Little Rock Senior AdvisorWhat should a family do first after a dementia diagnosis?
Put legal and financial authority in place while your parent can still sign: a durable power of attorney for finances, a health care power of attorney or advance directive, and a plan for who manages bills and medications.
Arkansas assisted living rules limit how long a resident who becomes unable to make decisions may stay without a guardian or health care agent, so those papers matter for housing too.
How can we keep a parent with dementia safe at home in Little Rock?
Start with medications, driving, the stove and wandering: use a locked pill dispenser, have a doctor address driving, add stove shut-offs, and consider a medical alert or GPS device.
Adult day programs give a caregiver a break and a parent structured activity. ARChoices in Homecare or PACE may help pay for services for people who meet nursing home level of care.
When is memory care the right move?
When safety at home depends on someone being awake and watching around the clock, when wandering or night-time confusion has begun, or when the caregiver's health is failing.
In Arkansas, memory care in assisted living is an Alzheimer's special care unit, which must give families a written disclosure before admission. See the rules.
Where can families get dementia support around Little Rock?
CareLink, the area agency on aging at (501) 372-5300, offers caregiver support, respite and information; the Alzheimer's Association runs a free 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
Ask your parent's doctor about memory clinics and about a referral to a social worker who can help plan the next two years, not just the next two weeks.
How do we pay for dementia care in Arkansas?
Mostly privately at first; Arkansas Medicaid can help through ARChoices or PACE at home, Living Choices in participating Level II buildings, and nursing home Medicaid, once the person meets the level-of-care and financial tests.
A dementia diagnosis often meets the PACE functional test by itself. Talk with an elder law attorney before moving any money.
Side by side
| Early dementia planning means | Early dementia planning does not mean | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | Powers of attorney signed now | Waiting for a crisis |
| Housing | Touring memory care before it is urgent | Moving immediately |
| Care | Day programs and in-home help | One family member doing it all |
| Money | Checking Medicaid and VA rules early | Giving assets away |
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.
