Affordable assisted living in Mesa: how families pay
If you've never priced care before, it can feel overwhelming. You don't have to figure it out alone. Here's what's included, and the ways East Valley families make it work.
In short: Fountain Assisted Living in Mesa, AZ charges one all-inclusive monthly rate based on the room (a shared companionship room or a private room) and how much daily help your parent needs, set after a free care assessment. The rate covers care, meals, medication administration, housekeeping, laundry, activities and utilities. Families pay privately, with long-term care insurance or VA benefits, or through ALTCS (Mercy Care, UnitedHealthcare and Banner). Call (480) 299-3310 for current rates.
Affordable and low-income assisted living options
If you're looking for low-income or affordable assisted living in Mesa, three things make the biggest difference: ALTCS (Arizona's Medicaid long-term care program, which pays for care for those who qualify), shared companionship rooms (which lower the monthly cost), and benefits families often miss, like VA Aid & Attendance and long-term care insurance. Fountain accepts all three Maricopa County ALTCS plans, in the same rooms as private-pay residents.
Why we talk about cost on the phone
Every family's situation is different: how much help Mom needs, whether a companionship room is a good fit, whether ALTCS applies, what Dad's income and benefits are. A number on a website can't account for any of that. A ten-minute conversation can. We'll give you every figure clearly, in writing, before you make any decision, with no surprises on the first bill.
How the monthly rate is set
- Room type: a companionship (shared) room or our private room. Companionship rooms make great care noticeably more affordable.
- Care level: based on a free, in-person assessment of how much hands-on help your parent needs each day. We review it as needs change and always talk with you before anything changes.
Compared with care at home
Many families are surprised to learn that 24-hour care in assisted living often costs less than round-the-clock in-home caregivers, and it includes meals, a safe home, activities and company that in-home care can't provide.
Included every month
- 24-hour awake caregivers, every night
- Help with bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Medication administration, including insulin
- Three home-cooked meals plus snacks every day
- Special diets: diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free
- Housekeeping and personal laundry
- Daily activities: music, art, crafts, bingo, exercise, Bible study, holidays
- Individual care plan, reviewed as needs change
- Secured building and backyard for residents who wander
- A TV in every room
- All utilities
- Coordination with doctors, pharmacies, home health and ALTCS case managers
Options families use most
ALTCS (Arizona Medicaid)
ALTCS pays for care for residents who qualify medically and financially. We accept Mercy Care, UnitedHealthcare and Banner, in the same rooms as everyone else. How ALTCS works →
Private pay
Savings, pensions, Social Security, or proceeds from selling a home. Many families also private-pay for a month or two while an ALTCS application is pending, then switch without changing rooms.
Long-term care insurance
If your parent has a policy, we'll provide the care documentation the insurer requires.
VA Aid & Attendance
A monthly benefit for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses that can help pay for assisted living.
Common questions
How much does assisted living cost at Fountain Assisted Living?
Our monthly rate depends on the room (companionship or private) and how much help your parent needs day to day, which we set together after a free care assessment. One all-inclusive rate covers care, meals, medication administration, laundry, housekeeping, activities and utilities. Call (480) 299-3310 and we'll walk you through current rates and every option, including ALTCS.
Is there a community fee or move-in fee?
Call us for current move-in details. We'll give you every number in writing before you decide, with no surprises on the first bill.
Why don't you list prices online?
Because the right number depends on your parent's care needs, room type and whether ALTCS applies. We'd rather give you an accurate figure in a short call than a misleading one on a web page. Call (480) 299-3310.
Does the price go up if care needs increase?
Only if the care level changes, and we'll always talk with you first and explain why.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No. Medicare doesn't cover room, board or daily custodial care in assisted living. ALTCS, long-term care insurance, VA benefits and private funds are the usual sources.
Do you accept ALTCS?
Yes. We accept all three ALTCS plans in Maricopa County: Mercy Care, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Banner – University Family Care. ALTCS residents live in the same renovated rooms as private-pay residents.
Can my parent move in while the ALTCS application is pending?
Often, yes. Many families private-pay for the first month or two while ALTCS is approved, then switch. Call us and we'll walk through the timing with you.
Schedule a tour
Get an accurate price for your loved one
Please give us a call to let us know the unique circumstances of your loved one so that we can provide an accurate price for them based on the level of care and their individualized needs.
(480) 299-3310