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Desert Winds Assisted Living
Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · Peoria, AZ
Exterior view of Desert Winds Assisted Living facility Exterior view of Desert Winds Assisted Living facility at twilight Outdoor seating area with gazebo and green space Exterior view of the Desert Winds Assisted Living facility at dusk Outdoor area with landscaped garden and paths Outdoor seating area of the assisted living facility Dining area with tables set for a meal Bright and spacious common area with comfortable seating Interior common area with seating and bookshelves Bright and inviting common area with furnishings Brightly decorated interior bedroom in the facility Bright interior of a resident living room with furniture Outdoor dining setup with fruits and drinks Outdoor lounge area overlooking the pool Bright living room area with cozy furnishings Outdoor pool area with seating and landscaped gardens Interior view of a common area with seating and decor Outdoor garden area with seating and landscaping Dining room set up for a meal service Bright and spacious common area with seating and art Bright dining room with nicely set tables Interior view of a welcoming common area with seating Dining room set for a meal with table and chairs A serene outdoor garden space with plants and benches Well-maintained garden area with a seating bench Cozy and well-decorated resident bedroom Elegant dining setup in a dining room Dining room with neatly set tables and natural light Bright and spacious interior living area in the facility Interior view of a kitchenette area in a resident room Cozy bedroom with elegant decor in a senior living facility A well-furnished private resident room with modern decor Cozy common area with bookshelves and seating Outdoor patio area with furniture overlooking a pool Bright and clean assisted living resident bathroom Bright interior of a resident living space Bright, clean bathroom in assisted living facility

Desert Winds Assisted Living

Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · Peoria, AZ
20545 N. Lake Pleasant Rd, Peoria, AZ 85382 View map Calculator: See prices in your area
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Overview of Desert Winds Assisted Living

Desert Winds Retirement Community is the premier independent living, assisted living, and memory care home in Peoria. Providing an exquisite senior living lifestyle, seniors will cultivate a vibrant social life during retirement. Management ensures that residents maintain an active and independent living while receiving full support. Residents are encouraged to pursue their interests and find new activities that flourish in a nurturing environment.

The community boasts a list of comprehensive amenities that make retirement feel like a permanent vacation. These include a swimming pool, a courtyard, landscaped grounds, an expansive dining menu experience, and private apartments.

Facility Direct Line (623) 323-9775
Facility Direct Line (623) 323-9775
Bed community size
88-bed community Rank #151 / 522Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 151st out of 522 homes in Arizona for bed count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Arizona facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Arizona that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.
Years in operation
26 years in operation Rank #51 / 533Years in operation — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 51st out of 533 homes in Arizona for years in operation. Shows how long this facility has been in operation compared to other Arizona facilities. Longer operating histories may benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Arizona that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 51 / 100 Rank #242 / 818Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 242nd out of 818 homes in Arizona for walk score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average walk score across Arizona facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Arizona that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

About this community

License Details

Facility TypeAssisted Living Center
StatusActive
IssuanceSeptember 27, 1999
ExpirationOctober 31, 2026
License NumberAL2539C
QualificationHealth Care

Ownership & Operating Entity

Desert Winds Assisted Living is administered by Nora Dartoe.

OwnerDesert Winds Assisted Living LP

Staffing & Medical

1 service
Licensed Nurses/CNAs

Contact Desert Winds Assisted Living

Inspection History

In Arizona, the Department of Health Services, Bureau of Long Term Care Licensing performs regular onsite inspections and investigates complaints for all licensed residential and nursing facilities.

Inspection Scorecard Info This scorecard compares key inspection, deficiency, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Arizona state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Overall vs. AZ average 0 Worse No metrics in this bucket. 1 At Avg Metrics at Arizona average:
• Total complaints (at AZ avg) 1 Better Metrics better than Arizona average:
• Enforcement actions (100% below)

Deficiencies Info Deficiencies are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.

