Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Fort Smith, AR
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Fort Smith for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Fort Smith, AR: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Fort Smith are Covington Court Health And Rehabilitation Center in Fort Smith (1.4 mi), Chapel Ridge Health And Rehab in Fort Smith (1.4 mi), Methodist Health And Rehab in Fort Smith (1.5 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Arkansas earn a median $13.30 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Fort Smith has about 1,843 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Fort Smith compared with Sebastian County and Arkansas
| Census figure | Fort Smith | Sebastian County | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 43% | 44% | 40% |
| Residents 65 or older | 16% | 17% | 18% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 32% | 28% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 12% | 12% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% | 6.0% | 5.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,235 | $44,729 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Smith
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barling, AR | 5.5 mi | 990 | 104 |
| Van Buren, AR | 7.1 mi | 4,133 | 343 |
| Pocola, OK | 8.7 mi | 924 | 81 |
| Roland, OK | 8.9 mi | 411 | 60 |
| Greenwood, AR | 12 mi | 1,906 | 225 |
| Alma, AR | 13 mi | 782 | 111 |
Nursing homes near Fort Smith
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington Court Health And Rehabilitation Center | Fort Smith, AR | 1.4 mi | 5 of 5 | 140 | (479) 646-5700 |
| Chapel Ridge Health And Rehab | Fort Smith, AR | 1.4 mi | 4 of 5 | 74 | (479) 452-1541 |
| Methodist Health And Rehab | Fort Smith, AR | 1.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 145 | (479) 452-1611 |
| The Blossoms At Fort Smith Rehab & Nursing Center | Fort Smith, AR | 3.3 mi | 1 of 5 | 130 | (479) 646-3454 |
| Ashton Place Health And Rehab, LLC | Barling, AR | 3.5 mi | 4 of 5 | 122 | (479) 452-8181 |
| Riverside Health Services | Arkoma, OK | 3.6 mi | 1 of 5 | 56 | (918) 875-3107 |
Home health agencies serving Fort Smith
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Home Health Team | Richardson, TX | 213 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aides | (214) 613-0400 |
| Elite Home Health | Fort Smith, AR | 2.5 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (479) 435-7194 |
| Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc | Paris, AR | 37 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, home health aides | (479) 963-6868 |
| Mercy Home Health | Rogers, AR | 68 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (479) 936-2978 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Fort Smith. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Fort Smith
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 31% of the $3,686 monthly median income of Fort Smith 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Fort Smith: common questions
What nursing homes are near Fort Smith?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Covington Court Health And Rehabilitation Center in Fort Smith (1.4 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Chapel Ridge Health And Rehab in Fort Smith (1.4 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Methodist Health And Rehab in Fort Smith (1.5 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Fort Smith?
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 31% of the $3,686 monthly median income of Fort Smith 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).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Fort Smith
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Barling, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Van Buren, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Pocola, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Roland, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Greenwood, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Alma, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Muldrow, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Charleston, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Poteau, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Sallisaw, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Booneville, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Ozark, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Heavener, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Waldron, AR
- Nursing Assistants in Stilwell, OK
- Nursing Assistants in Paris, AR
Other care in Fort Smith
- Companion Care in Fort Smith
- Dementia Care in Fort Smith
- Respite Care in Fort Smith
- Live-In Caregivers in Fort Smith
- Post-Surgery Care in Fort Smith
- Senior Transportation in Fort Smith
- Home Health Aides in Fort Smith
- Personal Care in Fort Smith
- Overnight Caregivers in Fort Smith
- 24-Hour Home Care in Fort Smith
- Mobility Assistance in Fort Smith
- Parkinson’s Care in Fort Smith
- Stroke Recovery Support in Fort Smith
- Disability Care for Adults in Fort Smith
- Hospice Support in Fort Smith
- Senior Meal Preparation in Fort Smith
- Senior Housekeeping in Fort Smith
- Medication Reminders in Fort Smith
- Veterans’ Home Care in Fort Smith
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.
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