The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Flagstaff, AZ for 2024

Home to nearly 77,000 people, Flagstaff’s pleasant climate throughout most of the year boosts its appeal to seniors, who make up almost 9% of the city’s population. Although this is lower than the national average of nearly 17%, local seniors benefit from lower than average violent crime rates, a higher per capita of physicians and proximity to Flagstaff Medical Center, a major regional hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center. Seniors who opt to remain in their homes as they age and need home care pay an average of $6,673 monthly in Flagstaff, per Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Home care differs from home health because it doesn’t include medical services or skilled nursing care.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Flagstaff area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

Of the cities highlighted on the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Flagstaff had the highest cost at $6,673, over $1,300 more than the state average of $5,339 and more than $1,700 higher than the national average. Phoenix is closest in cost to Flagstaff at $5,958. Sierra Vista’s average of $5,434 is about $1,200 less and Lake Havasu City’s average of $5,148 is about $1,500 less than Flagstaff’s cost. Yuma has the lowest average statewide at $4,290, making it lower by nearly $2,400.

Seniors in Flagstaff pay the same for home care and home health care, despite home health care offering more services. The latter includes medical services generally carried out by registered nurses and/or therapists based on individual needs, while the former provides personal care and chore services only. Seniors who choose to move to a long-term care community pay an average of $5,000 per month for assisted living in Flagstaff, or $8,669 for nursing home care if they require more extensive nursing care.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.