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Tucson, Arizona, is a hidden gem for seniors looking to move to assisted living. With a population of just over 500,000, Tucson is only a third of the size of its cousin, Phoenix. More approachable for seniors accustomed to smaller cities, Tucson’s slow-paced sprawl and Old West nostalgia reminds residents of its country foundations. Tucson has many of the same attractions as Phoenix for seniors looking for assisted living: a warm, dry climate and a reasonable cost of living. Tucson, however, has its own flair.
Home to the University of Arizona, Tucson has a balance of youthful energy and historic prestige. Outdoor activities are a popular local pastime, due to the surrounding juxtaposition of dramatic desert and mountain terrain. Because Tucson is at a higher elevation than other Southwestern cities, it enjoys a gentler summer and more greenery than Phoenix.
Perhaps best of all for seniors looking for assisted living, Tucson maintains an even lower cost of living than other cities with comparable scenery, weather, city amenities, and assisted living options. A Place for Mom partners with 31 assisted living communities in Tucson within a 15-mile radius, a high number for a city of its size. Most seniors find an assisted living option in Tucson that fits their needs and budget.
This guide introduces you to the top-rated assisted living communities in Tucson. According to reviews from people like you, these assisted living communities have the best meals and dining, cost-effectiveness, cleanliness, and more. This guide will also highlight what living in Tucson is like, from how far your dollar will get you to local senior resources and senior-friendly activities.
Types of care available in Tucson, AZ
Assisted Living
This is a good community and it is a good value. The staff are very friendly and kind. My loved one was in the memory care and is moving over to the unassisted living and is excited to participate in more activities.
The staff was extremely supportive of my mother and our family, especially in the last two weeks of Mom's life. We were very happy with our choice of The Ranch Estates.
I have lived in other communities in Arizona. I will highly recommend this one to anyone who would be looking for a retirement home.
2675 N Wyatt Drive, Tucson, AZ 85712
I picked it because it's so clean and pleasant. My loved one has a lovely room and the staff are very nice and friendly. But he doesn't get much attention. [name removed] is in a dementia unit. Every...
Situated in vibrant Tucson, Arizona, our community is specialized in Memory Care for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory loss issues. Our community creates a customized service and assistance plan for each resident with a variety of therapies and life enrichment activities....
1020 N Woodland Ave, Tucson, AZ 85711
I like the size of this place. It's smaller so it's very friendly and comfortable. My wife has been here for 2 years and particularly enjoys being in the common area and gets a lot of enjoyment from...
You will have an opportunity to make your contribution to our family, which makes Woodland Palms Memory Care the distinctive place that it is in Tucson, AZ. It is people that make a community. We recognize that people make all the difference. Treating people well – with respect, trust, care, and...
201 N Jessica Ave, Tucson, AZ 85710
We picked this community, because my loved one walked in and it felt homey.They could improve on the cleaning, and housekeeping could be better trained. It's a good place, and my loved one likes it. I would...
Life is as vibrant and carefree as you choose to be! You decide when, where and how to enjoy the many pleasures of living at our distinguished Tucson, Arizona retirement community. Intentionally designed with attention to comfort and detail, Cascades was planned specifically to accommodate...
8468 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85710
The staff is very friendly to family and guests and greets all residents by first name when passing in the halls. Staff is quick to notice if a resident needs assistance and stays with the resident until...
Live With EnthusiasmNestled in the beautiful city of Tucson, Arizona, you will find an assisted living community that gives you more than personal care. This is a place where you can savor restaurant-style dining, spacious and private accommodations, a variety of common rooms for socializing and...
400 S. Broadway Place, Tucson, AZ 85710
VERY friendly atmosphere among the residents and staff. A little slow with maintenance requests (due to staffing, I think). Overall we have been very pleased.
Broadway Proper Retirement Community offers the beauty and serenity of a desert oasis in the heart of East Tucson. We are located near Udall Park, the Ott Family YMCA, Hilton East, St. Joseph's Hospital, Carondelet Health Network, and both Park Place Mall and Elcon Mall.Along with the warmth of...
