Situated about 100 miles north of Phoenix, Prescott is home to just under 45,000 people, and over 37% of the city’s residents are seniors aged 65 and older. The city is the seat of Yavapai County, and the area’s population is growing by about 2.24% each year.
Prescott is a great place to spend your retirement years if you love long, sunny summer days and snowy, crisp winter weather. On average, the city sees 277 sunny days each year, 72 more than the national average. In terms of the climate, Prescott is ranked as one of the most pleasant places in the state of Arizona.
No matter what your interests are, there’s always something to do in Prescott. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love exploring the city’s famous Whiskey Row, a downtown block filled with historical shops, museums and authentic Western saloons. There’s also a number of casinos in the Prescott area, and the Heritage Park Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers of all ages. The Prescott Valley region is home to many Indigenous tribes, and the Museum of Indigenous People is the local museum dedicated to preserving Native art and culture.
Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average monthly cost of home care services in Prescott is $4,385. Home health care services, which also include some limited medical care such as monitoring vital signs, cost slightly more at $4,576 per month.
These monthly average rates are based on 44 hours of care weekly, or just over 6 hours per day, which may be more or less care than you need right now. This means that the average hourly rate for home care in Prescott is $23, and home health care costs around $24 per hour. To get a better idea of what your actual home care expenses would be, simply multiply the number of hours of care you need each week by the hourly cost.
In-home care costs in Prescott are the same as rates in nearby Lake Havasu City, where seniors pay an average of $4,385 per month for home care, and $4,576 for home health care. Just north of Prescott, rates are slightly higher in Flagstaff at $4,957 for home care and $4,576 for home health care. In the state capital, Phoenix, home care services cost an average of $5,148 monthly, while home health care services cost around $5,243 per month.
In Prescott, average monthly home care rates are comparable to the cost of assisted living, which runs about $4,450 per month. Adult day care rates aren’t available for this area, but in general this type of care is usually the least-expensive type of senior care. Nursing home care is the costliest at an average monthly rate of $6,844.
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 Prescott, 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.
What You Should Know
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can be difficult if you struggle to shop for groceries or prepare your own meals. Prescott Meals on Wheels can help you eat well by delivering a hot, freshly-prepared noontime meal each weekday right to your home on a temporary or long-term basis depending on your needs.
When you sign up for Meals on Wheels service, a volunteer driver will deliver your meal daily, and they’ll take a moment to chat about your day. If you need help with chores around the house, booking medical appointments or picking up medications, your Meals on Wheels driver can help connect you with other community-based services.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Meals on Wheels, you need to be largely homebound and have either temporary or chronic limitations that keep you from cooking for yourself. You won’t be asked what your income is or how much money you have in the bank, but you will be asked to contribute a small donation towards the cost of each meal you receive.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Prescott Meals on Wheels program, call (928) 445-7630, extension 602.
What You Should Know
The Adult Center of Prescott is a large, membership-based nonprofit community center for seniors aged 50 and older. The Center’s 800+ members enjoy access to programs designed to promote health, wellness and social connections. Weekly activities include brain games, line dancing classes, arts and crafts workshops, and bridge tournaments.
The Center also hosts a number of free health programs for seniors, including Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit and RenewActive.
Who Is Eligible?
As a senior living in Prescott, you’re eligible to become a member at the Adult Center of Prescott.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Adult Center of Prescott’s programs, and to sign up as a member of the Center, call (928) 778-3000.
What You Should Know
Yavapai Regional Transit provides low-cost public transit service to destinations within Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley. You can use this service to travel between Prescott and Chino Valley every weekday, and as a senior, you qualify for half-priced fares. If you’re a U.S. military veteran, you can enjoy free rides on all Yavapai Regional Transit routes upon presentation of your government-issued ID with veteran designation.
If you struggle to use the regular fixed-route transit service due to mobility issues, you can use Yavapai Regional Transit’s on-demand ADA-compliant service. Rides on this curb-to-curb paratransit service must be booked at least 24 hours in advance by calling the YRT dispatcher. Vehicles are equipped with a wheelchair lift, and if your final destination is beyond YRT’s service area, the dispatcher will help you make arrangements with the other transit providers you’ll be using.
Who Is Eligible?
Anyone can ride YRT buses. To qualify for the senior’s discount, you need to be aged 60 or older. For ADA curb-to-curb service, you may be asked to complete a medical form verifying that you have a qualifying disability.
How to Get Started
For up-to-date route information, or to learn more about booking an ADA-compliant curb-to-curb ride, call the YRT dispatcher at (928) 636-3602.
What You Should Know
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization dedicated to helping low and moderate-income families gain access to safe, affordable housing. Contractors and workers who volunteer with the Home Repair Program perform safety-critical home repairs for low-income homeowners in the Prescott area.
You may be able to access this program to have repairs done to your home, especially if you need the repairs completed in order to continue living independently. Eligible projects include replacing old windows and doors, painting the exterior of your home, installing raised-height toilets and fixing tripping hazards.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a low-income homeowner in Prescott who is unable to afford to hire a contractor for home maintenance and repairs, you may be eligible for free help through Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program. In addition to owning your own home and having a low income, you also need to have a valid home insurance policy.
How to Get Started
For more information, call (928) 445-8003.
What You Should Know
Catholic Charities’ Veterans Services program helps low-income veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. Workers with this program can provide case management services and help veterans to find affordable housing and apply for VA benefits that they can use towards housing and care costs.
Program staff may also refer veterans to other local services that offer free legal information, nutritional support programs and health care.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a U.S. veteran living in Coconino, Mohave or Yavapai County, you may qualify for free help through Catholic Charities Veterans Services.
How to Get Started
For more information, call Catholic Charities Community Services’ Prescott office at (928) 778-2531 extension 54011.