Adult Care Homes in Tucson, AZ

Adult Care Homes in Tucson, AZ: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, Questions to Ask, Links and Resources

Families are searching for Adult Care Homes amongst the beautiful desert landscape of Tucson, Arizona. Tucson is the second-largest city in the state, known for its stunning natural beauty, rich Native and Mexican American heritage, and bustling downtown area. Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city is surrounded by stunning vistas that include towering cacti and rugged mountains that make it a relaxing and warm landscape for seniors looking for care homes.

Some people refer to all senior care under the umbrella of retirement homes or nursing homes. Adult care homes are neither, and instead are an excellent housing option for aging adults because they offer private residencies in a home-like environment.

Adult Care Home and other terms

About Adult Care Homes in Tucson, AZ

Arizona is an ideal place for seniors to enjoy their time in retirement, offering some of the most picturesque landscapes in all of the country. The reasonable cost of living makes it an ideal place for retirees and all seniors alike. The state has 300 days of beautiful sunshine a year and a growing economy. As our senior population ages, some may require care at some point. Adult care homes may be ideal for a senior who can no longer manage their health and safety in their own home, and may need care. 

Each home has an operator who may employ additional caregivers to support the care of residents. Residences are licensed to house a smaller number of adults as opposed to larger assisted living communities. They make ideal homes for loved ones who require individualized care while allowing residents the preferences and choices to honor their independence. Caregivers in adult care homes are responsible for supervising residents; providing care services, personal care, behavioral health services. All services must be documented in a written plan, outlining all services. Adult care homes monitor medication intake, restricting access to medications. They may assist in administering medications or monitoring self-administration.

In Arizona, licensing is regulated and monitored by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The regulations are the same as ALFs, assisted living facilities. For safety, operators must be licensed in their state and participate in on-going training. Staff must have hands-on experience providing care for the population they intend to serve, as well as on-going training.  Staff includes managers, caregivers and assistant caregivers. All staff must be trained and capable of performing all care and services. There is no required staff to resident ratios in place in Arizona. Sufficient staff must be on hand to perform all necessary care services. At least one caregiver must be on premises and awake at all times a resident is in the home.

Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Tucson, AZ

There are many options for adult care homes in Tucson, Arizona. The estimated population of Tucson is 547,239 with 15.2% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Tucson, the summers are sweltering, the winters are cool and dry, and it is mostly clear year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 42°F to 102°F and is rarely below 33°F or above 107°F.

Cities Near Tucson, AZ

• Marana, AZ – 25 miles northwest
• Oro Valley, AZ – 15 miles north
• Green Valley, AZ – 25 miles south
• Sahuarita, AZ – 15 miles south
• Vail, AZ – 20 miles southeast

Pricing and How to Pay for Adult Care Homes

It becomes common knowledge as you search through care options for your aging loved one, the large discrepancies in costs. Adult care homes are no exception. The good news is adult care homes are generally half the cost of a nursing home and adult care homes can be less expensive than assisted living. But they will not have the same amenities and variety of activities.

You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.

The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.

Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.

Medicare – NO:

• Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
• People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
• Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

• Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
• Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
• Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

• Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
• Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
• Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
• National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
• The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
• If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

• Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
• Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

• There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
• A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
• If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Questions to Ask

Finding a senior living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers

• Banner – University Medical Center Tucson
  • Address: 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724
  • Phone Number: (520) 694-0111

• St. Joseph’s Hospital
  • Address: 350 N Wilmot Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Phone Number: (520) 873-3000

• Tucson Medical Center
  • Address: 5301 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712
  • Phone Number: (520) 327-5461

• Northwest Medical Center
  • Address: 6200 N La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85741
  • Phone Number: (520) 742-9000

• Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital
  • Address: 1601 W St Mary’s Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745
  • Phone Number: (520) 872-3000

Resources and Links – Arizona

Area Agency on Aging Region One– Serves adults 60 and older, family caregivers of older adults, adults with disabilities and long-term care needs, adults diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and victims of late-life domestic violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault.

Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., Area Agency on Aging – American Indian elders and those that are Title III, VI and VII eligible in Tribal Communities in Arizona. We work with 21 tribes in Arizona.

Adult Protective Services – Arizona Adult Protective Services (APS) is a program within the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)– SHIP provides health and long-term care insurance information to Medicare eligible Arizonans, their families and caregivers. The purpose of this program is to ensure Arizonans receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Office of Arizona State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – The LTCOP will make every reasonable effort to assist, advocate, and intervene on behalf of the resident. When investigating complaints, the program will respect the resident, maintain their confidentiality, and will focus complaint resolution on the resident’s wishes

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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