their 90s (57.6%). 31.2% of survey respondents indicated difficulty in getting dressed, showing that they likely need in-home supportive assistance. As previously mentioned, falling or nearly falling was reported as a problem for 63% of survey respondents, with difficulty increasing with age. Nearly 50% of all respondents reported that they had difficulty walking one block, and 67.2% reported they had difficulty climbing stairs. 75% of all respondents indicated a difficulty with bending or kneeling. These difficulties also grew with age.
For 10 hours of in-home care services per week in Pima County, the average cost is $906.40 per month. 11 Though this is more affordable than the average in-home care services in both Arizona and the United States, it is still difficult for those living on a low fixed income to afford. We know that keeping people in their own homes and communities is not only what people want, but it’s also more affordable, with the average cost of assisted living in Tucson being $4,575 per month, with costs going as high as $10,000 per month. 12 For many,
Ease of Aging and Staying in Current Home
10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
0% 5%
Very Easy
Somewhat Easy
Not Too Easy
Not Easy at All
Unsure
assisted living is simply not an option until they can qualify for Arizona Long-Term Care Services under the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid program. Until then, these older adults remain vulnerable to increased falling, hospitalization, and reports of self-neglect to Adult Protective Services. Community safety can also impact one’s ability to remain in their own home and community as they age. 82% of survey respondents felt safe in their own
neighborhoods, and most people were able to spend some amount of time outside every day. Access to the outdoors can help with many mental and physical health concerns, including reducing levels of anxiety, depression, and anger. 13 69.4% of respondents spend time outside of their homes - whether in their yard, walking around, and/or visiting with neighbors,
though frequency of outdoor activity decreases with age. While older adults, in general, felt safe in their own neighborhoods, nearly 60% of respondents reported that neighborhood crime was a concern. 80.1% of those we surveyed indicated their desire to remain in their own community as they age, with 40% finding that this would be very easy and 40.1% reporting that it would be somewhat easy for them to do. The other nearly 20% of people reported having at least some difficulty remaining in their own home and community as they age. 11 (How Much Does Home Care Cost in Tucson, AZ?, n.d.) 12 (Genworth’s 2024 Cost of Care Study) 13 (3 Ways Getting Outside Into Nature Helps Improve Your Health, 2023)
A Report to the Community
Pima Council on Aging
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