Home Care in Phoenix, AZ

In terms of population, Phoenix is one of the country’s largest cities. It’s home to an estimated 1,680,992 residents. Just over 10% of those residents are seniors 65 years of age or older. 

One of the chief draws of living in Phoenix is the area’s abundant natural beauty, which older residents can enjoy through Phoenix’s 185 parks. The city also offers access to over 200 miles of trails. Rain doesn’t interrupt outdoor activities often; the city’s pleasant climate features low humidity and rainfall, mild winters and warm summers.

Urban and cultural attractions also draw residents to Phoenix. The city is home to shopping, dining and arts-related destinations, plus stadiums for sports fans to watch the city’s teams. For those who want to experience the city’s culture, notable museums include the Phoenix Art Museum and the Arizona Science Center, which are complemented by performing arts attractions like the Arizona Theatre Company and Ballet Arizona. There are also economic reasons to move to Phoenix; for example, it has programs to lower property taxes for certain seniors. 

The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey estimates that in Phoenix, the average monthly cost for home care is $27.00 per hour; for home health care, it’s $27.50 per hour. Assuming 44 hours of care per week are needed, those rates add up to monthly averages of $5,148 and $5,243 for home care and home health care, respectively.

If you need more or less care, your costs may change accordingly. For example, care on a 24/7 basis is projected to cost $19,656 per month (for home care) and $20,019 per month (for home health care). Conversely, those figures drop to $2,340 and $2,383, respectively, for seniors who need only 20 hours of care per week.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Assuming an individual needs 44 hours per month of care, they would pay, on average in Arizona, $4,934 (for home care) and $4,957 (for home health care), meaning Phoenix’s corresponding averages of $5,148 and $5,243 are slightly more expensive than its state. Phoenix is also more costly than the rest of the country, where home care costs an average of $4,481 per month, while home health care is approximately $4,576 per month. Zooming back in on Arizona, Phoenix is comparable to Tucson, where both services average $5,053 per month. However, those two cities are more expensive than Lake Havasu, where the average monthly costs are $4,385 for home care and $4,576 for home health care. The difference is even bigger in comparison to Yuma, where the average monthly cost for both services is $4,290.

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.

City of Phoenix Senior Services

What You Should Know
If you’re a senior in Phoenix, you can turn to the city itself for assistance in a variety of areas. Examples of Phoenix’s senior services include transportation options and home-delivered and congregate meal programs. Additionally, the city is home to a number of senior centers, where activities and events catered to older adults take place.

Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility requirements vary from service to service. For instance, Phoenix’s alternative transportation program requires that riders be living with a disability or be 65 years of age or older. Recipients of meals, meanwhile, must be at least 60 years old or disabled.

How to Get Started
To learn more about senior centers, call (602) 262-7379. To look up a specific senior center, which can provide more information on Phoenix’s senior-minded resources, click here. If you’re interested in home-delivered meals, you should call the Senior Help Line at (602) 264-2357. The Senior Help Line may be a useful resource for learning about other resources, as well.

Stepping Up for Seniors

What You Should Know
SUFS helps seniors fight the challenges of medical conditions, financial hardships and isolation. If you’re eligible, it can help obtain medical equipment, supplies and services. It may also help you meet financial obligations, such as rent and utility bills.

Additionally, the organization can be a source of transportation and referrals to complementary sources of assistance. Also notable is SUFS’s Caring Connection, a free service that uses calls from volunteers to reduce feelings of isolation in low-income seniors.

Who Is Eligible? 
SUFS focuses on helping seniors with high levels of need. The organization screens applicants to learn about the medical and financial hardships an individual is facing. To apply, you may need to disclose medical and financial data and agree to certain terms and conditions.

How to Get Started
SUFS is reachable by phone at (480) 588-4910 and through email at [email protected]. Additionally, you can learn more about the application process or begin it online.

Area Agency on Aging, Region One

What You Should Know
The Area Agency on Aging, Region One, serves Maricopa County, which contains Phoenix. It operates the aforementioned Senior Help Line and offers a variety of other programs, including a home-delivered meals service. Another notable offering is the Senior Adult Independent Living Program, through which you may be able to access in-home care.

Additionally, the agency operates a caregiver support program and facilitates classes on healthy living. You can also access information on Medicare and other health insurance topics relevant to seniors through the agency.

Who Is Eligible?
The agency focuses on helping individuals 60 years of age or older. It also assists people who are over 18 and are living with HIV/AIDS, disabilities or long-term care needs. Services are available to Maricopa County residents.

How to Get Started
To contact the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, you can call (602) 264-2255 or (888) 783-7500 (toll-free). The agency is also reachable via fax at (602) 230-9132, via email at [email protected] and through the contact form.

The Senior/Disabled Housing Program

What You Should Know
Phoenix’s Housing Department offers the Senior/Disabled Housing Program. It oversees several communities designed to help seniors live comfortably in retirement. For instance, the communities are located near public transportation stops, hospitals, pharmacies and other important destinations.

Who Is Eligible? 
The program maintains a waiting list and gives priority to applicants who are at least 62 years of age. Applicants cannot have more than two individuals in their family. If no high-priority applicants are waiting for admittance, individuals aged 50 to 61 may become eligible, and if no one from that age bracket is waiting, then individuals living with disabilities may become eligible.

How to Get Started
The contact number for the Senior/Disabled Housing Program is (602) 495-5701. Another helpful number may be the Housing Applications and Information line, which can be reached at (602) 534-1974.

Duet

What You Should Know
Duet is a nonprofit entity that was founded in 1981. It charges nothing for its services, which come from volunteers who assist homebound adults and certain other populations. Volunteers can help with transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores, and they make visits to reduce isolation among seniors. Other useful services include tech assistance and help with paperwork. Additionally, minor handyman work is available through Duet.

If you sign up for Duet, you will be matched with a volunteer with whom you can build a schedule. To serve certain clients, like those living with dementia, the organization may provide a referral for additional assistance.

Who Is Eligible? 
Duet serves homebound adults in the greater Phoenix area. No financial requirements apply, but applicants must undergo a home assessment visit for some services. In certain cases, services require advance notice and may be limited based on volunteer availability.

How to Get Started
The phone number for Duet is (602) 274-5022. You can also get in touch with the organization through the contact form.