Key Takeaways on Assisted Living in Arizona
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Arizona is $4,000. In comparison, the national median monthly cost of assisted living is $4,500.
- Arizona has 450 assisted living communities.
- You can visit your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more about Assisted Living in Arizona.
The number of older adults living in Arizona is increasing steadily, and there are plenty of nice places to live for retirees who want to stay independent but still get help with daily tasks and managing medications.
What is Assisted Living?
In assisted living, older adults receive personal care based on their needs. Benefits may include communal meals, a social activities calendar, and help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting dressed and maintaining personal hygiene.
Assisted living communities are for older adults who need some help with daily activities but still want to live in a cozy home-like place with their belongings. Some people might move to assisted living after living at home or in a place for independent living. These facilities usually offer help with medication, social activities, cleaning, meals, laundry, and transportation. The goal is to meet the needs of older adults in a residential environment.
The assisted living facilities in Arizona can suit many preferences, with some offering multi-acred campuses and others consisting of a single building with apartments and communal spaces. The goal of assisted living is to provide a sense of community and a degree of independence while ensuring all residents receive the care they need.
Assisted Living in Arizona: The Big Picture
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) reports that Arizona has 450 assisted living communities. In Arizona, the median monthly cost of assisted living is $4,000, while the national average is $4,500.
According to the NCAL, 50 percent of assisted living facility residents in Arizona are over the age of 85, with 22 percent relying on Medicaid for long-term care. 45 percent of assisted living residents in Arizona are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
What Services Are Provided in Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities often offer help with medication, cleaning, laundry, three meals every day, activities, and some assistance with daily tasks. However, the level of care provided by these facilities can differ depending on the state regulations where you reside. Read about the scope of care for assisted living facilities in your state in the National Center for Assisted Living State Regulatory Review.
Assisted Living Scope of Care in Arizona
Because assisted living is regulated at the state level, the scope of care will vary depending on where you live. The primary factors that vary from state to state are minimum staffing requirements and background checks for staff members.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Arizona have a minimum staffing requirement for assisted living facilities? | no |
| Does Arizona require an administrator to be onsite 24 hours per day? | no |
| Does Arizona require state and federal background checks for all staff members? | no |
The Cost of Assisted Living in Arizona
According to Genworth, the median monthly cost of assisted living in Arizona is $4,000. In comparison, the national median monthly cost of assisted living is $4,500. Still, that median monthly cost varies depending on your location within Arizona.
The cost of assisted living often reflects a state’s overall cost of living. In Arizona, the cost of living index is 107%. To find the cost of living index, we start by finding the average cost of living in the United States. This average is given a value of 100. Then, we compare the cost of living in each state to this national average. For example, a state with a cost of living index of 150 means it is 50% more expensive than the national average. On the other hand, a state with a cost of living index of 50 means it is half as expensive as the national average.
How to Pay for Assisted Living in Arizona
Transitioning to an assisted living facility can be a lot to take in, and older individuals may have concerns about affording it. Luckily, there are various ways to cover the costs of assisted living. Many residents typically combine different resources to do so.
Common ways to pay for assisted living in Arizona include:
- Personal savings: This may include Social Security benefits, pension payments, stocks, and 401(k) or IRA accounts.
- Reimbursement from long-term care insurance: Know the details of your policy. Many have an initial 90-day out-of-pocket period. If the 90 days begin when you start assisted living, you could face thousands of dollars in non-reimbursable expenses.
- Home equity: This may include proceeds from the sale of your home or a reverse mortgage plan. Always consult a trusted financial advisor before deciding how to structure your assets.
- Veterans benefits: Check with the Department of Veterans Affairs or use BenefitsCheckUp to discover your options.
- Medicaid benefits: For Medicaid-eligible older adults, Medicaid can help cover the cost of care received in assisted living. In combination with a state-level Medicaid waiver, Medicaid dollars can also help cover the room and board costs of assisted living.
Will Medicare Pay for Assisted Living in Arizona?
Medicare will not pay for any form of long-term care, whether the care is received at home or in a facility. Because the federal government regulates Medicare, this is true in every state, including Arizona.
Here are the goods and services often covered by Medicare for assisted living residents:
- The cost of physician-ordered physical, occupational, and speech therapy, which residents can often receive onsite in assisted living settings
- Up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility
- Durable medical equipment (DME) such as bedside commodes and shower stools
- Outpatient health care services and some prescription drug costs
Will Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living in Arizona?
