Home Health Aides in Fort Smith, AR
Trained help with personal care, mobility and daily routines at home, hired privately or through a Medicare-certified agency. Post what you need in Fort Smith for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Home Health Aides in Fort Smith, AR: the local picture
10 Medicare-certified home health agencies list Fort Smith ZIP codes in their service area; the highest-rated are below, and 4 of those list home health aide services. Agency aides are usually part of care a doctor orders. For help beyond those visits, families hire an aide directly.
Home health and personal care aides in Arkansas earn a median $13.30 an hour (BLS, May 2025), with the middle half between $12.61 and $14.06.
Fort Smith has about 14,381 residents aged 65 or older, 43% of whom report a disability.
Fort Smith compared with Sebastian County and Arkansas
| Census figure | Fort Smith | Sebastian County | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 43% | 44% | 40% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 17% | 18% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 28% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 12% | 12% |
| Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home | 21% | 16% | 8.3% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,235 | $44,729 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Smith
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barling, AR | 5.5 mi | 990 | 42% |
| Van Buren, AR | 7.1 mi | 4,133 | 40% |
| Pocola, OK | 8.7 mi | 924 | 46% |
| Roland, OK | 8.9 mi | 411 | 58% |
| Greenwood, AR | 12 mi | 1,906 | 48% |
| Alma, AR | 13 mi | 782 | 38% |
Medicare-certified 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 |
| Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc | Paris, AR | 37 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, home health aides | (479) 963-6868 |
| Mercy Home Health | Rogers, AR | 68 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (479) 936-2978 |
| Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas, Inc. | Fort Smith, AR | 2.5 mi | 2.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy | (479) 783-5550 |
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 home health aide can help with
- Bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting
- Transfers, walking and positioning
- Meals and help with eating
- Medication reminders
What home health aides 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 home health aide
Federal rules require home health aides who work for Medicare-certified agencies to complete at least 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, or pass a competency evaluation (42 CFR 484.80). Many states add their own requirements.
Questions worth asking: Where did you train, and can I see the certificate? Have you worked for a home health agency? Which transfers and equipment are you trained on? More in our home health aides guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Home Health Aides in Fort Smith: common questions
Which home health agencies serve Fort Smith?
Medicare lists 10 certified agencies whose service area includes Fort Smith ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Kindred At Home 1 (4 of 5), Adoration Home Health (4 of 5), The Home Health Team (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does home health aides 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).
What is the difference between a home health aide and a CNA?
Both are trained in personal care. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) has passed a state exam and is on the state nurse aide registry, and often works in nursing homes and hospitals. A home health aide is trained for care in the home. Neither does skilled nursing.
More senior care near Fort Smith
Home Health Aides in nearby cities
- Home Health Aides in Barling, AR
- Home Health Aides in Van Buren, AR
- Home Health Aides in Pocola, OK
- Home Health Aides in Roland, OK
- Home Health Aides in Greenwood, AR
- Home Health Aides in Alma, AR
- Home Health Aides in Muldrow, OK
- Home Health Aides in Charleston, AR
- Home Health Aides in Poteau, OK
- Home Health Aides in Sallisaw, OK
- Home Health Aides in Booneville, AR
- Home Health Aides in Ozark, AR
- Home Health Aides in Heavener, OK
- Home Health Aides in Waldron, AR
- Home Health Aides in Stilwell, OK
- Home Health Aides 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
- 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
- Disability Care for Adults 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.
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