Residential Care Homes in Tucson: How They Differ From Large Communities

Families searching in Tucson quickly find two very different kinds of assisted living: large communities with dozens or hundreds of apartments, and small residential homes where a handful of people live together. Both are licensed by the state. They feel nothing alike.

What changes with size

• Who knows your parent. In a small home the same few caregivers see each resident every day and notice small changes in appetite, mood, or balance.
• Noise and distance. Short hallways and one dining table are easier for someone who is frail or has memory loss.
• Social life. Large communities offer more clubs, outings, and neighbors. A social, independent person may prefer that.
• Amenities. Pools, theaters, and restaurant-style dining are a large-community feature. Decide how much your loved one would actually use them.
• Who you talk to. In an owner-operated home, the person answering your call is often the person responsible.

What to check in any small home

• The license and inspection history on Arizona's AZ Care Check website.
• Which levels of care it is licensed for: supervisory, personal, or directed.
• Whether overnight staff are awake, and how many are on duty.
• Whether rooms and bathrooms are private or shared.
• Who cooks, and whether you can come for a meal.
• What happens when care needs increase. Can residents stay?

The middle ground

Some homes sit between the two. Heritage Oaks is two homes of 16 and 17 private suites, each with its own full bathroom, on the St. Joseph's Hospital campus. That is small enough for staff to know every resident by name and large enough to support a chef, a full activities calendar, a care manager, and caregivers awake around the clock.

For a deeper comparison of the two models, read residential vs. institutional care. To see the difference in person, book a private tour.