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Assisted Living in Arizona

Arizona is one of America's fastest-growing states, with a population increase of almost 14% since 2010. One of the fastest-rising demographics in the Grand Canyon State is people aged 65 or over, whose numbers have increased by over 17% over the same time period according to US Census Bureau data. It's a leading destination for senior vacationers and for retirees alike owing to the state's wide range of available outdoor activities, vibrant cultural centers, its sunny weather and its famous dry heat — which makes bearable the frequent occurrence of high daytime temperatures — along with relatively low taxes on most sources of senior income.

As noted in the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey the average monthly cost of an assisted living community in Arizona is $3,750. This places it about 7.5% below the national average of $4,051.

This guide provides more specifics, comparing these costs with neighboring states and other types of care. It also reviews the regulations that govern care facilities, the availability of financial assistance programs and the overall quality of life that Arizona offers seniors.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Arizona



At present, Arizona has an overall SeniorScore of 74%, an impressive score that's slightly over the national average of 72%. A state's SeniorScore is reached by the analysis of over 100 private and public sector data points, helping to clarify the benefits and drawbacks of senior living in various regions of the country.



SeniorScore™ for Arizona



The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.

74

SeniorScore™ Overview

  • Arizona's SeniorScore™ of 74 is higher than the national average of 72.
66

Health & Safety

  • Arizona has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
  • Arizona has an average number of hospitals within the state.
  • Arizona has a high number of senior living facilities within the state.
  • Arizona has a high number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
  • The average life expectancy in Arizona is 79.6, compared to the national average of 78.6.
  • Arizona has a high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
  • Arizona has a high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
63

Recreation & Leisure

  • 30% of the population in Arizona are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
  • Arizona has 315 golf courses in the state.
  • Arizona has a high number of municipal parks throughout the state.
  • Arizona has 1,468 churches in the state.
58

Finances

  • The property taxes average 2.17% of total income in Arizona, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2.79%.
  • The property taxes average 0.63% of property value in Arizona, which is significantly lower than the national average of 1.09%.
  • The average sales tax in Arizona is 9.15%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 6.97%.
  • The average state income tax in Arizona is 2.59%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.38%.
  • The mean household income in Arizona is $67,419, which is higher than the national average of $64,580.
  • Arizona's median household income is $53,418, which is higher than the national average of $51,560.
  • The average per capita income in Arizona is $26,099, which is higher than the national average of $25,611.
  • Assisted living costs in Arizona average $41,941 per year, which are lower than the national average of $42,700.
  • Nursing home costs in Arizona average $81,547 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $92,481.
  • Costs for adult daycare in Arizona average $21,015 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $17,931.
  • Costs for home healthcare in Arizona average $45,825 per year, which are lower than the national average of $46,197.
  • The unemployment rate is about 9.07% in Arizona, which is higher than then national rate of 8.26%.
  • The overall cost of living in Arizona is high compared to national averages.
  • 1.00% of the senior population in Arizona are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
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General Quality of Life

  • Arizona receives an average of 12.5 inches of rain per year.
  • Arizona has an average annual temperature of 63.4 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Arizona has an average low temperature of 47.1 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Arizona has an average high temperature of 78.5 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Arizona has an average population density of 859 people per square mile.
  • Arizona has a very low public school quality ranking.
  • Arizona has a low public school safety ranking.
  • Arizona has an average graduation rate of 84.24%.

Arizona's general quality of life scores 77%, which is higher than those of any neighboring state. Factors in this score include the state's favorable climate, low population density, wide range of opportunities for recreation and leisure and ease of access to health care providers.

Arizona's state income tax is 2.59%, which is lower than the U.S. average of 3.5%, and its property taxes are also significantly below the national average. The full amount of Arizona income tax is based on federal income tax returns and includes taxable retirement and investment income.

The state sales tax is 9.15%, significantly higher than the national average of 6.97%, which is a factor in the high cost of living, and unemployment in the state is marginally higher than the national average. Although the cost for assisted living and most other forms of long-term care is relatively low compared with national averages, Arizona's overall financial SeniorScore suffers somewhat from these factors.



