Carefree, Arizona, is an upscale master-planned community with a population of 3,360, including more than 1,180 residents 65 and older. Like other parts of Maricopa County, the area has a substantial number of dementia cases. More than 54,736 residents in the county have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This number is projected to exceed 85,000 by 2020 as the population ages.
Arizona residents who have been diagnosed with dementia and require full-time assistance may choose from several memory care facilities, called directed care properties, located in Carefree and the surrounding area. Directed care properties must follow the same regulations as other assisted living facilities.