Find Assisted Living Communities Near Scottsdale, AZ

You might be wondering about the different payment options when it comes to staying at one of Scottsdale’s assisted living facilities. You have a variety of payment methods to choose from, including private payment options, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) perks, Medicare, and Medicaid. In this section, we’ll share more information on each type of payment so you can determine the financial approach that’s right for you or your loved one.

In Arizona, assisted living facilities — including facilities with combined care types, such as joint assisted living and memory care communities — are licensed and regulated as residential care institutions by the Arizona Department of Health Services’ (DHS) Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing.

Likewise, the DHS’s Division of Licensing Services is responsible for carrying out inspections of these facilities to ensure their compliance with state regulations. Arizona’s assisted living communities generally undergo inspection at least once every two years, but frequency may vary depending on the DHS’ discretion (if a facility receives complaints, for instance, it could be inspected more often). During an inspection, surveyors from the DHS will take note of factors such as:

• Staffing practices
• Care of residents
• Medication management
• Nutrition
• Residents’ physical surroundings

As part of these inspections, surveyors may choose to conduct interviews with staff and residents, read through pertinent records and documents, and determine the quality of care provided to residents. If an inspection finds that a facility is deficient or violates state standards, the community is asked to take corrective action. They may also receive penalties or be subject to other enforcement actions by the DHS if they don’t address these issues. Facility licensing information, including deficiencies and enforcement actions, is available on this DHS portal. You can see all the requirements assisted living facilities in Arizona must follow here.

Arizona Department of Health contact information

150 N. 18th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-1025
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Scottsdale assisted living facilities

Although Arizona has no specific COVID-19 regulations for assisted living facilities, the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) has published guidance surrounding COVID-19 for long-term care communities. It includes ​​best practices for preventing, detecting, and controlling COVID-19’s spread within these facilities. Similarly, Scottsdale has published its own list of health and safety protocols that could help curb the spread of COVID-19, and the DHS also has COVID guidance for residents and stays up to date with U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

As the third-best retirement city in the country, you’d expect Scottsdale’s assisted living market to cater to a variety of different needs, budgets, and preferences — and you surely won’t be disappointed by the options the city offers.^[04]

Here, we’ll share a bit more insight into what you can expect from the area’s assisted living communities. However, please note that specific offerings will vary depending on the individual facility.

Worry-free accommodations and individualized care

Assisted living facilities are designed with seniors’ overall well-being in mind, meaning they pay close attention to their physical and mental health and provide ample opportunities for intellectual stimulation and socializing. In turn, seniors can stay happier — and healthier — for longer.

Likewise, although many seniors in assisted living communities are relatively active, those who need it can still receive help with completing activities of daily living. This includes assistance with bathing and showering, using the restroom, getting dressed, mobility, and eating. Specific offerings may vary by individual community, but assisted living facilities in the Scottsdale area also offer services such as medication management, transportation options, healthy meals, housekeeping and laundry, and engaging activities.

Multilingual communities

Accommodating a senior who requires an assisted living-level of care but feels most comfortable speaking a language other than English can prove challenging for caregivers and families. Thankfully, Scottsdale is home to many assisted living communities with multilingual staff.

Out of A Place for Mom’s 51 partner assisted living facilities in Scottsdale, more than one-third have Spanish-speaking staff, and 12% speak Filipino.^[02] This ensures multilingual seniors can not only fully communicate their needs in their preferred language, but also feel content and comfortable in their new surroundings.

Luxurious and relaxing amenities

Scottsdale is known for its wide array of luxury lifestyle options, which also extends to its assisted living communities — many of which also provide resort-style amenities and services. For example, some of the area’s assisted living facilities often boast offerings such as spacious floor plans, pools, gardens and patios, spas, massage rooms, and on-site coffee shops. These communities also schedule plenty of engaging activities that seniors of all ability levels can take part in. Examples include live musical performances, barbecues or picnics, holiday and birthday parties, religious services, lectures and discussions, book clubs, yoga, gardening, and Tai Chi.

A variety of senior living options

Seniors who would like to live in a facility that can accommodate their changing care needs can rest assured that many of Scottsdale’s assisted living facilities also offer other types of care. Among A Place for Mom’s 51 partner assisted living communities in Scottsdale, just one offers standalone assisted living.^[02] Here are the other types of facilities:

• Five facilities combine assisted living and independent living
• Eight combine assisted living and memory care
• Nine facilities offer assisted living, independent living, and memory care
• 28 facilities function as group homes

These combined communities could be a great fit for seniors whose needs might change in the future.