This FacilityAZ Averagevs. AZ Avg
Enforcement actions Info Formal penalties or interventions imposed by Arizona regulators — directed plans of correction, civil monetary penalties, denial of payment, or appointment of temporary management. 00.9 This facility has 100% fewer enforcement actions than a typical Arizona assisted living residence (0 vs. AZ avg 0.9).↓ 100% better

Inspections Info State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.

This FacilityAZ Averagevs. AZ Avg
Total inspections Info Combined count of all inspections conducted at this facility. 95 This facility has had 80% more total inspections than the Arizona average (9 vs. AZ avg 5). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 80% more

Complaints & Investigations Info Complaints are formal concerns filed by residents, families, or staff. Investigations are on-site follow-ups.

This FacilityAZ Averagevs. AZ Avg
Total complaints Info Formal expressions of concern made by residents, families, or staff. 66 This facility has total complaints in line with the Arizona average (6 vs. AZ avg 6).— At avg Rank #392 / 482 Total complaints — State benchmarked This home is ranked 392nd out of 482 homes in Arizona for complaint-related visits. Shows this facility's complaint-related visits compared to the Arizona average among 482 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Arizona that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.

Inspection Reports Summary Info An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.

  • The most recent inspection on August 6, 2025, found no deficiencies during the complaint investigation.
  • Multiple complaint investigations between February 13, 2023, and July 2, 2025, found no deficiencies or substantiated complaints.
  • The annual inspection on November 30, 2023, also found no deficiencies during the on-site compliance review.

What does this home offer?

Pets allowed icon
Pets allowed icon

Pets Allowed

Managed by Nora Dartoe

Executive Director of Assisted Living & Memory Support

Nora Dartoe is the Executive Director of Assisted Living and Memory Support at Desert Winds Assisted Living. She began her career with Senior Living Services in 2018 as a Certified Caregiver and Medicine Technician and has since devoted her time to serving the senior community with dedication and care.

Places of interest near Desert Winds Assisted Living

Address 6.6 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Peoria's city center to Desert Winds Assisted Living's address, calculated via Google Maps. — 4.61 miles to nearest hospital (Abrazo Arrowhead Campus)

Calculate Travel Distance to Desert Winds Assisted Living

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Compare Assisted Living around Peoria

Info below is compiled from the AZ Dept. of Health Services (ADHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

Freedom Plaza Arizona
AL
HOS
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Peoria (North Plaza Del Rio Boulevard)
111
Facility 111
AZ AVG 54
Rank #111 / 522
Yes
28
Facility 28
AZ AVG 37
Rank #501 / 818
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
48
Facility 48
AZ AVG 11
Rank #3 / 533
A+Ian G Lewis
78
Facility 78
AZ AVG 82
Rank #14 / 54
18
13
Facility 13
AZ AVG 6
Rank #457 / 482
12
Facility 12
AZ AVG 9
Rank #11 / 35
0.7
Facility 0.7
AZ AVG 1.8
Rank #6 / 35
Desert Winds Assisted Living
AL
IL
MC
Peoria (Desert Winds Mod)
88
Facility 88
AZ AVG 54
Rank #151 / 522
Yes
51
Facility 51
AZ AVG 37
Rank #242 / 818
-
26
Facility 26
AZ AVG 11
Rank #51 / 533
-Nora Dartoe-9
6
Facility 6
AZ AVG 6
Rank #392 / 482
--
Brookdale Peoria
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Peoria (West Greenbrian Drive)
72
Facility 72
AZ AVG 54
Rank #170 / 522
Yes
56
Facility 56
AZ AVG 37
Rank #189 / 818
Suite
16
Facility 16
AZ AVG 11
Rank #121 / 533
B-Colleen Rookerson-2
0
Facility 0
AZ AVG 6
Rank #1 / 482
--
The Forum at Desert Harbor
AL
IL
Peoria (Desert Harbor)
50
Facility 50
AZ AVG 54
Rank #210 / 522
Yes
21
Facility 21
AZ AVG 37
Rank #574 / 818
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
37
Facility 37
AZ AVG 11
Rank #19 / 533
-Auxiliadora C Morales-4
1
Facility 1
AZ AVG 6
Rank #175 / 482
--
Comfort Assisted Living Home
AL
Peoria (Hunter Ridge)
10
Facility 10
AZ AVG 54
Rank #238 / 522
No
34
Facility 34
AZ AVG 37
Rank #436 / 818
Private / Semi-Private Rooms
13
Facility 13
AZ AVG 11
Rank #157 / 533
-Elsa Tesfasion-2
0
Facility 0
AZ AVG 6
Rank #1 / 482
--
View all Nearby Homes

