Starfish Care Homes, LLC

Starfish Care Homes operates this licensed assisted living home at 9251 East Old Spanish Trail in southeast Tucson, near Saguaro National Park East and the Rincon Valley. Licensed for up to 10 residents, the home offers assisted living care in an intimate residential setting, and is part of the Starfish Care Homes family of small assisted living homes across Tucson — each location holds its own state license. Families should confirm current availability, care levels, and pricing directly with the home. This location operates under Arizona Department of Health Services license AL9461H.

This community is a smaller kind of assisted living. In Arizona, an assisted living home is a regular house in a neighborhood that is licensed to care for ten or fewer residents at a time, rather than a large apartment-style building. Daily life in these homes usually feels close-knit: residents share meals and living spaces in a family-style setting, with far fewer neighbors than a large community.

Arizona licenses three levels of care in these homes. Supervisory care means general watchfulness and help in an emergency. Personal care means hands-on help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. Directed care is the most supportive level. It is for residents who need continuous care and watchfulness, including people with dementia or other conditions that affect memory, judgment or safety. The level a home is licensed to provide is listed in Arizona’s public licensing record.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) licenses these homes, sets the maximum number of residents, and inspects them. The license number, license status, care levels and inspection history for every licensed home are public and free to review on AZ Care Check (opens in a new window), Arizona’s official licensing website.

Because each home is different, the best way to know whether one fits your family is to call and tour it. Ask how many caregivers are on duty during the day and at night, what a typical day looks like, and what happens if a resident’s care needs increase.