Tucson, Arizona, is a midsize city located just north of the border with Mexico. It has over 542,000 residents, 14.3% of which are aged 65 or older. The city’s warm climate and relatively low cost of living make it an appealing retirement destination for older adults, especially given the state’s reasonably senior-friendly tax policies.
Assisted living facilities help seniors who are in generally good health but require some support with the activities of daily living. Many seniors move to assisted living facilities when they find they need help with cooking, cleaning or personal care. These services can help them remain independent and avoid nursing home placement. The average cost of assisted living in Tucson is $4,050 per month, just $50 higher than the statewide average.
This guide explains the options seniors have when it comes to assisted living in Tucson. It covers the cost of assisted living and other types of care as well as the benefits and drawbacks of living in the city. Finally, it provides some information about free local resources to help those who are considering making the transition to long-term care.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Tucson, AZ
1550 East River Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718
It’s been a very positive experience with Atria Campana Del Rio. The people are very friendly and my uncle is enjoying the meals that are prepared there. The overall facility is very nice and I think
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It’s been a very positive experience with Atria Campana Del Rio. The people are very friendly and my uncle is enjoying the meals that are prepared there. The overall facility is very nice and I think the price is really good for what you get. There’s multiple things going on every day for the residents.
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It’s been a very positive experience with Atria Campana Del Rio. The people are very friendly and my uncle is enjoying the meals that are prepared there. The overall facility is very nice and I think
… (read more)
It’s been a very positive experience with Atria Campana Del Rio. The people are very friendly and my uncle is enjoying the meals that are prepared there. The overall facility is very nice and I think the price is really good for what you get. There’s multiple things going on every day for the residents.
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7500 North Calle Sin Envidia, Tucson, AZ, 85718
Located at the foot of Mount Lemmon in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona, and minutes from many coffee shops and restaurants, Brookdale Santa Catalina is an assisted living facility with a 125
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Located at the foot of Mount Lemmon in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona, and minutes from many coffee shops and restaurants, Brookdale Santa Catalina is an assisted living facility with a 125-resident capacity. Visitors often comment on the beauty of the location and how happy residents are to live there. Residents love the view of the mountains, the friendliness of the staff, the large apartments and the fact that there’s always something to do. Alongside in-room cable, the community features a garden and patio for residents and visitors to relax, and a security gate for added precautions.
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Located at the foot of Mount Lemmon in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona, and minutes from many coffee shops and restaurants, Brookdale Santa Catalina is an assisted living facility with a 125
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Located at the foot of Mount Lemmon in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona, and minutes from many coffee shops and restaurants, Brookdale Santa Catalina is an assisted living facility with a 125-resident capacity. Visitors often comment on the beauty of the location and how happy residents are to live there. Residents love the view of the mountains, the friendliness of the staff, the large apartments and the fact that there’s always something to do. Alongside in-room cable, the community features a garden and patio for residents and visitors to relax, and a security gate for added precautions.
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4975 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85718
Tucson, Arizona is home to Sunrise at River Road, offering both assisted living and memory care in a variety of room sizes. Modern rooms boast cable, WiFi, and an emergency call system. Residents may
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Tucson, Arizona is home to Sunrise at River Road, offering both assisted living and memory care in a variety of room sizes. Modern rooms boast cable, WiFi, and an emergency call system. Residents may choose between preparing their own meals or having them ordered in-room, or may join the communal dining hall for a more sociable option. Visitors and residents readily compliment the abundant activities at this facility, including favorites such as gardening, crafts, fitness and even off-site outings. To help residents feel more at home, overnight guests are allowed and pets are welcomed.
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Tucson, Arizona is home to Sunrise at River Road, offering both assisted living and memory care in a variety of room sizes. Modern rooms boast cable, WiFi, and an emergency call system. Residents may
… (read more)
Tucson, Arizona is home to Sunrise at River Road, offering both assisted living and memory care in a variety of room sizes. Modern rooms boast cable, WiFi, and an emergency call system. Residents may choose between preparing their own meals or having them ordered in-room, or may join the communal dining hall for a more sociable option. Visitors and residents readily compliment the abundant activities at this facility, including favorites such as gardening, crafts, fitness and even off-site outings. To help residents feel more at home, overnight guests are allowed and pets are welcomed.