Top Assisted Living Facilities in Arizona



Plaza Healthcare - Scottsdale, AZ

Plaza Healthcare

1475 North Granite Reef Rd

Scottsdale, AZ 85257

1-855-221-7955

17 Reviews  

Plaza Healthcare is a 179 bed nursing care facility. It is situated near the NTNA - Indian Bend neighborhood of Scottsdale, Arizona. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with a median family income of $49,327. ...

Get Pricing Info See Details

 
 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Arizona



Arizona's average monthly rate for assisted living is $3,750, which is affordable by comparison with the national average of $4,051. It's also lower than the cost in neighboring states such as California ($4,500) and New Mexico ($4,100). It's somewhat higher than the cost of similar care in neighboring Nevada and Utah, where assisted living runs to a monthly average of $3,400.

  • Arizona: $3,750
  • United States Average: $4,051
  • California: $4,500
  • Nevada: $3,400
  • New Mexico: $4,100
  • Utah: $3,400

The Cost of Assisted Living in Arizona's Top Cities

Arizona hosts a wide range of cities and communities with varying costs for assisted living. In its largest urban center, Phoenix, the average cost is $3,500, somewhat below the state average. In the next largest city of Tucson, assisted living is considerably more expensive at $4,695 per month. Overall, however, the monthly cost of assisted living in the state's largest cities tracks with the average in Phoenix.

  • Phoenix: $3,500
  • Tucson: $4,695
  • Mesa: $3,500
  • Chandler: $3,500
  • Glendale: $3,500

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Arizona

There is a range of several thousand dollars between the least and most expensive median monthly costs in Arizona for the five major categories of senior care. Adult day care is the least expensive service on average in the state at $2,012, while nursing home care is the most expensive at $6,433. Both forms of in-home care share an average cost of $4,767; the real factor that differentiates them in this state isn't cost but the levels of daily health care support required in the home. Assisted living is cheaper than both in-home options by over $1,000.

  • Assisted Living: $3,750
  • In-Home Care: $4,767
  • Home Health Care: $4,767
  • Adult Day Care: $2,102
  • Nursing Home Care: $6,433

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Arizona



Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)


Address: 4041 N. Central Ave., Suite 515, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone Number: (877) 236-4752
Website: https://www.altcs.com/

The Arizona Long Term Care System is a Medicaid program designed to support seniors and disabled people living on fixed incomes, helping to pay for long-term care when savings can no longer cover the cost. Applicants need to complete a two-part process to confirm their financial eligibility along with a functional and medical assessment that demonstrates the need for such care. The application process typically takes 60 to 90 days.

For those with verified eligibility, there is a wide range of assisted living communities in Arizona that accept ALTCS clients. ALTCS can provide support with finding those communities and vetting their backgrounds and state reporting information, ensuring that clients are making an informed choice. Note that the ALTCS doesn't pay for care directly, instead contracting for that purpose with specific providers. Seniors with an existing health care provider need to verify that they are a supported program contractor to access ALTCS support.


Veterans Affairs - Aid & Attendance Benefits


Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Fax Number: (844) 655-1604
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/

The Aid and Attendance pension is provided for veterans who need help performing daily activities or who suffer from chronic illness, limited eyesight or other disabilities. Demonstrating eligibility for Arizona veterans involves a mail-in application sent to their pension management center (PMC) at the above address, and applications include a doctor's report verifying medical need.

The A&A pension pays for a number of long-term care solutions, including assisted living communities. The pension pays just over $1,800 monthly for a single veteran and just over $2,200 monthly for a veteran and their spouse.


Arizona Assisted Living Rules and Regulations



The Arizona Department of Health Services' Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing is responsible for regulating assisted living facilities in the state, which makes a summary of the rules, regulations and levels and types of assisted living care available to the public. Those rules and regulations are specified in the Arizona Administrative Code, Title 9, Chapter 10, Article 8: Assisted Living Facilities. An assisted living facility or ALF is defined as any facility that provides, either directly or under contract, supervisory, directed or personal care services to its residents.

Scope of Care

Assisted living facility staff may provide personal care, including support with the activities of daily living, intermittent nursing care and help with administering medicines; supervisory care that additionally includes daily monitoring of residents' needs and crisis intervention; and directed care for those who need assistance with basic care decisions, recognizing danger, summoning assistance or expressing needs.

