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Benefits Of Retiring In Arizona

There is a good reason why for years now Arizona has been one of the most popular retirement spots. In fact, developed more than fifty years ago was the very first of its kind in the United States, an Active Adult Community which is located in Sun City, Arizona. It is more than obvious why people are choosing Arizona for their retirement years. It’s not just for all the days of abundant sun it offers, or all the golf courses.  Read about some of the benefits of retiring in Arizona discover how it could be the right place for you.

One of the main reasons for choosing Arizona to retire in would be for the benefits of not being taxed on your Social Security checks by the state. Those who live on a fixed income understands the importance of making it go as far as they can, just as they know it is always better when taxes are in their favor. Arizona is wonderful for retiree’s, it is a tax friendly state and they are not going to tax your Social Security Benefits, which is significant these days. Approximately half of the states within the United States do tax your Social Security Benefits.

1. Breathtaking National & State Parks

As the home of the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona welcomes the world to one of the natural wonders.  Living in Arizona puts this amazing sight only hours away or closer depending on where you decide to live in Arizona.

Red Rock State Park which is near Sedona, AZ is a favorite for residents of the state and more.  It’s a mecca for riding horses, hiking, and riding bicycles.  Surrounded by incredible red rock formations it’s chalked full of history and beautiful sights.

Something not many know is that the Original London Bridge, direct from London, England was moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Now how neat is that?

2. Inexhaustible Recreational Opportunities

Arizona has many outdoor activities to offer, such as hang gliding across the desert, skiing is available in Flagstaff, enjoyment of fishing up and down the Colorado River, and white water rafting.

You can have the great outdoors right in your backyard. With an abundance of wildlife, you will be able to view snakes, coyotes, javelinas (which is similar to a furry pig), roadrunners, and bobcats.

3. Championship Golf Courses

If you love to golf, you will love Arizona.  As one of the world’s premier golf destinations there are over 300 golf courses in the state.  With both target courses and traditional links the state is studded with courses in attractive locations such as Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, and many more.

As the epicenter of desert golf, Arizona’s Grand Canyon consists of more than seventy public golf courses and all of them are highly ranked, attracting golf enthusiasts by the millions.  

4. Excellent Equestrian Events

Back in 1955 is when Scottsdale began their Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, which features more than 2,000 of the most beautiful Arabian horses in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people come from all around world to watch owners, breeders, and trainers that come from around the globe to compete. Where you can visit 300 different vendors and booths that are showcasing foods, having demonstrations, and various seminars.

The oldest rodeo in the world since 1888 is located in Prescott, Arizona. For those who would like to give bull riding a go or would enjoy just watching others at it.

5. Lifestyle & Affordable Housing

There is a city to fit style in Arizona. There’s Phoenix, which highly livable and yet stays affordable city; Sedona, is considered to be your spiritual haven, with a visual miracle; Flagstaff, located at a higher elevation the rest of the state, making it cooler, the scenery is so beautiful that it attracts those outdoor enthusiasts, and it offers more of a liberal contingency, and it is also located close enough to Phoenix for those who would like to get away to a big city now and then.  

Housing in Arizona is affordable. The median value of a home in Arizona, according to the most up to date data, is only a little more than $178,000.00, with the median or rentals being $1,050.00. Also, there is the extra benefit of lower heating cost. Keep in mind that it is a lot cheaper to keep a house cooled down than it is to heat one.

This one’s a winner! Arizona does not tax your Social Security Benefits, and there will not be any inheritance tax, estate tax, or gift taxes.

6. Incredible Sunny Weather

Arizona offers a lot of sunshine and terrific weather. In the winter the temperatures are around the same temperatures the southeast has in the summer months, only without the humidity. Arizona’s average rainfall ranges from under three inches (in deserts) and in the mountains to over thirty inches yearly. Where you can find both dry and sunny days, with the nights generally being cooler. The major cities in Arizona will have more than two-hundred and fifty days of sunshine throughout the year. Flagstaff is one of the towns which offer cooler weather, for those who prefer change-ups in their weather.

