Understanding costs associated with home care, adult day care, and assisted living can be quite difficult. This page will help with understanding these costs for the state of Arizona. It explores different financial assistance and payment programs available for caring for the elderly, wherever they reside in the state.
While this page provides useful information for programs that are based in the state of Arizona, this list of programs is not all-inclusive of what is available to the elderly nationwide. To find additional assistance at the national level, one can use our Resource Locator Tool, which provides a complete set of resources.
Arizona Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
Statewide, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost in Arizona for assisted living is approximately $7,175, though average monthly costs range from $4,575 on the low end to $6,450 on the high end. The city of Prescott has the most expensive assisted living care in Arizona. In contrast, the area of Tucson provides the most affordable assisted living care at approximately $4,575 /month, and the area of Lake Havasu City is just slightly higher at $4,925 / month.
Alzheimer’s / Memory care costs approximately 20%-30% more a month than traditional assisted living due to the increased need for supervision and security.
Home Care
Per Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, home care costs in Arizona average between $33 and $35 / hour, with a statewide average of $33 an hour.
Home health care, which is provided by a licensed healthcare provider, allows care recipients minimal medical care. Statewide, the average hourly cost is higher than home care at $36. The most expensive home health care is found in Phoenix, costing $37 / hour.
Adult Day Care
According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the cost of adult day care Arizona varies widely, ranging from $75-$400 a day. Yuma provides daily costs of $75 at the least expensive end of the spectrum, while Phoenix has the most expensive adult day care costs at an average of $400 / day.
Arizona Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
In Arizona, Medicaid is referred to as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). This is a managed care system, operating as a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). There is a separate division for elderly and disabled residents, called the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALCS). As in all states, Medicaid will pay for nursing home care, as well as limited personal care in the home, for impoverished elderly persons with a functional need.
Through the ALTCS program, long-term care may be provided at home, in adult foster care, or in a nursing home. This program also pays for care related services for those in assisted living. Services and benefits via ALTCS may include home nursing, meal delivery, durable medical equipment, and more. The applicants must meet impairment requirements in order to receive these benefits. There are no enrollment caps for this program, which means anyone who is eligible is able to receive services.
AWC is one Arizona option that allows individuals receiving care in the home to hire, train, and even dismiss the personal caregiver of their choosing. A bonus of this option is that individuals may hire family members, including spouses, to provide care. With AWC, a provider agency shares employer related tasks with the program participant. To be eligible for this option, Arizona residents must meet functional and financial eligibility requirements, which are handled through assessments performed by the caseworkers.
Another option under ALTCS is the SDAC program. This program allows individuals needing personal assistance to serve as the legal employer of their personal care provider, including a family member. The cost of equipment that promotes independence is also covered via this program. Examples include grab bars and shower chairs. Any elderly and/or disabled Arizona resident who qualifies for Medicaid also qualifies for this option.
Medicaid Eligibility
In order to be eligible for ALTCS, elderly Medicaid applicants in Arizona must meet certain resource (asset) limits, as well as functional requirements. As of 2024, there is a $2,000 resource cap for individuals, and $4,000 for couples in which both spouses are applicants. Some resources are considered exempt, such as one’s primary home, given the applicant or their spouse live in the home and it is valued under $713,000, and one’s vehicle.
Applicants must also be at least 65 years of age and have a qualifying disability and / or need a level of care equal to that provided in a nursing home. Monthly income caps exist as well. A general rule of thumb is single applicants with a monthly income under $2,829 (300% of the Federal Benefit Rate) in 2024, should be eligible for some form of assistance. If an applicant is married and his / her spouse is also an applicant, each spouse is allowed up to $2,829 / month in income.
Applicants near or over Arizona’s Medicaid limits should consider consulting with a Medicaid planning professional prior to applying.
Arizon Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
Arizona has in place one Non-Medicaid assistance program.
The Non-Medical, Home and Community Based Services (NMHCBS) program provides non-medical services to the elderly so they can remain living in their home instead of moving to a more expensive facility. Benefits may include personal care services, adult day care, homemaker services, and home modifications. Arizona residents must meet age and activity-assistance requirements to qualify.
Also worth mentioning is the Family Caregiver Support Program, abbreviated as NFCSP, which is Arizona’s version of the national program.
Other Financial Options for Care
Our Resource Locator Tool is invaluable for finding alternate options from those listed here. There are many other useful programs with various other funding channels, which may help reduce costs associated with eldercare assistance. To find the program that best meets your needs, make sure to use this option.
Finding Affordable Care in Arizona
To find the most affordable care in Arizona, one must look for multiple providers as options. The more options that are considered, the lower the potential of the costs. This organization provides free services to assist families with specific needs at specific price points. Click here for help in finding assistance options.
Top Cities for Senior Care in Arizona
For more information about the top rated facilities and costs and resources available in Arizona cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
