Austin has become a unique retirement destination for Texas seniors. The city attracts seniors with its year-round warm weather, tasty treats, and live entertainment. Meanwhile, the robust senior living scene helps seniors choose a suitable place for their next chapter. A Place for Mom partners with 20 memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Austin, making it attractive to seniors with memory loss.
Memory care communities offer a personalized senior living option for seniors with dementia. With intentional design features, person-centered care services, and specialized memory care programming, these communities are equipped to care for seniors in early and late stages of dementia. On top of robust memory care services, these facilities also offer assisted living care services, like assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, dining plans, and more.
In this guide, you’ll find robust local data on memory care costs, payment tips, Texas memory care regulations, senior-specific stats, senior resources, and dementia-friendly activities to help you narrow down memory care options for your loved one. You’ll also be able to categorize communities by what matters most to you and your loved one.
The facility is not too large and therefore, I think there is a greater level of care. Everyone who works there, including the manager chips and to help when needed. The have won several awards over the...
My mom is absolutely thriving at Brookdale, thanks to staff and management. Thank you for how well you run the place and for keeping the ambiance homey, clean, and up-to-date. Thank you for the wonderful...
After our mom passed in January, my brother and I needed to put Dad somewhere where he could get the care that he needed. He was diagnosed with Lowy Body Dementia and it escalated after mom's passing. We...
The community is bright, happy, clean and stimulating for the residents. The Auberge at Onion Creek has been a true blessing for our family.
We chose Brookdale Gaines Ranch over other places we looked at because of the overall appearance of the facility and the apartment sizes offered for the residents. The staff are extremely helpful and willing...
Anointed Senior Living is a beautiful and facility. Their team is incredibly kind and accommodating. The staff are amazing! They care so deeply for residents, even down to birthday parties with the families!...
5 for all. We lost mom in November and could not have been better supported and loved and cared for until the end. I never felt any anxiety as I left the parking lot after a visit. I absolutely trusted them...
We are working on the level of care stuff because I find they are not equipped with the correct staff at this time but are working with our family to fix what is not working. Nice, would recommend and open...
All the staff was amazing. Particularly [name removed] . They all obviously care deeply for all the residents and based on the experience we have had so far, we would absolutely recommend this community to...
I have had continuous, positive experiences with the staff at the Pavilion Great Hills. All of the ones that I have come in contact with have been consistently superb! The staff at the front desk, the dining...
We moved our mother from another community and the experience and care has been remarkable my mother is so happy and at peace now.
It took my sister many months to adjust to the change but for all of us who care for and about her we see so many positive changes in her health both physical and mental. The staff is wonderful.
When I had both parents at the location it was of value-5. After my parent passed away the cost of value went to a 0.5 because it was higher for one person than two and did not make sense. Our family...
My only concern is that there are no cameras or monitors to keep the staff and residents safe. I’ve placed a camera in my mother’s rooms just so I can see what goes on inside her room. The staff members...
My loved one is currently a resident at Asher Point Senior Living of Austin and the experience at this facility has been great for her so far, even with new ownership. Based on our experience, I would...
The front office staff at Juniper Village at Spicewood Summit is friendly and calm The care staff nursing is great, but some of the day to day care staff do not perform up to expected standards with brief...
At Isle at Cedar Ridge, every day is a new opportunity for happiness and health. The range of activities, the focus on wellness, and the constant companionship make this place more than a residence—it's a...
I have been a resident for about one and a quarter years. There have been a number of problems due to weather and equipment failures. In all cases management made an exceptional effort to keep us fed and as...
Ledgestone has been just what we needed for my 98 year old Dad. It’s safe and clean. The apartment is perfect. The staff friendly and helpful. The food is very good. I don’t mind eating there and he loves it...
1. 4 - Unfortunately, when my mom was being admitted another management company was on its way out and nothing was said when we were admitted. Only found out the next week that a transition was about to...
They run a clean facility. The staff were all extremely friendly. The care services were on point. They had a lot of activities. For what my loved one was paying, it was plenty of activities and people to...
I would tell others to just be involved. The staff truly want and welcome family at anytime!! They have lots of activities offered. The residents are out and about- and encouraged to not sit in their...
Mother loves the care and attention she gets on a daily basis. It is a small facility with a fantastic staff to resident ratio. Everyone in the facility is very kind and compassionate. She went from being...