8151 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85710
They do very good job making sure their client have what they need medically and nutritionally. Also they provide a wide array of activities throughout the day and evening the organization is impressive.
We offer a home like setting and cheerful smiles from our professional staff who greet you everyday. Our caring staff offers the assistance you need while respecting your independence. Our peaceful setting, restaurant style dining experience, activities and beautiful setting combine to create a...
1615 N Norton Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
Overall I had no problems with the Gardens. it met our needs very well. We only moved my mom so that she could be in the same facility as my dad (who is in independent living).
The Gardens at Blenman Elm is a newly renovated, sun-filled home in central Tucson. Our core values support active, compassionate, excellent, and responsive care and the living space is perfect for those values. Inside the home we have an inner courtyard, a high-end kitchen, and stunning open...
8111 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85710
Pricing promotion
My brother enjoys his views of the court yard and pool area and says he lives in beautiful place. The staff there is very friendly and helpful. I am glad we found such a lovey place for my brother.
2500 N Rosemont Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712
They did a great job for us. They worked really well with us to help and get my sister in law to progress. She had a tendency to want to hold back and not do much for herself and they were really wonderful...
The Forum at Tucson is for seniors who want to maintain their rich and rewarding life without the responsibilities of running a household. It is ideal if you are an active senior who wants to focus on the things you enjoy most in life, but yet have assistance available should you need it. With...
844 N. Houghton Rd, Tucson, AZ 85748
I love it. The community has changed but still happy where I am. All is good or was when [name removed] was there he has been gone for almost 2 years all I know. My husband had wonderful care.
The Villas at Houghton The Villas at Houghton is an assisted living community located in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona that provides quality care for those dealing with dementia or Alzheimer's. This community provides a safe place to live in a location that is great. Guests of the residents of...
2732 W Monte Vista Pl, Tucson, AZ 85745
I am shocked to see a bad review written for Lynda's Courtyard. They are incredible with my mom. She was in a nightmare rehab facility beforehand. Here at Lynda's, it's 10 residents only, ensuring proper...
Lynda’s Courtyard does not want to be just a place like home. Rather, they want their residents to consider Lynda’s Courtyard as their own home. Lynda’s Courtyard is located in a residential setting with beautiful vast views of the Santa Catalina & Tucson Mountains. They have 8 spacious private...
7163 N Pomona Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
The friendliness of the staff gets 5+. The home is run smoothly by the staff. The residents eat together if they are able. The food is good and meets the needs of each resident. Maximum capacity is 1. We are...
At Oak Haven Assisted Living, we believe our residents deserve the highest levels of dignity and respect and that starts with providing focused, personal care. Unlike larger instutional-style facilities where residents are just a number, our small, home environment allows our caregivers to...
5660 N Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Our family member has adjusted well to this community. Warm, friendly staff and other residents. Home-like, clean environment. Staff very accessible and helpful to family and residents. Nutritious meals...
We are happy to announce that Tucson Place at Ventana Canyon is recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best Assisted Living community for the second year running!Tucson Place is located in the beautiful Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona, and offers personalized assisted living facilities...
1550 East River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718
Our loved one is very happy at the Atria Campana Del Rio community. The reason we gave the activities 3 is because she would like to have a little more going on. As far as the value goes, that was great but...
At Atria Campana del Rio, you'll discover a welcoming senior community nestled in the bucolic foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson. The area's Spanish-style architecture is reflected in the red-tile roofs and soft desert colors throughout each spacious apartment and townhome....
7500 North Calle Sin Envidia, Tucson, AZ 85718
Pricing promotion expiring soon
I would recommend to others and everyone is very helpful and pleasant. It's a good place to live with fantastic scenery. I picked this community for the activities and it was out of city.
Are you ready for fewer chores and more adventures?Come see if our continuing care retirement community, or CCRC, with independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing all on one campus is the right fit for you. We’re a rental CCRC. That means you’ll pay a monthly rental fee...
