If you need information on housing or housing alternatives, you will find tips on selecting a nursing home, securing low cost housing, help in paying for utilities, and assistance with home modification. Housing choices are available through local real estate agents, Chambers of Commerce, as well as health care providers.

Independent Living may mean remaining in your current home and community, or move into a rental unit or purchase a home, condominium or duplex in a retirement community which may offer a variety of social activities, recreation and other amenities.

Home Modification is a resource to help make homes more accessible for people with disabilities and seniors to increase their independence at home and avoid falls. Most Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide home modifications in specific communities where funding is available. The Statewide Independent Living Council has contact information for all Centers for Independent Living throughout Arizona.

Assisted Living Centers are for people needing assistance with activities of daily living. They bridge the gap between independent living and skilled nursing facilities. The state licenses assisted living facilities.

Skilled Nursing Facilities are licensed nursing care facilities providing the highest level of medical care for persons who are not able to perform activities of daily living. Skilled nursing is often used for acute, short stays after a hospitalization. Long term care in a skilled setting is usually the final placement for an elderly adult.

• AZ Carecheck

  Courtesy of the Arizona Department of Health Services, yyou can easily search for licensed nursing homes and assisted living and child care centers across Arizona, obtain important up-to-date information regarding inspection reports and complaint investigations, as well as recent enforcement actions taken by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

  AAAs can assist in locating housing that meets individual needs.

• Arizona Assisted Living Federation of America

  Provides a listing of special combination of housing and health-related care designed to respond to the individual needs of those who require help with activities of daily living.

• ABILITY360

  ABILITY360 increases home accessibility, independence, and safety for Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Mesa and Scottsdale residents living with disabilities. ABILITY360 also provides services in Pinal and Gila Counties.

• Arizona Department of Housing

  Provides extensive Arizona housing and financing options and information.

• Arizona Health Care Association

  The Arizona Health Care Association (AHCA) provides at no cost, consumer information on skilled nursing facility care and assisted living, government financial assistance, long term care insurance, locations of member skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers in the state, and other pertinent information necessary to make knowledgeable decisions regarding long term health care.

• Medicare

  The Nursing Home Compare utility allows you to search by state, city, county and zip code for assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. It also provides additional information on these facilities including rating and inspection reports.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

  Provides Arizona-specific information on renting, remaining in your current home, or moving to a new community.

• U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

  Throughout its existence, the Special Committee on Aging has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans. Often, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Senate. In addition, the Committee publishes materials of assistance to those interested in public policies which relate to the elderly.

HOMELESSNESS

• Arizona Department of Economic Security Coordinated Homeless Programs

  The Homeless Coordination Office plans and coordinates activities and contracts with community-based organizations and local governments to provide services for homeless and near-homeless individuals and families throughout the state.

• National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP)

  The mission of NLCHP is to prevent and end homelessness by serving as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness.

• National Coalition of Homeless Vets

  NCHV is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.