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201 N Jessica Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85710
Cascades of Tucson is a friendly family-run facility in Tucson, Arizona, offering both independent and assisted living. Conveniently located near Park Place Mall, as well as several smaller plazas, re
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Cascades of Tucson is a friendly family-run facility in Tucson, Arizona, offering both independent and assisted living. Conveniently located near Park Place Mall, as well as several smaller plazas, residents are never at a loss for meeting their shopping needs. Adventurous community members love the planned excursions, while those that prefer to keep closer to home are provided with a variety of entertainment options such as live music, happy hour and a theater room. Residents and visitors alike praise the facility for fantastic food prepared by Chef Michael, who meets with the facility residents to brainstorm menu ideas.
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Cascades of Tucson is a friendly family-run facility in Tucson, Arizona, offering both independent and assisted living. Conveniently located near Park Place Mall, as well as several smaller plazas, re
… (read more)
Cascades of Tucson is a friendly family-run facility in Tucson, Arizona, offering both independent and assisted living. Conveniently located near Park Place Mall, as well as several smaller plazas, residents are never at a loss for meeting their shopping needs. Adventurous community members love the planned excursions, while those that prefer to keep closer to home are provided with a variety of entertainment options such as live music, happy hour and a theater room. Residents and visitors alike praise the facility for fantastic food prepared by Chef Michael, who meets with the facility residents to brainstorm menu ideas.
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8111 East Broadway, Tucson, AZ, 85710
Fellowship Square is an assisted and independent living facility located on 22-acres in East Broadway, Tucson. Residents appreciate the opportunity to interact with their peers through activities such
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Fellowship Square is an assisted and independent living facility located on 22-acres in East Broadway, Tucson. Residents appreciate the opportunity to interact with their peers through activities such as fitness classes, games and parties. The facility gets praises for its swimming pools, library, computer rooms and gardens that offer convergence space for socialization. Residents and visitors also put great value on shuttle services provided for shopping and other outside activities. Families are confident about leaving their loved ones in the facility, knowing that the staff is caring and friendly.
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Fellowship Square is an assisted and independent living facility located on 22-acres in East Broadway, Tucson. Residents appreciate the opportunity to interact with their peers through activities such
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Fellowship Square is an assisted and independent living facility located on 22-acres in East Broadway, Tucson. Residents appreciate the opportunity to interact with their peers through activities such as fitness classes, games and parties. The facility gets praises for its swimming pools, library, computer rooms and gardens that offer convergence space for socialization. Residents and visitors also put great value on shuttle services provided for shopping and other outside activities. Families are confident about leaving their loved ones in the facility, knowing that the staff is caring and friendly.
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8468 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ, 85710
Located in Tucson, Arizona, Brookdale Tucson is tailored to meet the needs of independent residents while also catering to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The community i
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Located in Tucson, Arizona, Brookdale Tucson is tailored to meet the needs of independent residents while also catering to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The community is located along the East Speedway Boulevard, a short drive away from the Saguaro Vista Shopping Center. Residents and visitors enjoy the friendly staff and the security of the individual emergency response systems. In addition, residents find favor with the accessible floor plans and amenities such as a library and an on-site barber and beauty shop.
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Located in Tucson, Arizona, Brookdale Tucson is tailored to meet the needs of independent residents while also catering to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The community i
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Located in Tucson, Arizona, Brookdale Tucson is tailored to meet the needs of independent residents while also catering to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The community is located along the East Speedway Boulevard, a short drive away from the Saguaro Vista Shopping Center. Residents and visitors enjoy the friendly staff and the security of the individual emergency response systems. In addition, residents find favor with the accessible floor plans and amenities such as a library and an on-site barber and beauty shop.