6899 N La Canada DR, Tucson, AZ 85704
My husband needed memory care placement from hospitalization. I was referred to multiple facilities, when I visited Park Senior Villas, it was different experience, it felt like will give us and my husband ...
The Villas at La Canada is an affordable assisted living community and memory care provider located in northwest Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. Uniquely placed in a beautiful residential setting, The Villas at La Canada is a warm, supportive place to call home, and a wonderful place for friends...
4975 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85718
My mom seems to be happy. She does complain about the wait time in the dining room though. However based on our experience so far we would recommend this community to other families.
Since 2008 Sunrise at River Road as been providing outstanding assisted living and memory care services to Tucson. Located at River Road and North 1st Avenue we are centrally located, are a warm and inviting, homelike environment complete with pets, fresh flowers, southwest landscaping and...
3701 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
I think it is a really good mid-sized facility. It is not too big and it is not too small. They have lots of activities going on every afternoon. Mom says they keep them super busy and she is tired by the...
Foothills Place is a pet friendly senior living community in Tucson, AZ, where we provide residents with quality care and assistance with their daily routine when needed, while promoting independence as long as possible. We develop individual care plans to meet the needs of each resident, and a...
2365 W Orange Grove Rd, Tucson, AZ 85741
My parents are residents at The Ranch Estates of Tucson. Overall, everything has been great for them at this facility. The staff is very friendly! My father says that the food is okay. He really likes the...
The Ranch Estates of Tucson is senior living at its finest. We are located in the beautiful Casas Adobes area of Tucson, near Oro Valley. Our community includes assisted living and memory care services and amenities catered to the individual. The Ranch Estates of Tucson is much more than senior...
5665 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
My friend is a vegetarian and they promised to accommodate that but once he moved in grilled cheese was his go to option. After complaining he finally (3 weeks into his stay) met with Asst. Chef and since...
Inspirations of River Centre, providing Assisted Living to the Tucson area.
2720 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
We are so pleased with this community and the care that my mother-in-law is receiving. Her room in the memory care is very nice, spacious and there are currently 10 residents but they are set up for 20. ...
Tucson’s Premier Senior Living CommunityThe Hacienda at the River heralds a new era in senior care. A 7.5-acre senior living community in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, The Hacienda is a unique community for individuals seeking exceptional Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care....
7900 N La Canada Dr, Tucson, AZ 85704
This is a good community and it is a good value. The staff are very friendly and kind. My loved one was in the memory care and is moving over to the unassisted living and is excited to participate in more...
9050 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85749
Brookdale is a great place. I made the decision to place my loved one here - which should tell you all that you need to know.
A Life Well LivedTucked in a cozy nook at the base of the beautiful Catalina Foothills, your loved one has a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all the comforts of home here in our friendly and life-giving memory care community. Whether they want to engage with their fellow neighbors in the many...
5901 N La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85741
This is an amazing community for your loved one. I have no complaints at all. They have activities like daily memory exercises and then activities depending on the month of the year. This month they will be...
Located just north of the Rillito River, Copper Canyon is not just a memory care facility, we are a memory care community. It is a warm, welcoming senior community for those in need of assisted living, transitional assisted living, or memory care. Copper Canyon combines Person-Centered Care with...
8700 N La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85742
I moved here three years ago from the midwest. I chose Country Club due to the closeness of my children here in Tucson. It was the best decision of my retired life. The residents and staff here are so...
Snowbird Stays from $150 per day!The Country Club of La Cholla offers luxury retirement living for the young at heart.You can relax in the classic country club setting of the Catalina Foothills and make yourself comfortable in one of our bright and spacious apartment homes. Your calendar will be...
The figures in the charts below show the average starting costs for assisted living in Tucson before adding extra care and amenity fees. What seniors actually pay for assisted living in Tucson is on average $3,753 a month.[02]. This figure includes all amenities and fees, including rent, meals, and extra costs associated with care services and amenities.