I would say to come and visit because you will enjoy it. They have activities like work outs all day, indoor swimming pool, there is a card room, a theater and evening activities. There is so much to do that...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Austin community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The median rent cost of a memory care facility in Austin is $6,260 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data on its partner communities.[01] This cost excludes the cost of additional care services and amenities; however, many services are included with rent, saving you from additional costs.
Rent at a memory care community typically includes the following amenities and services:
For additional per-use or monthly fees, Austin memory care residents can also benefit from the following services and amenities:[01]
The figures below represent average baseline costs for Austin memory care facilities and can help you compare memory care costs in the area. Keep in mind, these numbers don’t account for any service add-ons or fees.
There are several ways to pay for memory care in Austin. Families usually combine some personal income sources, insurance policies, and pension income. Qualifying seniors also use federal and state programs, such as veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare, to help cover some medical and memory care costs. In this section, you’ll find an overview of the most common payment methods used by families.
Private payment methods for memory care include your senior loved one’s personal income sources, including their savings accounts, Social Security benefits, retirement pensions, and investment returns. And, Texas seniors don’t have to worry about these income sources being taxed at the state level, because Texas doesn’t levy a personal income tax.
If your senior loved one has long-term care insurance, they could also use that to defray some costs. However, policies vary, so it’s recommended that you reach out to their policy provider to learn about what memory care costs can be covered.
Depending on your loved one’s current circumstances, you can also turn to the following private pay methods to pay for memory care:
If your senior loved one is a veteran, they may be able to use additional funds provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for rent at a memory care community in Austin, Texas. Senior veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for VA pension benefits. The Aid and Attendance benefit is especially helpful for seniors as it can be added to their existing VA pension benefits to cover anything that improves a senior’s quality of life — which could include memory care.
If you have any questions about your loved one’s eligibility for VA benefits, you should reach out to a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO). These are VA-vetted organizations that help veterans find options they may not know about. They’ll even help you or your loved one successfully file for a claim or appeal a denied claim.
It’s in your best interest to reach out to a local VSO before applying for benefits as they’ll help your loved one obtain and maximize their earned benefits. Some Austin assisted living and memory care communities even partner with local veteran programs to help potential senior residents obtain the benefits they’ve earned. You can also check out this service-connected ailments list to see whether your loved one’s disability or condition qualifies them for benefits.
Number of veterans who live in Austin
About 39% of Austin veterans are 65+.
Resources for Austin veterans
Travis County Veterans Services Department
5325 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-854-9340
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (by appointment only)
Virtual contact: Veterans services contact form
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
1700 N. Congress Ave., Suite 800
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-475-2395
Regional Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office
VA Regional Office — One Veterans Plaza
701 Clay Ave.
Waco, TX 76799
Phone: 254-299-9932
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that provides coverage to individuals with limited income and resources. Even though it cannot be used to pay rent at a memory care community, it can help cover some long-term health care services and medically necessary care services within a memory care community.
In Texas, most qualifying seniors receive their Medicaid coverage through STAR+PLUS — the state’s managed care program for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. It’s managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and it covers the following health care and long-term services:
Keep in mind that STAR+PLUS can only cover health care and long-term care services through agencies licensed and certified by the HHSC.
For additional services to be covered within a memory care facility, seniors must be eligible for the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver program. This waiver can be used in memory care and assisted living facilities contracted with the resident’s managed care provider. The HCBS waiver enables seniors to reside and receive care in a residential setting like a memory care community rather than an institutional setting like a nursing home.
Many stand-alone memory care facilities may not qualify as an HCBS setting; however, some memory care group homes and assisted living facilities with a memory care unit will. Be sure to check with each prospective community if you plan to use Medicaid to pay for care services.
To qualify as an HCBS setting, facilities must meet the following qualifications:[03]
When a senior applies for STAR+PLUS, the HHSC will also assess their need for the HCBS waiver program. As of 2023, seniors must meet the following requirements to qualify:[04,05]
The HCBS waiver programs can help cover costs of the following services within a memory care facility:[06]
If you need help understanding your loved one’s eligible Medicaid benefits, find a Texas Health and Human Services office near you or search for local programs through their services search tool. You can also contact your local area agencies on aging (AAAs) for assistance in accessing local long-term care services and disability programs. Below, you’ll find more resources to help you better understand Medicaid benefits for seniors along with search tools that’ll help you locate Medicaid benefits offices in Austin.
