Respite Care in Heber Springs, AR for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Heber Springs, AR: the local picture

1,764

residents 65 or older (25% of Heber Springs)

62%

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

39%

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

7

Medicare-certified hospices serve Heber Springs ZIP codes

Most older adults in Heber Springs live with someone: 62% 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 606 Heber Springs residents aged 65 or older report a disability (39%) (39% in Cleburne County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 7 hospices serving Heber Springs ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Heber Springs compared with Cleburne County and Arkansas

Census figure	Heber Springs	Cleburne County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	39%	39%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	25%	29%
Residents 65 or older	25%	27%	18%
Residents 85 or older	3.8%	2.9%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	11%	12%
Households with no vehicle	9.9%	5.3%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,599	$53,499	—

Older residents in towns around Heber Springs

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fairfield Bay, AR	15 mi	1,476	38%
Searcy, AR	24 mi	3,936	38%
Clinton, AR	25 mi	530	68%
Mountain View, AR	25 mi	939	51%
Southside, AR	27 mi	674	33%
Greenbrier, AR	27 mi	769	44%

Hospices serving Heber Springs

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Elite Hospice	Searcy, AR	24 mi	(501) 279-2048
Gentiva	Batesville, AR	30 mi	(870) 376-5571
Arkansas Hospice Inc	North Little Rock, AR	49 mi	(501) 748-3333
Hospice Home Care LLC	Little Rock, AR	57 mi	(501) 296-9043
Elite Hospice	Mountain Home, AR	61 mi	(870) 424-4000

Nursing homes near Heber Springs (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Springs Of Greers Ferry	Heber Springs, AR	0.3 mi	4 of 5	140	(501) 362-8137
Southridge Village Nursing And Rehab	Heber Springs, AR	1.7 mi	4 of 5	122	(501) 362-3185
The Springs Of Fairfield Bay	Fairfield Bay, AR	15 mi	3 of 5	55	(501) 884-3210
The Springs Searcy	Searcy, AR	23 mi	2 of 5	245	(501) 268-6188

Straight-line miles from the center of Heber Springs. 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 Heber Springs

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 $4,383 monthly median income of Heber Springs 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 Heber Springs: common questions

Which hospices serve Heber Springs?

Medicare lists 7 hospices for Heber Springs ZIP codes, including Elite Hospice, Gentiva, Arkansas Hospice Inc.

How much does respite care cost in Heber Springs?

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 $4,383 monthly median income of Heber Springs 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 Heber Springs. 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 Heber Springs

More senior care near Heber Springs

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Heber Springs

More for Heber Springs 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 Heber Springs, AR