I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Chandler, AZ
The city of Chandler, Arizona, is home to over 260,000 people, and 11% of the population is age 65 and older. The warm climate and nearly year-round sunshine in Chandler make it an appealing place to retire. A number of 55-and-older communities for active adults add to its appeal as a place for retirement. The city also sits at the base of South Mountain Park and Preserve, providing a beautiful natural space for seniors to explore.
As a suburb of Phoenix, Chandler is located near excellent healthcare options and a large airport, yet you don’t have to travel far from home to enjoy the perks of the region. Chandler is considered one of the best places to live in the Phoenix area, and the city rates quite high for its many outdoor activities and excellent weather. Chandler also has one of the lowest property tax rates in the Phoenix area, and this helps you stretch your savings further when living at home during retirement. The community is home to several top-ranked golf courses as well, which is yet another perk of retiring to the region.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Chandler, AZ
Based on the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Chandler pay an average of $5,148 a month for home care based on an average of 44 hours of care a week. This breaks down to $27 per hour for home-based care. For seniors who choose home health care, which includes some health services like wound care, the cost is $5,243 a month or $27.50 an hour. You may pay more or less than this average based on the types of services the home care agency or care provider you choose offers and the number of hours you need per week.
Note: Data for Chandler was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Phoenix, was used instead.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Home care costs an average of $5,148 a month in Chandler, while home health care costs just a little more at $5,243. These averages are higher than the state average by almost $300 monthly. In Tucson, you’d pay less at $5,053 a month for both types of home care, but the cost is less in Sierra Vista at $4,576 – $4,957. Yuma area seniors pay least at $4,290 per month for both types of care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
When you retire in Chandler, home care is just one type of care option to consider. You can expect to pay an average of $5,148 a month if you choose to age at home, or $5,243 if you need the services of a home health aide. Should you move to an assisted living community, you pay $3,700 a month on average. While this may seem more affordable than home care, that is an average base price and needed services may be added to that cost. Location and amenities also factor into assisted living costs. Nursing home care in a semiprivate room costs around $9,247. Adult day care, which provides help in a congregate setting during the day only, averages $867 a month.
III. How to Find Home Care in Chandler, AZ
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in San Chandler, AZ.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Chandler, AZ
Area Agency on Aging Region One
What You Should Know
The Area Agency on Aging Region One provides services to seniors and their caretakers throughout Maricopa County, including the community of Chandler. This organization advocates on behalf of seniors. It also provides education and planning help all with the goal of helping seniors and their caregivers enjoy a healthy quality of life.
The AAA Region One is the source for Chandler’s Adult Protective Services department, which you can use to report suspected elder abuse. It also provides Medicare counseling and family caregiver support. Most seniors start getting help from the AAA by using the 24-hour Senior HELP Line.
Who Is Eligible?
AAA Region One is for seniors living within Maricopa County and their caretakers. It also serves adults age 18 and older who have disabilities, long-term care needs or HIV/AIDS.
How to Get Started
To connect with help through AAA Region One, call the Senior HELP Line at (602) 264-4357. You can also call the AAA directly at (888) 264-2258 or email them at [email protected]. The office is located at 1366 East Thomas Road, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Chandler Senior Center
What You Should Know
The Chandler Senior Center provides recreational and social programming to active seniors in the Chandler community. When you walk in the door, you will find adults taking part in classes, playing games together or learning about social services in the area. Through the Chandler Senior Center, you can get legal aid, free blood pressure checks, Medicare and Medicaid benefits assistance and peer counseling. Seniors who are able to leave their homes can enjoy a hot lunch with their friends every day, while those who are homebound can arrange for home delivery of their meals.
Who Is Eligible?
Adults age 50 and over who live in Chandler can access the community resources at the Chandler Senior Center. The majority of the services are offered free of charge.
How to Get Started
The Chandler Senior Center is located at 202 East Boston Street, Chandler, AZ 85225, or you can call (408) 782-2720 to learn more about their programming.
AmeriCorps Caring Circles Program
What You Should Know
The AmeriCorps Caring Circles Program helps homebound seniors in Maricopa County who are on a waiting list to receive social services but need help right away. This program utilizes volunteers to help seniors in their homes so they can remain healthy and safe for as long as possible. If you are waiting for Medicare or Medicaid to cover your needed home care but need someone to lend a hand with grocery shopping, transportation or even just companionship, you can get that help from Caring Circles.
Who Is Eligible?
AmeriCorps services like the Caring Circles Program are available to adults age 55 and older and who live in Maricopa County. To qualify for Caring Circles, an applicant must have an identified need for social support but the inability to get that support due to long waits.
How to Get Started
Call the AmeriCorps National Service Hotline at (800) 942-2677 to learn more about how to receive help from Caring Circles.
Senior Adult Independent Living Program
What You Should Know
Through SAIL, seniors in Chandler and the rest of Maricopa County can get help to live safely at home as long as possible. This program provides case management to help seniors and their caretakers assess their needs. Case managers will connect and contract with provider agencies in Chandler to ensure the senior gets needed help. This might include home health care, home repairs, home-delivered meals or access to an adult day care center.
By taking part in SAIL, you can be confident that you have the services you need to stay independent and at home, even if you need some extra assistance. Your case manager will arrange your services, taking that pressure off of your shoulders.
Who Is Eligible?
SAIL is available to seniors age 60 and older or adults of all ages who have physical disabilities and need some help to live safely at home, but who wish to remain living at home.
How to Get Started
SAIL requires a referral, which you can get by calling the Senior HELP Line at (602) 264-4357. This program is overseen by the AAA.
About Care
What You Should Know
Through About Care, volunteers provide companionship and friendship to seniors who have trouble leaving home. In addition to companionship and wellness visits, About Care can arrange minor home repairs, assist with transportation to appointments, provide respite care to caretakers and even deliver food boxes for seniors who cannot get to the food pantry to collect them. About Care can even arrange friendly calls when volunteers aren’t available to visit you at home.
Who Is Eligible?
About Care accepts clients who are isolated at home without a support system to help with their basic care needs. To qualify, you must be homebound based on the Medicare definition or be a caregiver who is in danger of a health issue if you did not get respite care. People who are not seniors but who have physical or mental health disabilities can also get help through About Care. All applicants must be able to get in and out of a vehicle unassisted.
How to Get Started
For help through About Care, email the Community Outreach Coordinator at [email protected] or call (480) 802-2331.