Catholic Health Care in Phoenix
Catholicism is the most prevalent religion in Phoenix, which means there’s a big menu of Catholic senior living services in the area. From independent living and daily spiritual renewal to home health assistance and hospice care, Phoenix’s Catholic churches, social service groups, and media cover just about all the bases.
More than a hundred Catholic congregations in Phoenix
Retirees and seniors looking for a church home will find dozens of options across the metro area. Two of the city’s highest-profile Catholic churches are St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude.
St Mary’s, a Franciscan basilica founded in 1881, is the older of the two. The Spanish colonial revival-style building was started in 1902 and it’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. St. Mary’s offers a full liturgical calendar for congregants and serves as one of the city’s most popular downtown attractions. Tourists are drawn to the building’s elegant stained glass, appealing landscaping and sculptures, and the plaque commemorating the site where Pope John Paul II prayed during his visit in 1987.
North of downtown in the Alhambra area, the Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude, built in classic mid-century modern style, holds Masses in English and Spanish and runs an adjacent cathedral school.
An extensive network of Catholic-run senior services in Phoenix
The Foundation for Senior Living has offered social services to all members of the Phoenix community since 1974. For seniors and caregivers looking for resources, it’s one of the best places to start. The Catholic Charities USA affiliate provides:
- Hot lunches, social events, and service projects at its 2 senior centers in Peoria and Wickenburg
- Transportation assistance
- Home meal delivery
- Case management services
- Licensed adult day health services
- Adult foster care for seniors who need daily assistance but don’t need skilled nursing
- Caregiver training for professionals and family caregivers
- Medicare-certified home health care services
- Non-medical home care services
- Affordable housing resources
- Assisted group living for adults with health and behavioral issues
The Diocese of Phoenix offers palliative care and hospice services in partnership with Americare. Americare’s Villa inpatient unit features a homey environment for end-stage illness patients and short-term respite care for home-based hospice patients. Hospice chaplains and lay volunteers with Americare’s Sacred Support program visit patients for prayer and readings. Patients’ family and friends can participate in Americare’s free bereavement counseling programs for a year or more after a loss.
Catholic media for community connections
The “Catholic Sun” is the diocese’s weekly newspaper, published online and in print. Readers can keep up with the latest church and holiday events around town, read profiles of Phoenix Catholics who contribute to the community, and keep up with the latest global Catholic news. The diocese also runs an online radio and video site, PhoenixCatholicMedia.org, with current events, newsmaker interviews, and selected Masses.
Catholic Phoenix, a local group supported by several organizations, presents sacred music performances, lectures, and podcasts on everything from charity thrift shop work to international social justice.
Learn more about Phoenix Senior Living here:
Phoenix Low-Income Senior Housing
LGBT Senior Services in Phoenix
Pet-Friendly Senior Living in Phoenix
Mormon Senior Living in Phoenix
How Much Does Phoenix Assisted Living Cost?
How Much Do Phoenix Nursing Homes Cost?
Luxury Senior Living in Phoenix
Find more information about assisted living in Phoenix at SeniorAdvisor.com.
Casey Kelly-Barton
Casey Kelly-Barton is an Austin-based freelance writer whose childhood was made awesome by her grandmothers, great-grandmother, great-aunts and -uncles, and their friends.