Little Rock Senior AdvisorWhat is ARChoices in Homecare?
ARChoices in Homecare is Arkansas Medicaid's home and community-based waiver for people 65 and older, or 21 to 64 with a physical disability, who meet nursing facility level of care but choose to stay at home; it pays for services such as attendant care, respite, adult day services and home-delivered meals.
For a central Arkansas family, it is the program that can keep a parent in a house in Sherwood or Benton when the alternative would be a nursing home. It does not pay family rent or mortgage, and it does not provide round-the-clock care.
Who qualifies for ARChoices?
The same two tests as other Arkansas long-term care Medicaid: nursing facility level of care, determined by a state assessment, and the financial rules, including the 2026 income cap of $2,982 a month and the $2,000 resource limit for an individual.
A spouse who stays at home is protected by federal spousal rules, which let the at-home spouse keep a share of the couple's assets and income. See Medicaid eligibility for the 2026 figures.
Can a family member be paid through ARChoices?
Through Independent Choices, Arkansas Medicaid's self-directed option, an eligible person can hire and direct their own attendant, who can be a relative other than a spouse, with a financial management service handling payroll.
Self-direction works best when someone in the family is comfortable managing schedules and timesheets. Ask about electronic visit verification, which Arkansas uses for attendant care.
How do we apply for ARChoices in central Arkansas?
Apply for Medicaid through Access Arkansas (1-855-372-1084) and ask DAABHS (1-866-801-3435) about the waiver; CareLink, the area agency on aging at (501) 372-5300, can help families in Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner and Lonoke counties understand the steps.
If a parent is in the hospital, ask the case manager to start the referral before discharge; it can take weeks for services to begin, so plan a bridge of family help or short-term private care.
What does ARChoices not cover?
It does not cover rent, groceries or utilities, it does not provide round-the-clock care, and it does not replace Medicare for doctor visits, hospital stays or home health.
Families usually combine ARChoices attendant hours with family help, adult day services and a medical alert device.
Side by side
| ARChoices is | ARChoices is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Help at home and in the community | Payment for assisted living rent |
| Who | 65+, or 21-64 with a physical disability, at nursing facility level of care | For anyone who wants housekeeping |
| Hours | A service plan based on assessed need | Round-the-clock care |
| Family | Self-direction possible through Independent Choices | Pay for a spouse as caregiver |
Sources: Arkansas Office of Long Term Care assisted living rules, the Health Services Permit Agency's Bed Need Book, Arkansas DHS waiver and PACE fact sheets, CMS, CareScout and VA rate tables, each cited in the text. Our editorial standards explain how we check them.
