Veterans' Home Care in Alma, AR: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Alma, AR: the local picture

84

veterans aged 65 or older (11% of residents 65+)

782

residents 65 or older (13% of Alma)

38%

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

44%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Crawford County)

About 84 Alma residents aged 65 or older are veterans (11% of that age group; 19% in Crawford County), out of 295 veterans of all adult ages in town.

38% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (40% in Crawford County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Alma compared with Crawford County and Arkansas

Census figure	Alma	Crawford County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ who are veterans	11%	19%	16%
Residents 65+ with a disability	38%	40%	40%
Residents 65 or older	13%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	44%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	25%	26%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.4%	8.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$26,549	$44,828	—

Older residents in towns around Alma

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Van Buren, AR	8.4 mi	4,133	16%
Barling, AR	12 mi	990	15%
Fort Smith, AR	13 mi	14,381	14%
Charleston, AR	17 mi	519	19%
Roland, OK	17 mi	411	14%
Greenwood, AR	19 mi	1,906	23%

Hospitals near Alma

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Baptist Health - Van Buren	Van Buren, AR	6.9 mi	not rated	(479) 474-3401
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith	Fort Smith, AR	14 mi	3 of 5	(479) 314-6000
Baptist Health - Fort Smith	Fort Smith, AR	14 mi	2 of 5	(479) 441-4000

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in Alma

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 52% of the $2,212 monthly median income of Alma 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 caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

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

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Alma: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Alma?

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 52% of the $2,212 monthly median income of Alma 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 the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Alma

More senior care near Alma

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Alma

More for Alma 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.

In-Home Care for Veterans in Alma, AR