The majority of Arizona will not have any snow for you to have to shovel.

Arizona is the place to be if you are one of the millions who are tormented by allergies. This is due to the dry climate and air it can offer what the rest of the country cannot, which is allergy relief.

7. Delicious Restaurants & Festivals

Created in Tucson, Arizona is the ‘Sonoran Hot Dog’, which is considered to be a special culinary treat and it is unique in Arizona. This treat is basically a hot dog that is wrapped up with bacon and then serve on a toasty like white bun. It is then layered with pinto beans, onions, mustard, mayo, chopped tomatoes, and jalapenos.

One of the United States longest running culinary festivals is the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and it attracts more than thirty-five thousand visitors every year. This six-day festival showcases restaurants, micro brews, gourmet foods, celebrity chefs, and fine wines.

One of the top events in Arizona is the Arizona State Fair, attracting more than a million people to the state of Arizona to be at the concerts, and watch the races, enjoy rodeos, view the livestock, and to checkout numerous food booths.

Arizona has many unique foods to offer, such as mesquite honey, prickly pear margaritas, and cactus jelly. The majority of Arizona will not consist of shoveling snow.

Tucson, Arizona has something to offer those wanting to go back in time, to their roots in the 1960’s, which is the Tucson Folk festival. This festival attracts over ten-thousand lovers of folk music and it happens to be one of the top United States folk festivals, it offers over twenty hours of free live music featuring bluegrass, old country, western, and Irish music.

8. Music & Cultural Events

More than twenty Native American tribes in Arizona are represented, and Arizona represents the most percentage in the United States to have land designated to the Indians, and is referred to as the Indian Lands.

Phoenix, Arizona is the home of rock star ‘Alice Cooper’.

These are just some of the reasons people love retiring in Arizona.  Share with us the reasons you’ve loved visiting Arizona or why you love living in the state!  If your considering retiring in Arizona don’t forget to check out the senior living services we provide.  In addition to assisted living we offer independent living, memory care, and home care services in the state of Arizona.  All of our service are rendered by the highest trained and skilled senior care providers whether at one of our locations or in senior’s own homes.

Places To Retire
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Types Of Retirement Homes

If you’re searching for retirement housing options or types of retirement homes, this post is for you.  SLS specializes in providing retirement living options such as assisted living, independent living, memory care and home care. “types of retirement homes”, “types of senior living facilities“, or “types of retirement communities” or “retirement homes for seniors” while looking to find out which type of senior living community is right for you? If the answer is yes, this guide should help create a clearer picture of all of the different types and explain more about each.

Assisted Living – Independent Living – Memory Care – Home Care

There are a lot of retirement community living options out there, it is okay to feel overwhelmed and confused about the types and styles of care for a senior living community. It is important that you learn terminology and the differences of the senior care solutions so that you can make a good choice for your loved one. When you start your search, use this guide to learn about the various types of housing options available in the United States.

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities are for seniors who cannot live on their own safely, but do not need as much care needed for a nursing home. They receive assistance with medications, daily living activities, housekeeping and meals. There are 3 meals a day provided in a central dining room. Residents have private apartments that have a limited kitchen area. Staff is available 24/7 for additional safety. Many assisted living communities have licensed nursing services. The hours will vary, so be sure to ask about them when you visit. Scheduled transportation and social activities are available as well. There are sometimes a special unity for those with Alzheimer’s but not in all communities

Also called:

  • Personal care home
  • Assisted care community

Payment:

  • Some take Medicaid
  • Mostly private pay

Price:

  • $2800 to $4500 for Alzheimer’s care shared suite
  • $2500 to $4000 monthly depending on apartment size and assistance level

Find Assisted Living Facilities In Arizona

Independent Living Communities

Senior independent living communities are for seniors who are still independent with few medical problems. Residents will live in a fully equipped private apartment.

