The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Flagstaff, AZ for 2023
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.
Directory of Home Care Services in Flagstaff, AZ
Home Instead – Yavapai County
240 S Montezuma St, Suite 206, Prescott, AZ, 86303
North Mountain Home Care
2900 West Darleen Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
SYNERGY HomeCare – Flagstaff, AZ and Surrounding Areas
1300 S Milton Rd, Suite 210, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
Visiting Angels-Flagstaff
2500 S. Woodlands Village Blvd #24, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
ResCare HomeCare Flagstaff, Arizona
2323 E. Greenlaw Lane, #8, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004
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is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
Paying for Home Care in Flagstaff, AZ
The Cost of Home Care in Flagstaff, AZ
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.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Flagstaff, AZ
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.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Flagstaff, AZ
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.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Flagstaff, AZ
Seniors living in Flagstaff who need additional assistance to remain in their homes safely have several resources from government programs and nonprofit organizations. Senior services provide monetary assistance with utilities and property taxes as well as programs to make their homes safer and more energy efficient.
Resource
Contact
Service
(877) 521-3500
NACOG helps support seniors in Flagstaff and surrounding communities through its senior programs and services. NACOG offers respite care for clients needing assistance with at least two activities of daily living and seniors who score as moderate or high risk on the Caregiver Assessment Tool. It also offers a Family Caregiver Support Program.
(928) 679-7447
Meals on Wheels in Flagstaff operates through the Coconino County Senior Nutrition Program. Through the Meals on Wheels program, seniors receive lunches at their homes Monday through Friday if they qualify.
(928) 679-7962
The Coconino County Assessor's Office has two programs to help seniors lower their property tax bills. The Widow/Widower or Disabled Person Exemption reduces the assessed value of their real estate, including mobile homes. Its Senior Value Protection Option freezes the limited property value of a senior’s property for three years and is renewable.
(928) 679-7455
The Coconino County Health & Human Services contracts with the LIHEAP to assist with current and past utility bills and utility deposits for Flagstaff residents. Applicants must meet the program guidelines. The program prioritizes households with seniors aged 60 or older, disabled persons or children under age 6.
(928) 782-1886
The Arizona Department of Housing Weatherization Assistance Program helps homeowners or renters improve the energy efficiency of their homes to help lower their utility bills. Participants must meet income and other program requirements. Improvements may include installing additional insulation, repairing heating and cooling equipment, reducing duct leakage and other energy-saving efforts.
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find home care agencies near me with availability?
Flagstaff currently has seven home care agencies providing in-home care to seniors. These agencies offer non-medical services to older adults in their homes, including light housekeeping, meal preparations, shopping, medication reminders, companionship and help with personal care like bathing, dressing and grooming. Contact each agency directly to learn whether they have openings to take on new clients, their provider availability and their average hourly rates in order to find your ideal home care provider.
How do you pay for senior care at home?
Medicare may pay for medically necessary care provided at home but generally doesn’t cover personal care or other non-medical services. Medicare Advantage may cover some personal care services through its expanded services. Low-income seniors who qualify for Medicaid may also have some personal care services covered under this program. Private health insurance plans vary, but most won’t pay for non-medical services. However, long-term care insurance often does if the policy includes an allowance for non-medical services. The most common way seniors pay for care at home is through private pay arrangements.
What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in Flagstaff?
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Flagstaff has an average cost of $6,673 per month for in-home elderly care. However, this cost is based on receiving 44 hours of care each week, so a senior’s actual price may be lower if they need fewer hours of care weekly. The number of hours a senior needs could increase as they age. Breaking down the monthly rate by 44 hours, seniors in Flagstaff should calculate their monthly cost based on about $38 per hour.
Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?
While seniors in assisted living and those receiving home care often receive the same personal care services, one significant difference is that assisted living requires them to move out of their homes and into a residential community. Seniors with no desire to leave their homes may not even consider assisted living. However, assisted living provides one big perk seniors don’t typically receive at home: lots of socialization with other older adults. Assisted living communities also have structured activities to keep seniors engaged. The decision ultimately comes down to personal preferences.
What is in-home respite care?
Many seniors living at home receive much of their ongoing care from family members. Family caregivers frequently ignore their own needs while caring for an aging parent or another family member. In-home respite care provides temporary relief to regular caregivers so they can run errands or take a much-needed break and return recharged and ready to give the best care to their loved ones. Caregivers can arrange in-home respite care for a few hours a day to take care of personal business or for several days to take a vacation.