Worth Considering
4
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Tucson, Arizona
4 of 21 nursing homes in Tucson (19%) meet our strict criteria. The Arizona statewide average is 29%.
4 recommended · 5 caution · 12 avoid · data
City Average
3.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
2,838
across 21 facilities
High Risk Facilities
12
7 Grade F
$82,049 in combined fines
Zero Fines
14
/21
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 4?
The nursing home market in Tucson, Arizona, is strong, with 21 facilities and 19% recommended for quality care. Families should be aware that while the top-rated SABINO CANYON REHABILITATION & CARE CENTER shines, there are 12 facilities with a total of $74,031 in fines to consider.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 SABINO CANYON REHABILITATION & CARE CENTER (90) — With a stellar CMS 5★ rating and an impressive Trust Score of 90/100, Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation & Care Center excels in providing high-quality care. The facility's Grade A reflects its commitment to excellence, making it a top choice for rehabilitation needs.
- 2 ARIZONA STATE VETERAN HOME-TUCSON (90) — Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson stands out with a perfect CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 90/100. As a state-run facility, its focus on veteran care and community service is commendable, ensuring that residents receive both excellent medical attention and a supportive environment.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 3 THE CENTER AT TUCSON (83) — The Center at Tucson boasts a solid CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 83/100, indicating a reliable standard of care. With a Grade B+, this facility balances quality rehabilitation services with a warm atmosphere, making it a recommended choice for those in need.
- 4 LA CANADA CARE CENTER (80) — La Canada Care Center offers an excellent CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 80/100, ensuring residents receive top-tier care. With its Grade B+, this facility effectively combines quality rehabilitation services with a compassionate approach, making it a preferred option for families.
The other 17 Tucson facilities didn't qualify — 12 carry Grade D or F ratings and 7 have fines totaling $82K.
Recommended
With a stellar CMS 5★ rating and an impressive Trust Score of 90/100, Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation & Care Center excels in providing high-quality care. The facility's Grade A reflects its commitment to excellence, making it a top choice for rehabilitation needs.
Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson stands out with a perfect CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 90/100. As a state-run facility, its focus on veteran care and community service is commendable, ensuring that residents receive both excellent medical attention and a supportive environment.
The Center at Tucson boasts a solid CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 83/100, indicating a reliable standard of care. With a Grade B+, this facility balances quality rehabilitation services with a warm atmosphere, making it a recommended choice for those in need.
La Canada Care Center offers an excellent CMS 5★ rating and a Trust Score of 80/100, ensuring residents receive top-tier care. With its Grade B+, this facility effectively combines quality rehabilitation services with a compassionate approach, making it a preferred option for families.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Hidden Gem
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Tucson Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 17?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 7 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 7 Have fines totaling $82,049
- Low-scoring facilities
- 9 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 5 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Tucson Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Tucson's city average is 3.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
7 of 21 Tucson facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Tucson avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Tucson facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Tucson, AZ are recommended?
4 of 21 nursing homes in Tucson (19%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Tucson "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Tucson?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.