Health care for seniors in Scottsdale

Scottsdale is home to many quality health care options, including a medical institution known around the world for its expert care and top-tier medical professionals. In this section, we’ll outline more information about Scottsdale’s best hospitals.

Transportation for seniors in Scottsdale

Most assisted living facilities in Scottsdale make getting around easy. Nearly three-quarters of our partner facilities offer complimentary transportation, while just over half provide it at cost.

Unfortunately, public transit is one of the more difficult ways to get around town, earning a 23 out of 100^[07] score from Walk Score. A walk score takes into account public density. walking routes, biking routes, and public transit. However, there are still options available for those who prefer it as a transportation method. Scottsdale has its own trolley system, a free offering that operates on a 20-minute schedule. Scottsdale’s Trolleys are in operation during weekdays from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., excluding holidays.

The Valley Metro system also operates within Scottsdale and the surrounding Phoenix metro area for $2 per ride (seniors 65 and older, Medicare recipients, and those with disabilities can secure a discount). It operates buses, a light rail system, streetcars, and also has paratransit offerings. Valley Metro’s buses and light rail system are accessible for those with disabilities, and eligibility requirements for the system’s paratransit service are available here.

The following three ratings are calculated out of 100 by Walk Score. They represent how easy it is to travel through Scottsdale using different transportation methods.

Senior activities in Scottsdale

With its year-round sunny weather, upscale lifestyle offerings, and beautiful natural sights, it’s no wonder why Scottsdale has such a host of both indoor and outdoor activities for residents and visitors alike. In turn, seniors of all stripes are sure to find something they and their loved ones can enjoy in the “West’s Most Western Town.”

First, with the area’s plentiful senior care offerings comes great senior centers! The Granite Reef Senior Center features a variety of multipurpose rooms and hosts everything from monthly Bridge tournaments to discussion groups covering current events. Located just a quick drive north, the Via Linda Senior Center also has activities that appeal to seniors — including walking clubs, blood-pressure screening events, and mahjong. Better yet, both centers are home to fitness centers where seniors can break a sweat and keep up their health! Many seniors in the Scottsdale area are also fans of Troon North Golf Club, which has fascinating views of Pinnacle Peak, and Talking Stick Resort Casino, which boasts high jackpots, plenty of slot machines, and ample poker tables.

If you’re looking for more public offerings the whole family can enjoy, however, Scottsdale has you covered. The stunning McDowell Sonoran Preserve has highly rated trails that visitors are sure to enjoy, but you can always head out to the city’s pickleball courts, fishing and boating areas, tennis courts, and aquatic centers to spend a couple of enjoyable hours outdoors. And when you’re done, why not round things out with a family picnic at Cactus Park? Among other features, this 17-acre park has one of the city’s best public aquatic centers, a playground, a basketball court, and reservable ramadas.

If a picnic isn’t up your family’s alley, though, there are plenty of great dining options at Scottsdale Fashion Square, one of Scottsdale’s outdoor shopping and dining destinations, or Old West-inspired Old Town Scottsdale, which also offers up plenty of local restaurants (as well as Scottsdale Stadium, where you can catch the San Francisco Giants every spring training season).

For those who are looking for something more on the educational side, Scottsdale has many world-class museums and institutions. These include architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic Taliesin West, which has both tour guides as well as audio tours available, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, another artsy destination housing contemporary and design works as well as architectural pieces. Scottsdale’s Western Spirit is another worthy destination: It’s a Smithsonian affiliate dedicated to the Old West as well as varied Indigenous history and art. Truck rental company Penske even has a Racing Museum here that’s filled to the brim with fast cars and intriguing memorabilia. Tours here are self-paced, so everyone is free to take their time.

If the grandkids want a more age-appropriate learning experience, you can always head out to Butterfly Wonderland. This rainforest experience is a welcome change of pace in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert environment, and it also happens to be the largest butterfly conservatory in the U.S. The OdySea Aquarium is another option for families — it’s home to hundreds of species of aquatic animals, of course, but it also offers up engaging penguin and sloth encounters as well as a host of other activities and events. It features seating throughout exhibits, so the aquarium could be a good spot for seniors who need to rest every so often.

The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center provides another fascinating animal adventure, but on a smaller scale: It offers appointment-only tours of its wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary. Lastly, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a budget- and family-friendly attraction that combines amusement park fun with railroad history. Be sure to also get the kiddos a ticket to ride the train or vintage carousel.

As a premier arts and culture destination, Scottsdale also has a few performing arts options enjoyed by residents and visitors. At the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, you can catch everything from Grammy-winning musicians to music festivals, but the Desert Stages Theatre offers a more intimate space for fans of plays and musicals.