Tucson, AZ, is home to 543,242 people. According to the 2021 Census, 14.8% of the population is over the age of 65. This age is when many people start to experience signs of cognitive impairment; one in nine people aged 65 or older has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This figure is expected to increase from 6.5 million in 2022 to 12.7 million in 2050. Fortunately, between 2016 and 2020, Alzheimer’s-related deaths in Tucson decreased by 12.24%, according to the CDC. This may be partially due to the availability of high-quality dementia care in the city.

Tucson boasts a robust selection of memory care communities offering life-saving dementia interventions. They have secure doors and fenced courtyards, and are often built with ease of navigability in mind. Staff in these communities provide 24/7 support, assisting residents with medication and enriching their lives with activities designed to preserve and sharpen cognition. This guide discusses the pros and cons of living in Tucson, the average cost of memory care in the city and some resources available to seniors.

Directory of Memory Care Facilities in Tucson, AZ


2013, 2014

Brookdale Santa Catalina

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 … (read more)
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 … (read more)

Sunrise at River Road

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 … (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 … (read more)

Cascades of Tucson

201 N. Jessica Avenue, 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 … (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, re … (read more)

Park Senior Villas – La Canada

6899 N. La Canada Drive , Tucson, AZ, 85704

It was very clean and very pleasant. Everybody was affable, and they seemed engaged. The residents had a lot of freedom. None of the doors were locked. They just had buzzers on them. Each of the homes … (read more)
It was very clean and very pleasant. Everybody was affable, and they seemed engaged. The residents had a lot of freedom. None of the doors were locked. They just had buzzers on them. Each of the homes … (read more)

2014, 2016

Foothills Place

3701 North Swan Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718

My mom stayed until she had an accident and broke her pelvic. She had to be transferred to a nursing home facility. The best thing about this facility was that it wasn’t gloomy. It also seemed clean. … (read more)
My mom stayed until she had an accident and broke her pelvic. She had to be transferred to a nursing home facility. The best thing about this facility was that it wasn’t gloomy. It also seemed clean. … (read more)

The Ranch Estates of Tucson

2365 W Orange Grove Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85741

I visited The Ranch Estates of Tucson twice. They have assisted living and memory care, and we discussed both. It was very nice; otherwise, I wouldn’t be taking my dad there. They have a wall for ve … (read more)
I visited The Ranch Estates of Tucson twice. They have assisted living and memory care, and we discussed both. It was very nice; otherwise, I wouldn’t be taking my dad there. They have a wall for ve … (read more)

Copper Canyon Memory Care

5901 N La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85741

Mom is at Copper Canyon. They have higher functioning adults and so it was more appropriate for her because she is still functioning highly. She was able to have a private room and they didn?t look li … (read more)
Mom is at Copper Canyon. They have higher functioning adults and so it was more appropriate for her because she is still functioning highly. She was able to have a private room and they didn?t look li … (read more)

2017

Park Senior Villas – Houghton

844 N. Houghton , Tucson, AZ, 85748

We visited Park Senior Villas – Houghton. It’s individual villas. There are ten patients per villa, and two nurses that are on duty during the day. So that’s one nurse for four or five residents. The … (read more)
We visited Park Senior Villas – Houghton. It’s individual villas. There are ten patients per villa, and two nurses that are on duty during the day. So that’s one nurse for four or five residents. The … (read more)

Canyon View by Platinum Care Homes

1331 E Sobre Lomas, Tucson, AZ, 85718

My husband moved into Canyon View by Platinum Care Homes. I like everything about it. It is clean. The staff are all very attentive, and they give him the care he needs. They are all nice. They are ni … (read more)
My husband moved into Canyon View by Platinum Care Homes. I like everything about it. It is clean. The staff are all very attentive, and they give him the care he needs. They are all nice. They are ni … (read more)

Woodland Palms Assisted Living & Memory Care

1020 North Woodland Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85711

When I visited my husband at Woodland Palms Assisted Living & Memory Care, he looked really good. The place looked very clean. They have a beautiful courtyard, and they can go in and out of the co … (read more)
When I visited my husband at Woodland Palms Assisted Living & Memory Care, he looked really good. The place looked very clean. They have a beautiful courtyard, and they can go in and out of the co … (read more)

