Independent Living
Great fit for people 55+ with few or no health concerns
Restaurant-style dining · Activities and transportation · No home upkeep
Senior living options
Every senior's needs are different. So are the options.
Independent living, assisted living, memory care, personal care homes, skilled nursing: the names sound alike, but each one serves a different person. Knowing the difference is the first step to the right choice.
Always no-cost to you and your family.
We help you understand which option fits your loved one, then find the communities in Tucson and Southern Arizona worth seeing. Always no-cost to you and your family.
Always no-cost to families
Locally owned in Tucson
With you through move-in and beyond
Finding the fit
Three Questions That Point the Way
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Still independent, just tired of the upkeep?
If your loved one manages daily life safely and mostly wants company and convenience, independent living may be the answer: dining, activities and transportation without home maintenance.
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02 / 03
Needing a hand with the day?
When bathing, dressing or medications have become hard, assisted living or a small personal care home can provide everyday help while your loved one keeps their own space.
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Memory changes, or round-the-clock needs?
Memory care offers a secured setting built around dementia. Skilled nursing provides 24-hour nursing and rehab after a hospital stay. We help you tell which fits.
Side by side
Compare the Five Options
These are general descriptions. Services and pricing vary by community, so we'll confirm the details for the places you're considering.
| Type | Great fit for | Setting | What’s typically included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Living | People 55+ with few or no health concerns | Apartments or cottages in a community | Restaurant-style dining, activities, transportation, fitness centers and salons; no home maintenance |
| Assisted Living | Seniors who need help with daily activities, or with physical or mild cognitive needs | Community with 24-hour staff (not one-on-one) | Meals, medication management, housekeeping, laundry and incontinence help; extra charges vary with care needs |
| Personal Care Homes | People with higher needs, or who prefer a small setting | Residential home of about 6 to 12 residents, often secured, with higher staff ratios | Help with daily activities, medications, meals, laundry, housekeeping and limited activities |
| Skilled Nursing | Short-term rehab after a hospital stay, or round-the-clock physical care | Nursing facility | 24-hour nursing care |
| Memory Care | People with a dementia diagnosis | Secured setting, stand-alone or within a larger community | Assisted-living-type services plus memory-focused activities and extra staff |
Personal care homes: TODO(client): confirm the Arizona-correct term
Learn more
Explore Each Option
Assisted Living
Great fit for seniors who need help with daily activities
24-hour staff, not one-on-one · Meals and medication management · Housekeeping and laundry
Memory Care
Great fit for seniors with a dementia diagnosis
Secured setting · Memory-focused activities · Extra staff on hand
Personal Care Homes
Great fit for higher needs or a preference for a small, home-like setting
About 6 to 12 residents · Higher staff-to-resident ratio · Often secured
Skilled Nursing
Great fit for rehab after a hospital stay, or round-the-clock physical care
24-hour nursing care · Short-term rehab stays · Long-term physical care
Questions families ask
Frequently Asked Questions
What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
ADLs are basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, moving from a bed or chair, continence and eating. How much help someone needs with them is one of the main ways care levels are decided. Our ADL checklist can help you take note.
What is the difference between assisted living and memory care?
Both help with daily activities. Memory care adds a secured environment, activities designed for memory loss and extra staff for people living with dementia.
What is the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing?
Assisted living helps with daily activities in a community setting. Skilled nursing provides 24-hour nursing care, often for short-term rehab after a hospital stay.
How do I know which option is right?
Start with your loved one's daily needs, health, budget and personality. A conversation with us helps sort it out, and communities also assess new residents before move-in.
Can someone move between levels of care later?
Often, yes. Some communities offer several levels on one campus, which can make a later move easier. We can point you to those in Tucson.