10 Arizona nursing homes named among nation’s best for 2026. See the list

Choosing a trusted nursing home can be one of the most important decisions families face.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are more than 15,000 Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing homes in the United States, serving roughly 1.2 million residents.

A recent list by Newsweek identified the best nursing homes in Arizona and across the nation for 2026, aiming to assist older adults and their families as they consider long-term care options.

The new list, produced by Newsweek in partnership with Statista, a global data intelligence firm, features 1,200 nursing homes across 33 states. The ranking narrows options by state and highlights homes that stood out for their commitment to safety, quality of care and resident well-being, according to the publication.

According to Newsweek’s Global Editor-in-Chief, Nancy Cooper, facilities were selected based on performance data, recommendations from medical professionals, accreditations and resident satisfaction, utilizing data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Here are Arizona‘s top nursing homes, according to the weekly publication.

1. Plaza Healthcare, Scottsdale
2. North Mountain Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Phoenix
3. Bella Vita Health and Rehabilitation Center, Glendale
4. Estrella Health and Rehab Center, Avondale
5. Coronado Healthcare Center, Phoenix
6. Peoria Post Acute & Rehabilitation, Peoria
7. Horizon Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center, Glendale
8. Apache Junction Health Center, Apache Junction
9. Ridgecrest Post Acute, Phoenix
10. Life Care Centers of America – Mi Casa Nursing Center, Mesa

How did Newsweek name the best Arizona nursing homes?

Newsweek used data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to evaluate nursing homes across the U.S. on four main categories: performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations and resident satisfaction.

The performance category carried an increased weight this year to reflect the growing emphasis on clinical quality metrics, according to the publication. Other updates on this year’s list include the addition of vaccination rates as new quality measures, the expansion of the ranking to cover 33 states across three size categories, and an increase in the total number of facilities recognized.

Reporting by Laura Daniella Sepulveda, Arizona Republic

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