This figure is also reflective of only traditional, larger assisted living communities with over 25 residents. In Tucson, board and care homes make up 31% of the assisted living options, and these average $2,581 a month. While these group homes have fewer amenities since they’re residential homes, they provide the same type of care services as assisted living communities and for a considerably lower cost.
Arizona’s tax laws also make it an attractive state for seniors trying to save in retirement. While it has a higher sales tax, the Grand Canyon State doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or veterans benefits and doesn’t have an inheritance or estate tax. Furthermore, Arizona’s income tax rates, at 2.55% and 2.98%, are low compared to most other states.
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Seniors and their families usually pay for assisted living with a mix of private and public funds. Because assisted living communities provide a level of care that may qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or veterans benefits, many families look to use public means to pay for as much of their assisted living expenses as possible and then cover the rest with private funds.
While a retirement account is a common method to pay for life at an assisted living community, it’s certainly not the only way. Long-term care insurance, for instance, may cover some care costs in assisted living, although it may not pay for room and board. Cashing out a life insurance policy is another way to pay for the costs of assisted living. Check with your policy provider to see what is covered under your specific plan. Depending on your family’s resources, the following are other common ways seniors tend to pay for assisted living:
The Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing and the Arizona Department of Health Services provides licensure and oversight for all of Tucson’s assisted living facilities. Licensure is granted to assisted living communities that meet state requirements during an initial inspection and is renewed each following year during an unannounced inspection. Inspection results are publicly available on the Residential Facilities Provider Search Form. You can search for facilities by name or address.
Larger assisted living communities with 20+ residents and smaller board and care homes with fewer than 10 residents undergo the same licensing procedures and yearly inspections because they provide the same level of care. Some of the regulations and requirements for Tucson, Arizona, assisted living communities include the following:
According to Article 8 from the Arizona Department of Health Services, residents of assisted living communities have the following rights:
In Arizona, caregivers in assisted living communities must meet certain requirements. In 2022, Arizona strengthened its background check requirements for workers in assisted living communities. Workers with felonies due to violence or financial fraud are now unable to work in any assisted living community in Arizona. Some of the other requirements for caregivers include the following:
150 N. 18th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-1025
Arizona state guidelines for mitigating the effects of COVID-19 are applied to all assisted living communities in Tucson. According to the federal guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), visitors are allowed in Tucson’s assisted living communities regardless of their vaccination status. Some more of Tucson’s COVID-19 policies for assisted living communities include the following:
Vaccinations. Staff members and residents are encouraged, but not required, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive booster shots.
Masking. Staff members must mask when in assisted living facilities and visitors are encouraged to mask as well.
Quarantining. If a resident develops COVID-19, they should move to a pre-established COVID-19 wing of the facility until they have recovered. Unvaccinated residents who were exposed should quarantine, while vaccinated residents do not need to quarantine.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
In the sunset dreamland of the Sonoran Desert sits Tucson, Arizona. While smaller than other senior living hotspots, Tucson is a heavy lifter when it comes to the number, variety, and quality of assisted living communities. A Place for Mom partners with 31 assisted living communities within a 15-mile radius of Tucson’s city center.
While many cities have one or two types of assisted living communities, Tucson has a fairly even split between three types of assisted living. These community types include facilities that only offer assisted living services, sprawling Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), and smaller board and care homes. This means that whatever your preference or budget, you’re likely to find a good fit in Tucson.
Traditional assisted living communities in Tucson tend to have more than 25 residents and are usually centrally located in Tucson. Many have on-site physicians and nurses and provide amenities, like arts and crafts centers or libraries. They also often offer an activity calendar. Outings to local botanical gardens, performances, or other events are fairly common. In these traditional assisted living communities, residents live in a private or shared room and usually eat their meals in a restaurant-style dining area with other residents.
About half of Tucson’s assisted living communities include at least one other type of senior care, like memory care or independent living. Often, these multi-care communities are on large campuses, and each care type has its own building or wing. Because of their size, they tend to be in the Tucson suburbs on large plots of land abutting the foothills. Many enjoy great views of the mountains. These multi-care communities are often quite nice. Pools, game rooms, stately dining rooms, and fancier design features are the norm.
