Hospice Support in Mena, AR: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Mena, AR: the local picture

6

Medicare-certified hospices serve Mena ZIP codes

49

residents 85 or older (0.9% of all residents)

48%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (35% in Polk County)

53%

of residents 65+ report a disability (41% in Polk County)

Medicare lists 6 hospices whose service area includes Mena ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Elite Hospice in Mena (0.9 mi) and Visiting Nurses Agency Of Western Arkansas Inc in Mena (0.9 mi).

507 Mena residents 65 or older live alone (48% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Mena compared with Polk County and Arkansas

Census figure	Mena	Polk County	Arkansas
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	48%	35%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	53%	41%	40%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	12%	7.7%	8.5%
Residents 65 or older	21%	23%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.2%	11%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,050	$42,295	—

Older residents in towns around Mena

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Waldron, AR	24 mi	456	47%
Heavener, OK	30 mi	426	40%
De Queen, AR	38 mi	718	31%
Poteau, OK	40 mi	1,451	40%
Booneville, AR	43 mi	572	48%
Greenwood, AR	43 mi	1,906	24%

Hospices serving Mena

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Mena, AR	0.9 mi	(479) 394-1134
Visiting Nurses Agency Of Western Arkansas Inc	Mena, AR	0.9 mi	(479) 394-5458
Mercy Hospice	Fort Smith, AR	53 mi	(479) 314-1150
Gentiva	Hot Springs, AR	73 mi	(501) 781-4033
Dierksen Memorial Hospice	Texarkana, AR	82 mi	(903) 793-6464
Gentiva	Texarkana, AR	82 mi	(870) 330-7798

Straight-line miles from the center of Mena. 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 Mena

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 32% of the $3,588 monthly median income of Mena 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 Mena: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Mena?

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 32% of the $3,588 monthly median income of Mena 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 Mena

More senior care near Mena

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Mena

More for Mena 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 Mena, AR