10 Best Nursing Homes in Little Rock, AR

The majority of seniors use a combination of private funds and public assistance programs to cover the cost of a nursing home in Little Rock. Options largely depend on a senior’s personal history and financial situation, but some commonly used programs include veterans benefits, Medicare, and/or Medicaid. Learn more about these private and public pay options and how you can use them to cover nursing home and senior care costs below.

In Arkansas, nursing homes and other senior care facilities must be licensed by the Office of Long-Term Care, which is operated by the Division of Medical Services at the Arkansas Department of Human Services. To help you understand how Arkansas helps ensure a safe long-term care environment, we’ve outlined the regulations that each senior care facility and nursing home must follow.

Nursing home requirements in Little Rock

Nursing homes are inspected by the Office of Long-Term Care and they can be inspected at any time. If a nursing home fails to meet requirements, any deficiencies are noted on form 2567. Nursing homes must display this form in an area where residents, families, and visitors can easily see it.

The Office of Long-Term Care recommends looking at Medicare.gov’s nursing home compare website to find overall ratings and inspection information. These nursing home reports include information on the following:

• Sufficient resident-to-staff ratios

• Quality of care and environment
• Local health inspection performance

Beyond being licensed, nursing homes must follow nursing-home specific rules to be ready to provide 24/7 care for residents. In this capacity, “care” is all-encompassing and includes everything from medical treatment and attention to nutritional concerns. Any licensed nursing homes in Arkansas are to be staffed by licensed professionals.

Regulations for Little Rock senior care communities

The regulations for assisted living and memory care are both included below because memory care is considered a specialized type of assisted living in Arkansas. Licenses must be renewed annually, and the Office of Long-Term Care performs a survey (or inspection) of each facility approximately once a year. Inspections are not available to view online, but you can contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services or ask a facility to see the most recent inspection.

The Office of Long-Term Care licenses and regulates assisted living facilities (ALFs) as Level I or Level II facilities. Here are the differences between the two:

• A Level I ALF can’t provide services to nursing home-eligible residents or those who need 24-hour nursing services, are bedridden, have transfer assistance needs that the facility can’t meet with its current staff, require medication administration, or are a danger to themselves or others.
• A Level II ALF can provide services to nursing home-eligible residents, but not those who are bedridden or have specific conditions or needs. These include the need for 24-hour nursing services or transfer assistance, as well as people who are a danger to themselves and others or have a temporary or terminal condition. This includes individuals with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, but care must be provided in a separate Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit.

Both levels of assisted living facilities must provide the following:^[08,09]

• Housing and meals
• 24-hour supervision and care
• Social activities
• Transportation accommodations
• Direct care and health care services
• Limited nursing services
• Sufficient staffing levels
• Staff training
• Clean and safe environment

Arkansas Department of Health contact information

Arkansas Department of Health

4815 W Markham

Little Rock, AR 72205-3867

Phone: 800-462-0599

COVID-19 regulations for Little Rock nursing homes

Due to the overall decline of COVID-19, the state of Arkansas and the city of Little Rock don’t require senior care communities to follow any specific COVID-19 guidelines. Residents of Little Rock can visit the COVID-19 page on the Arkansas Department of Health website to view any recent updates regarding local COVID-19 protocols.

Even though A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with nursing homes, there are still a few great options for seniors who require 24/7 skilled nursing services. In Little Rock, these communities typically provide the following services:

• Short-term rehabilitation services (physical, occupational, and speech therapies)
• Hospice care
• Pain management
• Long-term care
• Meal plans
• Social activities and events

For seniors who don’t require 24-hour skilled nursing care, one of our partnering assisted living or memory care facilities may be a better fit. They offer assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), some nursing services, nutritious meals, fun amenities, and a robust calendar of activities. Learn more about what our Little Rock senior care partners offer below.

Comprehensive care services accommodate seniors’ needs

Nearly all of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities in Little Rock offer some on-site nursing services. Services vary between facilities, but seniors can typically expect wellness checks where on-site nurses monitor vitals and help them manage common health conditions like diabetes and incontinence. They also help with medication management, and most of our senior care partners provide visiting physical, occupational, and speech therapists to help senior residents recover after an injury or hospital visit.

Engaging activities and amenities help seniors lead fulfilling lives

Our partner Little Rock senior care facilities help residents lead fulfilling lives by offering a range of amenities and a calendar filled with diverse activities. Activities and amenities differ greatly between senior care facilities and nursing homes because senior care residents are typically more active.

Some of the most common activities found in Little Rock assisted living and memory care facilities include the following:

• Arts and crafts classes

• Cooking classes
• Fitness classes
• Group games (like trivia, bingo, poker, etc.)
• Religious and spiritual services
• Social events (like ice cream socials, birthday parties, etc.)