There are a variety of apartment sizes from 2 bedrooms to studio apartments. Fine dining services are also offered with a custom designed meal package. Often times, a resident can choose to pay for a certain number of meals daily. There are also frequent social outings and events for entertainment.

These are called:

  • Continuing care retirement community
  • Senior apartments
  • 55+ Communities
  • Retirement villages
  • Congregate care
  • Retirement communities

Payment:

  • Some government funding through Section 202
  • Mostly Private Pay

Price range:

  • $1500 to $3500 monthly

Find Independent Living Facilities in Arizona

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes have 24/7 skilled nursing care for the elderly who need high levels of medical assistance. 24 hour nursing services are available from a licensed nurse. Most nursing homes do provide short-term rehab stays for those who are recovering from surgery, injury, or illness. Long-term care will have high level care needs and complex medical issues that need routine nursing services. Residents will share rooms and are served meals in a central dining room unless they are too ill. There are also activities and some nursing homes have a special unit for those with Alzheimer’s.

Also called:

  • Long term care facility
  • Skilled nursing center
  • Nursing center
  • Convalescent care

Payment:

  • Medicaid
  • Private Pay
  • Medicare

Price:

  • $4000 to $8000 monthly

Alzheimer’s Care

There are plenty of housing options for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. For those who are memory impaired, it is vital that they have 24/7 care and structured activities to ensure quality of life and safety. Many will try to care for their family at home, but it is hard given the skills that are needed to care for those with memory issues.

If you need a care community, you need to understand that Alzheimer’s care is done in assisted living, as well as personal care homes, and nursing homes. Normally, the residents will have a semi-private apartment and structured activities provided by trained staff. Many of these environments will have locked or secured areas that ensure that no one wanders off. Most times within these secured areas, residents will have access to gardens and walking paths.

Also called:

  • Dementia Care
  • Memory Care

Payment:

  • Medicaid
  • Private Pay

Price:

  • $3000 to $7000 monthly

Find Memory Care Facilities in Arizona

Residential Care Home

Residential care homes are private homes that serve residents that live together and get home from live-in caretakers. These homes have assisted care services for those who want a home like community and privacy. Assistance with daily living like dressing and bathing are provided. The nursing services and amenities will vary. Ask about their services when you visit.

Also Called:

  • Adult family home
  • Board and care home
  • Group home

Payment:

  • Medicaid
  • Private pay

Price:

  • $1500 to $3000 monthly depending on care level and services

Find Senior Living Home Care in Arizona

Respite Care

Respite care is a place that gives caregivers a break by allowing the resident to have a short-term stay in the community that will meet their needs. Most assisted living communities and nursing homes have respite care. The resident can stay from a week to over a month depending on the situation. They will receive the services that the community offers. Respite care stays are also a good way for the elderly to get acquainted with their new residence. Most residents find that they enjoyed their stay and are willing to move in after their visit. Respite programs are also available for Alzheimer’s and assisted living residents.

Also called:

  • Adult day care
  • Short-term stay programs

Payment:

  • Medicaid
  • Private Pay

Price:

  • $75 to $150 daily

Home Care

Home care will allow the elderly to stay in their home while receiving assistance that is needed to help them to stay independent. Normally, home care involves assistance with daily living activities like dressing, bathing, and meals or instrumental daily activities like making appointments, transportation, paying bills or just being there for companionship and emotional support. Home care services range from once a week to 24 hours daily depending on needs.

Also called:

  • In-home personal care
  • Home health care
  • Home care aide

Payment:

  • Medicaid/Medicare via certified home health agencies
  • Private Pay

Price:

  • $20 to $40 an hour

Senior Housing Options Comparison

The graphic will help lay out the approximate costs for each different type of senior care and living services.  Families can use this information to better plan for their needs.  It details approximate costs, types of services included, and whether each type of care includes things like medication management, personal care, transportation, and much more.  Knowing the needs of each senior helps pick the best level of care that fits their preferences and care level.

