Memory Care in Arizona
As the nation’s population ages, Alzheimer's disease is increasingly becoming a public health issue. As many as 1 in 3 seniors who die every year have this disease. In Arizona, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 150,000 seniors are living with Alzheimer’s in 2020. By 2025, it’s expected that 200,000 adults aged 65 and over will have this diagnosis. Since 2000, Alzheimer’s deaths in the state have increased by 188%, and the disease is now the fifth-leading cause of death. In addition to affecting seniors’ quality of life and putting strain on informal caregivers, Alzheimer’s is linked to an increased number of emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.
While seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may live at home safely with the supervision of spouses or other family members, as the disease progresses, they require more intensive care. Memory care facilities provide around-the-clock supervision, personal care and activities to support cognitive abilities and foster engagement. On average, Arizona residents pay $4,688 per month for memory support, which is lower than the national average of $5,064.
This guide provides an overview of memory care costs in and around Arizona, as well as a summary of the financial assistance programs that are available, the rules and regulations that govern memory care facilities and free state-based memory care resources.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Arizona
The SeniorScore measures how comfortable a region is for seniors based on 100 variables gathered from private and public databases such as Medicare and the U.S. Census Bureau. These variables are grouped into several categories, which include Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life. Arizona’s SeniorScore is 74, which is a little higher than the national score of 72.
The category in which Arizona scores the highest is General Quality of Life, at 77, indicating high general comfort and livability for older residents. The state has an average population density and an average high school graduation rate. Year-round temperatures are relatively comfortable, with averages ranging between 47-79 degrees, and the state receives about 13 inches of rain annually.
Arizona scores moderately high in the Health & Safety and Recreation & Leisure categories at 66 and 63, respectively. These scores demonstrate a moderate level of access to health care for older residents and an average social and recreational atmosphere. The state has a high number of Medicare-registered health care providers, many senior care facilities and an average number of hospitals. Active seniors have access to 315 golf courses within the state, numerous municipal parks and approximately 1,468 churches.
The category in which Arizona scores the lowest is Finances, at 58. The overall cost of living in this state is high compared to the nation as a whole. However, most senior care costs, including home health care, nursing home care and assisted living, are low compared to the national average, which may make it a financially feasible option for memory care. Other factors that contribute to this score include the state’s average property and sales tax rates, high unemployment rates and average per capita income.
The Cost of Memory Care in Arizona
Memory care services are typically provided in assisted living communities that have dementia-friendly accommodations and special programming to meet the needs of those with Alzheimer’s and related conditions. While Arizona has no state-mandated requirements for memory care beyond what’s required for assisted living, many facilities provide additional training, enhanced safety and security features and activities for those with dementia. For this reason, memory care typically costs 20-30% more than assisted living. Because no authoritative data is available for memory care costs in the United States, the following cost comparisons are based on assisted living data published in Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, with a 25% adjustment to account for memory support fees. Exact costs vary based on a facility’s location, the services and amenities it provides and its pricing structure.
Compared to the nation as a whole, Arizona is a relatively affordable option for memory care. On average, seniors pay $4,688 per month, which is considerably lower than the national average of $5,064. In Utah and Nevada, seniors pay about 9% less per month, with both states averaging $4,250. In New Mexico, costs are 9% higher, at $5,125, and in California, seniors pay $5,625 per month.
- Arizona: $4,688
- National: $5,064
- New Mexico: $5,125
- Utah: $4,250
- Nevada: $4,250
- California: $5,625
The Cost of Memory Care in Arizona’s Top Cities
Across Arizona, the cost of memory support services ranges between $4,344 and $6,250 per month. In the capital city of Phoenix, care costs are a little lower than the statewide monthly average, at $4,375. In Sierra Vista, located in the southeastern region of the state, seniors pay $5,513 per month, and in Tucson, costs are even higher, at $5,869. The most affordable city for memory support is Yuma, and the most expensive is Flagstaff.
- Yuma: $4,344
- Phoenix: $4,375
- Sierra Vista: $5,513
- Tucson: $5,869
- Flagstaff: $6,250
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Arizona
Arizona seniors have access to several types of care, depending on their needs, budget and living preferences. Assisted living, which features room and board, housekeeping and personal care services, is about 20-30% cheaper than memory care, at $3,750 per month. Nursing home care is a good option for seniors with extensive care needs and is the most expensive option, at $6,433. For those who are in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s and prefer to live at home, in-home care and home health care services are slightly higher than memory care, at $4,767 monthly. The cheapest senior care option is adult day care, at $2,102 per month.
- Memory Care: $4,688
- Assisted Living: $3,750
- In-Home Care: $4,767
- Home Health Care: $4,767
- Adult Day Care: $2,102
- Nursing Home Care: $6,433
Top Memory Care Communities in Arizona
Choice Rehab Care is located at 14002 West Meeker Blvd in Sun City West, Arizona. It is a 140 room skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area has a dense population, with roughly 29,000 individuals living in the zip ...
