What to Consider About Memory Care in Tucson

The sunny desert city of Tucson is located in Pima County, Arizona near a variety of outdoor recreational amenities for families visiting their loved ones in memory care. This sprawling city has a large senior population, which comprises over 13 percent of the population of nearly 536,000 people.

It’s estimated that 170,000 people in Arizona have Alzheimer’s disease. To care for this population, there are 17 memory care facilities in Tucson and 2 nearby. In Tucson, and all of Arizona, facilities that are licensed to care for residents with Alzheimer's disease and dementia are required to have egress controls and secured outdoor areas to prevent residents from wandering off the premises, in addition to other requirements. These rules are enforced by the Division of Public Health Licensing Services, Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing. 

• Tucson is a relatively affordable city to reside in, with an overall cost of living that is 13 percent lower than the state average. Healthcare expenses in this city are roughly 16 percent below state and national averages, which may be beneficial for seniors with a tight budget.   
• The sunny city of Tucson receives no snow and just 12 inches of rain annually, making it easy for families to travel locally to visit loved ones in memory care. July highs soar into the triple digits, while winter temperatures are mild with lows near 40 degrees. 
• Tucson is home to numerous world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care, such as Banner Health University Medical Center Tucson, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
• Tucson seniors do not pay taxes on their Social Security benefits, but other forms of retirement income are taxed. This may impact how much money families can put toward memory care.