities are available for those who need the service that are paid for by Medicaid or Medicare. It would be beyond the scope of this article to discuss how the laws vary in different states. Because I live in northeast Arkansas, I am discussing how this applies locally.

Arkansas has a program called Living Choices. This program allows a physically disabled person (as determined by SSI) between the ages of 24-64 and those 65 years of age and older who have lower incomes to live in apartment style units. Living Choices supports independent living among its inhabitants as much as possible. This program exists as a Medicaid waiver program. Twenty four hour care is available for those who need it. When a resident enters a nursing home and is allowed to return, he or she can return to the Living Choices program.

A DHS nurse will conduct a case study to see if the applicant is in need of the Living Choices services. If the applicant is in need, a plan of care will proceed based on the need. For more information, call your local DHS county office or DAAS at (501) 682-2441. I could not find a location for the Living Choices units online but with the (501) area code my guess is it is in central/southern Arkansas.

An option some family members use to be able to pay for assisted living by private funds is selling the elderly person's home to pay for care in the assistance center with that money. A few places near Jonesboro, Arkansas are assistance centers that offer the private pay option. In my local hometown of Pocahontas, Arkansas there is a center called Elmcroft. It is absolutely beautiful and well staffed. A health care director is available on staff 24 hours a day. I have personally visited this facility and it is amazing.

Another Elmcroft center is in Blytheville, Arkansas. The same amazing services are provided at this Elmcroft as well. .

St. Francis Park in Kennett, Missouri accepts long-term care insurance along with private pay and Veteran's benefits for assistance in care. The town of Kennett is located about 45 miles from Jonesboro, Arkansas. St. Francis Park allows for assistance in care, respite, and short-term care. St. Francis Park is a relaxing retreat with many of the same services available as the other centers.

Jonesboro, AR has an assisted care facility that is, at least, in part paid by Medicare. I do not have personal experience in dealing with Medicare or Medicaid with assistant care facilities but have dealt with Medicaid in the past in regard to medical services. A statement on the page for this website is of some concern that those who enter the facility may not have all services covered by Medicare. Generally when the hospital is in disagreement with Medicaid, a balance exists that is the responsibility of the patient. A report card of this facility is located here under quality report card on the right side of the page. The statement that was of some concern to me is located at the bottom ofthis page

Arkansas is by no means without assisted living care for the elderly. A 2006 article stated Arkansas leads the nation at providing assistance centers for the elderly that are paid by Medicaid to low income seniors. The Corning Home project gave eight states $300,000 each and Arkansas plans to use the money to entice more builders of assistance living facilities.

For more information, my advice is to contact Herb Sanderson of our Arkansas' Aging and Adult Services. To determine where some of these assistance centers are located in reference to you and additional questions you may have, Arkansas' Aging and Adult Services is a good resource.

Disclaimer: By no means am I an expert in this category. I have had dealings with Medicaid many years ago in regard to paying for my own health services so the personal experience comes from those dealings. Do not assume all cases are the same. The best advice is to talk with a professional about financial help for assisted living.