Residents can also spend their free time in shared spaces using on-site amenities. Here are some of the most common amenities you can expect to find at our partnering Little Rock communities:

• Arts and crafts centers

• Game rooms
• Gardens and courtyards
• Libraries and media centers
• On-site beauty salon and/or barber shops
• TV lounges and/or movie theaters

Many of these activities can typically be found in both Little Rock assisted living and memory care facilities, however, memory care typically personalizes activities and amenities to meet the needs of individuals with dementia. Amenities and activities like reminiscence therapies, life skill stations that replicate real-life environments, and other specific memory care programs help manage common dementia symptoms in residents.

Multiple levels of care allow seniors to age in place

Another benefit of our Little Rock senior care communities is that they all offer multiple levels of care to enable seniors to age in place. Care levels include independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Here’s a closer look at the types of care offered in combination at these communities:

• Independent living. Seniors who are still active and independent may benefit from independent living. It allows seniors to eliminate the worries of daily chores and gives them more time to focus on their hobbies and interests in a safe environment. This option offers residents kitchenettes, flexible meal plans, security measures, shared spaces, and many engaging activities.

• Assisted living. This level of care caters to seniors who need a little help with things like dressing or bathing but aren’t ready for round-the-clock nursing care. This option offers the same amenities and activities as independent living, however, it’s usually more accommodating of different mobility levels.
• Memory care. This care option offers the same services and amenities as assisted living but is specialized to accommodate the needs of individuals with memory loss conditions like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

In Little Rock, more than half of our senior care partners offer all three options — independent living, assisted living, and memory care. And, a little less than half offer only one or a combination of two.^[02]

Health care for seniors in Little Rock

When your loved one moves to a senior care community in Little Rock, some of their medical needs may be provided on-site. However, they may need to seek out other care providers in Pulaski County. Here’s a brief look at Little Rock’s top-rated hospitals:

Transportation for seniors in Little Rock

Generally speaking, older adults who live in a nursing home are less likely to leave the facility regularly because medical care is typically provided on-site. In the case that nursing home residents do need to leave, Little Rock nursing homes usually accommodate safe transportation with supervision.

For Little Rock seniors who live in our partner assisted living or memory care facilities, transportation is easily coordinated. Most of our partner senior care facilities offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services to residents. Keep in mind that some communities may limit rides to essential errands and medical appointments while others offer rides to personal and social events.

Visiting families and friends may also utilize local transportation options to get around Little Rock with their senior loved one. The METRO offers a bus line, a single light rail line, and a limited-run streetcar (METRO StreetCar). Any METRO passengers who are disabled, on Medicare, or over the age of 65 are eligible for discounts. METRO buses are wheelchair accessible, making them a comfortable choice for seniors who rely on one. The CareLink system is specific to Little Rock and helps those ages 60+ who need to go to appointments and who have no other means of transportation.

Senior activities in Little Rock

In Little Rock, residents have several exciting, fun, educational, and rewarding activities to choose from. Just because your loved one lives in a senior care facility, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy some of the area’s most popular attractions or experiences with you.

All of the facilities we partner with offer outings to fun local attractions. These outings change from week to week and month to month, making it possible for your loved one to feel more acquainted with Little Rock. Of course, you may also want to plan visits to see your loved one. The following places in and around Little Rock are noteworthy to local seniors.

Museums

Little Rock offers some educational, informational, and unusual museums that might appeal to the seniors in your life. Seniors can learn about the city’s rich history, examine artworks from around the world, or view historic replicas at the famous Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. Luckily, most museums offer accessible accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Historical landmarks

History lovers can spend an afternoon browsing the Arkansas State Capitol or learn more about the iconic Civil Rights movement — Little Rock Nine — at the Central High School National Historic Site. Seniors can see where history was made and reflect on the day when nine teenagers began the end of segregation in schools. Both provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities, so be sure to call in advance and plan accordingly.

Performing arts

The city has a lively entertainment scene. Families can take out their senior loved ones to attend a comedy show, symphony, orchestra, play, or even a dinner theater. The Arkansas Repertory Theatre is one of the city’s oldest theaters and it’s now a nonprofit known for its showings of famous plays and musicals. If your loved one has a disability, you can reserve accessible seating and ask for an assistive listening device. You can also contact the box office for questions about other accommodations.

Outdoor activities

Many seniors prefer to explore nature areas when they leave their communities. Fortunately, Little Rock has tons of outdoor and recreational areas where seniors can golf, go on a walk, enjoy a picnic, and much more. There are many scenic areas and accessible trails at the Arkansas Arboretum Trail and Riverfront Park.

Shops and restaurants

Little Rock seniors enjoy an array of cuisines with a robust selection of restaurants. Seniors can enjoy comfort foods, a fine dining experience, or a delicious coffee. Seniors who enjoy shopping can also explore the city’s local boutiques or shopping centers.