Memory Care in Arkansas

As families search for memory care, which includes care related to dementia and Alzheimer’s, Arkansas should stand out for those seeking a mild climate, affordable living costs, and plenty of natural beauty and outdoor activities.

Arkansas — known as “The Natural State” for its abundance of lakes, rivers, and forests — sits in a geographical transition zone between the Deep South and the Midwest, and features the best of both regions. Winters are short without extreme cold, and the Ozarks stretch down into the state’s northern counties. Here you’ll find gems such as Eureka Springs, the artistic oasis in the hills surrounding Beaver Lake, along with Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo National River. But it’s the Ouachita Mountains and healing waters of Hot Springs National Park of central Arkansas that attract most of the state’s tourists. Arkansas is also home to the small but diverse cities of Fayetteville and Little Rock, both of which are college towns with enough options and activities to cater to anyone’s interests.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 15 senior living communities in Arkansas that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Arkansas is about $5,100.

Arkansas memory care facilities are a specialized form of assisted living known as Alzheimer’s special care units (ASCUs). All memory care units are licensed through the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance. This state division oversees all long-term care facilities in the state. Assisted living and memory care communities are considered forms of long-term care.

Regulations that apply to assisted living facilities in Arkansas also apply to memory care facilities. Arkansas classifies assisted living facilities as either Level I or Level II. Level II provides more advanced assistance and must have a registered nurse on staff. Both levels can provide memory care in Arkansas. When a facility has a memory care unit, it will be subject to some additional regulations in order to provide the specialized form of care that people with Alzheimer’s or dementia require.

The following is generally what you can expect from a licensed memory care unit in Arkansas:

• Three meals a day plus snacks and drinks
• Medication assistance
• Specialized dementia staff, which includes an administrator, registered nurses, nursing assistants, and a consulting pharmacist
• Staff trained in dementia care techniques
• Staff on duty 24/7
• Staff members may provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as grooming or bathing
• Recreational, social, and self-care activities or services
• Copies of the Residents’ Bill of Rights available to residents

Keep in mind that memory care facilities are not allowed to admit residents with care needs exceeding what the facility is equipped to provide. This is why, when admitted, potential residents are screened by a registered nurse to identify any advanced medical care needs. To be admitted into a memory care facility in Arkansas, a senior must meet the following screening requirements:

• They must not need 24-hour nursing care services for longer than 60 days, with one 30 day extension accepted.
• They must not be bedridden.
• They must not require transfer assistance that exceeds what the staff of the facility is able to provide.
• They can’t be a danger to themselves or others.

Every memory care resident has unique needs based on the stage of their dementia or Alzheimer’s. Administrators and staff of Arkansas memory care facilities are expected to make and follow personalized care plans for each resident. You can expect to talk about your loved one’s care plan and the care services they can expect to receive with the administrator at their memory care facility.

How to find memory care unit inspections and violations in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long Term Care conducts routine inspections to ensure memory care facilities are following state guidelines. To view violation or inspection reports of a prospective Arkansas memory care facility, you can either reach out to the Office of Long Term Care or ask the facility’s administrator to see its most current report.

Arkansas Office of Long Term Care contact information
700 Main Street Slot S-427
Little Rock, AR  72203-1437

Information line: 501-682-2441

Complaint line: 1-800-582-4887