In-Home Care in Arizona

Arizona’s senior-friendly climate isn’t the only reason an above-average 18% of its almost 7.3 million residents are in the 65+ age group. The state offers generous property tax credits for seniors with incomes below the minimum thresholds and doesn’t tax Social Security benefits. Arizona also boasts several nationally ranked hospitals, including Mayo Clinic-Phoenix and the Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City.

Excellent care isn’t restricted to hospitals. Many agencies help seniors age safely and comfortably at home. The average cost of In-Home Care in Arizona is $5,339.  A bit more on average, Home Health Care fees are $5,434 per month. In-Home Care is a non-medical service that typically involves supporting seniors with dressing, bathing and cleaning their homes. Home Health Care is a medical service delivered by skilled nurses and therapists who deal with clinical issues, such as seniors recovering from surgery or managing long-term health issues such as arthritis.

This guide reviews home care costs in and around Arizona and the roles played by Medicaid and Medicare. It also lists some useful resources for homebound seniors and their families.

Figures published in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey show Arizona to be mid-range in cost terms for In-Home Care services. It’s costlier than the national average of $4,957 by around $382 per month, although not as expensive as some neighboring states. For example, a senior in Utah is likely to pay around $5,625 per month for In-Home Care services, while in California, fees rise to $6,101. Nevada is a more affordable alternative to Arizona, with fees averaging $5,148. New Mexico is even more competitive, with a median fee of $4,605.

Location is a factor in fees for In-Home Care services in Arizona. In Yuma, for example, it’s common for agencies to charge around $4,290 per month for their services, while in Flagstaff, it’s $6,673 for generally similar services. Phoenix is at the costlier end of the spectrum too, at $5,958, while in Tucson, fees drop to around $5,434 and in Prescott Valley, $5,053.

In addition to location, the frequency of services provided and the type of care delivered also factor in overall costs. Adult day health care facilities have the lowest expenditure so they offer care for around $2,102. Assisted living facilities provide accommodation and care for approximately $4,000 per month in Arizona. Agencies are more costly at $5,339 for In-Home Care and $5,434 for Home Health Care. At $6,540 per month, nursing home care is the most expensive due to the hospital-level care and narrower staff-to-resident ratios than those found in assisted living facilities.

Arizona has a Medicaid program officially known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), which can help pay home care costs for qualifying Arizona residents. Seniors have access to the AHCCCS through a program called Arizona Long Term Care Services, which is also known as the Elderly and Physical Disability Program.

There are several options that make it easier for seniors to apply for Medicaid in Arizona. They are:

• Online: Visit Health-e-Arizona PLUS
• By phone: Call (855) 432-7587 to request a paper copy of the application form be mailed to you
• In-Person: Find your nearest DES office and make an appointment to speak to an advisor
• By mail: Download and print Form FAA-001A and mail a completed copy with documents supporting the claim to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Family Assistance Administration, P.O. Box 19009, Phoenix, AZ 85005-9009

What Information You Will Need

The following list of needed items applies to all applicants, including occasions when more than one person from the household applies.

• Proof of U.S. citizenship and identity
• An Alien Registration Card, if an immigrant
• Social Security number, or proof of applying for a number
• Birth certificate
• The name, address and daytime phone number of a landlord or neighbor
• A signed and dated statement by a non-relative who doesn’t live with the applicant confirming the applicant’s address and the names of everyone in their household
• Proof of all money received in the current month and previous month
• Verification of any medical insurance policies
• Proof of last day of employment, if applicable

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.