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6300 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ, 85710
Villa Hermosa looked fine. It was very inviting. My husband and I went, and the people looked very happy. They had a lot of amenities and a lot of social time. They had a happy hour for the residents,
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Villa Hermosa looked fine. It was very inviting. My husband and I went, and the people looked very happy. They had a lot of amenities and a lot of social time. They had a happy hour for the residents, which is kind of fun. It was very clean and very open.
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Villa Hermosa looked fine. It was very inviting. My husband and I went, and the people looked very happy. They had a lot of amenities and a lot of social time. They had a happy hour for the residents,
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Villa Hermosa looked fine. It was very inviting. My husband and I went, and the people looked very happy. They had a lot of amenities and a lot of social time. They had a happy hour for the residents, which is kind of fun. It was very clean and very open.
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8700 N. La Cholla Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85742
My FIL was in this facility on the Assisted Living side. I would not recommend this facility due to several factors:
1. Service Plans are done with the resident or POA, and they are not followed by
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My FIL was in this facility on the Assisted Living side. I would not recommend this facility due to several factors:
1. Service Plans are done with the resident or POA, and they are not followed by the facility staff, but you have to pay for services the resident did not receive.
2. Housekeeping services you pay for are not anything as they describe, laundry is lost multiple times, and some items never return.
3. When FIL was placed on hospice services, the facility takes a backseat in the care plan and hands-off approach instead of utilizing Hospice as extra help.
4. Staff has canned answers for any questions, even when you are asking for information about injuries to family members; the ones we received are "I just got here, I don’t know", I just got back from Vacation, this isn’t my regular floor, etc.
5. The facility does not guide you into future needs; they up your care plan to the maximum required service but never once tell you that maybe the care they can provide is not adequate.
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My FIL was in this facility on the Assisted Living side. I would not recommend this facility due to several factors:
1. Service Plans are done with the resident or POA, and they are not followed by
… (read more)
My FIL was in this facility on the Assisted Living side. I would not recommend this facility due to several factors:
1. Service Plans are done with the resident or POA, and they are not followed by the facility staff, but you have to pay for services the resident did not receive.
2. Housekeeping services you pay for are not anything as they describe, laundry is lost multiple times, and some items never return.
3. When FIL was placed on hospice services, the facility takes a backseat in the care plan and hands-off approach instead of utilizing Hospice as extra help.
4. Staff has canned answers for any questions, even when you are asking for information about injuries to family members; the ones we received are "I just got here, I don’t know", I just got back from Vacation, this isn’t my regular floor, etc.
5. The facility does not guide you into future needs; they up your care plan to the maximum required service but never once tell you that maybe the care they can provide is not adequate.
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6899 N. La Canada Drive , Tucson, AZ, 85704
Facility grounds are well kept, rooms are spacious and clean, staff is professional and caring. Management team is very supportive. Food is stove top to table
Facility grounds are well kept, rooms are spacious and clean, staff is professional and caring. Management team is very supportive. Food is stove top to table
3701 North Swan Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718
I thought Foothills Place would be a good mix for my friend. They had a lot of social engagements with their residents. They had better amenities, and the food was good. It was clean and orderly. The
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I thought Foothills Place would be a good mix for my friend. They had a lot of social engagements with their residents. They had better amenities, and the food was good. It was clean and orderly. The staff was very friendly. I met and talked to some of the residents there. They were very happy with the accommodations, the quality of life, and the social engagements that they were giving them. The staff were accommodating. The residents I spoke to spoke very highly of them. They were friendly and attended to not only the couple of needs that I had but of all of their residents.
The food portions were extremely small. However, they were well-seasoned and didn’t need any additional seasoning. It was a very good variety. They have a common room and a place where they showed movies that had movie-type theater seats. That was a little bit more luxurious. They had a small library, and they had quiet areas for people who just wanted to sit and be quiet. There was a very good mix there.
