Respite Care in Forrest City, AR for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Forrest City, AR: the local picture

1,468

residents 65 or older (12% of Forrest City)

58%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

45%

of residents 65+ report a disability (43% in St. Francis County)

4

Medicare-certified hospices serve Forrest City ZIP codes

Most older adults in Forrest City live with someone: 58% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 619 Forrest City residents aged 65 or older report a disability (45%) (43% in St. Francis County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 4 hospices serving Forrest City ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Forrest City compared with St. Francis County and Arkansas

Census figure	Forrest City	St. Francis County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	45%	43%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	42%	31%	29%
Residents 65 or older	12%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.2%	1.5%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	25%	20%	12%
Households with no vehicle	18%	13%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$27,889	$35,293	—

Older residents in towns around Forrest City

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Wynne, AR	15 mi	1,332	36%
Marianna, AR	17 mi	614	39%
Brinkley, AR	24 mi	648	57%
Helena-West Helena, AR	35 mi	1,622	46%
West Memphis, AR	35 mi	3,648	50%
Marion, AR	36 mi	1,714	35%

Hospices serving Forrest City

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gentiva	Forrest City, AR	0.4 mi	(870) 494-8067
Elite Hospice	Forrest City, AR	0.4 mi	(870) 633-4613
St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H	Jonesboro, AR	57 mi	(870) 972-4507
Legacy Hospice, Inc	Osceola, AR	66 mi	(870) 563-9995

Nursing homes near Forrest City (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Crestpark Forrest City, LLC	Forrest City, AR	1.3 mi	2 of 5	100	(870) 633-4260
River Ridge Rehabilitation And Care Center	Wynne, AR	14 mi	3 of 5	100	(870) 238-4400
Crestpark Wynne, LLC	Wynne, AR	14 mi	3 of 5	100	(870) 238-7941
Crestpark Marianna, L L C	Marianna, AR	17 mi	5 of 5	80	(870) 295-3466

Straight-line miles from the center of Forrest City. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Forrest City

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 50% of the $2,324 monthly median income of Forrest City 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Forrest City: common questions

Which hospices serve Forrest City?

Medicare lists 4 hospices for Forrest City ZIP codes, including Gentiva, Elite Hospice, St Bernards Regional Med Ctr H.

How much does respite care cost in Forrest City?

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 50% of the $2,324 monthly median income of Forrest City 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Forrest City. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Arkansas.

More near Forrest City

More senior care near Forrest City

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Forrest City

More for Forrest City 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.

Respite Care in Forrest City, AR