With 300 sunny days a year and a laidback personality, Phoenix has long been a top destination for retirees. Because of its history as a retirement haven, Phoenix has a particularly high concentration of assisted living options. This means most people can find a quality assisted living option within a 10-mile radius of downtown Phoenix.
Phoenix has 124 traditional assisted living communities, but by far, the most common type of senior care in Phoenix is board and care homes. While these residential care homes differ from assisted living communities in size, many are licensed as assisted living communities and offer the same services in a smaller package. If you include these residential care homes, the number of facilities offering assisted living services in Phoenix jumps to 215, which far exceeds most similarly sized cities. In recent years, more luxury assisted living communities have also opened their doors, offering resort-like amenities and age-in-place programs.
This guide will help you pick the right Phoenix assisted living community for you. Below, you’ll find listings of the top-rated Phoenix assisted living facilities, ranked by categories that are important to families and their loved ones.
We sincerely appreciate and really blessed to have the heartfelt staff at MD Senior Living caring for Dad. It was a really difficult decision to place our Dad anywhere, however, Dad has really adjusted well,...
I am truly grateful to the entire staff at MD Senior Living for taking such excellent care of my dad while showing true kindness, compassion, and respect giving my dad the best possible living environment...
Great place and take very good care of our father. Great food and staff and outstanding price for our father that does not have a lot of money. Very clean and communicates with us very well if any issues...
Hi! I have lived here for almost 4 years and I am 73 yo. I don't walk much anymore due to car and truck accidents over the years. Thank goodness I don't have to walk here. With the old Director Team we did...
The Deer Valley Senior Living community is very clean and the staff members are very responsive, based on our experience so far we would recommend them to other families
My dad moved to the BeeHive from another facility in Phoenix in January 2020. The difference in care and caring was night and day! [name removed] the owner is personally involved and strives to make sure...
My mom is there she gets the best care ever. It's all about them been loved and happy. I would recommend it 10 times over. ??????
On [date removed] My wife and I were given the seemingly impossible task of finding a place for dad. We were lost at sea! [name removed] became our guiding light and heroically stepped up and showed us how...
It is my pleasure to recommend Paradise Valley Loving Care. This is a place where one can feel confident their loved one receives good care.[Removed] and [Removed] and the staff treated my father as if he...
Some of the lower ratings were patient fault. Patient did not choose to participate in activities and had poor appetite. Also my friend was only a resident for a few months and then required transfer to...
[Removed] are very kind, patient and caring people as are their staff. Residents get the individual care and attention needed, The facility is bright, cheerful and located in the lovely Arcadia district....
When you walk in the floors absolutely shine! The staff is wonderful and very attentive. My loved one is a strict vegetarian and the facility has a wonderful cook that knows how to prepare...
When you walk in to the community it has a great overall atmosphere, there is a lot of nice décor and it is clean. The staff members are very friendly and our mother liked it right away.
My family and loved one have enjoyed the community. The staff are very attentive to our loved one's needs all the time. The minute our loved one walked into the community, the staff bathed, and shaved our...
The owner of Golden Years, [name removed], is very professional and goes above and beyond to provide great care for her clients. One of those clients which was my mom. She encouraged her independence,...
My mom is having a wonderful experience at Miramonte ALH. The staff is kind, respectful and follows through on all detail. The meals are healthy and made with great care. The facility is always very clean....
This home is cozy and warm. The staff have been incredible working with my father. This community is extremely clean and the owner is in constant contact with me
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Phoenix community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
While the actual cost of assisted living in Phoenix is influenced by the floor plan, level of care, and amenities, Phoenix’s assisted living communities cost an average of $4,080 a month, [01] which is just below the national average of $4,500.[02]
It’s possible to pay for assisted living in a variety of ways, private or public. While some families pick one or the other, many use a combination of private and public means to fund their assisted living costs. In this section, you’ll find resources to help you make a payment plan for assisted living in Phoenix. You can also check out this guide to paying for long-term care for more information.
Private funds to pay for assisted living can come from many sources, like personal savings, pensions, investment returns, or any of the following:
Nationwide, veterans who are eligible for the VA Survivors Pension may also be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit and the Housebound allowance, both of which can be used to cover the costs of long-term care. However, you cannot get both the Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefit at the same time. Learn more about who qualifies and how to access these benefits from our guide to VA benefits.
