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As the largest city in Texas, Houston is home to many seniors and a range of assisted living facilities. The city draws in retired seniors with its diverse senior living scene, while its stunning parks, cultural activities, and top-rated medical centers serve as an added bonus. Houston’s senior-friendly urban sprawl offers choices for retirees. A Place for Mom partners with 31 assisted living facilities throughout the most popular neighborhoods within downtown Houston’s 10-mile radius.
To help you wade through the abundance of assisted living options, we’ve scored Houston assisted living facilities using our 20+ years of experience in the senior living industry, data on senior living facilities across the country, and feedback from families like yours. We’ve also collected information on our partnered communities in Houston to compile this guide on local assisted living costs, payment methods, facility regulations, local senior-friendly activities, and more.
Types of care available in Houston, TX
Assisted Living
The staff is great, if you can afford the community it is beautiful. The community is flexible and accommodating and the community has gone above and beyond. Communication is great and they keep us well informed and updated. I have the cell numbers of everyone and they are all very quick to call and text back and they listen to feedback. I would recommend this community to others
Clayton Oaks Living is a very good facility, and the care services are great. From what we have seen the meals and dining services look good we have not seen otherwise. We also think the value for cost is fair.
The atmosphere is positive at Serenity Garden. As small as the staff is they work hard. The room was great for our loved one. The food was good. I initially saw board games, and I didn't see them on return visits. The community did try to get the residents involved in different exercise
15139 Gran Vista Dr, Houston, TX 77083
15526 empanada dr, Houston, TX 77083
16251 Barborossa Dr, Houston, TX 77083
12410 Space Center Blvd, Houston, TX 77059
Apex Oaks Clear Lake is a BRAND-NEW assisted living and memory care community located in southeast Houston near Galveston Bay, making Apex Oaks at Clear Lake the perfect place to escape the city and enjoy a relaxing retirement. Our assisted living and memory care cottages allow residents to live...
The cost of assisted living in Houston varies depending on the selected neighborhood, preferred floor plan, and required level of care. The median rent cost, not including any added care or amenities, was $5,355 per month at partner assisted living facilities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Houston — according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.
Below, you’ll find figures that represent baseline cost averages and don’t necessarily reflect total move-in costs, add-ons, and fees.
8.82 miles from you
Your zip code
5.81 miles from you
There are several ways a person can pay for assisted living, so it’s important to maximize options by planning early. Many families use a mixture of private methods and public sources to finance assisted living costs. In this section, we’ve compiled a variety of methods and resources to help you pay for assisted living in Houston.
Private pay methods are usually considered first when families begin crafting a payment plan for assisted living. Your loved one’s methods will depend on their financial situation and can include the following:
It’s also noteworthy that Texas is one of the few U.S. states without a personal income tax, saving seniors from tax burden on their Social Security benefits and other retirement income.[01,02] And, if a senior’s medical expenses total more than 7.5% of their adjusted gross income, they may be tax-deductible on federal tax returns.
In the state of Texas, all assisted living facilities must be licensed by Texas Health and Human Services (also known as HHS) in order to operate and house residents.
Texas Health and Human Services refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs and categorizes them into two types — A and B. Type A ALFs provide care to residents who don’t require routine attendance overnight and are capable of following directions in emergency situations. Type B ALFs care for residents who require nighttime attendance and assistance for evacuation during emergencies.
All licensed assisted living facilities must pass a life safety code, physical plant inspection, and health inspection before they are officially licensed. After the initial inspection, facilities are inspected at least once every two years. The life safety code is used to ascertain whether the facility is built to safely house residents, and the health inspection helps confirm that a facility is equipped to protect residents’ health.
Texas Health and Human Services inspections check for the following in a facility and more:
To access a licensed assisted living facility’s most recent inspection report and general facility information, visit the Texas Health and Human Services Long-term Care Provider Search. To request any information not found on the site, 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.
Houston itself doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations in place for assisted living facilities; however, the Harris County Public Health Department provides COVID-19 updates and general information regarding testing, vaccines, and more.
For the state, Texas Health and Human Services (also known as HHS) developed a COVID-19 response plan for assisted living facilities. They regularly provide updates through COVID-19 FAQs to help facilities stay up to date with practices.
HHS requires assisted living facilities to develop their own policies and procedures regarding masks, social distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) to help ensure resident safety. They must also allow all residents to have visitors, as it is a resident right.
Texas COVID-19 guidelines include the following:
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary for residents and not required for visitors.
Masking. Residents and visitors aren’t required to wear masks unless indicated in the facility’s infection control policies and procedures.
