10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities arrange residential living communities and aid to your loved one who may need help with everyday activities such as meal preparation or dressing. The types of service offered often include assistance with the activities of daily life. Occupants may be kept under supervision and evaluation. Under certain circumstances, communities may provide hospice, nursing, or “aging in place”. In Arkansas, the annual median cost for an assisted living community is around $38,100 . The state of Arkansas maintains a number of provisions related to this kind of community. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Services, Office of Long Term Care (Office) certifies this community type. The minimum number of residents for this community type is 4. There must be one bath or shower for every 2 residents and one toilet for every 2 residents. This type of community is required to have a staff member on duty 24 hours a day. The maximum occupancy is 2 residents per room. This type of community is required to offer a number of services. These include assistance with activities of daily living, medication assistance, assistance with social activities , and assistance in obtaining emergency care . Before a resident is accepted, they must go through a service plan screening to assure their needs are going to be met. This screening includes a number of areas of interest such as reassessment must be completed at least annually and more often as changes occur., what the community will and will not do to meet the resident’s needs, compliance agreements, and alternatives offered to deal with the risk. This community has a number of provisions concerning food and diet which include three balanced meals, snacks, and fluids are required. Public assistance is available through 1915(c) Waiver program –the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver program. Staff members receive training in a variety of areas. These include: dementia and cognitive impairment, appropriate response to emergencies, financial exploitation, and review of the aging process. This community type has a number of provisions pertaining to medication assistance. These provisions include if the resident is physically impaired but cognitively able, staff may assist the resident in removing oral medication from the container and in taking the medication, remove the container cap or loosen the packaging, and assistance with self- administration of medication.

Demographics and Values

The current population of Fort Smith is shrinking at a rate of 0.000%. Fort Smith has a population density of 537 people per square mile. In Fort Smith, 7.7% of the population are veterans of the United States military. Fort Smith is considered very unfriendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Demographically, Fort Smith is 18.8% Hispanic, 70.4% white, 5.0% mixed race, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 8.1% other or not specified, 9.6% black, 5.9% Asian, and 1.0% Native American. Based on gender, 48.7% are male and 51.3% are female. In Fort Smith, 25.7% of the population are over the age of 55, 10.9% are over the age of 60, 5.7% are over the age of 70, and 3.6% are over the age of 80. The median age of Fort Smith is 36 years old. Out of the total population of Fort Smith, 18.7% have some form of disability, 14.9% do not have health insurance, 25.8% live in poverty, and 6.3% consider themselves widows. Of the population of Fort Smith 6.5% have a graduate degree, 20.1% have a college degree, and 30.1% have a high-school diploma. In terms of crime, Fort Smith has 51.2 property crimes per 1000 residents and 8.9 violent crimes per 1000 residents. In terms of non-Christian denominations in Fort Smith, out of the total population 0.1% practice Judaism, 0.5% practice an Eastern religion, and 0.5% practice Islam. In Fort Smith, 30.3% are nonbelievers. In terms of Christian denominations, out of the total population of Fort Smith 30.1% are Baptists, 11.5% practice another Christian faith, and 9.9% practice Catholicism. In the previous presidential election, 65.3% voted Republican, 7.2% voted for a third party candidate, and 27.6% voted Democrat in Sebastian county.

Local Hospitals and Health Care Providers

Access to hospitals can be a major factor when choosing the most suitable community for you or your loved one. The top hospitals in Fort Smith include Mercy Hospital Fort Smith and Sparks Medical Center – Fort Smith. In total, there are 2 hospitals located in Fort Smith which offer emergency services and other healthcare.

Cost of Living

The total cost of living can be a major influence in choosing which community is the best fit for you or your loved one. Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80.2 and a grocery-price index of around 89.6. These index scores are founded on a system where 100 is the national average and anything lower than 100 is considered less expensive than the average amount. Fort Smith has a median home value of about $116,672 and the median cost of rent is about $739 per month. The rent burden for Fort Smith is about 17.0% of the average person’s monthly income.

Regional Climate and Weather Information

According to many seniors, weather and climate are the most significant influence in choosing a care destination. In the summer, the air temperature in Fort Smith is about 83F. The summer high temperature is at about 96F during July. The low summer temperature falls to about 69F in June. Over the winter, the average temperature in Fort Smith sinks to roughly 44F. The high winter temperature will rise to about 59F in the month of February. The low winter temperature is approximately 29 F during the month of January. The average air quality index rating in Fort Smith is approximately 39.4. The average AQI conditions are rated as good. This means that there is no health advisory associated with the air quality for this destination. The air quality index score reaches its highest in the month of May at around 50.7. During this time, the average air quality conditions are rated moderate. This means that those who are unusually sensitive should consider limiting the amount of time spent on outdoor exertion. Fort Smith has a humid subtropical type of climate. Monthly, Fort Smith measures around 4 inches of precipitation. The most precipitation usually falls in May with an average of 7 inches during the month. In terms of snow fall Fort Smith receives on average 4.10 inches of snow. The average humidity level for Fort Smith is roughly 70%. Humidity ratings peak in the month of May at approximately 73%.

State Information

An overview of Arkansas

In terms of resources, Arkansas has a cost of living index of 88.4, a grocery index rating of 92.0, and a housing index rating of 73.9. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Arkansas citizen is ranked 45th nation-wide. Additionally, Arkansas is ranked 49th by healthcare standards. Based on natural beauty, Arkansas ranks 19th in the nation. In total, Arkansas has 88 general hospitals and 130 health centers that provide care for 3,024,692 citizens. Arkansas Heart Hospital, Llc, Arkansas Surgical Hospital, and And Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of religion, 41% of Arkansas residents attend religious services among the 6,697 different congregations that are available in the state. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-46%, Mainline Protestant-16%, and Historically Black Protestant-8%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-2%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Arkansas there are 361 masonic lodges. In the last presidential election 34% of Arkansas residents voted Democrat and 61% voted Republican. In Arkansas, 30% of the population is over the age of 55. The median age in the state is 38. In terms of diversity, Arkansas ranks 33rd in the nation.

State-wide weather information

During the winter, the average temperature in Arkansas drops to around 41F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 60F during the month of February. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 22F during the month of January. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 79F. The average high summer temperature is around 95F in the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 60F in the month of June. Arkansas experiences an average humidity rating of about 71%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of May at around 73%. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Arkansas is around 4.23 inches. The most precipitation occurs in May with an average of 6.85 inches of precipitation a month. The average air quality index rating in Arkansas is 38.8 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of July with a rating of 47.9 AQI. While residents of Arkansas mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Arkansas can include earthquakes (moderate) and tornados.

Wildlife to be found in Arkansas

The state of Arkansas has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of Pine, Mexican Juniper, Hickory, and Mink. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the Bobwhite Quail, the Catfish, the Armadillo, or the Black Bears. The state animal of Arkansas is the White-tailed Deer.