In-Home Personal Care in Charleston, AR

Local figures

Personal Care in Charleston, AR: the local picture

12%

of residents 65+ have difficulty dressing or bathing (5.8% in Franklin County)

47%

of residents 65+ have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (26% in Franklin County)

122

residents 85 or older (4.6% of all residents)

8

Medicare-certified home health agencies list Charleston ZIP codes in their service area

About 53 Charleston residents aged 65 or older have difficulty dressing or bathing (12%; 5.8% in Franklin County). The Census Bureau calls this a self-care difficulty, and it is what personal care is for.

206 have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (47%), so many personal care visits also mean help getting to the bathroom or shower safely.

122 of the 519 older residents are 85 or older; needs for hands-on help rise with age.

Charleston compared with Franklin County and Arkansas

Census figure	Charleston	Franklin County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	12%	5.8%	8.5%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	47%	26%	26%
Residents 85 or older	4.6%	2.8%	1.8%
Residents 65+ with a disability	54%	44%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	47%	33%	29%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	18%	18%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$41,438	$35,383	—

Older residents in towns around Charleston

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Self-care difficulty (65+)
Greenwood, AR	12 mi	1,906	9.7%
Booneville, AR	13 mi	572	8.6%
Barling, AR	13 mi	990	20%
Alma, AR	17 mi	782	5.1%
Paris, AR	18 mi	742	7.9%
Ozark, AR	18 mi	642	6.6%

Home health agencies with aides serving Charleston

Agency	Office	Distance	CMS quality stars	Services listed	Phone
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc	Paris, AR	18 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, home health aides	(479) 963-6868
Elite Home Health	Fort Smith, AR	21 mi	3 of 5	nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides	(479) 435-7194
Mercy Home Health	Rogers, AR	71 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 Charleston. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a personal care aide can help with

Bathing or showering, with a shower chair if needed
Dressing and undressing
Toileting and incontinence care
Grooming: hair, shaving and oral care

Cost

What personal care costs in Charleston

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 33% of the $3,453 monthly median income of Charleston 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 personal care aide

The Census Bureau asks whether a person has difficulty dressing or bathing, which it calls a self-care difficulty; it is the clearest sign that someone needs personal care. Medicare does not pay for personal care when it is the only care needed (Medicare.gov), but many state Medicaid programs do for people who qualify.

Questions worth asking: How do you protect a client’s dignity during bathing and toileting? Are you trained in safe transfers? Can you keep the same morning or evening hours each day? More in our personal care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Personal Care in Charleston: common questions

How much does personal care cost in Charleston?

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 33% of the $3,453 monthly median income of Charleston 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).

What is the difference between personal care and companion care?

Companion care is company and help around the house. Personal care is hands-on help with the body: bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming. Many caregivers offer both; say in your posting which you need.

More near Charleston

More senior care near Charleston

Personal Care in nearby cities

Other care in Charleston

More for Charleston 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.