Senior Housing Options Comparison

How To Find A Retirement Community

As you or a loved on is getting ready to retire it’s a good time to start considering your living arrangements during retirement.  Retirement communities are fast becoming a hot spot for active retirement lifestyles for seniors of all levels of independence and health.  While traditionally retirement homes were just for seniors that needed care active retirees are joining them as the benefits go far beyond help with medications and care.  One of the most popular reason seniors are flocking to retirement communities is to stay active, stay social, and avoid becoming isolated.

Look For Resort Style Living

Retirement communities are not nursing homes and can be fun vibrant places to live.  Look for retirement communities that have amenities such as on-site hair salons, hot tubs, pools, restaurants, or craft rooms that allow you to explore your artistic side.  This makes it so your new home feels like a never ending vacation.

Look For Lifestyle

The best communities are those that give you the same freedom as you have at home.  If you have a dog or a cat you’ll want to make sure the community you choose is pet friendly.  Another consideration is if you’ll have the ability to have a child, grandchild, or other family member move in for more than just a few weeks.  There are also considerations for things like having plants, a garden, or even an outdoor grill on your balcony or patio.  Carefully consider what hobbies and activities you love that you’ll want to keep doing at your retirement community.

Look For Actives & Recreation

In addition to having built in social interaction look to make sure your retirement community has activities and plenty of recreation close by.  The retirement community you choose should have a calendar of events, activities, and even some crafts.  In addition you’ll want to make sure your favorite types of recreation are close by.  If that means you’re near a golf course or a bowling alley make sure there’s one nearby.

Look For Good Weather

As we retire most of us aren’t excited about shoveling feet of snow all winter long.  Many seniors are moving to retirement communities in warmer states such as Arizona.  With great retirement communities in picturesque locations such as Sedona, Mesa, Peoria, Youngtown, and Surprise, AZ seniors are spoiled for choice.

Look For Hospitals & Medical Care

Quality medical care and access to emergency services is a must for all of us no matter our age.  For seniors it’s a good plan to choose a retirement community that’s near good doctors, clinics, and hospitals.  This makes the travel time less to go and come back from appointments and eases worry about where to go if you need some help.  If you have a need of specialist doctors you’ll want to make sure some are nearby your new retirement community home.

Look For Continuing Care

While many retirement age adults have no need for services such as assisted living or memory care knowing the community offers them is a benefit.  Making the transition when or if the need arises is more simple if your community offers the more skilled levels of care and nursing.  While you likely don’t need it now planning for the future makes it more simple and less stressful should it become helpful.

Arizona Retirement Homes

If you are already searching for retirement homes in Arizona you clearly already know that Arizona most likely the best place to retire in the United States.  SLS Communities has multiple locations in the state of Arizona which offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Home Care Services.  All services are custom tailored to each resident to meet their needs and respect their independence.  Our staff strives to provide the most welcoming and compassionate senior care services anywhere.  When you or a loved one is looking for a place to retire, consider SLS Senior Living Services in Arizona. For more information or to schedule a visit at one of our locations please call 480-348-0300.

Places To Retire, Retirement Living Communities
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Best Retirement Communities For Active Adults

How Seniors Can Keep Healthy This Summer

The best retirement communities for active adults have great floor plans, a strong sense of community, wide variety of activities, and easy access to entertainment, medical care, and recreation.

As an active adult you’re looking to stay active but also enjoy a low maintenance lifestyle.

Independent living communities are the perfect solution for many active seniors.

In this post we will explore what you should expect and how to choose the right community.

Best Retirement Communities Include

The very best retirement communities for active adults have some hallmarks which you should watch for.  Ensuring there are these things will help you find a place that you fit into and can stay active.