Montecito Post Acute Care and Rehabilitation is located within the Camino del Rey area of Mesa, Arizona. It is a 222 unit skilled nursing facility. With around 34,000 people residing in the 85206 zip code, the neighboring area ...
Located in the North Mountain area of Phoenix, Arizona, Coronado Healthcare Center is a 191 room skilled nursing facility. The facility is in a primarily middle class area, with an average per-family income of $44,852. It has a ...
Sunview Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 127 unit nursing home facility. It is located at 12207 North 113th Ave in Youngtown, Arizona. With an average per-family income of $41,982, the community is in a largely middle income ...
Bella Vita Health and Rehabilitation Center is located near by the Maryvale area of Glendale, Arizona. It is a 186 bed skilled nursing facility. The surrounding area has a dense population, with around 61,000 individuals residing in the ...
Desert Cove Nursing Center is a 120 bed nursing facility located in the Mission Tierra area of Chandler, Arizona. With a median household income of $64,746, the facility is in a predominantly middle class area. It is heavily ...
Heritage Court Post Acute of Scottsdale is located within the South Scottsdale neighborhood of Scottsdale, Arizona. It is a 106 bed nursing facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 35,000 individuals living in the zip ...
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. ...
Chandler Post Acute & Rehabilitation is a 120 bed nursing facility. It is located within the Blakeman Ranch neighborhood of Chandler, Arizona. With a median per-household income of $64,746, the facility is in a largely middle class area. ...
Freedom Plaza Care Center is located at 13714 North Plaza Del Rio Blvd in Peoria, Arizona. It is a 111 bed senior care facility. With an average family income of $71,355, the community is in a generally middle ...
La Canada Care Center is a 128 bed senior care community. It is located within the Casas Adobes neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona. With a median household income of $55,657, the community is in a predominantly middle income area. ...
Catalina Post Acute and Rehabilitation is located within the Samos area of Tucson, Arizona. It is a 102 room skilled nursing facility. The facility is in a largely working class area, with a median household income of $29,889. ...
Citadel Post Acute is a 128 unit nursing facility. It is situated in the Camino del Rey area of Mesa, Arizona. The facility is in a primarily middle class area, with a median household income of $49,456. ...
Located in the Duke Manor area of Mesa, Arizona, Mesa Christian Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 191 room skilled nursing facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 47,000 individuals residing in the 85201 zip code. ...
Atria Sierra Pointe is a senior care facility serving individuals 65 and up situated in the North Scottsdale area of Scottsdale, Arizona. With an average per-household income of $84,168, the community is in a largely well-to-do area. It ...
Courtyard Towers is a senior care facility located within the C.A.N.D.O. neighborhood of Mesa, Arizona. The neighboring area is densely populated, with around 47,000 poeple living in the zip code of 85201. With an average household income of ...
Scottsdale Village Square is a 141 unit senior care community located within the NTNA - Canal Park area of Scottsdale, Arizona. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with about 28,000 residents in the 85257 zip code. With an ...
Situated in the Suntrails III neighborhood of Mesa, Arizona, Symphony of Mesa is a 204 bed senior care community. With an average per-household income of $45,808, the facility is in a mostly middle class area. It has a ...
Sun Health La Loma Care Center is a 75 bed nursing care facility. It is located at 14260 South Denny Blvd in Litchfield Park, Arizona. The facility is in a mostly middle income area, with a median per-family ...
Situated within the Evergreen neighborhood of Tempe, Arizona, The Health Care Center at Friendship Village is a 128 bed skilled nursing facility. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median household income of $52,018. ...
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Arizona
Arizona Long Term Care System
Address: 801 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone Number: (602) 417-4000
Website: www.azahcccs.gov/Members/AlreadyCovered/coveredservices.html
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid agency, contracts with several agencies to provide long-term care services for seniors, including those with dementia. This program is similar to an HMO and has in-network doctors, senior care facilities, hospitals, pharmacies and specialists. Program participants are assigned caseworkers who help them obtain necessary services. In addition to Medicaid’s standard services, this program covers services such as attendant care, room and board in assisted living facilities (including those that provide memory services), case management and dental services.
To be eligible for services, applicants must be at least 65 years old and qualify for Medicaid. As of 2020, single applicants may earn up to $2,349 per month and have up to $2,000 in countable assets and still receive Medicaid.
Home and Community-Based Services
Address: 1789 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 542-4446
Website: des.az.gov/services/older-adults/home-community-based-services
The Home and Community-Based Services program provides seniors with an array of nonmedical services to help them avoid or delay nursing home placement. Participants are assigned caseworkers who help them obtain the services they need to continue living in the community, whether that's in their own home, the home of a relative or a memory care facility. Some services covered by this program include housekeeping, personal care, visiting nurses and transportation. This program is provided through the state’s Department of Economic Security in partnership with Area Agencies on Aging.