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I thought Foothills Place would be a good mix for my friend. They had a lot of social engagements with their residents. They had better amenities, and the food was good. It was clean and orderly. The
… (read more)
I thought Foothills Place would be a good mix for my friend. They had a lot of social engagements with their residents. They had better amenities, and the food was good. It was clean and orderly. The staff was very friendly. I met and talked to some of the residents there. They were very happy with the accommodations, the quality of life, and the social engagements that they were giving them. The staff were accommodating. The residents I spoke to spoke very highly of them. They were friendly and attended to not only the couple of needs that I had but of all of their residents.
The food portions were extremely small. However, they were well-seasoned and didn’t need any additional seasoning. It was a very good variety. They have a common room and a place where they showed movies that had movie-type theater seats. That was a little bit more luxurious. They had a small library, and they had quiet areas for people who just wanted to sit and be quiet. There was a very good mix there.
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2365 W Orange Grove Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85741
We toured The Ranch Estates of Tucson, the place is beautiful. They were running a special where they had a 1-bedroom apartment at the rate of a studio apartment, which was a significant saving, and f
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We toured The Ranch Estates of Tucson, the place is beautiful. They were running a special where they had a 1-bedroom apartment at the rate of a studio apartment, which was a significant saving, and for that impressed. The salesperson was very nice. The facility was brand-new, it sounded like they were still setting up some services, but it was gorgeous. The salesperson was very nice, she was young. The facility itself was spotless.
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We toured The Ranch Estates of Tucson, the place is beautiful. They were running a special where they had a 1-bedroom apartment at the rate of a studio apartment, which was a significant saving, and f
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We toured The Ranch Estates of Tucson, the place is beautiful. They were running a special where they had a 1-bedroom apartment at the rate of a studio apartment, which was a significant saving, and for that impressed. The salesperson was very nice. The facility was brand-new, it sounded like they were still setting up some services, but it was gorgeous. The salesperson was very nice, she was young. The facility itself was spotless.
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6231 North Montebella Road, Tucson, AZ, 85704
My sister has been living at Amber Lights for 2 years now. It is a very nice place. She’s happy where she is and she’s doing well. She likes the climate there. She’s in a well-cared-for place. They ha
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My sister has been living at Amber Lights for 2 years now. It is a very nice place. She’s happy where she is and she’s doing well. She likes the climate there. She’s in a well-cared-for place. They have a nursing staff that takes people that can stay there until they pass away. One of her favorite things to do is to go up to the dining room and visit with people and walk around the outside on the sidewalks because it’s really warm weather there most of the year. Everybody is friendly and the place is clean. She has people who come in to help check on her regularly and give her her meds. We’ve been there several times, and the food is really good. There are lots of activities. People choose to do the activities they want to do.
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My sister has been living at Amber Lights for 2 years now. It is a very nice place. She’s happy where she is and she’s doing well. She likes the climate there. She’s in a well-cared-for place. They ha
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My sister has been living at Amber Lights for 2 years now. It is a very nice place. She’s happy where she is and she’s doing well. She likes the climate there. She’s in a well-cared-for place. They have a nursing staff that takes people that can stay there until they pass away. One of her favorite things to do is to go up to the dining room and visit with people and walk around the outside on the sidewalks because it’s really warm weather there most of the year. Everybody is friendly and the place is clean. She has people who come in to help check on her regularly and give her her meds. We’ve been there several times, and the food is really good. There are lots of activities. People choose to do the activities they want to do.
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2650 West Ina Road, Tucson, AZ, 85741
Nestled in the foothills near the town of Marana, Brookdale North Tucson is located on the north side of Tuscon, Arizona, home to the University of Arizona. The facility is described by residents and
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Nestled in the foothills near the town of Marana, Brookdale North Tucson is located on the north side of Tuscon, Arizona, home to the University of Arizona. The facility is described by residents and visitors as a clean, nicely decorated community with spacious rooms. They give high marks to the caring staff and the amenities offered, which include a beauty salon, ice cream parlor and sunroom. Residents can take music and exercise classes, celebrate special occasions at parties and participate in ice cream socials. Transportation is available to take residents shopping and to fun off-site events such as karaoke.