Active Adult Communities Should:

  • Have plenty of activities to choose from to get out the door and get moving.
  • The apartments and floorplans should be laid out well and comfortable.
  • Foster a sense of community that’s very strong and draws seniors into the fun.
  • The location is a reasonable distance to entertainment, recreation, and medical care.
  • The community provides you with a low maintenance lifestyle to free up time for fun.
  • The best options are those that include resort options like pools, theaters, and more.
  • Some prefer communities that are 55 and older while others like a mix of ages.

These are the key things to consider when visiting retirement communities.  Ensuring they have these thing will help you choose a place you’ll love to live in and stay active.

Selecting The Best Retirement Community

Retirement communities dot the map and exist in every region of the country.  Some active seniors want to have more days of sun and warmth a year and head south to places like Florida and Arizona.  These warmer places give seniors a snow free winter that’s got loads of days for outdoor activities.  The first step is to decide which region of the world you’ll be most comfortable and get as many days of fair weather to bike, golf, kayak, or any active outdoor activity.

Keep in mind your favorite activities and ensure that the community you choose is close to places you can stay active.  If you’re an avid cyclist you’ll want plenty of roads or trails which are bike friendly.

Bike Trails, Golf & Entertainment

The Phoenix Valley is full of amazing opportunities for cyclists, golfers, and entertainment for any taste.  Parks are full of bike lanes and well-manicured landscaping.  And with nearly 300 days of sunny weather it is a haven for the golfer.  The valley is packed with world class golf courses and driving ranges.

When it comes to entertainment in the state of Arizona, you’ll be spoiled.  There are many movie theaters, art galleries, sporting events, and other culture events and museums.

With this variety of options for active adults there’s no surprise that Arizona is quickly becoming America’s favorite retirement destination!

Tour Active Adult Retirement Communities

The best way to judge if you’ll love a retirement community is to visit it!  Taste the food, walk around the property, get a feel for what is close by that you’ll enjoy seeing and doing.  While you can narrow down some of your options online the best way to get a feel for community is face to face.  Consider a few of the following active adult retirement communities below.

1.      Canyon Winds

Located in the vibrant and active city of Mesa, Arizona; Canyon Winds Retirement Community is the newest and one of the most exciting opportunities for active seniors.  The upscale retirement living community offers independent living that fits the needs of the most active seniors.  With resort style dining, spacious apartments, a fitness center, theater room, swimming pool, spa, and housekeeping services you’ll have plenty of activity while staff sees to your cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

2.      Sedona Winds

Nestled in the mountains of Arizona Sedona Winds Retirement Community is one of the premier locations for active adults to enjoy retirement. In addition to stunning views of wildlife and nature Sedona Winds is close to cultural centers, medical offices, golf courses, restaurants, shopping and much more!  Your independent living apartment is outfitted with a full kitchen, balcony or private patio, and there’s a hair salon, barber shop, heated pool, and much more.

3.      Chaparral Winds

With many golf courses close by, loads of shops, and plenty of restaurants there’s no shortage of activity to be had at and near Chaparral Winds Retirement Community.  Living in this community will include chef prepared meals, access to a swimming pool, hot tub, billiards, computer room, transportation, and the help with laundry, cooking, and cleaning you expect from your retirement community.  Allow us to take care of the chores and details while you stay active and enjoy what Arizona has to offer!

4.      Desert Winds

Desert Winds Retirement Community is located in Peoria, Arizona.  Peoria is home to great festivals, arst and culture, plenty of golf courses, public parks, baseball spring training, loads of outdoor activities, shopping, restaurants, and access to quality medical care.  Active adults love this community as it provides the resort style comforts of a swimming pool, hot tub, loads of activities, fitness room, and much more.

Schedule A Tour at An Active Adult Retirement Community

When it comes to choosing a retirement community, seeing is believing.  It’s important to go and see the condition of the communities you’re considering, meet the staff, taste the food, and get a feel for where you’re considering living.  SLS Communities offers an active retirement lifestyle for seniors at 4 of their Arizona retirement community locations. 

