FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions families ask us most. If yours is not here, call us. We are happy to talk it through.
Getting Started
- What Does a Senior Placement Agency Do?
- A senior placement agency helps families find and choose the right senior living option, such as assisted living, memory care, an adult care home, or in-home care. A local agency like A Senior Journey does the legwork in person: we assess your loved one’s needs, shortlist licensed Tucson-area homes and communities that fit, tour them with you, and help you compare pricing and contracts. Families pay nothing; the agency is paid by the communities it works with.
- How Does A Senior Journey Work?
- We start with a conversation about your loved one’s needs, budget, and what matters most. We then shortlist licensed homes and communities that fit, tour them with you in person, and stay alongside you until you have made a confident decision.
- Which Areas Do You Serve?
- We help families across the Tucson metro area in southern Arizona, including Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Vail, and Catalina.
- How Quickly Can You Help?
- Often the same week. If your situation is urgent, such as a hospital discharge, call us and we will move as fast as you need.
Cost
- How Much Does Senior Placement Cost in Tucson?
- Nothing. Senior placement through A Senior Journey is free to your family, with no fees at any stage. We are paid by the homes and communities we partner with, and that never changes who we recommend or the homework we do on your behalf.
- How Are You Paid If Families Pay Nothing?
- The homes and communities we partner with pay us. Families never pay us, at any stage. If the best fit for your loved one is a home we have no relationship with, we will still tell you about it, and it still costs you nothing. Our in-home care referrals are free too. You arrange care directly with the agency you choose and pay them for the hours they work, usually $30 to $35 an hour in the Tucson area. Medicare does not pay for personal care at home, such as help with bathing and dressing, when that is the only care needed. Long-term care insurance, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, and ALTCS can all help pay for care at home for those who qualify.
- What Does Senior Living Cost in the Tucson Area?
- As a rough guide, independent living in the Tucson area starts around $2,200 per month and assisted living around $3,500 per month, with costs rising from there based on community, care level, and room type. We help you understand realistic pricing for your situation and find options that fit your budget, including guidance on programs like Arizona’s ALTCS where relevant.
- Can VA Benefits Help Pay for Senior Care?
- Often, yes. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly payment on top of the VA pension that can help cover assisted living or in-home care. We can point you to the right forms and local resources, and our senior resources page is a good place to start.
- Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?
- No. Medicare does not pay for assisted living or other long-term care. It covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and a limited rehab stay in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital admission. For ongoing care, families usually combine income and savings with programs like Arizona’s ALTCS, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, or long-term care insurance, and our senior resources page explains each one.
Care Options
- What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living and a Nursing Home?
- Assisted living offers help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, meals, and medication in a residential setting. A nursing home, or skilled nursing facility, provides round-the-clock medical and nursing care for more serious health needs.
- What Is the Difference Between an Assisted Living Community and an Adult Care Home in Arizona?
- Both are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, but they differ in size and feel. An adult care home, also called an assisted living home, is a residential house with ten or fewer residents, a high caregiver ratio, and a family-style setting. An assisted living community, or center, is larger, with more amenities, activities, and on-site services. Neither is better across the board; the right choice depends on your loved one’s personality, care needs, and budget, and we help you weigh both.
- What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living and In-Home Care?
- In-home care brings help to your own home, from a few hours a week to daily support. Assisted living moves your loved one into a community where support and social life are built in. We can help you decide which suits your loved one now, and what to do if their needs change.
- What Is Memory Care?
- Memory care is a specialized type of assisted living for people living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It offers a secure setting, trained staff, and structured routines designed to keep residents safe and engaged. Our memory care placement page explains how we help Tucson families find the right one.
Looking for plain-English definitions of senior care terms? See our terms and definitions.