Home Health Aides in Helena-West Helena, AR

Local figures

Home Health Aides in Helena-West Helena, AR: the local picture

2

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Helena-West Helena ZIP codes in their service area

$13.30

median hourly wage of home care aides in Arkansas (BLS, May 2025)

1,622

residents 65 or older (18% of Helena-West Helena)

46%

of residents 65+ report a disability (46% in Phillips County)

2 Medicare-certified home health agencies list Helena-West Helena ZIP codes in their service area; the highest-rated are below, and 1 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.

Helena-West Helena has about 1,622 residents aged 65 or older, 46% of whom report a disability.

Helena-West Helena compared with Phillips County and Arkansas

Census figure	Helena-West Helena	Phillips County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	46%	40%
Residents 65 or older	18%	21%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	32%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	21%	12%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	2.6%	1.9%	8.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,380	$31,843	—

Older residents in towns around Helena-West Helena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Marianna, AR	19 mi	614	39%
Clarksdale, MS	24 mi	2,332	38%
Forrest City, AR	35 mi	1,468	45%
Senatobia, MS	37 mi	1,295	22%
Brinkley, AR	41 mi	648	57%
Hernando, MS	42 mi	3,087	37%

Medicare-certified home health agencies serving Helena-West Helena

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Centerwell Home Health	Forrest City, AR	34 mi	4 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health aides	(870) 270-5461
Elite Home Health	Forrest City, AR	34 mi	3.5 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy	(870) 261-0188

Straight-line miles from the center of Helena-West Helena. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a home health aide can help with

Bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting
Transfers, walking and positioning
Meals and help with eating
Medication reminders

Cost

What home health aides costs in Helena-West Helena

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 41% of the $2,782 monthly median income of Helena-West Helena 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.

Before you hire

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.

Questions

Home Health Aides in Helena-West Helena: common questions

Which home health agencies serve Helena-West Helena?

Medicare lists 2 certified agencies whose service area includes Helena-West Helena ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Centerwell Home Health (4 of 5), Elite Home Health (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.

How much does home health aides cost in Helena-West Helena?

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 41% of the $2,782 monthly median income of Helena-West Helena 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 near Helena-West Helena

More senior care near Helena-West Helena

Home Health Aides in nearby cities

Other care in Helena-West Helena

More for Helena-West Helena families

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.