Memory Care Communities in Tucson, AZ

Tucson’s memory care cost average is slightly above normal, although not southern Arizona’s highest, a position held by Sierra Vista’s $5,188 per month. Phoenix is more affordable, at $4,969, but the most affordable city in the state is Yuma, where costs average $4,750 per month.

When trying to decide how to pay for memory care, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of more than 75,000 senior living providers to provide insight into the average cost of memory care in Tucson and 18 other cities in Arizona.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Arizona page.

Despite having higher levels of care 24/7, memory care is still more affordable than most senior living facilities in Tucson. Only assisted living, at $4,050, and adult day care, at $2,058 without room and board, offer senior care for less money. Homebound seniors in the early stages of cognitive decline can expect to pay around $5,434 for homemaker services and an additional $48 per month for the included light medical support of a home health aide. Those who require nursing home care can expect to pay around $6,601 for a semiprivate room or $8,182 if they choose a private one.

The Arizona Department of Health Services is responsible for licensing, monitoring and regulating memory care communities throughout the state. Successful applicants have given proof through health and safety and fire safety certificates that their buildings are suitable, they have adequate insurance and the community manager is licensed by the state of Arizona NCIA Board.

• With an average cost of living index of 91.6, Tucson is less expensive than Arizona and the rest of the country, with ratios of 102.2 and 100, respectively. Seniors in memory care communities are more likely to save on health care and transportation, too, as their ratios of 81.5 and 96.6 are considerably below Arizona’s 95.2 and 107.
• Although Tucson’s desert climate causes hot temperatures of around 100 degrees in July, for most of the year the city’s weather is pleasant and comfortable, although January does average at a chilly 39 degrees. Generally, Tucson’s climate is good for seniors, particularly those with respiratory conditions, as the annual rainfall is only 12 inches, so humid heat isn’t common.
• The quality of Tucson’s air and water is below average, but not significantly so. The city has an excellent average health cost index of 84.3. This is due, in part, to its significantly higher number of Medicare-registered physicians than the national average, as well as a typical commute time that is over 4 minutes shorter than the 26.4-minute commute experienced by the average American.
• Tucson’s crime rate is higher than the state and national averages. The chances of being a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 141, compared to Arizona’s 1 in 199. For property crime, the statistics are 1 in 27 for Tucson and 1 in 43 for the state. However, certain neighborhoods are crime hotspots, which skew the average figures. Memory care facilities go to great lengths to keep their residents safe, installing many safeguards such as video cameras and security systems.
• Interfaith Community Services is a nonprofit organization that helps vulnerable people throughout Pima County. It provides a free ride service for seniors unable to drive or use public transportation. Volunteers use their own vehicles to take seniors to destinations within Pima County for most purposes such as medical appointments and grocery shopping. To qualify, the senior must be registered with ICS and live in their own home, which makes the service suitable for people with early-stage dementia who don’t yet need institutional care.