To be eligible for the HCBS program, applicants must be at least 60 years old or have a disability. They must also be functionally impaired and unable to independently perform activities of daily living.
Arizona Memory Care Rules and Regulations
In Arizona, memory care services are governed by the Division of Public Health Licensing Services. This Division enforces rules and regulations for assisted living and memory care facilities and ensures compliance through annual and unannounced inspections. To apply for licensing, memory care facilities must outline the services that they provide.
Scope of Care | Memory care facilities provide room and board, personal care assistance, supervision, behavioral health services and ancillary care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Communities also provide three meals plus snacks daily to meet residents’ dietary requirements. |
Care Plans | All memory care facilities must provide a written care plan for each resident within 14 days of their admission. This care plan must be drafted by the facility’s manager and must outline the resident’s cognitive, physical, functional and behavioral impairments, as well as a list of the resident’s medications and how they are administered. Care plans must also describe the services the residents receive and who provides them. Care plans must be reviewed and updated within 14 days of a significant change in the resident’s condition. They must also be reviewed on a regular basis throughout a resident's time at the community, including every three months for those who receive direct care services, every six months for those who receive personal care services and annually for those receiving supervisory care services. |
Medication Management | Memory care facilities in Arizona are permitted to provide medication administration services. They must ensure that medications are properly stored, reviewed and approved by licensed health care providers and administered as prescribed. Residents may self-administer their medications with the permission of a medical practitioner. If a resident refuses their medication, the refusal must be documented in their medical record. |
Staffing | A memory care facility must have a manager, caregivers and assistant caregivers on staff, and all employees must be able to perform all services that the facility provides. The state doesn’t impose minimum staffing ratios, but enough staff members must be present at all times to provide services as needed. There must be at least one awake staff member at all times. All memory care employees must undergo an orientation and receive training relevant to their responsibilities. Staff members must also be certified in first aid and CPR. |
Medicaid Coverage | Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, which is Arizona’s Medicaid agency, covers memory care services directly through its ALTCS program. Similar to an HMO health insurance plan, this program has in-network providers that beneficiaries must receive care from to have costs covered. To have memory services paid for by ALTCS, seniors must reside in a community within ALTCS’s service network. |
Reporting Abuse | Arizona’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman receives and investigates claims regarding abuse, neglect and exploitation in memory care facilities. Anyone, including residents, family members, staff members and visitors, may report abuse to the Ombudsman by calling the office at (602) 542-6454. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Arizona
Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium
The Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium is a statewide collaboration in Alzheimer’s disease research. Its participating institutions contribute to research in brain imaging computer science, genomics, neurosciences and related fields to understand Alzheimer’s disease and improve early detection. Individuals can get involved with AAC through its Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry. This registry is for those who are interested in participating in Alzheimer’s prevention studies and is open to adults aged 18 and over.
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is a research facility based in Phoenix. It partners with local organizations to provide an array of life enrichment programs for those living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Its programs include memory studies, support groups and memory screenings. It also offers weekly art classes, choir and social activities at its Tempe Learning Center.
To participate in BAI’s research studies, individuals must meet study-specific guidelines. To receive services and participate in therapeutic activities, seniors may need referrals from their health care providers.
Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter
Seniors and families in Arizona who have been affected by Alzheimer’s are served by the Alzheimer’s Association’s Desert Southwest Chapter. This nonprofit organization provides educational resources and support services for residents, including a 24/7 helpline, support groups, care consultation, caregiver support and programs for those in the early stages of the disease. It also provides an array of volunteer opportunities for community members.
For eligibility information, individuals should contact their local regional offices.
Arizona Agencies
Department of Economic Security
Address: 1789 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 542-4446
Website: des.az.gov/services
The state’s Department of Economic Security provides an array of services for older adults. Through the Department, seniors can receive legal assistance, Medicare options counseling and congregate or home-delivered meals. The Department also has a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, family caregiver support services and a resource consortium.
Area Agencies on Aging in Arizona
Arizona has eight Area Agencies on Aging located throughout the state. These public and nonprofit agencies plan and coordinate services for older adults. Services vary by location but typically include transportation, home-delivered and congregate meals, Medicare options counseling, legal services, caregiver support and long-term care ombudsman services. AAAs can also help seniors and families locate and apply for assistance programs such as Medicaid and veterans’ programs.
Veterans Affairs Offices in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services provides direct services to qualifying veterans, their spouses and their survivors through 19 benefits offices located throughout the state. These offices aid veterans in identifying and applying for state and federal benefits, including those that may pay for memory care, such as the VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit.
Social Security Offices in Arizona
There are 17 Social Security offices located throughout Arizona. Through their local office, seniors can access important benefits that may help them cover expenses related to memory support services and medical care, including hospital and medical insurance, prescription drug assistance, Supplemental Security Income and special veterans benefits. To find their nearest Social Security office, seniors should follow this link and enter their zip code.
Other Cities in Arizona