The cost for multi-care communities are also somewhat higher than other assisted living options, although they’re still cheaper than many similar communities in other cities. These communities provide residents the luxury of staying in the same campus as their care needs change. The senior may need to relocate to a different unit within the same community but will never have to leave the community.
Like traditional assisted living communities, multi-care type communities usually combine all expenses into one monthly fee. The monthly cost for a resident increases as care needs increase, and most traditional assisted living communities offer some skilled nursing services for additional — often very expensive — fees.
CCRCs are very similar to multi-care communities in Tucson. However, they differ from traditional assisted living communities by having a different payment structure. CCRCs are often more expensive than other assisted living options, and they require a hefty admissions fee. These one-time admissions fees can be more than $100,000, and residents usually pay for them by selling their house. This higher price tag accounts for future care needs as a senior ages and requires more advanced care services.
Skilled nursing is expensive, and the one-time admissions fee helps cover future skilled nursing care provided by the CCRC. As a senior in a CCRC begins receiving skilled nursing care, they don’t have the same jump in expenses as a senior who lives in a traditional assisted living community would. Their large admissions fee covers much of their future skilled nursing care. CCRCs also tend to have even more lavish amenities — like pools and bars — and an array of personalized health and wellness services.
Board and care homes are more common in Tucson than in other top senior living markets. These are residential homes that are converted into small assisted living communities. While licensed and regulated in the same ways as traditional assisted living communities, these often come at a lower price and provide a more intimate, personalized experience. Seniors in board and care homes in Tucson often share a room with one other resident and have access to the common areas of the house.
Amenities are usually limited to a backyard or patio, a dining room, and a living room. Caregivers at board and care homes are usually live-in, which means they live alongside residents and are available 24/7. Because of their smaller size, board and care homes are considerably cheaper than traditional assisted living communities, while offering similar care services and fewer luxury amenities. Most board and care homes don’t offer skilled nursing services, but they do allow residents to work with home health care agencies.
The Pima Council on Aging is Tucson’s local advocacy program for seniors. According to their website, their mission is to “promote dignity and respect for aging” individuals. These advocates are a useful resource for seniors who need help navigating their eligible care services. Advocates work to connect seniors with the right resources and work directly with local caregivers to provide education, training, and support. The Council on Aging offers online support through their website and their helpline.
Seniors often point to one reason first when explaining why they love Tucson: the weather. Tucson has a higher altitude than Phoenix, and although some days in the summer top 100 degrees Fahrenheit, its average temperatures are considerably mild throughout the year. It can even snow in the winter (although it doesn’t stick around long).
While a desert, Tucson’s Sonoran Desert is the wettest in the world, translating into a remarkable biodiversity of unique animals and plants, and some truly stunning arrays of desert flowers. The surrounding mountain ranges also provide beautiful vistas from most vantage points in the city.
Like Austin, Texas, Tucson is a folksy college town, but it still has plenty of cultural clout. The local University of Arizona is a top-tier research university across the sciences as well as the humanities — which brings in world-class scholars, thinkers, and events. It also means Tucson’s assisted living communities benefit from nursing school graduates and volunteers who work in the city’s facilities.
However, Tucson is not only a college town, as it has a large population of resident seniors and snowbirds who stay in Tucson over the winter. Its granola reputation also belies a world-class food scene, which has bought Tucson the title of the first City of Gastronomy in the United States. Its heavy mix of Western scenery, best-in-class Mexican food, and the University of Arizona make Tucson an energizing place for seniors in assisted living.
Green Valley is a retirement community of about 22,000 people and is 30 minutes south from Tucson. While over 80% of the community is over 65, there are some families. It also has its own economy with shopping centers, schools, and public parks. Green Valley is considered one of the best places to retire in the United States. This is due to its senior-heavy demographics, extremely low level of crime, low cost of living, and a condensed and high number of senior living options.