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Nestled in the foothills near the town of Marana, Brookdale North Tucson is located on the north side of Tuscon, Arizona, home to the University of Arizona. The facility is described by residents and
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Nestled in the foothills near the town of Marana, Brookdale North Tucson is located on the north side of Tuscon, Arizona, home to the University of Arizona. The facility is described by residents and visitors as a clean, nicely decorated community with spacious rooms. They give high marks to the caring staff and the amenities offered, which include a beauty salon, ice cream parlor and sunroom. Residents can take music and exercise classes, celebrate special occasions at parties and participate in ice cream socials. Transportation is available to take residents shopping and to fun off-site events such as karaoke.
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844 N. Houghton , Tucson, AZ, 85748
Park Senior Villas Houghton has been a wonderful find for my 91 year old mom. She’s been here for 10 months and has settled into her nice-sized room comfortably, surrounded by a few of her own famili
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Park Senior Villas Houghton has been a wonderful find for my 91 year old mom. She’s been here for 10 months and has settled into her nice-sized room comfortably, surrounded by a few of her own familiar furnishings. She has become acquainted with other residents in the house and enjoys their company over meals at the dining table. The desert setting and views are lovely. Plenty of activities available for those wanting to participate. Administration is very helpful and always available. Caregivers are knowledgeable, kind and observant, and always have a smile. There’s a happy atmosphere to the house–mom loves to hear the occasional ‘laughter of these young people’. I live close to the facility so am able to see mom frequently, take her things, drive her to appointments and such, so I am there enough to observe the consistency of care. And mom is very outspoken and observant, and has had very little to complain of! She really appreciates the assistive care she is receiving and is very fond of her caregivers. I highly recommend Park Senior Villas as a place to consider for placement of a loved one. Mary Keller
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Park Senior Villas Houghton has been a wonderful find for my 91 year old mom. She’s been here for 10 months and has settled into her nice-sized room comfortably, surrounded by a few of her own famili
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Park Senior Villas Houghton has been a wonderful find for my 91 year old mom. She’s been here for 10 months and has settled into her nice-sized room comfortably, surrounded by a few of her own familiar furnishings. She has become acquainted with other residents in the house and enjoys their company over meals at the dining table. The desert setting and views are lovely. Plenty of activities available for those wanting to participate. Administration is very helpful and always available. Caregivers are knowledgeable, kind and observant, and always have a smile. There’s a happy atmosphere to the house–mom loves to hear the occasional ‘laughter of these young people’. I live close to the facility so am able to see mom frequently, take her things, drive her to appointments and such, so I am there enough to observe the consistency of care. And mom is very outspoken and observant, and has had very little to complain of! She really appreciates the assistive care she is receiving and is very fond of her caregivers. I highly recommend Park Senior Villas as a place to consider for placement of a loved one. Mary Keller
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1331 E Sobre Lomas, Tucson, AZ, 85718
4553 E San Carlos Place S, Tucson, AZ, 85712
The Gardens at San Carlos is a 10-person adult homecare assisted living. It’s been great. The staff has been very helpful and very caring. My relative needs 24-hour care. Her room is super comfortable
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The Gardens at San Carlos is a 10-person adult homecare assisted living. It’s been great. The staff has been very helpful and very caring. My relative needs 24-hour care. Her room is super comfortable and very pretty. They have gardening, a video room, and therapy. The atmosphere is very pleasant.
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The Gardens at San Carlos is a 10-person adult homecare assisted living. It’s been great. The staff has been very helpful and very caring. My relative needs 24-hour care. Her room is super comfortable
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The Gardens at San Carlos is a 10-person adult homecare assisted living. It’s been great. The staff has been very helpful and very caring. My relative needs 24-hour care. Her room is super comfortable and very pretty. They have gardening, a video room, and therapy. The atmosphere is very pleasant.