Facility cleanliness. Frequently touched surfaces must be disinfected often, alcohol-based hand sanitizers must be available, and sinks must be well-stocked with soap and paper towels.
Staff safety. Staff must wear personal protective equipment when necessary and follow infection control policies and procedures during an outbreak.
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
Houston’s population of 2.2 million is quickly rising and contributing to the growth of the aging population because many seniors prefer to remain close to their families. Houston seniors often seek assisted living options in neighborhoods close to their loved ones. Luckily, the city has no shortage of options. From luxury communities downtown to traditional communities in suburban neighborhoods, seniors have a range of options to choose from. Check out some unique Houston, Texas, assisted living features below.
Due to high temperatures in Houston, many residents prefer to have as many on-site activities, amenities, and conveniences as possible. Our in-network communities do a great job of this, as many of them offer everything from beauty salons and fitness centers to theaters and libraries. Texas regulations hold assisted living communities to a high standard, as they require communities to provide weekly social programming. Many communities take this a step further and provide a rotating calendar of events and activities on a monthly basis.
Many Houston families and residents feel safer when care is available on site. Especially when an on-site medical director oversees care plans and an on-call doctor is available to attend to any urgent needs. Approximately 35% of our in-network communities have an on-site medical director, while 80% of them have an on-call doctor. Several communities also have visiting dentists, nurses, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. These visits are covered by Medicare when medically necessary for residents.
More than half of our in-network communities employ staff members that speak at least one other language, with Spanish being the most popular one. A small number of our Houston partner communities also employ staff fluent in sign language, Mandarin, and French. Additionally, several communities enable residents to practice their faith by offering a place of worship, devotional services, religious study groups, or visiting chaplains. Some communities are even faith-based, enabling seniors to reside and practice their faith with like-minded individuals.
As seniors age, many of them prefer to move away from Houston traffic. Luckily, there are several suburbs nearby with a range of assisted living options. In recent years, Sugar Land and Katy have become some of Houston’s most popular suburbs and retirement destinations. These suburban cities come with a lot of open space, enabling seniors to live in large, nationally recognized, and award-winning assisted living communities that house unique amenities and multiple care types under one roof.
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Percentage of 65+ Houston seniors that speak a language other than English at home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of 65+ Houston seniors who have a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of 65+ seniors that are not in the workforce, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Houston is a health care hub for veterans and seniors. The city is home to two nationally ranked hospitals and the top-ranked hospital in Texas. Take a look at some information on the top hospitals in Houston:
Houston Methodist Hospital is the No. 1 hospital in Texas and Houston, according to U.S. News and World Report. It nationally ranks in 10 specialties, including No. 22 in the nation for geriatrics, No. 11 for orthopedics, and No. 15 in neurology.
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is the No. 2 hospital in Houston, and it nationally ranks in six specialties, including No. 43 in the nation for geriatrics, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Memorial Hermann Hospital is No. 3 in Houston, and it’s high performing in seven specialties, including diabetes, orthopedics, and cardiology, according to U.S. News and World Report.
MD Anderson is the No. 1 cancer center in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. It’s the largest cancer center in America and is also nationally ranked in geriatrics, diabetes, and urology.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is a popular veteran hospital in Texas. It is known for offering a wide array of services, including health, legal, and caregiver resources.
Assisted living facilities are home to seniors with a range of mobility needs. Some seniors are wheelchair users or require transfer assistance, while others just need some safety accommodations like grab bars, ramps, etc. To accommodate these various needs, most assisted living facilities provide their own complimentary transportation, at-cost transportation services, or easy access to public options.
Houston public transportation options include METRO, which offers buses, rails, and paratransit services to Harris County residents. Another option is RIDES, offered through Harris County Transit, for residents who aren’t able to access METRO services. RIDES service is provided to qualifying individuals with disabilities and 65+ adults.
For active seniors who’d like to explore Houston with friends and families, the following scores from WalkScore may be useful. They’re each out of 100 and are based on Houston’s public density, walking routes, transportation services, biking trails, and more:
47
36
49
As Texas’ largest city, the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas” stands true in Houston. The city expands over 426,000 acres and is home to a large number of attractions and activities. Because mobility levels and interests vary in assisted living residents, we’ve compiled a range of activities suitable for a variety of seniors below.
The Bradford Memory Care, Wood Glen Court and Novellus Cypresswood Assisted Living and Memory Care are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Houston, TX. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Houston is 4,555 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
TurboTax. (2022, December 1). States with the lowest taxes and the highest taxes.
Fritts, J. (2020, August 9). Does your state tax social security benefits? Tax Foundation.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Client FAQs.
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. (2022).Assisted living facilities (ALF).
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (2021).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
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