Arizona Memory Care Facilities

Arizona has an amazing reputation with seniors. Independent living communities for seniors have been in high demand for years. As the desert Arizonian climate rarely drops below 60 degrees, many flock the state, especially those looking to relocate during the winter season, further boosting the demand for secured senior communities. Likewise, dementia care homes in Arizona provide suitable services for a loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer's.

Memory care facilities in Arizona deliver excellent service, tidy and comfortable rooms, amenities like food serving, and daily activities, along with specialized treatment and assistance with problems associated with dementia and Alzheimer's. It would be wise to consider Alzheimer's care homes in Arizona, especially because the facilities in the state are more affordable than neighboring states of Colorado and California.

Relocating to a Dementia Care Home in Arizona

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are approximately 5.8 million individuals all over the United States suffering from Alzheimer's. While many continue to be under the care of family members or caregivers at home, others are in memory care communities, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities.

But when is the right time to move a loved one to a memory care home?

Dr. Elaine Healy, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical Director for United Hebrew of New Rochelle states that behavioral changes, including anxiety and agitation over simple daily and routine tasks, can be a tell-tale sign of a person's need for memory care.

If a person who is usually social and outgoing suddenly becomes reserved and withdrawn, this may be a red flag. Although behavioral changes can be dealt with patience and understanding, confusion and disorientation that may cause harm to their physical well-being may be a bigger issue.

Most people outside of memory care facilities in Arizona and similar communities either live independently or with family members who may be absent for a large part of the day because of school or work. Since people with dementia often experience disorientation and confusion, leaving them by themselves can be a potential risk. They may go on a walk and forget the way back home. They may also forget road rules and run through a busy street. In addition to this, Arizonians in need of memory care may forget to take their medication, shop for supplies, and even eat. Situations such as these can cause a serious decline in their physical health.

The decision to relocate your family member is not an easy one to make. But ask yourself these questions:

• Is your loved one's well-being put at risk continuously while at home?
• Is your family member with dementia's health or their caregiver's health at risk?
• Is caring for your family member taking a toll on your life, leading to neglect of family, responsibility, and self?
• Do you feel that you have become more stressed, agitated, and impatient as a caregiver?
• Do you think that the services, structure, and social interaction in a memory care home will benefit your family member more?

If you have answered 'yes' to a few or all of these questions, then perhaps it is time to get in touch with an Arizona dementia care facility.

Arizona Assisted Living Homes vs. Memory Care Homes

Assisted living homes are facilities in Arizona are where people in their advanced years can live independently but still have ready access to support and healthcare services. Aside from housing, meals, and support services, some assisted living institutions may host weekly social activities so that members of their community can interact or be active. Although these features may sound great, there are some things about assisted living homes you need to consider.

The definition of an assisted living facility is different for every state, and the federal government does not regulate it. The combination of these two circumstances creates gaps for drastic inconsistencies in the quality of care provided, the facilities they have, and the community's management. Furthermore, not all assisted living homes in Arizona are equipped to handle the needs of people with dementia.

Memory care homes are facilities that specialize in the care of people living with dementia. They provide housing, meals, directed care, personal care, supervisory care, and behavioral health services together with ancillary services.

The Division of Public Health Licensing Services and the Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing require all dementia care facilities in Arizona to apply for a license to operate, accept patients, and provide behavioral services and the like. The process of licensure subjects these facilities to inspection and annual reviews that ensure the facilities are well-maintained, the level of care they provide maintains its quality, and the patients that they care for are safe.

Requirements for Arizona Memory Care Admission

If you have decided that a memory care home is the best option so that your loved ones can receive the best care, you have to ensure that they are eligible for admission according to the Arizona memory care program requirements.

According to these requirements, seniors or people living with dementia and developmental or physical disabilities may be admitted in a memory care community. If these people would require supplemental care, a hospice or private nurse may also be accommodated.

However, if an individual is bedbound, incapable of directing self-care, requires round-the-clock nursing care, or has severe pressure sores (stage III or stage IV), they may not be admitted. In addition to this, any person who poses a threat to their own well-being and those around them and would need constant physical or chemical restraints are also ineligible for admission.

But it is always better to get in touch with the community that you think can provide the appropriate care for your loved ones and check their requirements for admission and schedule an on-site visit.

Choosing a Dementia Care Home in Arizona

Before relocating your loved one to one of the memory care homes in Arizona, visiting the location and meeting the management and the caregivers are ideal. This will allow you to see how well the facility and its amenities are maintained to check the quality of care they provide and witness the community's overall atmosphere. This also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and have a better understanding of how it is to live in that community. Aside from asking about the programs and services they provide, you may even consider asking questions on family involvement, available staff, policies, and more.