Austin resident Medicaid resources
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to adults aged 65 and older and individuals with disabilities. It cannot be used to cover room and board costs in an Austin memory care community, but it can help cover some medically necessary care costs within a memory care facility.
The following Texas programs can help you save on Medicare costs and apply for Medicare benefits:
As of 2022, seniors must not exceed a monthly income of $1,133 as an individual or $1,526 as a couple to qualify for this program.[05]
Austin resident Medicare resources
Texas Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Phone: 800-252-9240
The Legal Hotline for Texans
Phone: 800-622-2520, ext. 3
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-term care ombudsman
Clement “Pete” Moreno, managing local ombudsman at the AAA of the Capital Area
6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165
Austin, TX 78744
Phone: 512-916-6054
Email: cpmoreno@capcog.org
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating memory care facilities. Memory care facilities are considered a type of assisted living in Texas, so memory care regulations are built into existing assisted living regulations and laws. The state of Texas refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs and categorizes them into two main types:[07]
All certified memory care facilities fall under the Type B assisted living facility (ALF). The main difference between general assisted living and assisted living facilities with memory care is that the latter must meet additional certification requirements. Texas’ memory care regulations hold memory care communities to a higher standard than other states. Regulations require memory care staff to continuously learn about the latest dementia research and train in tried-and-true memory care techniques. Texas even requires facilities to offer specialized memory care programming to actively engage residents.
The additional licensing standards for assisted living facilities licensed in memory care include but are not limited to the following:
To regulate memory care-specialized assisted living facilities, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs unannounced inspections approximately every two years after the initial inspection. Inspections assess a facility’s compliance with Texas’ health and life safety code.[09]
The health code inspection includes a review of the following:
The life safety code inspection reviews the following:[09,10]
You can access each licensed community’s most recent inspection report and general facility information through the Texas Health and Human Services’ Long-term Care Provider Search. For any additional information not found in reports, you can email rsltcr.recordsmgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations specific to memory care communities in Austin. However, the state does qualify memory care facilities as assisted living facilities; therefore, they must follow assisted living guidelines. The state requires assisted living facilities to develop their own infection prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19. The measures may include guidance on the community’s hygiene practices, disinfection and sterilization techniques, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection methods, and physical distancing requirements.
Because communities are allowed to set their own rules, it’s best to check with your prospective community to see what measures are being taken to protect seniors against common infections and COVID-19. You can also visit the COVID-19 in Austin page on the city website for regular updates regarding risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.
Austin’s 65+ senior population has seen nearly a 75% increase over the last decade.[02] The rise can be attributed to Austin’s wealth of health care options, warm weather, unique activities, and increase in senior-friendly initiatives.
To accommodate seniors experiencing dementia, the city has an Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter, and it takes on many initiatives to raise awareness. Some initiatives include events, classes, and conferences dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease awareness and research.
The city of Austin has also expanded its senior living options to accommodate people with dementia by offering unique memory care communities. Learn more about the unique features of Austin memory care facilities and how they’re built to accommodate seniors with dementia below.
Our partnering Austin memory care facilities strive to offer a personalized experience for seniors with dementia. That is precisely why Texas requires memory care communities to provide specialized memory care training to its caregiving staff. In fact, 95% of communities use redirection, cueing, and reorientation techniques to help manage common dementia symptoms. Through comprehensive training and learned techniques, dementia caregivers aim to help manage common symptoms in seniors with dementia. Here’s a brief overview of what symptoms memory care caregivers are equipped to handle:[01]
Due to memory care regulations in Texas, Austin memory care facilities must offer specialized activities programming for senior residents. The programming must encourage residents to socialize, express themselves, exercise, and stimulate their minds. This naturally means that all of our partner facilities offer robust on-site activities.
