In-Home Care for Veterans in Van Buren, AR

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Van Buren, AR: the local picture

666

veterans aged 65 or older (16% of residents 65+)

4,133

residents 65 or older (17% of Van Buren)

40%

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

25%

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

About 666 Van Buren residents aged 65 or older are veterans (16% of that age group; 19% in Crawford County), out of 1,520 veterans of all adult ages in town.

40% 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.

Van Buren compared with Crawford County and Arkansas

Census figure	Van Buren	Crawford County	Arkansas
Residents 65+ who are veterans	16%	19%	16%
Residents 65+ with a disability	40%	40%	40%
Residents 65 or older	17%	18%	18%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	25%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	30%	26%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.7%	8.5%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$52,206	$44,828	—

Older residents in towns around Van Buren

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Fort Smith, AR	7.1 mi	14,381	14%
Alma, AR	8.4 mi	782	11%
Roland, OK	9.1 mi	411	14%
Barling, AR	9.4 mi	990	15%
Muldrow, OK	14 mi	509	25%
Pocola, OK	15 mi	924	22%

Hospitals near Van Buren

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Baptist Health - Van Buren	Van Buren, AR	1.5 mi	not rated	(479) 474-3401
Baptist Health - Fort Smith	Fort Smith, AR	6.7 mi	2 of 5	(479) 441-4000
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith	Fort Smith, AR	7.6 mi	3 of 5	(479) 314-6000

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 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 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 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 Van Buren: common questions

How much does veterans’ home 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 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 Van Buren

More senior care near Van Buren

Veterans’ Home 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.