In-Home Support for Adults With Disabilities in Fort Smith, AR
Support at home for adults under 65 with a physical, intellectual or developmental disability, so they can live as independently as they choose. Post what you need in Fort Smith for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Disability Care for Adults in Fort Smith, AR: the local picture
About 11,914 Fort Smith residents aged 18 to 64 report a disability (22%; 21% in Sebastian County).
4,533 of them have difficulty doing errands such as shopping or visiting a doctor alone, the kind of help a support caregiver gives.
7.6% of Fort Smith households have no vehicle (6.0% in Sebastian County); say in your posting if you need a caregiver who drives.
Fort Smith compared with Sebastian County and Arkansas
| Census figure | Fort Smith | Sebastian County | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 18 to 64 with a disability | 22% | 21% | 16% |
| Residents 18 to 64 with difficulty doing errands alone | 8.4% | 7.9% | 5.7% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% | 6.0% | 5.9% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 21% | 16% | 8.3% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 43% | 44% | 40% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 12% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,235 | $44,729 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Smith
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Disability (18 to 64) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barling, AR | 5.5 mi | 990 | 23% |
| Van Buren, AR | 7.1 mi | 4,133 | 19% |
| Pocola, OK | 8.7 mi | 924 | 15% |
| Roland, OK | 8.9 mi | 411 | 22% |
| Greenwood, AR | 12 mi | 1,906 | 15% |
| Alma, AR | 13 mi | 782 | 18% |
Home health agencies serving Fort Smith
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindred At Home 1 | Fort Smith, AR | 0.6 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | (479) 452-0424 |
| Adoration Home Health | Van Buren, AR | 7.6 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (479) 474-4892 |
| The Home Health Team | Richardson, TX | 213 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (214) 613-0400 |
| Access Home Health | Fort Smith, AR | 0.6 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (479) 441-5850 |
| Elite Home Health | Fort Smith, AR | 2.5 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (479) 435-7194 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Smith. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a disability support caregiver can help with
- Personal care, on the person’s terms
- Cooking, shopping and housekeeping
- Getting to work, school, appointments and activities
- Keeping routines the person sets
What disability care for adults costs in Fort Smith
At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $3,686 monthly median income of Fort Smith households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a disability support caregiver
Many state Medicaid programs let adults with disabilities direct their own care: they, or a representative, hire and supervise the caregiver.
Questions worth asking: Have you supported adults with a disability like mine (or my family member’s)? How do you support someone to do things themselves? Can you drive to work, school or day programs? More in our disability care for adults guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Disability Care for Adults in Fort Smith: common questions
How much does disability care for adults cost in Fort Smith?
At the Arkansas median aide wage of $13.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,153 a month in wages, which is 31% of the $3,686 monthly median income of Fort Smith households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Can an adult with a disability hire their own caregiver?
Yes. Many state Medicaid programs offer self-direction, where the person or a representative hires and supervises the caregiver. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Arkansas.
More senior care near Fort Smith
Disability Care for Adults in nearby cities
- Disability Care for Adults in Barling, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Van Buren, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Pocola, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Roland, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Greenwood, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Alma, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Muldrow, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Charleston, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Poteau, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Sallisaw, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Booneville, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Ozark, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Heavener, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Waldron, AR
- Disability Care for Adults in Stilwell, OK
- Disability Care for Adults in Paris, AR
Other care in Fort Smith
- Companion Care in Fort Smith
- Dementia Care in Fort Smith
- Respite Care in Fort Smith
- Live-In Caregivers in Fort Smith
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Smith
- Senior Transportation in Fort Smith
- Home Health Aides in Fort Smith
- Nursing Assistants in Fort Smith
- Personal Care in Fort Smith
- Overnight Caregivers in Fort Smith
- 24-Hour Home Care in Fort Smith
- Mobility Assistance in Fort Smith
- Parkinson’s Care in Fort Smith
- Stroke Recovery Support in Fort Smith
- Hospice Support in Fort Smith
- Senior Meal Preparation in Fort Smith
- Senior Housekeeping in Fort Smith
- Medication Reminders in Fort Smith
- Veterans’ Home Care in Fort Smith
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
Find disability care for adults in Fort Smith
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