10 Best Nursing Homes in Phoenix, AZ

Most seniors and their families pay for nursing homes or skilled nursing services using a mix of private funds and public assistance. Public aid almost always includes Medicare or Medicaid, but it can also include veterans benefits. Smart planning is key to keeping senior care within reach for you or your loved one. Here, you’ll find an overview of the private and public methods to pay for senior living in Phoenix.

Nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are regulated by the federal government. This is because many of the services provided in a nursing home or skilled nursing unit can be covered with public assistance, like Medicaid or Medicare. Medicare.gov provides a public report card for every skilled nursing home and rehabilitative facility in the country.

In addition to meeting federal standards, skilling nursing facilities in Arizona are licensed and regulated through the Bureau of Long-Term Care Licensing. The Bureau releases a Consumer’s Guide to Nursing Homes, which has updated public data about skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Arizona. Skilled nursing and rehab facilities on tribal land are exempt from these Arizona state licensing regulations.

Arizona has fairly strict state requirements for all of its senior care facilities, including nursing homes. For instance, Arizona recently passed legislation strengthening background checks for workers at skilled nursing facilities and other senior care communities. Arizona workers with felonies involving violence or fraud are now unable to work in these senior care facilities.

Arizona assisted living communities, board and care homes, and memory care facilities are licensed through the Bureau of Residential Licensing and go through yearly inspections as part of the licensing process. The results of these inspections are public on the Arizona Department of Health Services Residential Facilities Provider Search Form.

Resources

Arizona Department of Health Services
150 N. 18th Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602-542-1025

COVID-19 regulations for skilled nursing homes in Phoenix

All long-term care facilities in Phoenix, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and board and care homes, are required to follow the Arizona state guidelines to minimize the effects of COVID-19 on residents and staff members. These facilities also have to follow the federal guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — commonly referred to as CMS — and allow all visitors regardless of vaccination status.

All long-term care facilities should have a COVID-19-positive wing to prevent the spread of the virus among the residents and staff members. Unvaccinated residents who are exposed to a positive case should quarantine, but vaccinated residents do not need to quarantine. All new residents and employees should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entry.

You can expect Phoenix to have plenty of great skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. And for those who don’t need 24/7 medical care, Phoenix offers many options across all senior living environments. Explore local senior care communities, and discover what it’s like to live in Phoenix as a senior.

Nursing home or skilled nursing facility?

While “nursing homes” can be a general term for all senior living options, it technically refers to facilities that offer 24/7 skilled nursing care. These facilities are reserved for people under medical supervision who are either recovering from a surgery or an illness, are on hospice, or have a chronic medical condition. Most government agencies use the term “nursing home” for these specific facilities. This guide includes information about skilled nursing facilities to help you understand that care option, but the community listings you see featured here are assisted living or memory care communities that offer several levels of care and may also include skilled nursing units or wings.

Phoenix has many senior care options.

Phoenix has been on the cutting edge of senior living for decades, and this is reflected in its many senior living options. In the 10-mile radius from Phoenix city center, there are 166 senior living communities within A Place for Mom’s network alone. And, within a 15-mile radius, these numbers almost double.

While there are traditional skilled nursing home settings with an institutional-like atmosphere, many seniors choose to receive their skilled nursing care while residing somewhere else. Skilled nursing services can be administered at an assisted living community, a memory care facility, a residential care home, or even at a private home through in-home care services. In fact, most seniors looking for long-term senior care don’t need the specialized, 24/7 medical care of skilled nursing facilities and are good candidates for assisted living or memory care instead. Thankfully, Phoenix has one of the highest concentrations of all senior care types in the nation.

Phoenix senior living can be tailored.

Because there are so many options across a range of prices, Phoenix seniors can expect to find tailored senior care within their budget. Residential care homes tend to be the least expensive option while still providing the same kind of care as assisted living or memory care communities. There are also plenty of larger communities for more socialite seniors. These luxury communities have all the perks and amenities, some are as expensive as $5,000 a month or more depending on the level of care a senior needs. Skilled nursing facilities are the most expensive levels of care and are usually needed by only a small fraction of seniors looking for long-term care.

Phoenix is an expanding senior haven.

This is in part because of the year-round sunny and warm weather and partially because a growing local economy brings in well-paid workers and their aging parents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11% of the 1,624,569 people living in Phoenix are over 65 years old. However, in the suburbs surrounding Phoenix, such as Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, and Paradise Valley that number goes up even higher. In Paradise Valley, over 50% of the population is over 55 years old, and 13.4% is over 75. The generous and well-established Arizona Medicaid program is also a draw for many seniors looking to fund their medical care.

Health care for seniors in Phoenix

Phoenix has a large number of healthcare providers in both the city proper and the surrounding suburbs. Many of them, such as the Mayo Clinic, are nationally ranked for geriatric care.

Transportation for seniors in Phoenix

While seniors in skilled nursing facilities do not need to travel for care, other more mobile seniors can use the local Senior Center Shuttle Program for $1. This program gives seniors living in participating senior care communities transportation to and from appointments and activities off site. Dial-a-Ride is another senior-friendly transportation option.

Seniors in assisted living or residential care homes tend to use the community’s complimentary transportation to get around. Because Phoenix has a low density despite its growing population, the urban sprawl requires most people to use a car for transportation. That is why many senior living communities or care homes will provide transportation services to their residents, sometimes with a small fee.

The Valley Metro Transit System, also known as Valley Metro, is the main regional train system, and it operates throughout most of the day and night. While Valley Metro is affordable, wait times tend to exceed twenty minutes, which can make using it as a transit system in the hot summer months uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous.