Arizona Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living facilities in Arizona for couples

Assisted living facilities have been developed to provide aging adults with an alternative solution to retirement living. As a general rule, these retirement centers accept individuals or married couples, over the age of 62. In some assisted living facilities, the age rule is lowered up to 55. Upon being admitted, residents receive assistance with daily living activities and have access to some health services and amenities.

Information about assisted living in Arizona

How many assisted living centers are there in AZ? In Arizona, there are over 650 assisted living facilities. These senior living centers can be found in the following locations: Flagstaff, Lake Havasus, Prescott, Sierra Vista, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma. Before applying for admittance, residents go through an interview, where both needs and expectations are discussed. Each of the spouses will receive a service plan, in accordance with their current health and personal assistance needs.

The service plan will take into consideration any impairments the resident might present, whether physical, cognitive, or behavioral. It is worth mentioning that bedridden residents or those that require prolonged skilled nursing care are usually not accepted. The same goes for residents who require restraints. However, those who suffer from dementia are admitted, if the respective assisted living facility has a memory care unit.

If the resident requires behavioral care, this must be mentioned in the service plan. The same goes for recurrent medication and other therapies. Major health events require a reassessment of the plan, while regular updates are performed every couple of months. Should the medical needs of the resident exceed the available scope of care, the application might be refused.

Assisted living facilities can be classified in three different categories, according to the type of assistance provided: supervisory care, personal care, and direct care. All facilities are regulated by the Arizona DHS Department of Licensing Services. According to the state laws, only Direct Care facilities can accept nursing home-eligible residents.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Arizona

The average cost of moving into an Arizona-based assisted facility is $3,800 per month. The national median is around $4,000, which makes Arizona ALFs the more affordable choice for retirees. On average, Arizona ALFs are less expensive than the ones in neighboring states, such as New Mexico or Colorado. However, it should be mentioned that the cost of assisted living is lower in states such as Utah and Nevada.

Within the state of Arizona, you will find that the cost of assisted living varies considerably. Flagstaff is one of the most popular locations, but it also has one of the highest fees. Cheaper choices are represented by Lake Havasus and Yuma. Overall, assisted living in Arizona is cheaper than other retirement options, such as in-home care, memory care, or nursing care. If the respective facility also has a memory care unit, you can expect for prices to be higher.

In terms of financing, prospective assisted living residents can apply for a Medicaid system. Also known as the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment Center System, it can cover the cost of long-term care, with eligibility criteria that regard residency, age, and income. Married couples can apply for Community Spouse Approval. Additional financing solutions include: reverse mortgage, life insurance policy, veteran benefits, and long-term care insurance.

Assisted living costs in Arizona

Seniors who require long-term care can consider different communities, including those that offer assisted living. Aside from room and board, these facilities offer assistance with various ADLs, healthcare, and access to amenities. In the state of Arizona, there are various assisted living centers for seniors. These have different services available, with costs that correspond accordingly. In many of these communities, skilled nursing care is either not available or offered for a limited period of time. Below, you will find detailed information on the costs of assisted living, along other details that you might find useful. In this way, you will be able to find the best facility for your loved one.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in Arizona

How much does assisted living cost in AZ? Seniors who are interested in assisted living communities should be prepared to pay around $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year. This is below the national average, which is around $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities can be found in Flagstaff, averaging at $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year. The most affordable facilities of this kind are found in Yuma, with an average monthly cost of $3,800 or $45,600 per year.

How much does memory care cost in AZ? Seniors who need memory care might consider specialized communities. Memory care centers have an average monthly cost of $5,000 or $60,000 per year. By comparison, the national average is around $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are located in Flagstaff as well, averaging at $6,250 per month or $75,000 per year. Yuma has the most affordable facilities of this kind, with an average monthly cost of $4,750 or $57,000 per year.

Assisted living costs less than adult day care, but is less expensive than the other long-term care options, such as home health care, home care, and nursing home care. Memory care costs more than assisted living and adult day care, but is less expensive than home care, home health care, and nursing home care.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Most assisted living facilities require seniors to pay a deposit fee, which is returned to them upon moving in the respective community. Usually, there are no other costs to be covered, other than the monthly fees. These depend on the type of living unit and its size, the resident's marital status, and the available amenities and services. Residents benefit from housekeeping, laundry and linen service, utilities, general maintenance, meal plans, etc. If additional services are offered, the resident might have to pay extra for them.

