In-Home Care for Veterans in Fort Smith, AR

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Fort Smith, AR: the local picture

1,949

veterans aged 65 or older (14% of residents 65+)

14,381

residents 65 or older (16% of Fort Smith)

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (44% in Sebastian County)

32%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (28% in Sebastian County)

About 1,949 Fort Smith residents aged 65 or older are veterans (14% of that age group; 15% in Sebastian County), out of 4,635 veterans of all adult ages in town.

43% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (44% in Sebastian County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Fort Smith compared with Sebastian County and Arkansas

Census figure	Fort Smith	Sebastian County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ who are veterans	14%	15%	16%
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%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	31%	31%	26%
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+	Veterans (65+)
Barling, AR	5.5 mi	990	15%
Van Buren, AR	7.1 mi	4,133	16%
Pocola, OK	8.7 mi	924	22%
Roland, OK	8.9 mi	411	14%
Greenwood, AR	12 mi	1,906	23%
Alma, AR	13 mi	782	11%

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

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 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 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.

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 Fort Smith: common questions

How much does veterans’ home 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).

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 Fort Smith

More senior care near Fort Smith

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Fort Smith

More for Fort Smith 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.