Hospice Support in Ward, AR: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Ward, AR: the local picture

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Ward ZIP codes

37

residents 85 or older (0.6% of all residents)

32%

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

53%

of residents 65+ report a disability (39% in Lonoke County)

Medicare lists 8 hospices whose service area includes Ward ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Elite Hospice in Searcy (20 mi) and Arkansas Hospice Inc in North Little Rock (21 mi).

162 Ward 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.

Ward compared with Lonoke County and Arkansas

Census figure	Ward	Lonoke County	Arkansas
Residents 85 or older	0.6%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	32%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	53%	39%	40%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	23%	6.7%	8.5%
Residents 65 or older	7.8%	15%	18%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.0%	8.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,245	$50,414	—

Older residents in towns around Ward

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Austin, AR	1.9 mi	278	7.6%
Cabot, AR	4.8 mi	3,706	29%
Beebe, AR	5.2 mi	1,118	25%
Jacksonville, AR	13 mi	3,435	35%
Vilonia, AR	15 mi	444	3.8%
Lonoke, AR	16 mi	821	45%

Hospices serving Ward

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Searcy, AR	20 mi	(501) 279-2048
Arkansas Hospice Inc	North Little Rock, AR	21 mi	(501) 748-3333
Gentiva	Little Rock, AR	29 mi	(501) 223-8868
Hospice Home Care LLC	Little Rock, AR	32 mi	(501) 296-9043
Baptist Health Hospice Little Rock	Little Rock, AR	36 mi	(501) 202-7474
Affinity Hospice	White Hall, AR	52 mi	(501) 534-4847

Straight-line miles from the center of Ward. 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 Ward

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 $4,354 monthly median income of Ward 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 Ward: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Ward?

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 $4,354 monthly median income of Ward 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 Ward

More senior care near Ward

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Ward

More for Ward 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 Ward, AR