The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services also offers benefits counseling to veterans and their families.
Number of veterans living in Phoenix
Percentage of Phoenix veterans who are 65+
Additional resources for Phoenix, Arizona, veterans
3839 N. Third St.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602-255-3373
333 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Each state has its own Medicaid benefits, and many state Medicaid programs may cover some long-term care costs to low-income individuals.
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (commonly known as AHCCCS) is Arizona’s Medicaid provider. Eligible individuals are assigned a case manager who coordinates their care. Some types of medical services covered by AHCCCS include the following:
AHCCCS also includes assisted living coverage for seniors and the disabled through a sub-program, Arizona Long Term Care Systems (known as ALTCS, pronounced ALL-tecs). This program covers the cost of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home health services for eligible seniors. Seniors using ALTCS to cover their assisted living costs can receive a shared or private room, although private rooms may come with an extra fee. Assisted living communities covered under this Medicaid program must be Medicaid-approved.
Phoenix, Arizona, resident Medicaid resources
801 E. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 602-417-4000
801 E. Jefferson St., MD 3900
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 888-621-6880
Unlike Medicaid, Medicare is only funded by the federal government. Medicare covers some health care costs for Americans who are 65+ and for people with certain disabilities. While Medicare doesn’t cover most assisted living expenses, it may cover some health care services that can be received in assisted living, such as the following:
To discover what Medicare in Phoenix, Arizona, will cover, you can dial 2-1-1, visit the federal Medicare website, or contact your local Phoenix Social Security Administration office.
Related: Visit our complete guide to public pay options.
Phoenix resident Medicare resources
7171 N. 16th St., Suite 235
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: 602-277-7292
Prevent, detect, or report Medicare errors or fraud
1-800-432-4040
16241 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: 866-348-7855
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
250 N. Seventh Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 866-964-4852
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
All assisted living facilities in Arizona must undergo a robust licensing process through the Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing before opening. This process is overseen by the Arizona Department of Health Services and includes standard safety checks and quality-of-life measures, such as requiring mirrors in the bathrooms, sufficient hot and cold water, and good interior lighting.
Before obtaining a license to operate, all assisted living facilities must meet the state requirements during an inspection. After getting a license, assisted living facilities should pass one unannounced inspection a year to continue operating. Arizona makes the results of all assisted living inspections public through its Residential Facilities Provider Search Form — where you can search by facility or provider name and address.
Recently, Arizona strengthened its background check requirements for assisted living facility employees. This move now prohibits those with felony convictions involving violence or financial fraud from working in assisted living communities. All of these requirements and regulations add more layers of protection to a facility’s senior residents.
To review all of the state’s requirements for assisted living facilities, see:
All assisted living facilities in Phoenix are expected to follow Arizona state guidelines to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the residents and staff members.
Following federal guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), all visitors to Phoenix assisted living communities are allowed regardless of vaccination status.
Phoenix’s COVID-19 guidelines for assisted living communities include the following:
Vaccinations. All staff members and residents are encouraged to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, and vaccinations should be available to all residents.
Masking. Staff members are required to wear masks while in the facility, and residents are encouraged to mask when receiving unvaccinated visitors.
Testing and screening. New residents should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.
Quarantine. Each assisted living facility is encouraged to have a wing for COVID-positive residents. If exposed to someone with COVID-19, unvaccinated residents should be quarantined, but vaccinated residents do not need to quarantine.
Phoenix has long been a relaxed retiree’s paradise, and consequently, it has some of the highest numbers of seniors in America. The Valley of the Sun has seen some of the highest population growth in the nation, which has also created a few problems. Once known for its low cost of living, Phoenix’s rising housing prices have increased the cost of assisted living for its retirees. Although, residents can still expect to find a range of affordable assisted living communities in Phoenix simply because there are so many options.
A warm, dry climate and beautiful scenery are part of Phoenix’s appeal. Winter in Phoenix averages a high of 68 degrees and a low of 48 degrees, and summers are often over 100 degrees. While high temperatures may make hiking a challenge, many seniors enjoy the warmth from a shaded patio.
Due to the year-round sunshine, Phoenix has its share of snowbirds each winter who enjoy the many golf courses and spas. Many of the newer assisted living communities incorporate this resort-like atmosphere into their own amenities, including luxurious pools, in-house beauticians, and happy hours.
