List of States

Overview of Small to Medium Sized Senior Homes as Licensed in the state of Arkansas

Types of Senior Housing/Care and Definitions in the State of Arkansas

Residential Care Facilities

A Residential Care Facility is a building or structure which is used to provide (for pay on a twenty-four-hour basis) a place of residence and board for three or more individuals whose functional capabilities may have been impaired but who do not require hospital or nursing home care on a daily basis but could require other assistance in activities of daily living.

Adult Foster Care

Adult Foster Care. Adult family homes are certified by the DHS Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). An adult family home provides a family living environment for no more than three persons who are not related to the principal care provider and who, owing to the severity of their functional impairments, are considered to be at imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm and, as a consequence, are not capable of fully independent living.

Assisted Living            

Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) provide services to residents 24 hours a day in performing all activities of daily living. Includes responsibility to provide limited nursing care. Any building or buildings, section or distinct part of a building, boarding home, home for the aged or other residential facility whether operated for profit or not that undertakes through its ownership or management to provide assisted living services for a period exceeding twenty-four (24) hours to more than three (3) adult residents of the facility who are not relatives of the owner or administrator. Assisted living facility means facilities in which assisted living services are provided either directly or through contractual arrangements or in which contracting in the name of residents is facilitated.

Nursing Homes

Nursing Homes include any building, structure, agency, institution, or other place for the reception, accommodation, board, care, or treatment of three or more unrelated individuals. These individuals, because of age, illness, blindness, disease, or physical or mental infirmity, are unable to sufficiently or properly care for themselves and where for that reception, accommodation, board, care, or treatment a charge is made.

For more information see:
Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy (Arkansas)

Affordable Senior Housing

HUD 202 Program that offers rental assistance for seniors who meet the requirements of the federal program.

Licensing Senior Care Homes in Arkansas - The Arkansas OLTC

Office of Long Term Care (OLTC) – The Office in the Division of Medical Services of the Department of Human Services has the responsibility for the licensure, certification, and regulation, of long term care facilities, herein referred to as the Office or OLTC.

There are requirements for participation and licensure under OLTC regulations and laws as an assisted living facilities and other long term care homes for seniors in Arkansas.

There is also a process of inspection, interviews, or record reviews, conducted by the Office of Long Term Care for each care home or facility.  A comprehensive survey conducted by the Office of Long Term Care on an average of every 18 months for each facility.

No Level I assisted living facility may be established, conducted, or maintained in Arkansas without first obtaining a long term care facility license as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 20-10-201, et seq., Act 1230 of 2001, and these licensing standards. All licenses issued hereunder, and the beds stated on the license, are non-transferable from one owner or proprietor to another, or from one site or location to another. No Level I assisted living facility may operate with more beds than is stated in the license, and no Level I assisted living facility may accept more residents than the number of beds stated on the license. No license shall be issued without proof of a valid, current Permit of Approval issued by the Health Services Permit Commission or Health Services Permit Agency.

 Staffing Requirements

The staffing schedule must be posted in the facility. All staff and contracted providers having direct contact with residents and all food service personnel shall receive a minimum of six (6) hours per year of ongoing education and training to include in-service and on-the-job training designed to reinforce the training set forth in Section 504.4(a)(b)(c) of the Arkansas State Code of Laws.

More Information: See the Rules and Regulations for Licensure of Assisted Living Facilities by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services, Office of Long Term Care.

Paying For Senior Care In Arkansas

Arkansas Medicaid Coverage of Adult Foster Care for Seniors
(Residential Care Facilities)

In Arkansas, adult foster care is referred to as adult family homes and these are limited to provide care to three or less persons.  The state’s regular Medicaid program under the Personal Care benefit can be used in different living environments such as at home or in adult family homes. To be clear, the benefit will pay for personal care in adult foster care but not the room and board portion of the cost.  The state also has a Medicaid waiver for assisted living. The AR Choices in Homecare Waiver can also be used in adult foster care.

We hope this information about your senior care home options in Arkansas has been helpful. Please contact us if you have any questions.