In-Home Care in Arizona

Arizona is a common destination for seniors from around the country who are looking for year-long warm sun and the dry heat of the southwestern desert. Almost 18% of Arizona’s 7.2 million people are seniors aged 65 and over, and the state’s senior population is expected to rise until at least 2030. The state of Arizona supports seniors with a multitude of programs to help manage the costs of senior living. These resources include multiple Area Agencies on Aging, the Department of Economic Security and a long-term care ombudsman. Programs include rent and mortgage support, transportation assistance and health services seniors can use to remain independent in their homes. Home care in Arizona costs an average of $4,767 per month, which is more than the national average of $4,290 per month.

This guide is written for seniors, family members and caregivers in the state of Arizona who are looking into home care options. It goes over common costs and the resources available for seniors who need assistance paying for in-home care in Arizona.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Arizona

In-Home Care Costs in Nearby States

In-home care in Arizona costs an average of $4,767 per month, according to the 2019 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This is within a few hundred dollars of not only the national median, which is $4,290, but also the average cost in several nearby states. New Mexico and Nevada, for example, both track the national average for in-home care costs. Utah is somewhat more expensive than the national average rate, at $4,576 per month, but is just under $200 less per month than the average in Arizona. California is an exception to the rule, with relatively high monthly costs for in-home care that average $5,335.

Cost of Other Types of Care in Arizona

Home care in Arizona is an affordable choice for many seniors. The average cost of $4,767 per month is the same as that of home health care. Nursing home care is considerably more expensive than this, at an average of $6,433 per month. Adult day care and assisted living are less expensive than in-home care, at $2,102 and $3,750 per month, respectively.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Arizona’s Top Cities

Comparing Costs Across Arizona

Costs for home care in Arizona vary by more than $700 between the highest and lowest-priced major cities in the state. Phoenix, the state capital, has one of the highest home care costs in Arizona, at $5,005 per month. Similar care services cost $4,862 in Flagstaff, and $4,696 in Tucson. Prescott and Yuma have some of the lowest prices in Arizona. Home care in these cities averages $4,481 and $4,286 per month, respectively.

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care in Arizona

Agency With Choice

Agency With Choice (AWC) is a program seniors in Arizona can use to pay for the cost of in-home caregiver assistance. This is an entitlement program of the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALCS), which is part of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. This program pays for some of the costs associated with in-home care, including medical supplies and some medications. In-home support services covered by this HMO-style program include home nursing services and nutritional support, as well as many social services and screening for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Who Is Eligible?
Any senior in Arizona who is a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States and eligible to participate in Medicaid may apply for an AWC program.

How to Apply
Seniors can apply for the AWC through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System website, or in person at a local ALTCS location. Applicants can also apply by phone at 888-621-6880. Family and caregivers are allowed to apply on behalf of a senior. Documentation may be required to confirm income, assets and other eligibility criteria.

Self-Directed Attendant Care

The Self-Directed Attendant Care (SCAC) program provides all of the same coverage as the AWC, but it is structurally different in how assistance is delivered. Unlike the AWC, which enlists a private home care agency to provide in-home caregiver assistance, the SDAC program pays the caregiver of a beneficiary’s choice directly, without the intervention of an agency. Seniors enrolled in the SDAC program may hire, train and manage the services of the attendant of their choice, including friends and family members.

Who Is Eligible?
SDAC is open to all seniors in Arizona who qualify for Medicaid. Beneficiaries must be citizens or permanent legal residents, meet income and asset guidelines for Medicaid participation and have a medical need for in-home care.

How to Apply
Seniors can apply for Arizona Long-Term Care waivers, such as the SDAC, through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System website. Applicants can also apply by phone at 888-621-6880. Family and caregivers may apply on behalf of a senior.

More Ways to Pay for In-Home Care

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost In-Home Care Resources in Arizona

Seniors in Arizona have many resources available to help support independent living at home. Home care resources include several private and nonprofit programs that can assist seniors and families in their own homes.

