INDEPENDENT LIVING
Retirement Communities offer social interaction in a variety of different living styles. Some communities have a hotel or resort like atmosphere with 200 or more apartments. Other communities are more modest and have smaller complexes with fewer amenities and are townhouse style.

Included in the Monthly Rent:
Two meals per day, transportation, utilities, cable, housekeeping, flat linen service, maintenance, landscaping and a wide variety of entertainment and social events.

Amenities Offered:

Monthly fees range from $1,700-$5,000 per month, depending on the size of the apartment. Sizes range from 250 sq. ft. to over 2,000 sq. ft.

Types of Apartments Available:

• Studios
  
• One Bedroom with One Bathroom
• One Bedroom with One Bathroom, plus Den
  
• Two Bedrooms with One Bathroom
• Two Bedrooms with Two Bathrooms

Independent Living Apartments are equipped with kitchens, some with a washer and dryer.  Casitas and Villas are also an option; these are detached from the main building, allowing for more privacy with the benefit of the above amenities.

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY / CENTER
These may be a free standing community that only offers only assisted living, or may be a part of a larger independent living community. Assisted Living Centers are licensed and inspected by the State of Arizona/Department of Health Services. A center is any assisted living facility licensed to care for 11 or more individuals. Assisted Living Centers allow for individuals who are in need of healthcare to maintain some independence in the privacy of their own apartment while having caregivers available 24 hours per day.

Centers are licensed at three different levels of care:

• Supervisory
• Personal
• Directed

The type of care an individual center can provide is determined by the level of their license. Apartments vary in size ranging from 250 sq. ft. to 800 sq. ft. and residents are encouraged to furnish the apartment with their own furniture and belongings. They include kitchenettes and individually controlled temperature units.

Included in the Monthly Rent:

• Three meals per day plus snacks
• Scheduled transportation
• Weekly housekeeping and daily touch up
• Personal laundry and flat linen
• Recreational and social activities
• 24-hour caregivers on site

Some assisted living facilities offer separate secured memory-impaired care and community move-in fees and pet deposits are often additional expenses. 

ASSISTED LIVING HOMES
They are licensed by the State of Arizona and provide Twenty-four hour care at 3 levels: Supervisory, Personal and Directed. They provide 3 meals per day, plus snacks, laundry, housekeeping, and all personal care.

All medications that are administered must be on the physician’s orders, are kept locked up and dispensed by the caregivers.  

Assisted Living Home managers usually set up the medication boxes and can be delivered by a pharmacy.

Most homes do not provide transportation to medical appointments. Private arrangements can be made.

The staff is very attentive because they have no more than 10 residents in a home.

A bed, night stand and a lamp are furnished. You are able to provide your own furniture if you choose. You are allowed to hang up pictures and bring personal belongings.

The month-to-month contract fees is usually an all inclusive rate with the exception of a care plan, medications and supplies. Most people find this to be a financially more feasible option than nursing homes.

Requirements to move into a home:

• Proof that the resident is free from tuberculosis, can be a PPD skin test, or a recent chest x-ray.
• Physician’s orders which state the level of care the resident requires and lists all current medications to be administered by the home.
• Some homes will assess the resident in certain cases to ensure they can provide the level of care needed by the resident.