Nursing Homes in Arkansas
Arkansas has over 200 nursing homes and assisted living centers with over 23,000 residents. In Arkansas, long-term care facilities are licensed by The Arkansas Office of Long Term Care (OLTC). The OLTC vides other services including background checks for facility staff members, overseeing the training and certification of Certified Nursing Aids (CNAs), and investigations into reports of nursing home abuse in order to ensure the highest level of care for your loved one.
Choosing a Facility
When choosing a long-term care facility for a family member, there are several things to keep in mind. The facility must meet the level of care required by your loved one. State requirements on staffing ratios ensure the right number of health care workers are employed and on site to provide the appropriate level of support to home residents and patients. Consider if your loved one has memory loss and would benefit from memory care, or if a facility with a rehabilitation center would be appropriate for your loved one's needs. For many families, finances are an important factor in finding the right facility. 98% of long term care facilities in Arkansas accept Medicaid. For more information on Medicaid eligibility, it is recommended to contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Although many facilities are located in Little Rock, AR; there are many options throughout the state. Proximity to a hospital may be important to you, as well as convenience for family members to visit. It is recommended to visit before deciding on a location to ensure that it the best fit.
Nursing homes and COVID-19
Last month, governor Hutchinson started a plan to test all nursing home residents and employees for COVID-19. The Arkansas Department of Health tracks the number of COVID-19 cases in the state and includes numbers for nursing home residents. As seniors are at higher risk of contracting Covid-19, nursing homes are required to follow strict infection control protocols, and currently visits to nursing homes and other long term care facilities may be limited.