Hospice Support in Walnut Ridge, AR: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Walnut Ridge, AR: the local picture

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Walnut Ridge ZIP codes

193

residents 85 or older (3.6% of all residents)

34%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (33% in Lawrence County)

53%

of residents 65+ report a disability (56% in Lawrence County)

Medicare lists 4 hospices whose service area includes Walnut Ridge ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Elite Hospice in Jonesboro (22 mi) and St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H in Jonesboro (22 mi).

299 Walnut Ridge residents 65 or older live alone (34% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Walnut Ridge compared with Lawrence County and Arkansas

Census figure	Walnut Ridge	Lawrence County	Arkansas
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	2.7%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	33%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	53%	56%	40%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	14%	12%	8.5%
Residents 65 or older	19%	19%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	20%	17%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$25,152	$30,740	—

Older residents in towns around Walnut Ridge

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Hoxie, AR	3.7 mi	494	39%
Pocahontas, AR	12 mi	1,408	41%
Bono, AR	15 mi	172	26%
Jonesboro, AR	24 mi	11,363	33%
Paragould, AR	24 mi	4,624	35%
Brookland, AR	25 mi	302	18%

Hospices serving Walnut Ridge

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Jonesboro, AR	22 mi	(870) 277-4029
St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H	Jonesboro, AR	22 mi	(870) 972-4507
Caring Hands Hospice, Inc	Batesville, AR	44 mi	(870) 698-0505
Legacy Hospice Of North Arkansas	Salem, AR	56 mi	(870) 895-2651

Straight-line miles from the center of Walnut Ridge. 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 Walnut Ridge

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 55% of the $2,096 monthly median income of Walnut Ridge 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 Walnut Ridge: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Walnut Ridge?

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 55% of the $2,096 monthly median income of Walnut Ridge 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 Walnut Ridge

More senior care near Walnut Ridge

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Walnut Ridge

More for Walnut Ridge 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 Walnut Ridge, AR