Hospice Support in Van Buren, AR: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Van Buren, AR: the local picture

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Van Buren ZIP codes

343

residents 85 or older (1.4% of all residents)

25%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Crawford County)

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Crawford County)

Medicare lists 8 hospices whose service area includes Van Buren ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc in Fort Smith (6.7 mi) and Heart Of Hospice, LLC in Fort Smith (7.6 mi).

953 Van Buren residents 65 or older live alone (25% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Van Buren compared with Crawford County and Arkansas

Census figure	Van Buren	Crawford County	Arkansas
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	40%	40%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.7%	6.9%	8.5%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.7%	8.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,206	$44,828	—

Older residents in towns around Van Buren

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Fort Smith, AR	7.1 mi	14,381	32%
Alma, AR	8.4 mi	782	44%
Roland, OK	9.1 mi	411	31%
Barling, AR	9.4 mi	990	34%
Muldrow, OK	14 mi	509	34%
Pocola, OK	15 mi	924	27%

Hospices serving Van Buren

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc	Fort Smith, AR	6.7 mi	(479) 783-5550
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Fort Smith, AR	7.6 mi	(479) 494-0100
Mercy Hospice	Fort Smith, AR	7.6 mi	(479) 314-1150
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Poteau, OK	31 mi	(918) 647-7008
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas, Inc.	Paris, AR	37 mi	(479) 943-6868
Gentiva	Russellville, AR	70 mi	(479) 890-2730

Straight-line miles from the center of Van Buren. 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 Van Buren

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 26% of the $4,351 monthly median income of Van Buren 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 Van Buren: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Van Buren?

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 26% of the $4,351 monthly median income of Van Buren 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 Van Buren

More senior care near Van Buren

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Van Buren

More for Van Buren 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 Van Buren, AR