Post-Surgery and Hospital Discharge Care in Fort Smith, AR
Non-medical help at home in the days and weeks after surgery, a hospital stay or a fall, alongside any nursing or therapy a doctor orders. Post what you need in Fort Smith for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Post-Surgery Care in Fort Smith, AR: the local picture
The nearest hospital with an emergency department is Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in Fort Smith, about 0.6 mi away in a straight line, followed by Baptist Health - Fort Smith (2.5 mi). Plan the ride home on discharge day and the rides back for follow-up visits.
Medicare lists 10 certified home health agencies whose service area includes Fort Smith. If the surgeon orders home health, one of them sends the nurse or therapist; a private caregiver covers the hours in between.
Fort Smith compared with Sebastian County and Arkansas
| Census figure | Fort Smith | Sebastian County | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% | 6.0% | 5.9% |
| Residents 85 or older | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 13% | 12% | 12% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,235 | $44,729 | — |
Older residents in towns around Fort Smith
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barling, AR | 5.5 mi | 990 | 42% |
| Van Buren, AR | 7.1 mi | 4,133 | 40% |
| Pocola, OK | 8.7 mi | 924 | 46% |
| Roland, OK | 8.9 mi | 411 | 58% |
| Greenwood, AR | 12 mi | 1,906 | 48% |
| Alma, AR | 13 mi | 782 | 38% |
Hospitals near Fort Smith
| Hospital with an emergency department | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospital Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 0.6 mi | 3 of 5 | (479) 314-6000 |
| Baptist Health - Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 2.5 mi | 2 of 5 | (479) 441-4000 |
| Baptist Health - Van Buren | Van Buren, AR | 7.6 mi | not rated | (479) 474-3401 |
| Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center | Poteau, OK | 24 mi | 4 of 5 | (918) 647-8167 |
Home health agencies serving Fort Smith
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindred At Home 1 | Fort Smith, AR | 0.6 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | (479) 452-0424 |
| Adoration Home Health | Van Buren, AR | 7.6 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (479) 474-4892 |
| 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 |
| Access Home Health | Fort Smith, AR | 0.6 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work | (479) 441-5850 |
| 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 |
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 post-surgery caregiver can help with
- Help getting in and out of bed, chairs and the shower
- Meals, fluids and medication reminders
- Rides to follow-up and therapy appointments
- Help with home exercises the therapist set
What post-surgery care 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 post-surgery caregiver
Medicare covers home health care after surgery when a doctor orders it and the person is homebound: part-time skilled nursing and therapy from a Medicare-certified agency. It does not cover round-the-clock help, or personal care when that is the only care needed (Medicare.gov).
Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone after this kind of surgery? Are you comfortable with transfers, walkers and shower chairs? Can you start on the discharge date and cover the first nights? More in our post-surgery care guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Post-Surgery Care in Fort Smith: common questions
Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Fort Smith?
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in Fort Smith, about 0.6 mi in a straight line from the center of Fort Smith (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (479) 314-6000. In an emergency, call 911.
Which home health agencies serve Fort Smith?
Medicare lists 10 certified agencies whose service area includes Fort Smith ZIP codes. The highest-rated on Medicare’s quality stars include Kindred At Home 1 (4 of 5), Adoration Home Health (4 of 5), The Home Health Team (3.5 of 5). Compare them on Medicare Care Compare.
How much does post-surgery care 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).
How long do people usually need help after surgery?
It depends on the operation and the person. After a hip or knee replacement many people need daily help for a few weeks, and more at night in the first days. Ask the surgical team for an estimate and plan with some slack.
More senior care near Fort Smith
Post-Surgery Care in nearby cities
- Post-Surgery Care in Barling, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Van Buren, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Pocola, OK
- Post-Surgery Care in Roland, OK
- Post-Surgery Care in Greenwood, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Alma, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Muldrow, OK
- Post-Surgery Care in Charleston, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Poteau, OK
- Post-Surgery Care in Sallisaw, OK
- Post-Surgery Care in Booneville, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Ozark, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Heavener, OK
- Post-Surgery Care in Waldron, AR
- Post-Surgery Care in Stilwell, OK
- Post-Surgery Care 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
- Senior Transportation in Fort Smith
- Home Health Aides in Fort Smith
- Nursing Assistants 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.
Find post-surgery care in Fort Smith
Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near Fort Smith can see it as soon as it is live.
Create your free family accountLooking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.