Medicaid is regulated by federal and state governments, meaning its coverage will vary widely from state to state. In most cases, Medicaid will cover the cost of personal and medical care received within assisted living, but it will not pay for room and board. In combination with a state-based Medicaid waiver, Medicaid dollars can help cover the total cost of assisted living.
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)
ALTCS is insurance for individuals who are age 65 or older, or who have a disability, and who require nursing facility level of care. Those who qualify do not have to reside in a nursing home. Many ALTCS members live in their own homes or an assisted living facility and receive needed in-home services.
| Coverage Type | Included |
|---|---|
| Home Care | yes |
| Memory Care | no |
| Community-Based Care | no |
| Assisted Living | yes |
Resident Resources for Assisted Living in Arizona?
Several resources are available in Arizona to help support assisted living residents.
- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They help residents get quality care, assist in resolving conflicts, and prevent and address elder abuse. Find the LTCOP in Arizona.
- An area agency on aging (AAA) is an organization designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of older persons at the regional and local levels. Area agency on aging is an umbrella term for this kind of organization, and specific names of local AAAs may vary. An AAA can provide information on health services, community engagement, and long-term care options. Find the AAA closest to your Arizona location using the Eldercare Locator.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Veterans and their families are eligible for federal benefits covering health care, life insurance, housing assistance, and pension payments. To maximize your benefits, ensure you receive the federal VA benefits you qualify for before checking with Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, veterans are also eligible for services at the state level, such as State Veterans Homes, which offer full-time skilled nursing care.
Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care in Arizona
Assisted living facilities provide help, social activities, and care to residents while letting them remain independent. However, assisted living communities may not be suitable for everyone. Fortunately, Arizona offers various options for senior living, with distinctive differences to accommodate residents’ needs. Each senior care option comes with different levels of care and associated costs.
The five main senior living options available in Arizona are:
1. Independent Living
Independent living facilities offer a vibrant community where residents don’t have to stress about tasks like taking care of the yard, cleaning the house, or cooking. These communities usually have social groups, games, exercise classes, outings, and various other activities available on-site. All-inclusive fees for independent living in Arizona vary widely based on the facility’s style and size, the types of amenities included, and the specific area’s cost of living.
Older adults needing personal care or help with ADLs while staying in an independent living community can receive that care through third-party service providers.
2. Assisted Living
Assisted living communities offer housekeeping, three communal meals per day, onsite activities, and daily help with ADLs and medication. The average monthly cost for assisted living in Arizona is $4,000, and additional fees for personal care services could increase that fee. In comparison, the national average median monthly cost for assisted living is $4,500.
3. Nursing Homes
All of the services available in assisted living are also available in a nursing home, with the addition of skilled nursing care provided by RNs. In Arizona, the average monthly cost for nursing home care in a private room is $8,030, while the average monthly cost for a shared room is $6,540. Nationally, the cost of nursing home care in a private room averages $9,034 per month, while sharing a room drops the national monthly average to $7,908.
4. Memory Care
Also called special care units, memory care can be found in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The average monthly cost for memory care varies by facility. Our research found that, in Arizona, the cost falls somewhere between the cost of assisted living care and nursing care, depending on individual needs.
5. Aging in Place
Staying at home with the help of in-home care is also an option worth considering, especially if you can’t find a residential facility that meets your or a loved one’s needs. Usually, Medicaid will cover in-home care services more readily than it covers the cost of an assisted living facility.
In-home care includes:
- Personal companions, or homemakers, provide companionship, light housekeeping, some meal preparation, and help with errands. In Arizona, the median monthly costs of homemaker services for 44 hours a week is $5,339. Nationally, the average monthly cost is $4,957.
- Home health aides assist you or a loved one with ADLs such as bathing and dressing. They will also help with housekeeping and meal preparation. Hiring a home health aide in Arizona for 44 hours a week will cost, on average $5,434 a month. The national average monthly cost of 44 hours a week of home health aide care is $5,148.
- A registered nurse (RN) can come to your home to provide in-home nursing services. These services are important for seniors who want to stay at home but need help with things like taking care of wounds or managing chronic illnesses like diabetes. The cost of in-home nursing services can differ depending on the area you live in and how many hours of care you need.
- Adult day centers provide social activities for older adults during the day while also offering caregivers a break from caregiver responsibilities. The median monthly cost for adult day health care in Arizona is $2,102. Comparatively, the national average monthly cost for adult day centers is $1,690.