Resource Name	Contact Information	Services Provided
AZ Care Check	Visit the AZ Care Check website to access the database.	The Arizona Department of Health Care Services maintains a searchable database of residential and in-home care providers across the state. Seniors, caregivers and loved ones can search for agencies by name and geographic location for open disputes, past complaints and deficiencies reported to the department.
Friends of St. Anne Ministry	Call 602-261-6896 for a weekday appointment to visit an equipment distribution closet. Visits are by appointment only.	Friends of St. Anne Ministry is a division of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that leases out durable medical equipment to seniors with limited mobility and other health needs. Equipment available for seniors at no cost includes crutches, walkers and other mobility aids including shower chairs, body braces, wheelchairs and strollers. Donations are also accepted at ministry locations throughout the state.
Home-Delivered Meals	Contact your local Area Agency on Aging.	The Home Delivered Meals program serves Arizona seniors with hot, freshly prepared meals delivered to their homes. Menus are developed with advice from professional nutritionists to be healthy and balanced. Meals are delivered daily for seniors aged 60 and over, as well as other adults aged 18 and over who have a disability.
Congregate Meals	Contact your local Area Agency on Aging.	Congregate Meals are provided at local senior centers in every part of Arizona. Meals are served in community dining rooms to all seniors aged 60 and over. Meal events are attended by professional consultants who can help seniors with legal matters, tax issues, nutritional screenings and other common senior issues. No reservation is required for lunch events, which are open to all.
Arizona Assistive Technology Exchange	Contact the Arizona Technology Access Program at:Northern Arizona University 300 W. Clarendon Ave, Suite 475 Phoenix, AZ 85013Or call: 602-728-9534 Toll-free: 800-477-9921	The Arizona Assistive Technology Exchange provides electronic and mechanical aids for seniors with mobility challenges. The exchange can modify vehicles for improved access and mobility, improve walkers and other durable medical furniture, provide portable and digital magnifiers for seniors with low vision and upgrade computers, communication devices and environmental control systems. The exchange also supplies daily living aids, such as hospital beds, bathroom fixtures and home appliances.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in Arizona

The state of Arizona does not license home care agencies. Provided the services offered by agency caregivers is nonmedical in nature, agencies are not subject to direct state oversight. Nonmedical home care agencies in the state may voluntarily seek certification from the Arizona In-Home Care Association (AIHCA), a private industry organization that maintains quality of care standards. In addition to AIHCA requirements, individual caregivers are still subject to state laws for background screening and training.

Scope of Care	Caregivers in Arizona are permitted to assist seniors with activities of daily living and other routine needs, both inside and outside the home. Caregivers may provide seniors with personal care, companionship, shopping and meal preparation assistance and other nonclinical services with the consent of their client.
Care Plan Requirements	Caregivers and home care agencies in Arizona are required to develop a care plan with seniors and responsible family members prior to administering service. Agencies are expected to provide accurate information about care options and likely costs, as well as the identity and availability of the individuals providing care. Seniors have a right to be involved with all care decisions and an expectation that their information will be kept confidential.
Medication Management Requirements	Caregivers in Arizona are permitted to assist with the administration of over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs that are indicated for assisted administration. Caregivers are not allowed to initiate medical interventions of their own without medical professional direction.
Staff Screening Requirements	Applicants for caregiver certification must be at least 18 years old and able to communicate in English. They must test negative on a pretraining TB test or submit proof of vaccination. Caregivers in Arizona must, prior to accreditation, submit and pass an AZ DPS fingerprint screening and background check.
Staff Training Requirements	Caregivers in Arizona must complete 20 hours of online instruction and 42 hours of classroom instruction in an accredited training program. Students must pass all courses with a minimum score of 80%. A passing grade is required on the state exam for permitting. A CPR/AED card is required for new caregivers and must be maintained for as long as certification lasts. Caregivers must also meet the requirements for obtaining an Arizona Food Handlers’ card.
Medicaid Coverage	The AHCCCS Medicaid program pays for many of the secondary costs of in-home care, such as medication and medical supplies. Direct payments to caregivers are made through either of two state Medicaid programs, Agency With Choice or Self-Directed Attendant Care..
Reporting Abuse	Suspected cases of elder abuse or neglect may be reported to either local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services at 877-767-2385.

Frequently Asked Questions