Green Valley is quiet, beautiful, and affordable. The stars literally shine brighter in Green Valley than in most other places in the United States because it’s located in a Dark Sky Zone. This means there’s a very low level of light pollution, and the Milky Way shines bright every night.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Tucson, Arizona, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within Tucson’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Median annual income for Tucson seniors 65 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Tucson, Arizona, has an excellent health care system, with one of the best hospitals in the United States among the health care options in the city.
TMC Healthcare – Tucson is rated the best hospital in Tucson and the fourth-best hospital in Arizona, according to U.S. News and World Report. As a general medical and surgical center, it’s high performing in the following areas: colon cancer surgery, cardiology and heart surgery, and geriatrics.
Located north of downtown Tucson, the Northwest Medical Center is the second best hospital in Tucson, according to U.S. News and World Report. As a 300-bed hospital, it’s considered high-performing for seven different procedures, including prostate cancer surgery, heart attack care, and kidney failure.
This teaching hospital is a private, nonprofit institution located on the University of Arizona campus. It’s home to the only children-only hospital in the city.
This private, for-profit hospital has 449 beds and is an acute-care hospital in Tucson. Its sister hospital in Tucson is called St. Mary’s. St. Joseph’s specializes in neurology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, as well as maternity and neonatal care, among others.
Most residents of Tucson drive, and they can happily expect low levels of traffic. However, most seniors in assisted living don’t need to worry about driving, as they have access to transportation from their assisted living communities. All of our partnering Tucson assisted living communities provide transportation services to their residents, some complimentary and some for a small fee. Residents can easily request rides from their communities to appointments, shopping centers, and events. Access to transportation makes life simpler and easier for seniors in these communities.
For visiting loved ones, Tucson’s public transportation system is a reliable and affordable way to visit with friends and family. The Sun Tran is Tucson’s public transportation system. It includes the Sun Link street car, Sun Vans, Sun on Demand, and the Sun Shuttle. Tucson has worked to make the Sun Tran particularly accessible for seniors by providing a few senior-specific services. These perks include the following:
Information about the class, and about the Sun Tran system in general, can be found on the senior page of their website or by calling 520-206-8881.
WalkScore.com looks at public data like the U.S. Census and Open Street Map to create transportation scores for U.S. cities. Scores are always out of 100, with 100 being the most walkable, bike friendly, or public transportation friendly. According to WalkScore.com, Tucson received the following ratings:
43
35
66
Whether you’re on an evening hike atop a scrubby ridge amongst towering Saguaro cacti or sitting on a back porch with a margarita, you’re likely enjoying a stunning sunset and purple views of the distant mountain ranges. And with a dry, temperate climate, being outside in Tucson is comfortable for almost 365 days a year.
Tucson has three dedicated senior centers as part of its Senior Programs, each with an activities calendar. Seniors can get a Senior Activity Card for a small fee that gives them entrance to any senior center. Most local senior centers have recreational and educational amenities, like billiards, a full kitchen, public Wi-Fi, and a gym. The activities put on at these centers range from chair yoga to social hour to ceramics to beginner Spanish. With a Senior Activity Card, seniors can attend these events or classes for no charge.
The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department also hosts a Senior Olympic Festival each year with events like the horseshoe toss, leisure walking, archery, and cribbage. Participating seniors should register on the Senior Olympic homepage.
The Tucson senior centers partner with Catholic Social Services to provide healthy meals at no cost to seniors and their spouses across the Tucson area. Meals are available on Monday through Friday of each week, and the limit is one meal per day. To receive their meal, seniors need to pre-register for the Senior Meals Program by calling the center of their choice listed on the Senior Meals Program brochure.
A similar program is The Pima Meals on Wheels This program is run by the Pima Council on Aging, and it brings one nutritious meal a day directly to homebound seniors. While seniors living in assisted living communities will have access to their daily meals directly from their community, these services are useful for seniors before making the transition to assisted living.
