Respite Care in Van Buren, AR: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Van Buren, AR: the local picture

4,133

residents 65 or older (17% of Van Buren)

75%

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

40%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Crawford County)

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Van Buren ZIP codes

Most older adults in Van Buren live with someone: 75% 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 1,520 Van Buren residents aged 65 or older report a disability (40%) (40% in Crawford County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 8 hospices serving Van Buren ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Van Buren compared with Crawford County and Arkansas

Census figure	Van Buren	Crawford County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	40%	40%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	18%
Residents 85 or older	1.4%	1.6%	1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.7%	8.5%	12%
Households with no vehicle	5.6%	4.2%	5.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,206	$44,828	—

Older residents in towns around Van Buren

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Fort Smith, AR	7.1 mi	14,381	43%
Alma, AR	8.4 mi	782	38%
Roland, OK	9.1 mi	411	58%
Barling, AR	9.4 mi	990	42%
Muldrow, OK	14 mi	509	53%
Pocola, OK	15 mi	924	46%

Hospices serving Van Buren

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc	Fort Smith, AR	6.7 mi	(479) 783-5550
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Fort Smith, AR	7.6 mi	(479) 494-0100
Mercy Hospice	Fort Smith, AR	7.6 mi	(479) 314-1150
Heart Of Hospice, LLC	Poteau, OK	31 mi	(918) 647-7008
Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas, Inc.	Paris, AR	37 mi	(479) 943-6868

Nursing homes near Van Buren (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Valley Springs Rehabilitation And Health Center	Van Buren, AR	0.8 mi	4 of 5	105	(479) 474-5276
The Blossoms At Van Buren Rehab And Nursing Center	Van Buren, AR	1.3 mi	1 of 5	129	(479) 474-6885
Van Buren Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Van Buren, AR	1.6 mi	5 of 5	140	(479) 474-8021
Legacy Health And Rehabilitation Center	Fort Smith, AR	3.0 mi	2 of 5	115	(479) 783-3101

Straight-line miles from the center of Van Buren. 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 Van Buren

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 $4,351 monthly median income of Van Buren 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 Van Buren: common questions

Which hospices serve Van Buren?

Medicare lists 8 hospices for Van Buren ZIP codes, including Area Agency On Aging Of Western Arkansas Inc, Heart Of Hospice, LLC, Mercy Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Van Buren?

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 $4,351 monthly median income of Van Buren 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 Van Buren. 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 Van Buren

More senior care near Van Buren

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Van Buren

More for Van Buren 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 Van Buren, AR