Some questions you may want to ask a memory care community in Arizona include:

• How much is the family involved in care planning?
• Are families allowed to participate in their loved one's care?
• How do they communicate with families regarding changes in their loved one's health condition or care requirement?
• Are families encouraged to get in touch with staff for updates and inquiries?
• Is medical, personal care, and assistance provided?
• Are physicians and registered nurses or nurse practitioners on-site?
• Is the staff trained for dementia care, or is there a dementia special care unit?
• Are loved ones escorted to the hospital if a visit is needed?
• What is the resident to staff ratio?
• How big are the living spaces, and how are they arranged?
• Does the living arrangement promote independence and freedom of movement?
• Is the community easy to navigate, and are mobility assistive devices available?
• Do they have enough space for interaction and community activities?
• Do they create an environment that encourages a healthy and active lifestyle?
• When and how long can families visit their loved ones?
• Is there a private visiting area, or are families allowed to enter their loved one's room?
• Do they have a nutritionist, and do they accommodate special dietary requirements?
• What are the discharge policies and the instances that may lead to discharge?
• Is continuing care and aging in place available so that loved ones can stay in the same space throughout the disease's course?

Arizona Dementia Care Amenities

The top priority of top-tier dementia care facilities in Arizona is to deliver a warm, friendly, and peaceful environment for residents. Elderly seniors struggling with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are supported by caring, nurturing staff who make it a point to treat them with respect and dignity.

The treatment may be a mix of one-on-one personal care and group sessions. Assistance with daily living and activities, along with servings of at least three meals per day are offered.

Staff attempt to work with residents to establish a personal relationship with them, encouraging group activity as well as interaction with friends and family that visit. Along with the clean and comfortable rooms, residents are also provided with well-planned nutritional meals.  

Together with great meals and comfortable living areas, the best Arizona memory care facilities strive to create a pleasant experience that is more than just offering a television screen to pass the time. Residents are encouraged to participate in group functions and interact with other residents, along with staff and visitors. These activities are specifically devised to be beneficial for people struggling with dementia.

Memory care communities in Arizona are labeled "communities" for a reason. The objective is to make it feel as much like home as possible or in other words, a home away from home for their residents.

Cost of Memory Care Facilities in Arizona

Surprisingly, most forms of senior care in the state are not outrageously priced, including dementia care homes in Arizona. The state ranks in the lower third in terms of average monthly cost, making Arizona memory care communities affordable for most families.

Whether your loved one needs to relocate to a full-fledged dementia care facility in Arizona that is dedicated 24/7 to Alzheimer's or you are looking for an assisted living center or nursing home that also provides dementia care, Arizona has plenty of options.

Dementia care homes in Arizona average $150 per day, or approximately $4,500 per month. The national average is about $160 per day, which designates Arizona memory care facilities just under the national average. In comparison to California ($170 per day) and Colorado ($170 per day), Arizona’s dementia care homes are cheaper, saving families a great deal of money.

Depending on the kind of facilities and services offered, prices in Alzheimer’s care homes in Arizona can vary significantly. For example, certain dementia care homes in The Grand Canyon State can reach $220 to $240 per day in select parts of Phoenix, Glendale, and Tucson. In the same cities, however, prices can drop well below $200 per day, with some even costing less than $150 per day.

Making Arizona Dementia Care Attainable

Although memory care in Arizona is significantly more affordable compared to its neighboring states, there are instances that a family may not be able to support their loved one's care financially or even fully. In these situations, you may want to review the following programs available to Arizona residents to help you afford the high-quality memory care that the people you love deserve.

• Arizona Long-Term Care System
  • Eligibility: People who are living with dementia and other disabilities whom the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System deems as people requiring a nursing level of care. These individuals should also be Arizona residents who are either legal citizens of the United States or qualified immigrants. Furthermore, their monthly household income should not exceed $2,349, and their countable resources should be limited to $2000.
• Arizona Non-Medical Home and Community Based Services
  • Eligibility: Family members who are of legal age and provide informal residential care for people with dementia or disabilities.
• Family Caregiver Support Program
  • Eligibility: Individuals who are suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia or are with functionality impairments who require continuous assistance in daily living.

You may also want to consider these non-state programs that may provide you further assistance in supporting the people you love.

• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgages
• Veterans Benefits

Helpful Resources for Dementia and Memory Care in Arizona

Whether you want to learn more about Alzheimer's and dementia, and understand the best way to care for those you love, you can ask your healthcare provider or contact the following:

• Alzheimer's Association Arizona Chapter
• Alzheimer's Caregiver Coalition
• Alzheimer's Task Force
• Banner's Alzheimer's Institute

No matter what you decide, you need to ensure that your loved one has the support and care required to live his or her life with dignity, in an environment that is conducive and caring.