For more information about scheduling a tour please call 480-348-0300.

Independent Living, Places To Retire
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Retire Well in Sun City West, AZ

One of Arizona’s great places to retire is Sun City West, AZ.  It is just 2 miles west of the original Sun City, AZ, and only 45 minutes north of Phoenix.  It was started in 1978 and has grown to more than 30,000 people.  Residents are from all over North America and enjoy the mild winters and sunny summers.

Designed to Reward Retirees

Having to run around all over the valley for the things you need isn’t a lot of retirees idea of a enjoyable retirement.  Much like Sun City, Sun City West was designed from the ground up as a wonderful place for people from all over North America to retire.  The town was build with its own library, tennis courts, city golf courses, bowling alley, churches and numerous restaurants.

Housing In Sun City West

Sun City West real estate market consists of retirement communities, duplexes, single-family homes, condos, and garden apartments which range in cost from the $100k mark all the way up to seven figure territory. The city is also home to a number of retirement apartment rental companies.

What Activities & Entertainment Are Available?

The area is home to four recreation centers that have everything active retirees expect. There is bowling, swimming pools, fitness centers, softball fields, tennis, racquetball, golf, and more. With small annual fees retirees can enjoy an incredibly wide range of activities.

R.H. Johnson Recreation Center

The R.H. Johnson center provides opportunities for many types of activities, such as: Arts & Crafts Clubs, Bocce Ball, Lawn Bowling, Pickleball, Racquetball, Table Tennis, Outdoor Walking Track, Two Doggie Parks, Library, Billiards, Sports Pavilion, Tennis, and a Wii Game Center.

Palm Ridge Recreation Center

If you love to swim and exercise the palm ridge center offer 3 pools, fitness center, indoor walking track, ballroom, clubrooms, and pickleball. With wonderfully manicured landscapes the area is well maintained and enjoyable to spend time in.

Beardsley Recreation Center

If you are looking for a place to take children for a playground, a model railroad track, mini-golf, this is a great place to spend a day. The center also features an Olympic sized pool, clubrooms, and fitness center.

Kunetz Recreation Center

The Kunetz center features the same opportunities to enjoy a swim in the pool, exercise room, walking track and similar amenities as the other centers. Yet it also has a woodworking shop and Stardust Theater. This makes the Kunetz center a great place to catch a show or sharpen your woodworking skills.

Sun City West Gardening Club

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned expert gardener you can sharpen your skills by attending these meetings and events. Monthly programs are offered which cover how to grow, fertilize, irrigate, and maintain everything in your garden from ocotillo to apples. With all day bus trips a couple times a year and catered fall picnic, it is the place to be.

7 Golf Courses

One of the major activities for retirees in Sun City West is golf. There are seven golf courses in Sun City West. For the real experience 4 of them are championship length, and 3 are considered executive courses for the affluent golfing experience.

Who Can Live in Sun City West?

The same type of restrictions apply in Sun City West as the original Sun City. Those are that at least one member of the household must be at least 55 years of age. Children may visit for a maximum of 90 days but no one under the age of 19 can be a full time resident.

Who’s Responsible For Yard Upkeep?

It depends on the type of housing you choose. Some communities have associations that take care of maintaining landscapes while retirement communities handle all of the details for residents.  If retirees choose to purchase their own home or property in Sun City West they can pay fees for landscaping services, or choose to enjoy keeping the yard up.

How Are The Healthcare Amenities?

With Del Webb Hospital, assisted living facilities, and numerous healthcare offices in the area there is an exceptional network of medical professionals in the area. In addition there are numerous medical research facilities in the Sun City West area, which continue to help provide longer and healthier lives.

Quality Senior Living Services

Retirement is a time where active adults should be able to choose the type of care they need, and enjoy the best years of life. SLS Communities offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and home care at our various locations in Sun City West.

 

Places To Retire
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