Many of the local assisted living communities offer residents at least one outing to the Sonoran Desert Museum, but it’s a must-see for visiting family members as well. Many visitors are surprised to learn that most of the Sonoran Desert Museum is outdoors. But what better way to learn about the kaleidoscopic array of desert flora and fauna that call the Tucson area home? The museum includes a zoo, a botanical garden, a natural history exhibition, and art galleries, all on 98 acres of the protected desert landscape. Learn about unique animals — like the javelina, scorpion, and Gila monster — and admire the local cacti, some of which are over 100 years old.
The Sonoran Desert museum offers seniors, veterans, and Arizona residents a discounted admission fee. The museum is almost entirely wheelchair accessible, including the outdoor portions, and wheelchairs are available to rent. The hard of hearing or the visually impaired can request accommodations and special tours on the museum website.
The Saguaro National Park is perhaps the most famous site in the Tucson area, as the park surrounds two sides of the city. Named for the massive Saguaro cacti that grow throughout the park, visitors can enjoy the park on foot or by car. The Cactus Forest Drive is a loop that provides stunning views of the park’s most scenic areas. Adventurous hikers can find petroglyphs from the ancient Hohokam people on the Signal Hill Trail.
Tucson is also in one of the few Dark Sky zones in the United States. Due to a low level of light pollution and lack of cloud cover, residents and visiting loved ones enjoy truly remarkable views of the starry sky in the city and even better views just outside city limits.
Because of the clear skies, the Steward Observatory on the University of Arizona’s campus is home to one of the premier astronomy departments in the nation. Students and some visitors can look through the telescope in the observatory, although the larger original telescope is now outside the city at Kitt Peak. The Kitt Peak National Observatory has a visitor center that offers nighttime stargazing events. For a fee, visitors can participate in the Nightly Observing program, which includes lessons on using star charts and the use of a professional telescope.
Tucson isn’t only beautiful desert vistas but has plenty of cultural activities, too. One of the most popular for seniors — particularly veterans — is the Pima Air and Space Museum. The museum has over 400 aircraft and has some of the rarest and most fascinating aircraft in the world. It houses WWII planes, presidential aircraft, and a flight simulator. Seniors get discounted admissions. Tram Tours, which are especially suited for those who may not want to walk all day, are available daily to take visitors through the acres of planes and helicopters.
Tucson is one of the few places in the United States that was or is part of four different countries: Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, and the United States of America. The Mission San Xavier del Bac is a piece of that history and now sits on land owned by the Tohono O’odham Nation. Built in the 1700s, the Mission’s ornate Spanish colonial architecture and gilded interior are worth the suggested donation fee.
The Gaslight Theater is a mainstay for Tucson locals. Set in an old-timey saloon, the Gaslight Theater puts on nightly performances of their family-friendly plays. Visitors can enjoy a full meal and free popcorn with their tickets. Seniors don’t get discounted tickets, but it’s affordable enough to go regularly, and some assisted living communities take their residents there at least once a year.
Tucson was the first City of Gastronomy in the United States. It got its title because there’s an unusually high number of exceptional restaurants in Tucson for a city of its size, but also because these restaurants honor traditional recipes from Mexico and the indigenous tribes who began farming in the Saguaro Desert over 4,000 years ago. The official Tucson City of Gastronomy website has information about food tours, cooking classes, and certified City of Gastronomy restaurants.
Tucson’s visitor’s website, visittucson.org, offers some excellent and up-to-date information about local activities. They cover outdoor fun, health and wellness, shopping, and history experiences that are appropriate for all ages. The site also has updated information about local events, like Gem Shows, the Senior Olympic Festival, and musical performances. For seniors with visiting family members, visittucson.org also has information about where to stay, from resorts to campgrounds.
Pacifica Senior Living Tucson, Woodland Palms Memory Care Community and Cascades of Tucson are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Tucson, AZ. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Tucson is 4,122 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population estimates (V2021): Tucson city [Data set]. Quick Facts.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Tucson city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population estimates (V2021): Green Valley CDP [Data set]. Quick Facts.
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