Home Care in Tempe, AZ

Tempe is a suburb of Phoenix known for its cultural amenities, outdoor festivals and stunning scenery. When combined, these features create a welcoming environment for retirees. It has over 180,000 residents and a senior community that makes up a tenth of its population. The award-winning Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital is located in the city, and over 40 other major medical facilities are nearby. Recent FBI data shows that property and violent crime rates have been trending downward for the past two decades. Additionally, warm weather and low humidity levels may appeal to those who enjoy being outdoors.

Tempe is listed on the AARP Age-Friendly Network, indicating that officials have taken steps toward making the city a safe, enjoyable place for people of all ages. About eight out of 10 houses in the city have zero-step entrances, making them accessible to those who use mobility aids, and there are numerous affordable housing options to choose from. Patient satisfaction rates are high, which means that most people are satisfied with the care they receive. Consequently, the preventable hospitalization rate is low compared to national norms. This may make Tempe a great option if you’re seeking in-home care.

Based on estimates from the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay about $5,958 per month for home care, which includes housekeeping, meal preparation and personal care. Home health care, which is available for the same monthly rate, has a comparable scope of nonmedical services but also includes intermittent skilled nursing.

These rates assume 44 hours of care per week at an hourly price of $31.25. This is several dollars higher than the national hourly rate of $26 for home care and $27 for home health care, but you may be able to get more affordable care through community-based programs available through local organizations, such as your Area Agency on Aging.

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

In Tempe, home care and home health care agencies charge $5,958 per month for care. This is hundreds of dollars over the statewide rates of $5,339 for home care and $5,434 for home health care, and it’s about $1,000 more than national norms of $4,957 and $5,148. In Tucson, home care agencies charge lower rates of $5,434, while home health care agencies charge $5,482. In Prescott Valley, agencies charge $5,053 for both levels of care, and in Yuma, seniors pay just $4,290.

Tempe Community Action Agency

What You Should Know

The Tempe Community Action Agency provides financial assistance to qualified individuals and can help you access the resources you need to remain safely in your home. It operates several programs specifically for seniors, including home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation and Neighbors Helping Neighbors, which provides friendly phone calls, chore services, short-term pet care and transportation for errands and medical appointments. The organization’s emergency rent and utility assistance programs may help seniors with limited incomes avoid moving to residential care.

Who Is Eligible?

Most programs available through the Tempe Community Action Agency have eligibility requirements related to income. Senior Independence Programs may have additional eligibility guidelines based on age and functional needs.

How to Get Started

You can learn more about these programs by calling the agency’s main office at (480) 422-8922 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Area Agency on Aging

What You Should Know

The region’s Area Agency on Aging serves as a single point of entry for community-based services and supports in Tempe. Staff can connect you with programs that may help you remain in your home. Through this nonprofit agency, you can speak with a specialist who provides information and referrals for community-based services, such as transportation, home-delivered and congregate meals, advocacy and affordable in-home care. The agency’s options counselors can help you identify ways to pay for in-home care.

Who Is Eligible?

Services through the Area Agency on Aging are available to those aged 60 and over who live in the agency’s service area, which includes all of Tempe. Some programs have additional guidelines related to income and functional needs.

How to Get Started

You can learn more about the agency’s services by calling the 24-hour helpline at (602) 264-4357, or you can call the agency’s main office at (602) 264-2255. You can also fill out the online contact form.

Maricopa County Home Improvement Programs

What You Should Know

Maricopa County residents have access to several home improvement programs. Its Emergency Home Repair Program can help you take care of important but cost-prohibitive repairs, and through the Home Rehabilitation program, you may be able to access funds for major and minor repairs. The county also has the Home Weatherization Program, which provides energy-efficient upgrades, insulation installation and repairs and replacements for water heaters and cooling equipment. Through these programs, you may be able to maintain a safe and comfortable environment.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for assistance through the county, your home must be located within the county, and your total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. For a single-person household, the income limit is $49,500, and for a two-person household, it’s $56,550.

How to Get Started

To get started, you must complete an online application, and a representative will follow up with you within 14 days to talk about what you need to do next. You may need to provide certain documents, including a state-issued photo ID and proof of homeownership.

Property Tax Relief

What You Should Know

The Senior Property Valuation Protection Option, also called the Senior Freeze, limits how much your property tax can increase year after year, which may make it easier for you to remain in your home on a fixed income. While it doesn’t freeze the exact dollar amount of your property taxes, it freezes the portion of the property value you’re taxed on, so that even if your home’s value increases, your property tax increase won’t be as significant.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the Senior Property Valuation Protection Option, you must be at least 65 years old and meet the program’s guidelines for income, homeownership and residency. To qualify for the program, you must submit your application by September 1 of the current year.

How to Get Started

You can get more information on the program’s eligibility requirements, including help with navigating the application process, by contacting the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office at (602) 506-7620. You can also visit the office, which is about 9 miles west of Tempe at 301 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003.

211 Arizona

What You Should Know

211 Arizona is a free information and referral service that you can contact for help with identifying community-based services that may reduce your reliance on private in-home care. This organization has trained advisers who can help you find affordable dental and health care services, local senior centers and community-based services funded through the Older Americans Act. It provides paratransit vouchers and information on curb-to-curb senior transportation services. Staff can connect you with home-delivered and congregate meal services. It also provides referrals for friendly phone calls and visitor programs.

Who Is Eligible?

All Tempe area residents can obtain information and assistance through 2-1-1 regardless of their age or financial resources. Individual programs that you find through this organization may have additional requirements related to functional or financial needs, homeownership status or age.

How to Get Started

To get started, you can navigate the 2-1-1 website independently to find local resources and programs, or you can get personalized help from an advisor by dialing 2-1-1 within Arizona or (877) 211-8661 from anywhere in the United States.