I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Surprise, AZ
Surprise is a city of more than 143,000 people that sits approximately 40 minutes northwest of Phoenix in Arizona’s Maricopa County. This area is one of the nation’s sunniest, getting just over 300 days of sun per year. While Surprise gets extremely hot in the summer, with high temperatures regularly reaching over 100 degrees, it’s also home to temperate winters, with daytime highs usually in the mid-60s.
Approximately 23% of Surprise residents are seniors, a figure that’s notably higher than the U.S. average of 16.8%. That older population enjoys significant property tax benefits, air and water quality that’s slightly better than national averages, and health care costs that are roughly 8% below national averages.
Five of Arizona’s top 10 hospitals are within 40 minutes of Surprise. The closest are Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City and Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale. Go 10 minutes further southeast and you’ll find the highly renowned Mayo Clinic Phoenix, ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the best hospital in Arizona and one of the top 15 in the nation. Phoenix is also home to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Surprise, AZ
Seniors in Surprise pay an average of $5,958 a month for either in-home care or home health care, according to data collected by Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. In some markets, home health care is slightly more expensive, as it involves a higher level of medical care and is often performed by nurses and other medical professionals.
The Genworth figure of $5,958 assumes that you intend to pay for 44 hours of care a week. Should you only require help on certain days of the week, your cost is likely to be lower. You can estimate your personal monthly costs by extrapolating from the average hourly rate, which is $31.25.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Average home care costs are slightly lower both nationally and statewide. The average monthly cost for in-home care in the U.S. is $4,957, with home health care averaging $5,148. Arizona averages are a bit higher at $5,339 a month for in-home care and $5,434 for home health care. Flagstaff is home to the state’s highest home care prices at $6,673 for either type, while Yuma has the lowest average monthly cost at $4,290 for either type. In Tucson, seniors pay $5,434 for in-home care and $5,482 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
You have a few alternative options for long-term care in Surprise. At $6,418 a month, a semiprivate room in a nursing home facility is roughly $500 a month more expensive than the city’s in-home care. The low side of the price range is represented by adult day care, which costs $2,167 in Surprise. While adult day care is relatively inexpensive, it may be difficult for homebound seniors to regularly attend. Assisted living is the midpoint option and costs $3,975 a month.
III. How to Find Home Care in Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Surprise, AZ
Senior Value Protection Program
What You Should Know
Maricopa County allows senior residents to freeze the property value of their primary residence. While this program doesn’t remove your property tax obligation, it does allow you to avoid the additional taxes you’d be responsible for if your home rises in value.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for this property tax freeze, you must be at least 65 years old, own and live in the home for which you’re requesting the freeze, and send in your application by September 1 of a given year. The freeze automatically renews for two years, but you’ll need to re-apply every three years.
How to Get Started
For more information, call (602) 506-3591, email [email protected] or visit the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office’s online portal.
Arizona Technology Access Program
What You Should Know
The AzTAP provides a wide array of services for Arizona residents in need of assistive devices. Devices offered by the program include specialized computer input devices for people who have trouble operating traditional inputs, portable ramps that can help make it easier to navigate entryways, rollators, hearing aids and voice-activated answering machines.
Most devices may be rented by individuals for 14 days, though some of the collection’s older items are available for long-term use. You can pick up your devices by visiting the AzTAP offices or have them sent directly to your home for free. AzTAP also offers free device demonstrations in its Phoenix-area headquarters. Representatives can direct you to devices that fit your needs and show you how to use them.
In addition, AzTAP runs a financial loan program that can help you afford the cost of assistive devices should you choose to purchase them following the loan period. Repayment terms are designed to be fair to those with low and fixed incomes.
Who Is Eligible?
Devices are available for all Arizona residents who are living with a disability; there is no age restriction.
How to Get Started
Call AzTAP at (602) 728-9534, view and request devices online, or stop by the main office in Phoenix, located in Northern Arizona University at 300 W. Clarendon Ave, Suite 475.
Benevilla
What You Should Know
Benevilla offers day care services and home services for older adults in the West Valley region. The organization’s volunteers can do your grocery shopping for you, provide transportation to medical appointments, help you with organizing your finances, and perform basic home repairs such as fixing leaky plumbing. There’s also a Friendly Visitor program that helps seniors maintain social connections with others in the community.
Who Is Eligible?
Benevilla’s services are aimed at West Valley residents 65 years of age and up.
How to Get Started
Call Benevilla at (623) 584-4999 or visit its Surprise office, located on 16752 N Greasewood St.
Area Agency on Aging Region One
What You Should Know
This nonprofit organization is a hub for information regarding senior life throughout Maricopa County and can connect you to many different programs. Its wide range of services includes a 24-hour senior helpline, assistance with understanding and claiming insurance benefits, mental health support, protective services that can help victims of physical or financial abuse and free legal assistance that can help you avoid eviction or foreclosure.
Who Is Eligible?
The AAA primarily serves Surprise residents who are at least 60 years old, though some of its services are also available specifically for caregivers.
How to Get Started
Call the AAA at (888) 264-2258, visit the Phoenix office in person at 1366 East Thomas Road, Suite 108, or email [email protected] with questions.
Maricopa County Home Improvement Programs
What You Should Know
Maricopa County’s Human Services Department can help you save money by upgrading your home for energy efficiency. Such upgrades may include the replacement of heating systems and the installation of wall and ceiling insulation. The department can also provide emergency home repair.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the home repair program, you must live in Maricopa County and your household’s total income must be no greater than 80% of the area’s median income. As of 2022, that translates to $49,500 for a single-person household and goes up by approximately $7,000 for each additional resident. A four-person household would need a total income no greater than $70,650 to qualify for this program.
The other home improvement programs have slightly different income limits. For the weatherization program, your total household income must be no greater than 200% of the federal poverty level, which translates to $27,180 for a single-person household. For a household of four people, the total household income must be no more than $46,060, and for a household of six people, the total household income must be no more than $74,380.
How to Get Started
Complete the online application or call Maricopa County’s main information line at (602) 506-3011.