In keeping with Phoenix’s love for spas, there are plenty of luxury assisted living options. These often include resort-like amenities, such as fitness centers, outdoor pools, and immaculately landscaped grounds. Though, they do come with a higher price tag and a hefty one-time fee. For example, in Paradise Valley, the average cost of luxury assisted living is $5,750 a month. Because of the growing population, there are many brand-new or soon-to-open luxury assisted living facilities in Phoenix. Most are continuing care facilities, with tiered care levels that include independent living, assisted living, and memory care all on one site.
Offering assistance with daily activities, housekeeping, and at least three meals a day, traditional assisted living communities in Phoenix are more cost-effective than luxury options but retain many of the same benefits.
Board and care homes, or residential care homes, offer assisted living-type care in a residential home setting with under 10 residents. With 91 communities within the Phoenix city center, they are the second most common type of assisted living in Phoenix. Many residents choose a board and care home because they prefer being in a homey environment. These communities also tend to be less expensive than traditional assisted living communities while offering the same level of care.
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Seniors in Phoenix who are 65+
Average Jan. high in degrees Fahrenheit
Phoenix has a high concentration of healthcare providers, and some of them are nationally ranked.
Mayo Clinic – Phoenix is rated No. 1 in the Phoenix metro area and is No. 13 in the nation for excellent geriatric care. It is also nationally ranked in 10 specialties, according to US News and World Report.
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is nationally ranked in geriatrics and neurology/neurosurgery.
To get around Phoenix, most residents use a car. However, the city does provide some public transportation options. The Valley Metro Transit System, known as Valley Metro, is the regional train system that operates throughout the city between 18 and 22 hours a day. Seniors over 65 can receive reduced fare by filling out the application on the Valley Metro website. While very affordable, wait times for the train are typically around 20 minutes or longer, which is why many residents choose to drive.
For only $1, seniors in Phoenix can use the Senior Center Shuttle Program, which provides residents of participating senior centers with flexible transportation to and from their senior living community and off-site activities. Seniors can also use Dial-a-Ride to receive transportation to and from appointments.
Residents of Phoenix enjoy year-round sunshine and dramatic desert vistas paired with a local preoccupation for chilled-out hobbies, exciting events, and tasty food. Phoenix is a golf lover’s paradise, with over 200 golf courses within the city limits. Tee off at Papago Golf Course, which is one of the most popular public golf courses in the city due to its picturesque backdrop of the Papago Buttes and its mid-century inspired bar and grill.
Outdoorsy residents can enjoy the Desert Botanical Gardens, and architecture buffs can explore Taliesin West, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s former home. Phoenix has one of the best musical instrument museums in the nation, and nearby sits the Heard Museum, which has some of the most comprehensive and respected exhibitions on Native American art and culture in the United States.
Phoenix also has a strong spa culture, with budget-friendly to luxury options. Resorts like The Phoenician offer the full package: golf courses, fine dining, pools, massages, and other spa services. The Phoenician, among many other local area spas, offer exclusive rates for AAA members.
While the local sports teams no longer offer senior discounts, Suns fans can watch their beloved NBA team play at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. Locals can also catch an NFL game at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, home of the Arizona Cardinals, or an MLB game at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Some senior living communities even organize group outings to local games.
The Phoenix area has plenty of casinos, with gaming and world-class events. The largest is Talking Stick Resort and Casino, with 240,000 square feet of gaming space along with a luxury hotel, theater, spa, and museum of Native American art. This casino, along with Casino Arizona and Gila River Casino, offers a shuttle service to and from various Scottsdale locations. Many local senior living communities also organize day trips to these casinos for their residents.
Long known as a steakhouse and Mexican food destination, Phoenix’s food scene is exploding with culinary talent. From quick and easy joints to fine dining, Phoenix has great food options for any taste and any budget.
Marigold Assisted Living, North Scottsdale Retreat and Golden Touch One Adult Care Home are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Phoenix, AZ. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Phoenix is $3,746 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of care survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population estimates (V2021): Phoenix City [Data set]. QuickFacts.
United States Census Bureau. (2020). The American Community Survey (ACS). Arizona Commerce Authority.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of care survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population estimates (V2021): Phoenix City [Data set]. QuickFacts.
United States Census Bureau. (2020). The American Community Survey (ACS). Arizona Commerce Authority.