Oak Haven Assisted Living

7163 North Pomona Road, Tucson, AZ, 85704


The Hacienda at the River

2720 East River Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718

My dad is at The Hacienda At The River, and they’ve actually been very attentive. They’ve really worked hard to try and find what he needs and adjust to him. The nurses have been wonderful. You can te … (read more)
My dad is at The Hacienda At The River, and they’ve actually been very attentive. They’ve really worked hard to try and find what he needs and adjust to him. The nurses have been wonderful. You can te … (read more)

Brookdale Tanque Verde

9050 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ, 85749

Brookdale Tanque Verde was our favorite. It was an excellent community. Everything from the staff to the room to the meal planning and to their activities, I couldn’t say anything bad about them. The … (read more)
Brookdale Tanque Verde was our favorite. It was an excellent community. Everything from the staff to the room to the meal planning and to their activities, I couldn’t say anything bad about them. The … (read more)

The Cottages of Tucson

619 W. Chula Vista Rd., Tucson, AZ, 98040




Mountain View Retirement Village

7900 North La Canada Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85704


Tucson Place

5660 North Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ, 85750


Sierra Del Sol Senior Living

8151 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85710

Sierra Del Sol Senior Living seemed to have a lot of activities and the people were happy and active. They were working on puzzles and doing different things. The staff was pretty good and helpful. Ev … (read more)
Sierra Del Sol Senior Living seemed to have a lot of activities and the people were happy and active. They were working on puzzles and doing different things. The staff was pretty good and helpful. Ev … (read more)

COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Tucson

Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care 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 Memory Care 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 Memory Care in Tucson

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.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Tucson

  • 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.

Paying for Memory Care in Tucson

Memory care communities provide specialized support within an assisted living setting. Consequently, fees are typically 20-30% more. By adding 25% to the assisted living costs published in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median for memory care in Tucson is $5,063 per month.

The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities

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.

$5063

Tucson

$5000

Arizona

$5625

The United States

$4969

Phoenix

$4750

Yuma

$5188

Sierra Vista

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

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.

$5434

Homemaker Services

$5482

Home Health Aide

$2058

Adult Day Health Care

$4050

Assisted Living Facility

$6601

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$8182

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Tucson

In Tucson there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in Arizona page.

More ways to pay for memory care in AZ

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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.

Free Memory Care Resources in Tucson

Tucson is home to many nonprofit organizations with the purpose of helping the city’s older residents live in safety and with dignity. The resources listed here can aid seniors in memory care communities or those who live at home with support. They can assist seniors in getting to medical appointments, learning more about the effects of memory loss on themselves and their loved ones and locating advocates if they have a dispute with their caregiver.

Resource

Contact

Service

(520) 825-0009

IMPACT of Southern Arizona is a multi-resource nonprofit dedicated to helping seniors live as independently as possible at home. For seniors with early-stage memory loss, it can provide transportation to medical appointments, deliver meals to those who might otherwise go hungry and offer respite care services to give caregivers a break from their duties.

(520) 790-7262

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program aims to help individuals in residential care who are dissatisfied with the quality of their care or feel their rights have been violated. Ombudsmen are trained and certified to provide confidential support to seniors in memory care facilities and find solutions to their complaints with their care providers. The ombudsman can also educate seniors and their loved ones on residents' rights.

(520) 322-6601

The Desert Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association supports seniors during all stages of the condition, as well as their families and caregivers. In addition to the 24/7 helpline, the chapter also manages group and online education programs, support groups where those affected can share their feelings with others in similar positions and programs specifically for seniors during the early stages of Alzheimer's. 

(520) 694-7021

The Banner Alzheimer's Institute is a memory and research center that provides medical and nonmedical support to seniors and their caregivers. It regularly conducts clinical trials to find the causes of memory loss and develop ways of mitigating the effects of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. The institute also manages an outreach program for seniors and their families that includes education and counseling services.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Tucson

Tucson Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Arizona are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Arizona page for more information about these laws.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Arizona