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Academy Villas , 13775 E. Langtry Lane, Tucson, AZ, 85747
I came to Academy Villa in 2010 because I definitely needed physical help and they were my closest and most reasonable choice. I have not regretted my move and now that my husband has joined me, I am
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I came to Academy Villa in 2010 because I definitely needed physical help and they were my closest and most reasonable choice. I have not regretted my move and now that my husband has joined me, I am certain it is the best place for us. I feel the caregivers, the heart of such facility are well chosen for their jobs. While a diverse group in age, experience, personality, they work well with the residents and other caregivers.
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I came to Academy Villa in 2010 because I definitely needed physical help and they were my closest and most reasonable choice. I have not regretted my move and now that my husband has joined me, I am
… (read more)
I came to Academy Villa in 2010 because I definitely needed physical help and they were my closest and most reasonable choice. I have not regretted my move and now that my husband has joined me, I am certain it is the best place for us. I feel the caregivers, the heart of such facility are well chosen for their jobs. While a diverse group in age, experience, personality, they work well with the residents and other caregivers.
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5665 East River Road, Tucson, AZ, 85750
<p>Residents of Inspirations of River Centre are proud of the independence they maintain and enjoy the security of 24-hour personalized assistance. While we offer a helping hand with day-to-day tasks
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<p>Residents of Inspirations of River Centre are proud of the independence they maintain and enjoy the security of 24-hour personalized assistance. While we offer a helping hand with day-to-day tasks such as dressing, bathing and medication monitoring, they are treated as the accomplished individuals they are. They enjoy the freedom of choosing their own agenda and activities, while feeling secure in knowing that we’re always there to provide support should they need it.</p><p>Our residents also enjoy a unique dining experience where original culinary creations, along with traditional dishes, provide a variety of meal options, and the social setting makes dining an event. Good friends, good food and excellent service create a truly enjoyable dining experience.</p>
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<p>Residents of Inspirations of River Centre are proud of the independence they maintain and enjoy the security of 24-hour personalized assistance. While we offer a helping hand with day-to-day tasks
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<p>Residents of Inspirations of River Centre are proud of the independence they maintain and enjoy the security of 24-hour personalized assistance. While we offer a helping hand with day-to-day tasks such as dressing, bathing and medication monitoring, they are treated as the accomplished individuals they are. They enjoy the freedom of choosing their own agenda and activities, while feeling secure in knowing that we’re always there to provide support should they need it.</p><p>Our residents also enjoy a unique dining experience where original culinary creations, along with traditional dishes, provide a variety of meal options, and the social setting makes dining an event. Good friends, good food and excellent service create a truly enjoyable dining experience.</p>
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7163 North Pomona Road, Tucson, AZ, 85704
Oak Haven Assisted Living was a care home, and they had a lovely yard area and living room. The bedrooms seemed nice. It was open, light, and clean. I liked it. The person I spoke to was great.
Oak Haven Assisted Living was a care home, and they had a lovely yard area and living room. The bedrooms seemed nice. It was open, light, and clean. I liked it. The person I spoke to was great.
2720 East River Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718
My 96 year old father has gone to The Hacienda at the River twice for respite care. The first time he spent 6 weeks there while he was recovering from a broken leg (he was hit by a golf cart on the co
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My 96 year old father has gone to The Hacienda at the River twice for respite care. The first time he spent 6 weeks there while he was recovering from a broken leg (he was hit by a golf cart on the course!). Because he could not navigate crutches he was unable to fend for himself at home alone. He went to Hacienda where they not only fed him but also helped him with bathing and dressing. He really enjoyed his stay. He loved the food and activities including the equine programs even though he isn’t a “horse person”. The second stay was while he was recovering from a fractured pelvis. My brother and I are very happy he got the care and attention he needed both times. He still raves about the Nayas (what they call the caregivers)!
