10 Best Nursing Homes in Mesa, AZ

No two families pay for their loved one’s senior care in exactly the same way, but most families use a mix of personal income and public assistance. We cover strategic ways to use your personal savings and income, how to leverage Medicaid and Medicare, and how to utilize veterans benefits. Read on to learn how to fit the right senior care facility in your budget.

Nursing homes and other senior care facilities in Arizona follow state and federal regulations to ensure quality of life for residents. In Arizona, caregivers in nursing homes go through certified training programs, and facilities go through annual inspections. Passing these inspections is required to keep licensure. You can find a public report card for every nursing home in Arizona through Medicare.gov.

In 2022, Arizona increased its requirements for caregivers at skilled nursing facilities. People with felonies due to violence or fraud are no longer permitted to work as caregivers at skilled nursing homes or any other long-term care facility. Caregivers must be over 18, and all workers must pass a background check.

Federal regulations for nursing homes focus on quality of life

Unlike other senior care facilities like assisted living or memory care, nursing homes are regulated by the federal government. Federal programs like Medicare often cover services at nursing homes, so the federal government takes increased interest in these facilities versus other senior care communities. The Code of Federal Regulations for Long-Term Care Facilities outlines the requirements for skilled nursing units, including the following:

• Skilled nursing facilities must prevent any kind of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Facilities should provide residents with a high quality of life and care by providing expert care, housekeeping and laundry services, and meals.
• Facilities should allow residents to keep their personal belongings in their rooms.
• Residents and families should be informed of all care services and of any changes in their fees or services.

Arizona state regulations for nursing homes ensure ethical and accessible care

In Arizona, the Bureau of Long-Term Care Licensing regulates nursing homes. The Bureau outlines the rights of nursing home residents in its Consumer’s Guide to Nursing Homes. This guide highlights the following rights:

• Skilled nursing home residents have a right to privacy and confidentiality.
• All residents and family members have the right to submit complaints without fear of retaliation.
• Residents are permitted to engage in religious and social activities at their discretion.
• Couples who live in the same facility should be allowed to live in the same room.
• Residents should be allowed to choose their own health care providers.
• Residents cannot be given any restraints, chemical or physical, for nonmedical purposes.

Other senior care facilities are licensed differently than nursing homes

The Bureau of Residential Licensing regulates and licenses assisted living and memory care facilities in Arizona. These senior care facilities go through annual inspections, and all inspection results are available publicly on the AZDHS Provider Search Form. You can search for facilities by name or ZIP code.

In Arizona’s assisted living and memory care facilities, caregivers must be 18 years or older and pass a state-approved training program that includes CPR training. Learn more about the laws and regulations for Mesa’s assisted living and memory care facilities by visiting their webpages.

Article 8: Assisted Living Facilities by the Department of Health Services outlines resident rights in assisted living and memory care facilities in Arizona, including the following:

• Residents should be free from any kind of abuse.
• Residents and family members should be informed of all changes in care.
• Residents and families should have access to their medical records during normal business hours.
• Assisted living residents can request to move to a different room.
• Residents should have access to a reasonable amount of privacy.
• Residents should be able to choose their own health care providers and pharmacies.

Arizona Department of Health contact information

150 N. 18th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-1025

COVID-19 regulations for Mesa nursing homes

Mesa’s nursing homes follow the guidelines developed by the Arizona Together program to protect residents, staff members, and visitors from COVID-19. This program suggests that residents mask when sick and test if exposed to COVID-19. It also recommends that facilities have a COVID-19 quarantine wing to further protect residents and staff members.

Mesa, Arizona, is a sunny city 30 minutes outside of Phoenix. While Mesa has a reputation for being quiet, it’s the third-largest city in Arizona. With beautiful outdoor recreation sites and access to some of the best health care in the nation, Mesa is an ideal place to retire. Seniors looking for skilled nursing care, assisted living, and memory care will find options to meet their budgets and needs.

While some people use the term “nursing home” to refer to all senior care facilities, nursing homes are actually distinct from assisted living and memory care facilities. Unlike other senior care facilities, nursing homes offer skilled nursing care and are reserved for seniors with significant physical or mental health conditions, or for older adults recovering from a procedure or an illness. Nursing homes offer round-the-clock medical care at a level just below that of a hospital.

If your loved one doesn’t need this type of intensive medical care, consider Mesa’s assisted living or memory care facilities instead. A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with facilities that only offer skilled nursing care, but we do partner with 57 assisted living and memory care facilities that may have skilled nursing wings.^[01]

Mesa’s nursing homes and senior care facilities offer compassionate help

Seniors residing in Mesa’s nursing homes or other senior care facilities can expect highly trained caregivers and top-notch services. Most facilities offer shared or private rooms and a variety of amenities. Gyms, personal development classes, and interest clubs are common offerings. Caregivers undergo strict training requirements from Arizona’s state licensing agency, and facilities themselves must maintain building and safety codes.

Most senior care facilities in Mesa design care plans for each resident. These are available to residents and family members upon request, and change as a resident’s needs evolve. Residents can expect daily meals and snacks that fit their dietary requirements.

