Tucson Arizona Adult Care Homes: How to pay for, Laws and Regulations and Questions to ask…
Tucson is a beautiful location for those seeking senior living. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert of Southern 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. Covering a large geographic area, this city has many distinct neighborhoods including a historical district. Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city is surrounded by stunning vistas that include towering cacti, rugged mountains, and a range of unique flora and fauna.
Adult Care Home Communities near Tucson, Arizona
Jocelyn Turner Adult Foster Care Home
Tucson, Arizona 85747
Family Loving Kare Central
Tucson, Arizona 85716
Family Loving Kare Foothills
Tucson, Arizona 85718
Ramona Luna Adult Foster Care
Tucson, Arizona 85706
Princess Adult Foster Care Home
Tucson, Arizona 85730
Momentous Adult Foster Care
Tucson, Arizona 85711
Mary Herron Foster Care Home
Tucson, Arizona 85750
Maria Apalategui Afc
Tucson, Arizona 85746
Beatrice C. Torres Adult Foster Care Home
Tucson, Arizona 85713
Araceli Cornidez Adult Foster Care
Tucson, Arizona 85711
Adult Care Home and other terms
It is good to know the other terms/names you may hear:
Nursing Home (although this is an outdated and not accurate term for this level of care)
- Board and care home
- Care home
- Adult family home
- Residential care home
- Adult foster home
- Personal care Home
- Community Residential Care Facilities
- Rest Homes
About Adult Care Homes in Tucson
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.
Some people refer to all senior care under the umbrella of retirement home or nursing home. Adult care homes are neither. Adult care homes in Arizona are an excellent housing option for aging adults because they offer private residencies in a home-like environment. Similar to a nursing home, residents receive 24-hour care all in a single-family environment. 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 AFLs, 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 care in Tucson
Tucson is home to 543,242 people
The hottest month of the year in Tucson is July, with an average high of 100°F and low of 77°F. The cool season lasts from November 22 to February 28, with an average daily high temperature below 72°F. The coldest month of the year in Tucson is December, with an average low of 43°F and high of 66°F.
Cities Near Tucson
- Three Points – 26 miles west of Tucson
- Summit – 15 miles south of Tucson
- Tanque Verde – 14 miles east of Tucson
- Catalina – 18 miles north of Tucson
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.
It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.
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 an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers
St. Mary’s Hospital
1601 W St Marys Rd
St. Joseph’s Hospital
350 N Wilmot Rd
Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Southeast Arizona
7220 E Rosewood St · In Gateway Center
The University of Arizona Medical Center
535 N Wilmot Rd
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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