Hospice Support in Fort Smith, AR: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Fort Smith, AR: the local picture

15

Medicare-certified hospices serve Fort Smith ZIP codes

1,843

residents 85 or older (2.1% of all residents)

32%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (28% in Sebastian County)

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (44% in Sebastian County)

Medicare lists 15 hospices whose service area includes Fort Smith ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Heart Of Hospice, LLC in Fort Smith (0.6 mi) and Mercy Hospice in Fort Smith (0.6 mi).

4,420 Fort Smith residents 65 or older live alone (32% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Fort Smith compared with Sebastian County and Arkansas

Census figure	Fort Smith	Sebastian County	Arkansas
Residents 85 or older	2.1%	2.2%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	28%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	44%	40%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	13%	11%	8.5%
Residents 65 or older	16%	17%	18%
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+	Live alone (65+)
Barling, AR	5.5 mi	990	34%
Van Buren, AR	7.1 mi	4,133	25%
Pocola, OK	8.7 mi	924	27%
Roland, OK	8.9 mi	411	31%
Greenwood, AR	12 mi	1,906	24%
Alma, AR	13 mi	782	44%

Hospices serving Fort Smith

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Fort Smith, AR	0.6 mi	(479) 494-0100
Mercy Hospice	Fort Smith, AR	0.6 mi	(479) 314-1150
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc	Fort Smith, AR	2.5 mi	(479) 783-5550
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Poteau, OK	24 mi	(918) 647-7008
Elara Caring Xi	Sallisaw, OK	25 mi	(918) 775-9500
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas, Inc.	Paris, AR	37 mi	(479) 943-6868

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 it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Hospice Support in Fort Smith: common questions

How much does hospice support 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).

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near Fort Smith

More senior care near Fort Smith

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Fort Smith

More for Fort Smith 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.

In-Home Hospice Support in Fort Smith, AR