Explore Open Rooms

1 Contact details
2 What type of senior care service are you looking for?
3 What budget do you have in mind for senior care?
4 How soon do you need to find care?
5 Additional details

Thank you for your interest!

Our team will be in touch shortly to help with next steps.

Assisted Living Home

Desert Winds Assisted Living

Assisted Living Home

Desert Winds Assisted Living

20545 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Peoria, AZ 85382 View map
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.

(623) 323-9775

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.

Capacity and availability

Smaller home

May offer a more intimate, personalized care environment.

Total beds 88
Bed community size
88-bed community
A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.
Years in operation
26 years in operation
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 51 / 100
Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

Services

Directed Care Services (capacity: 24)
Personal Care Services (capacity: 64)
Supervisory Care Services

About this community

License details

Facility type
Assisted Living Center
Status Active
Issuance September 27, 1999
Expiration October 31, 2026

Additional licensing details

License number: AL2539C
Qualification: Health Care

Ownership & operating entity

Desert Winds Assisted Living is administrated by NORA DARTOE.

Care Services

Memory Care
Independent Living
Licensed Nurses/CNAs

All Levels of Care

Independent Living
Assisted Living
Memory Care

Programs & Activities

Specific Programs
Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
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.

7 visits/inspections

6 complaint inspections

Arizona average: 6 complaint visits

Arizona average: 5 inspections

6 complaints

Formal expressions of dissatisfaction or concern made by residents, or their families regarding various aspects of the care, services, and environment provided.

Arizona average: 6 complaints

Latest inspection

Date:August 6, 2025
Type:Complaint
Results:No deficiencies

Inspection Report Summary for Desert Winds Assisted Living

The most recent inspection on August 6, 2025, found no deficiencies during the complaint investigation. Earlier inspections also consistently found no deficiencies, including the annual inspection on November 30, 2023. Complaint investigations throughout the period were unsubstantiated and did not result in citations. There were no fines, enforcement actions, or license issues listed in the available reports. This pattern indicates a stable compliance record with no noted issues over time.

Compare Assisted Living around Peoria The information below is reported by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Long Term Care Licensing.

Desert Winds Assisted Living
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Peoria (Desert Winds Mod)
88
-
51
-
26
NORA DARTOE
7
-
Inspirations of Peoria
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

RC

Respite Care Short-term temporary care — days to weeks — to give family caregivers a break. Full care provided during the stay. Often used after hospitalization or to trial a facility before a permanent placement decision.

Peoria
72
-
56
-
1
Colleen Rookerson
2
-
Lake Pleasant Assisted Living
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Peoria
10
-
11
-
4
VANESSA BUDURE
2
3
Absolute Best Care Group Home
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Peoria (Bell Park)
5
-
55
-
7
MARYANN BABETI
1
1
Creative Care Assisted Living
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Peoria (Sunrise)
5
A+
22
-
11
SIMONA DUICAN
1
-

Places of interest near Desert Winds Assisted Living

Address 6.6 miles from city center — 4.61 miles to nearest hospital (Abrazo Arrowhead Campus)

Address 20545 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Peoria, AZ 85382

Calculate Travel Distance to Desert Winds Assisted Living

Add your location

Address

Guides for Better Senior Living

Care Cost Calculator: See Prices in Your Area

Nursing Home Data Explorer

Don’t Wait Too Long: 7 Red Flag Signs Your Parent Needs Assisted Living Now

The True Cost of Assisted Living in 2025 – And How Families Are Paying For It

Understanding Senior Living Costs: Pricing Models, Discounts & Financial Assistance

Financial Aid for Arizona Seniors

Get financial aid guidance

Arizona Long Term Care System

ALTCS

Age 65+ or disabled, Arizona resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.

~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).

$2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

Covers tribal members; rural outreach.

Non-Medical Home and Community Based Services

AZ DES Non-Medical HCBS

Age 60+, Arizona resident, at risk of institutionalization.

~$2,000/month (individual, varies).

$10,000 (individual).

Limited funding; waitlists common.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

AZ SCSEP

Age 55+, Arizona resident, unemployed, low-income.

~$1,519/month (125% of poverty level, individual).

Not specified; income-driven.

Wages at highest of federal/state/local minimum ($14.35/hour in 2025).

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

AZ WAP

Age 60+ priority, Arizona resident, own/rent home, low-income.

~$2,510/month (200% of poverty level, individual).

Not applicable; income-focused.

High demand in rural desert areas; limited annual funds.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

AZ Section 202

Age 62+, Arizona resident, very low income, able to live independently with support.

~$1,645/month (50% of area median income, individual, varies by county).

$10,000 (individual, excludes home if owned).

Limited units; high demand in metro areas like Phoenix.

Arizona CARES Program

AZ CARES

Caregivers of Arizona residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.

No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.

Not applicable; need-based.

Focus on rural access; complements ALTCS respite.

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

AZ DES Non-Medical HCBS

Age 60+ or disabled, Arizona resident, need assistance with daily activities, not eligible for Medicaid/ALTCS.

Above Medicaid threshold but low-income (~$1,500-$2,500/month, varies by region).

Not specified; income-driven eligibility.

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

Tour Icon
Planning a tour? Check our touring checklist.
Chat Icon
Thinking of living here? We can help you speak to a current resident