Care Plan Requirements

A written service plan must be submitted no less than 14 days after a resident has been admitted to an ALF, reviewed by a resident or their representative (and any other individual requested by them) and the manager of the facility. It has to include a medical assessment, a clear statement of the needed level of service, and a delineation of the amount, type and frequency of services the facility will provide. This plan needs to be updated a minimum of 14 days after any major health developments, at least once a year for supervisory care, once every six months for personal care, and once every three months for directed care.

Medication Management Requirements

Nursing and medication management services are optional depending on the level of service, and if needed they require that the care plan be reviewed by a nurse or other medical practitioner. Staff may be called on to assist with and monitoring of self-administration and medication procurement, and licensed nursing staff may directly administer medicines.

Staff Requirements

There are no minimum staff-to-resident ratios required, except that there needs to be sufficient staff on hand at all times to support the services consistent with an ALF's licensure category. At least one manager or caregiver is required to be awake and on-site at an ALF when a resident is on the premises. All staff must have a valid DHS fingerprint clearance card issued within 20 days of hire, or the ALF cannot employ them.

Staff Training Requirements

Staff needs to be able to provide the services and supports needed by residents and specified in their care plans. Managers are required to provide training and in-service education for all staff and volunteers, including specific orientation for those who will be assisting with activities of daily living, and all staff must be trained in CPR and first aid.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid coverage is provided through the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) under a Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver. There are no uniform costs, as this coverage is coordinated by a combination of private insurance companies and local agencies by separate arrangements with each facility.

Reporting Abuse

Managers are required to report to the DHS any reasonable suspicion of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a resident, and to document the details, witnesses and actions taken in response to any such incident. The documents need to be preserved for at least 12 months after an investigation is begun.


Free Assisted Living Resources in Arizona



Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP)

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a combined initiative of state and federal governments designed to prevent the abuse and neglect of elder citizens in long-term care and to ensure the adherence of any such care to regulatory standards. The ombudsman is charged with making every reasonable effort to identify, investigate and resolve complaints regarding these issues in all care facilities in the state, including assisted living facilities or ALFs.

In addition to investigating and intervening in cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents, the LTCOP helps residents to access the services they need and supports and works with families and resident councils. It also promotes and advocates for the rights of residents and provides education to families, caregivers, residents and the community at large about long-term care issues and services.

Contact: Call the Office of the State LTCOP at (602) 542-6454 for more information.


Veteran Aid

VeteranAid.org is a nonprofit organization specifically created to help the families and loved ones of veterans reclaim their benefits under the Aid and Attendance pension that provides support for various kinds of long-term care, including assisted living. They provide assistance and education for families trying to access these benefits, including detailed eligibility guidelines, FAQs and step-by-step help with applications.

Contact: Reach a free eldercare advisor at (866) 913-2555 or contact the organization for general inquiries at (866) 584-7191.


Arizona State Agencies


The Arizona Department of Veteran's Services

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services is a general gateway to a wide variety of veteran services in the state. Part of its mandate is to help veterans connect with their benefits, and helps to coordinate various services and organizations that provide support to veterans. The ADVS is distinct from Veterans' Affairs, covered below, but it does function as a contact point between the VA and other public and private entities.

Address: 3839 N 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone Number: (602) 255-3373
Website: https://dvs.az.gov/


Area Agencies on Aging in Arizona

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are either public or nonprofit agencies and are focused on supporting and advocating for seniors and informing them about community supports, programs relevant to their benefits and other options for improving their quality of life.

Contact local offices of Arizona's AAAs by consulting this directory.


Veterans Affairs Offices in Arizona

Veterans Affairs is focused on a series of specific missions, the most relevant to the issue of assisted living being to support access for veterans to health care and the administrator of such benefits as the Aid and Assistance monthly pension program for senior veterans.

Contact the VA's national hotline at (844) 698-2311, or find local VA offices in Arizona online.


Social Security Offices in Arizona

The Social Security Administration distributes Social Security Income (SSI) monthly benefits to millions of Americans. Arizona seniors may be eligible for these kinds of benefits if they're within certain criteria for income and resources. They may also be available to those meeting the eligibility criteria for disability status.

Eligibility criteria for SSI benefits can be relevant to securing other benefits for seniors. Local offices can be found using this online directory.

 

Other Cities in Arizona

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