Information for Families

Retirement Living Options

Deciding where and how to live in retirement is a major decision in anyone’s life.  In recent years many attractive options for retirement have emerged.  It is important to gather information on all the available options to make a knowledgeable decision. Arizona’s non-profit organizations offer a variety of retirement options designed to suit the different housing and health care needs and life-style preferences of older adults. The following is a brief description of the various health care and housing options available in Arizona.

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Facility Information

Retirement Facilities are self-contained senior communities specifically designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of older residents by offering a variety of supportive services, such as meals, transportation, social services, and recreational programs. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer an innovative and independent lifestyle for older adults.  CCRCs are different from other housing and care options because they provide independent housing, supportive services and nursing care in a campus-like setting and continue to meet residents’ needs in a familiar setting as they grow older.  A CCRC resident can take advantage of a wide variety of activities and services conveniently offered within a community where the emphasis is on the individual, coupled with a supportive environment, which allows residents to continue to pursue lifelong interests.

What makes CCRCs unique are that they offer prospective residents a contract that says the CCRC will provide individuals with housing and services for life. Most CCRCs require a one-time entrance fee and then monthly payments thereafter. These fees vary by community and depend on the type of housing and services they offer. Other CCRCs operate on a rental basis and do not require an entrance fee. 

To search for Retirement Facilities in Arizona, click here.

HUD Senior Housing Apartments receive governmental subsidies which allows them to offer lower rental rates to seniors with low to moderate income.  Senior rental apartments are specifically designed to accommodate the needs and preferences of older residents by offering a variety of supportive services, such as meals, transportation, social services, and recreational programs.  The array of services available will vary from one facility to another, therefore, monthly rents vary and are dependent on the size of the unit, the specific services offered and the income group the facility was created to serve.
Senior housing is a good option for people who want to live on their own,  but don't want to deal with the responsibilities of having a home. It's also a great choice for people who want to live in a community with other seniors.

Depending on the community, a person can rent an apartment either at the market rate or if his or her income level applies, a lower rate. These apartments are often designed with seniors in mind. For example, there may be railings in bathrooms or power outlets higher up on the wall. Many communities also offer a 24-hour emergency call service if a resident needs help right away. Some places may also provide different kinds of services to the people who live there including meals, transportation, social activities and other programs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds several rental assistance programs for seniors who qualify. These programs include: Public housing, or low-income housing that is owned and operated by a local housing authority. To apply for public housing or Section 8 certificates or vouchers, you must go to your housing authority. Each housing authority has a system for accepting applications. Their representatives can explain their system and how to find an available apartment.
HUD's Section 202 program includes apartments where the government provides subsidies directly to owners of qualified properties developed with loans or grants from the federal government. The owners pass along the federal rental assistance subsidy to qualified residents to cover the gap between the resident payment, generally 30 percent of adjusted income, and rent costs. To apply for housing in a privately-owned affordable housing community, a person will have to visit the management office for each community.

To search for HUD Senior Housing Apartments in Arizona, click here.

Assisted Living Facilities offer residents daily supervision and a variety of supportive services in a residential environment. They bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care by serving those who need general supervision and personal care services but not nursing care.  The type and degree of services offered and the individuals served within assisted living facilities is determined by a variety of factors including facility licensure and resident needs.  Services may range from meals, housekeeping and basic assistance with daily living activities to supervision of self-administration of medication.

Because assisted living provides a desirable, cost-effective and dignified living environment, it has seen phenomenal growth over the past decade. Consumers favor it because they get the help they need with everyday living tasks and often some health care in a residential setting -- and they have a range of assisted living models from which to choose. Assisted living’s popularity is largely due to a philosophy which values residents’ independence, i.e., “we will help you take care of yourself” versus “we will take care of you.” Supportive services are provided in a way to maximize residents’ dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, and safety. An estimated one million people are currently living in an assisted living facility.

To search for Assisted Living Facilities in Arizona, click here.

Nursing Homes are licensed facilities that provide 24-hour nursing care to chronically ill individuals who need intensive rehabilitative care and daily supervision to the frail individual who can no longer live independently.  The best nursing homes offer a full array of nursing and personal assistance, food service, rehabilitative therapy programming, and medical services.  Meals, laundry and social and recreational activities are also provided along with opportunities to participate in resident councils.

Nursing homes offer round-the-clock care if someone is too sick to live on their own, or if they need to recover after having an illness or operation. Some people stay for a short time in a nursing home and then go home. Other people may be sicker and need more care for longer.

There are so many options, but it's up to you to decide how much you give to pick one for you or a loved one.

To search for Nursing Homes in Arizona, click here.