In-Home Hospice Support in Helena-West Helena, AR

Local figures

Hospice Support in Helena-West Helena, AR: the local picture

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Helena-West Helena ZIP codes

170

residents 85 or older (1.9% of all residents)

33%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (32% in Phillips County)

46%

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

Medicare lists 4 hospices whose service area includes Helena-West Helena ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Gentiva in Forrest City (34 mi) and Elite Hospice in Forrest City (34 mi).

505 Helena-West Helena residents 65 or older live alone (33% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Helena-West Helena compared with Phillips County and Arkansas

Census figure	Helena-West Helena	Phillips County	Arkansas
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	33%	32%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	46%	46%	40%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	16%	16%	8.5%
Residents 65 or older	18%	21%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	17%	21%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,380	$31,843	—

Older residents in towns around Helena-West Helena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Marianna, AR	19 mi	614	36%
Clarksdale, MS	24 mi	2,332	43%
Forrest City, AR	35 mi	1,468	42%
Senatobia, MS	37 mi	1,295	31%
Brinkley, AR	41 mi	648	44%
Hernando, MS	42 mi	3,087	23%

Hospices serving Helena-West Helena

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gentiva	Forrest City, AR	34 mi	(870) 494-8067
Elite Hospice	Forrest City, AR	34 mi	(870) 633-4613
Legacy Hospice, Inc	Osceola, AR	89 mi	(870) 563-9995
Hospice Home Care Of Monticello	Monticello, AR	92 mi	(870) 367-9008

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 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 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 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 Helena-West Helena: common questions

How much does hospice support 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).

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 Helena-West Helena

More senior care near Helena-West Helena

Hospice Support 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.