How Many Assisted Living Facilities Are in Arizona?

There are 1,327 assisted living facilities across Arizona. Seniors beginning their research should consider learning more about assisted living in the state, talk to their health care providers, ask family and friends for recommendations and contact their local Area Agency on Aging for details of nearby facilities. They should book visits with facilities on their shortlists that coincide with meal times and group social activities to help seniors observe the environment and see if it will be a good fit for them. These visits are also a good time to discuss costs with the manager. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median fee for assisted living is $4,000 per month, which is $500 below the national average.

Assisted living facilities provide nonmedical care in homelike environments for seniors struggling with activities of daily living, such as getting in and out of bed, bathing and personal grooming. Staff may monitor or administer medications, depending on the individual facility’s policies. Some facilities, but not all, can supply basic levels of medical care. Generally, they focus on helping residents develop and maintain their fitness through appropriate daily exercises, such as chair yoga.

Residents typically live in private or shared apartments with kitchenettes and bathrooms. Common areas are usually a lounge and a dining room where seniors share freshly-prepared meals three times per day. Many facilities have libraries and beauty salons/barbershops, while some of the more exclusive ones have spas and golf courses. Some assisted living communities focus on the spiritual aspects of care, often prioritizing a specific religion, particularly Christianity.

Arizona’s Medicaid program, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, can pay medical costs incurred in an assisted living facility for eligible seniors through its Arizona Long Term Care Services program. It can’t pay room and board expenses. To qualify for these payments, the senior must satisfy strict criteria regarding their income and medical needs.

Arizona’s seniors use an array of options to fund their assisted living expenses. These include reverse mortgages, thereby releasing equity on their homes without needing to meet the cost of care with their retirement incomes. Some also get help from loved ones who combine their resources to contribute towards the monthly bills, while others arrange an annuity or buy long-term care insurance. Veterans, their spouses and surviving spouses who receive a VA pension may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, which can pay some assisted living facility costs, but not room and board.