Board and care homes in Mesa

Approximately 37% of Mesa’s assisted living and memory care facilities are smaller board and care homes.^[01] These are set in residential homes and house up to 10 residents at a time, often in shared rooms. While smaller than traditional assisted living and memory care facilities, board and care homes offer the same services and are licensed in the same way as traditional facilities. Caregivers tend to live in the home with the residents, and residents spend their days in the home’s common areas and eat meals in the shared dining room.

Many seniors appreciate the added attention and community in these smaller settings. Families often appreciate the smaller price tag, too, as board and care homes tend to be about $500 less expensive each month than traditional assisted living or memory care facilities.

Traditional assisted living and memory care facilities in Mesa

Most of Mesa’s assisted living and memory care facilities are larger traditional complexes. These can have hundreds of residents. Because of their size, they offer more amenities and daily activities. Some employ an activities coordinator who plans daily classes and games for residents. These larger facilities often have assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing wings in the same building or on a shared campus. This allows seniors to transition seamlessly into added care as needed.

Health care for seniors in Mesa

Mesa’s seniors have access to excellent health care facilities both in Mesa and in nearby Phoenix. Most local nursing homes offer medical care, but for specialist care and procedures, seniors can go to any of these hospitals or medical facilities.

Transportation for seniors in Mesa

Most people get around Mesa by car. But seniors without a vehicle still have transportation options to get to appointments and activities. About 86% of Mesa’s partnering assisted living facilities offer transportation services, either complimentary or at cost, so seniors won’t need to worry about getting around.

For other seniors, RideChoice can be a useful resource. RideChoice is Mesa’s public transportation system for seniors or people with disabilities. It serves most of Maricopa County, making it a convenient option. Here’s what you need to know about using RideChoice:

• It costs $3 for the first eight miles and $2 for each additional mile
• While it doesn’t require reservations, riders need to sign up by calling 602-716-2111
• It offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Senior activities in Mesa

Mesa is a beautiful, quiet city on the outskirts of Phoenix with plenty of outdoor and indoor activities for seniors. Accessible walks in the nearby mountain range and a full calendar of cultural activities keep seniors entertained all year.

Mesa’s senior care facilities offer personalized activities

Most of Mesa’s assisted living and memory care facilities employ an activities coordinator. This individual plans and organizes daily classes, games, and outings to keep residents busy and having fun. Some of the most common activities in Mesa’s senior care facilities including the following:

• Arts and crafts workshops
• Garden club
• Social hours
• Chair yoga
• Movie nights
• Game nights
• Outings to local attractions

Mesa’s senior centers provide community

In Mesa, the local senior centers are run by Aster Senior Centers. These facilities are sprinkled throughout the city and provide daily community events and activities. Members also have access to the senior centers’ amenities, such as a kitchen, computer room and printer, garden, and game rooms. Some of the regular activities organized by the Aster Senior Centers include the following:

• Daily lunch (view the current menu)
• Exercise, dance, and art courses
• Games, live music, and movie nights
• Exclusive parties

Indoor Mesa attractions for seniors

Mesa is in the desert, and while this means it has perfect walking weather most of the year, some seniors would prefer to be inside during the hottest days. Here are some of the best indoor Mesa activities for seniors:

• Superstition Springs Center. This indoor mall has enough entertainment, shopping, and dining options to keep you busy all day, including a movie theater.
• Arizona Museum of Natural History. Seniors receive discounted admissions to the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Explore exhibits about local dinosaurs and ancient civilizations in Maricopa County. The museum is in Mesa.
• Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona Museum. Ideal for senior veterans or anyone interested in air travel, the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona Museum has planes from over 100 years of American Air Force history.
• Mesa Arts Center. The Mesa Arts Center has rotating live performances of contemporary musical numbers, classical pieces, and comedians. You can find information about the season’s lineup on the website. The center accommodates people with low vision, the hard of hearing, and those with mobility impairments.
• Cactus League. Mesa is home to the Cactus League, which means for a few months each year Major League Baseball teams come to Mesa for Spring Training. You can find schedules and ticketing information on their website.

Outdoor Mesa attractions for seniors

Mesa is near the Superstition Mountain Range and is one of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the nation. Seniors can take in Mesa’s natural beauty while enjoying any of these activities:

• Merkle Trail. This is a 1-mile loop, ideal for seniors who want to enjoy the sunset or sunrise.
• Hawes Ridge Loop. At only 2 miles long, this loop is a great way to see saguaro cactus groves.
• Papago Golf Course. Papago Golf Course is a legendary golf course in Phoenix. You can enjoy a morning of golf set against a scenic view of the Papago Bluffs and eat lunch at Lou’s Bar & Grill.
• Taliesin West. Taliesin West was Frank Lloyd Wright’s self-designed personal home. You can schedule tours of the home and the sprawling grounds on the website.
• Desert Botanical Garden. The Desert Botanical Garden is an exceptional way to explore the local desert flora. It has both an indoor and an outdoor portion. You can request tours and wheelchairs on the website.