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My 96 year old father has gone to The Hacienda at the River twice for respite care. The first time he spent 6 weeks there while he was recovering from a broken leg (he was hit by a golf cart on the co
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My 96 year old father has gone to The Hacienda at the River twice for respite care. The first time he spent 6 weeks there while he was recovering from a broken leg (he was hit by a golf cart on the course!). Because he could not navigate crutches he was unable to fend for himself at home alone. He went to Hacienda where they not only fed him but also helped him with bathing and dressing. He really enjoyed his stay. He loved the food and activities including the equine programs even though he isn’t a “horse person”. The second stay was while he was recovering from a fractured pelvis. My brother and I are very happy he got the care and attention he needed both times. He still raves about the Nayas (what they call the caregivers)!
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COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Tucson
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Arizona. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What To Consider About Assisted Living in Tucson
Tucson-based assisted living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Facilities are required to abide by an extensive list of rules and regulations relating to health and safety, staffing, medication administration, food service and other aspects of long-term care. Regular inspections are carried out to ensure facilities are meeting these requirements.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Tucson
- Tucson is a beautiful city surrounded by scenic, forested mountains and golf courses that make it a desirable setting for active seniors. The pleasant climate means there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities throughout the year.
- The cost of living in Tucson is around 6% lower than the national average. Some other Arizona cities have an even lower cost of living; however, the wealth of amenities available in Tucson means many seniors feel it’s a good choice for their retirement.
- Property crime is common in Tucson compared to other parts of the United States. Assisted living facilities are usually gated communities with video surveillance and 24-hour staffing, so seniors can feel safe and secure when they’re on the assisted living campus.
- There are several hospitals in or close to the city, including El Dorado Hospital, the University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center. Tucson has a high number of Medicare-registered physicians and numerous pharmacies to ensure seniors can easily access the care they need when they need it.
- The city is home to several senior centers, including the El Pueblo Senior Center and the Armory Senior Citizen Center, that cater specifically to older adults. The Fred Archer Center is a recreation facility offering programs and activities for people of all ages.
Paying for Assisted Living in Tucson
The Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2021 indicates that the average cost of assisted living in Tucson is $4,050 per month, which is $50 more than the Arizona average. This is also 10% cheaper than the national average of $4,500 per month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
With average monthly fees of $4,050, Tucson’s assisted living facilities are reasonably priced compared to others in the state. Fees are slightly lower in nearby Phoenix at $3,975 per month. Meanwhile, to the east in Sierra Vista, seniors pay an average of $4,150 per month. Cities to the north tend to have higher fees, with seniors paying $4,500 per month in Prescott Valley and $5,000 in Flagstaff.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors have several care options in Tucson. Adult day health care services are the most affordable. They offer day-to-day support in a group setting for $2,058 per month. Homemaker services provide personal care assistance in the senior’s own home for $5,434 per month, while home health care services offer some limited nursing care at home for $5,482. Nursing home facilities provide 24-hour skilled nursing for $6,601 for a semiprivate room or $8,182 for seniors who prefer private quarters.
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home Care (private room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Tucson
Eligible seniors who require financial assistance to help pay for assisted living may apply to the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) program, which operates under a Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Arizona page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Arizona page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Tucson
There are several organizations offering support for seniors who live in Tucson and reside in assisted living communities or are considering their long-term care options. These organizations provide free support, advice, wellness services and other help for older adults in the city.
Pima Council on Aging offers a variety of services, information and resources for seniors in Tucson and the surrounding areas. It works with several service providers to offer support for older adults living at home, as well as help for caregivers and information about financial support. It also provides senior transportation programs and meals.
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona runs an Elder Alliance that provides numerous services for local seniors, including advocacy services, assistance with housing and transportation and financial wellness services to help people struggling with taxes and other issues. These services are provided by volunteers and offered free of charge.
Former U.S. service members and their immediate relatives may be eligible for help from the Tucson Vet Center. The center offers confidential services for veterans. While the support provided directly by the center focuses on counseling and health care, it can also offer advice and referrals for other issues, such as VA pensions and benefits, Social Security claims and access to other care services.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Tucson
Tucson Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Arizona are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Arizona page for more information about these laws.