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in Arizona

Desert Winds Assisted Living is located in Peoria, Arizona.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Arizona.

Get Financial aid guidance

Arizona Long Term Care System

ALTCS

Age 65+ or disabled
General Arizona resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
AZ

Covers tribal members; rural outreach.

Benefits
In-home care (6-8 hours/day) Assisted living Nursing home care Medical services Transportation (10 trips/month)

Non-Medical Home and Community Based Services

AZ DES Non-Medical HCBS

Age 60+
General Arizona resident, at risk of institutionalization.
Income Limits ~$2,000/month individual, varies
Asset Limits $10,000 individual
AZ

Limited funding; waitlists common.

Benefits
Homemaker services (3-5 hours/week) Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Adult day care (~$60/day)

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

AZ WAP

Age 60+ priority
General Arizona resident, own/rent home, low-income.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month 200% of poverty level, individual
Asset Limits Not applicable; income-focused.
AZ

High demand in rural desert areas; limited annual funds.

Benefits
Insulation Weather stripping HVAC repairs (avg. $500-$1,000/year savings)

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

AZ Section 202

Age 62+
General Arizona resident, very low income, able to live independently with support.
Income Limits (2025) ~$1,645/month 50% of area median income, individual, varies by county
Asset Limits $10,000 individual, excludes home if owned
AZ

Limited units; high demand in metro areas like Phoenix.

Benefits
Subsidized rent (30% of income, e.g., $300-$500/month) On-site services (housekeeping, transportation, ~$200/month value)

Arizona CARES Program

AZ CARES

Age —
General Caregivers of Arizona residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.
Income Limits No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.
Asset Limits Not applicable; need-based.
AZ

Focus on rural access; complements ALTCS respite.

Benefits
Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Counseling (4-6 sessions/year) Training (2-3 workshops/year) Supplies (~$200/year)

AZ DES Non-Medical Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

AZ DES Non-Medical HCBS

Age 60+ or disabled
General Arizona resident, need assistance with daily activities, not eligible for Medicaid/ALTCS.
Income Limits Above Medicaid threshold but low-income ~$1,500-$2,500/month, varies by region
Asset Limits Not specified; income-driven eligibility.
AZ

Targets those ineligible for ALTCS; prioritizes rural and tribal areas.

Benefits
Homemaker services (3-5 hours/week) Personal care (limited hours) Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Transportation (~5 trips/month)

Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Winds Assisted Living

What neighborhood is Desert Winds Assisted Living in?

Desert Winds Assisted Living is in the Desert Winds Mod neighborhood of Peoria.

Is Desert Winds Assisted Living in a walkable area?

Desert Winds Assisted Living has a walk score of 51. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

What is the license number of Desert Winds Assisted Living?

According to AZ state health department records, Desert Winds Assisted Living's license number is AL2539C.

When does Desert Winds Assisted Living's license expire?

According to AZ state health department records, Desert Winds Assisted Living's license expires on October 31, 2026.

How long has Desert Winds Assisted Living been in business?

Desert Winds Assisted Living has been operating for approximately 26 years, based on available licensing and registration records.

Are pets allowed at Desert Winds Assisted Living?

Yes, Desert Winds Assisted Living allows residents to bring their pets.

Who is the administrator of Desert Winds Assisted Living?

Nora Dartoe is the administrator of Desert Winds Assisted Living.

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