Depending on the daily living activities seniors are assisted with, certain care fees will have to be paid. As part of the care package, residents might benefit from medication management, scheduled transportation, physical and occupational therapy, daily activities, and emergency response systems. Spouses who decide to live together must be able to cover a second occupancy fee. In some communities, one will have to pay an additional sum for certain utilities, such as the Internet and cable access. Healthcare might be available at a limited extent and at an extra cost, especially when coming from third-party providers.

What goes into memory care costs?

Memory care communities are designed especially for dementia seniors, providing them with room and board, as well as access to healthcare, 24/7 monitoring, and specific amenities. Catering to the specific needs of those suffering from different forms of dementia, memory care centers might offer additional services. Their care packages take into account the type of dementia, as well as the disease stage. Seniors benefit from various safety features, destined to minimize their confusion and protect against self-harm or wandering. Naturally, senior residents also receive assistance with ADLs.

It is also important to remember that memory care communities offer residents access to cognitive and speech therapies. These senior living communities include the access to general services, including laundry and linen service, scheduled transportation, housekeeping, meal planning, and general maintenance. Seniors might also benefit from other care-related services, such as incontinence care, wound care, and mobility assistance.

Senior living in Arizona - cost comparison with other states

The monthly cost of assisted living in Arizona is below the national average, as mentioned above. Arizona has more expensive assisted living communities than Nevada and Utah, which average at $3,750 per month or $45,000 per year, respectively at $3,500 per month or $42,000 per year. California, Colorado, and New Mexico are more expensive when it comes to assisted living, with costs varying between $4,400 and $5,200 per month, or $52,000 and $62,400 per year.

As for memory care, once again the cost is below the national average. Arizona has more expensive memory care communities than Nevada and Utah, which average at $4,600 per month or $55,000 per year, respectively at $4,300 per month or $51,600 per year. California and New Mexico have more expensive memory care facilities, varying between $5,600 and $6,500 per month, or $67,000 and $78,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility for your needs

If you are interested in finding a long-term care community for your loved one, be sure to look at the different communities in your state. Whether you are looking for assisted living or memory care facilities, keep in mind that the costs vary from one center to the other, depending on the available care packages. Careful research can save you precious energy and time, not to mention you will be able to find the best facility for your senior. Not to mention, upon your loved one moving into a memory care community, the burden of caregiving will be removed.

We are pleased to guide you through the entire process. All you have to do is give us a call and we will provide all the necessary information on the costs required by each senior living facility. We are pleased to assist caregivers in finding the best communities for their loved loves, in accordance with their needs and budget. Please remember that the costs to be paid are always influenced by a number of factors, including the current healthcare needs, health status, and underlying conditions. Both assisted living and memory care facilities can provide additional information on their acceptance guidelines.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Arizona

As a married couple living in an assisted facility, you will have access to a number of general services. These can include: housekeeping and general maintenance, laundry and linen service, Internet/computer access, food preparation. Aside from the assistance with daily living activities, all residents benefit from a wide range of health services, such as: medication management and monitoring, skilled nursing (limited period), Alzheimer/dementia care (only for facilities with memory care units), diabetes care, etc.

The main focus is on providing senior adults with assistance for daily living activities. Spouses can receive help with the following tasks: getting dressed, bathing, toileting, and eating. In some facilities, they also benefit from transportation to/from medical appointments. Their needs are assessed on a regular basis, with corresponding adjustments being made to the service plan.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Arizona

The assisted living facilities available in the state of Arizona offer different types of units for couples. Prospective residents can choose between apartments and private bedroom units, paying the corresponding monthly fee. All the apartment-style residential units have keyed entries, bathroom, thermostat, and a fully-functional kitchen. Usually, these units are located on the ground floor of the respective facility. Pets are allowed in many cases by assisted living centers, as they help residents stay fit and socialize with other senior adults.

The amenities offered by assisted living communities might vary from one facility to the other. Among the facilities that encourage physical fitness, you will find swimming pools, gyms, and guided walks. All assisted living residents enjoy fine dining, social and recreational activities, and religious services. For dementia residents, there are specific amenities offered, including cognitive therapy, learning center, and painting classes. The purpose of these amenities is to encourage residents to live their golden years to the fullest, thus reducing the risk of depression, anxiety and isolation.