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In Arkansas, more than 650,000 caregivers provide an estimated 265 million hours of unpaid care to loved ones every year, often at the expense of their own health and financial well-being. Caring for an aging parent or spouse is, for many, a given, but preparing for the realities of full-time, unpaid caregiving is difficult even with advance arrangements. 

According to AARP, roughly 25% of American adults are caregivers, including 59 million who are caring for other adults. Many caregivers juggle providing care for an aging loved one with working or raising children of their own.

“We have to stop thinking of family caregivers as an invisible workforce,” says Rita Choula, senior director of caregiving at AARP. “They are trying to hold the entire long-term care system together, and they’re doing it at great personal cost.”

In Arkansas, several agencies provide resources to family caregivers to help alleviate the financial and emotional toll of full-time care. Area Agencies on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, Medicaid, veterans programs and some local organizations give monetary and respite assistance to help family caregivers manage the load.

Support Groups

Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging have regular family caregiver support groups, where those who provide care to a loved one are able to share with others in similar situations.

“It’s a huge help, being in the room with people going through what you’re going through and knowing you’re not the only one dealing with this,” says Michelle Gilbert, vice president of development for CareLink, central Arkansas’ Area Agency on Aging.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences also offers support groups throughout the state at its Centers on Aging, which has offices in Springdale, Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Texarkana, Pine Bluff and El Dorado. 

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Arkansas chapter also offers support groups for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia, including virtual meetings. Those with early stage Alzheimer’s can also attend meetings to learn more about their condition. The nonprofit can also connect families with local organizations offering support groups, like churches and senior care centers.

Visiting Angels, a home care agency operating in Northwest Arkansas, also offers support groups. 

Respite Care

Respite care offers short-term relief for primary caregivers, giving them an opportunity to rest or manage their own affairs. The Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Lifespan Respite Search Locator is a registry that can connect family caregivers with trained respite care providers.

Caregivers can also apply for respite vouchers through DHS. Voucher recipients may receive up to $1,200 annually to pay a respite caregiver. The Alzheimer’s Association Arkansas chapter offers up to $1,000 annually through its Dementia Caregiver Respite Grant and can also be used for in-home respite care, adult day care or a short-term facility stay.

Respite by the numbers

• DHS respite voucher: Up to $1,200 annually

• Alzheimer’s Arkansas grant: Up to $1,000 annually

• VA Aid and Attendance program: Up to $3,845 in monthly benefits for eligible veterans/spouses

Medicaid Waiver

IndependentChoices is a Medicaid program in Arkansas that provides a monthly cash allowance for Medicaid beneficiaries to hire caregivers, including family members. The Medicaid recipient has full control over when their caregiver works, what services they provide and how those services are provided. They work with a vendor called PPL, which assists in processing payroll for the caregiver, managing the Medicaid recipient’s budget and tracking care services. The program allows family caregivers to receive payment for their help. 

ARChoices in Homecare also provides funding for Medicaid beneficiaries to receive caregiving services outside of institutional settings, like nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Services offered include attendant care, home-delivered meals, personal emergency response systems (like LifeAlert bracelets), adult day care or health, respite care and home modifications. This program can help alleviate some of a family caregiver’s labor.

Veteran Caregivers

Those providing care to wartime veterans or their spouses are eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs. It provides financial aid of up to $3,845 to help offset long-term care costs.

You can learn more about resources available to Caregivers in Arkansas through AARP, which has created a state-by-state resource guide.