Memory care communities are also required to appoint an activity director to manage and facilitate the specialized activities program. Some communities put this responsibility on trained caregivers; however, most of our partner communities employ a full-time activity director to run the program. This director dedicates time to learning about each resident’s medical history, preferences, and abilities to establish person-centered activities for them. Some of the most common memory care activities include the following:
Because seniors with dementia are often prone to confusion and wandering, many memory care facilities prioritize security. In our Austin network, 100% of communities offer round-the-clock staffing while 75% offer on-site nursing to help ensure timely care and safety for residents. About 70% of communities are also designed to specifically accommodate memory loss. This means that they incorporate human-centered architecture and design to promote comfort and reduce confusion for residents navigating the community.[01]
To further prevent wandering, most memory care partners in Austin offer an enclosed courtyard, enabling residents to enjoy fresh air in a safe space. Residents can also freely roam indoor and outdoor walking paths that are monitored by staff. A select few communities also take advanced security measures by installing high-tech systems that enable faster responses to wandering. These systems detect residents’ movements and send alerts when a resident gets near a boundary or wanders off the premises.
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Number of 65+ seniors currently living in Austin
Average annual retirement income for Austin seniors 65 and older[02]
Average number of sunny days in Austin per year[11]
Austin offers a range of health care options, providing seniors with an additional safety net. The city has robust medical centers with some specialized centers for dementia patients. Learn more about the top medical centers in Austin.
St. David’s Medical Center has multiple campuses in Austin. The main location on 32nd Street is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Austin and No. 37 nationally in rehabilitation, according to the U.S. News and World Report. St. David’s South Austin Medical Center also ranks as the No. 3 hospital in Austin and is nationally accredited for its oncology program.
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin is the No. 2 hospital in Austin, according to U.S. News and World Report. This medical center offers a comprehensive Level 1 stroke center and a Level IV trauma center. It also offers multiple locations in Austin and Round Rock.
UT Health Austin houses a comprehensive memory center within its Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences. The memory center has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an Age-Friendly Health System-Committed to Care Excellence and an Innovator in Aging by Texas Health and Human Services due to its efforts to improve health care for seniors and people with dementia.
Cross Creek Hospital houses a dementia treatment center that offers high-quality care for adults with dementia. The center works with families to create individualized treatment plans with services such as medication management, individual and group therapies, and experiential therapy.
Due to the dangers of wandering and confusion among dementia patients, it’s not recommended for seniors with dementia to use public transportation. Luckily, most memory care communities provide transportation services. In fact, 90% of our partner memory care facilities in Austin offer at-cost or complimentary transportation services with trained caregiver escorts.
Furthermore, if a senior is a Medicaid recipient and they don’t have transportation services at their community, they may receive rides through the medical transportation program provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Services include rides to doctors’ offices, hospitals, drug stores, or any places that provide Medicaid-covered health care services. Keep in mind that it’s still important for seniors with dementia to have a caregiving escort during these trips to ensure their safe arrival and return.
Family and friends may also find it useful to learn about public transportation options to get around when visiting a senior loved one at a memory care community. CapMetro offers buses, rail lines, shuttles, and more throughout Austin. The public transportation system even offers seniors 65+ a Reduced Fare ID (RFID) Card for $3, enabling families to enjoy trips with their loved ones with accommodations for any mobility impairments they may have. After the initial $3 for the card, seniors will pay half-priced fares for any rides, and the card must be renewed every two years.
Austin offers many unique activities for seniors in any stage of dementia. Some Austin memory care communities take residents out for scheduled outings to local attractions and events. The communities aim to help seniors with dementia explore popular places safely as they reminisce and engage in new experiences. Visiting families can also take their loved one out to some of these senior-favored activities to create new, meaningful memories. Check out some dementia-friendly activities in Austin below:
Brookdale North Austin, The Isle at Cedar Ridge and Brookdale Westlake Hills are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Austin, TX. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Austin is $6,904 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 45 memory care facilities near you in Austin, Texas typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Austin, Texas, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Austin, Texas, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Austin, Texas ranges from $1200 to $482000. The average Memory Care cost in Austin, Texas is $6,904. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Austin, Texas typically starts at $1200. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Austin city, Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2016, March 1). A-3300, Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023). Appendix VIII, monthly income/resource limits in STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Client FAQs.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Assisted living facilities (ALF).
Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities, Texas Administrative Code § 553 (2021).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Long-term care provider search.
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (2021).
City of Austin. (2020). About the city of Austin.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Austin city, Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2016, March 1). A-3300, Home and Community-Based Services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023). Appendix VIII, monthly income/resource limits in STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Client FAQs.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Assisted living facilities (ALF).
Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities, Texas Administrative Code § 553 (2021).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Long-term care provider search.
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (2021).
City of Austin. (2020). About the city of Austin.