Find Independent Living Communities Near Austin, TX

Seniors typically rely on private retirement funds to pay for independent senior living in Austin, as Medicaid and Medicare do not cover independent living room and board costs. However, seniors can still save on health care costs and pay for potential senior care services in the future using Medicaid and Medicare.

Depending on their history and current situation, seniors may also use their veterans benefits and/or Social Security benefits to defray some costs of senior independent living in Austin, Texas. Learn about all of these methods and more in this section.

Unlike assisted living and memory care facilities, Texas doesn’t require a state agency to regulate independent living facilities, as they are not considered care facilities. However, independent living communities are still required to comply with Texas’ general housing and apartment standards for rental units, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.

But, if an independent living facility shares a campus or building with an assisted living facility (or ALF), the assisted living-designated area must comply with the assisted living regulation requirements set forth by Texas Health and Human Services (or HHS). If you would like to see the regulations for Austin assisted living facilities, check out the laws and regulation section on that page.

What are my rights as an independent living tenant in Austin, Texas?

Stand-alone independent living rental communities are required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. It’s important to learn about your rights as a tenant, as it’ll help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while renting.

Here’s a brief overview of tenants’ rights in Texas:

• Residents hold the right to ask their landlord to repair problems that risk their health and safety, and landlords must make a diligent effort to repair the problems at hand.
• Residents may terminate their lease if a problem that affects their health hasn’t been resolved after two notices to the landlord and within a reasonable timeframe — usually seven days.
• Residents may hire an external contractor to fix the problems at hand if their landlord fails to resolve issues that affect their health after multiple notices within a reasonable timeframe. Residents can then submit their expenses to the landlord to deduct from their rent.

Before attempting to terminate an independent living agreement or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that you reach out to an attorney or a tenants association. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease or contractual agreements, and it’s also ultimately more likely to lead you to the result you desire. It’s also recommended for tenants to provide written notices of complaints or maintenance requests to their landlord and that they keep a copy of each notice as proof.

If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a tenant in an independent living facility, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

Can I ask for disability-related accommodations and modifications at an independent living community?

In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — are in place to help protect tenants from being discriminated against due to a disability. This prohibits independent living facilities from refusing housing due to a senior’s disability. Furthermore, these laws require housing providers to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

In most independent living communities, accommodations and modifications are provided; however, some smaller communities may not provide them. If you’re an individual with a disability, it’s important for you to learn about your right to ask for reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:

• Allowing a service animal to live with a resident even when there’s a no-pets policy in place
• Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the resident’s building
• Changing the due date of rent to reflect a resident’s disability income payment dates

Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units and could include the following:

• Installing a specialized smoke detector for a resident with a hearing impairment
• Adding a wheelchair ramp to enable a disabled resident to easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities
• Installing grab bars or widening doorways in a unit to accommodate residents who use a wheelchair

These nondiscrimination laws apply to all independent living facilities in Austin. Independent living facility owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. If you’d like more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications.

COVID-19 regulations for Austin independent living communities

Austin currently doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations specific to independent living communities. However, the city does provide a COVID-19 in Austin page on its city website to provide residents with regular updates regarding risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.

Additionally, if an independent living facility shares a building with an assisted living facility, it must comply with any protective measures set forth by the assisted living facility. In Texas, assisted living facilities are required to develop their own infection prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19. The measures may include the community’s hygiene practices, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfection and sterilization techniques, safe injection methods, and physical distancing requirements.

Because communities are allowed to set their own standards, it’s best to check with your prospective community directly to see if they have any specific COVID-19 regulations in place.

Austin’s senior population is on the rise — in fact, the city has seen a nearly 75% increase in its senior population over the last decade. The city attracts seniors due to its robust health care options, warm weather, and recent increase in senior living options. And, to keep up with the rapid growth, Austin has enacted an action plan called Age-Friendly Austin.

The Age-Friendly Austin initiative aims to make the city more friendly and supportive for current and future seniors. It addresses eight areas that influence the health and quality of life for seniors, including the following:

• Outdoor spaces and buildings
• Transportation options
• Housing
• Social participation
• Respect and social inclusion
• Civic participation and employment
• Communication and information
• Community support and health services

As the population grows, an increasing number of seniors are looking for unique retirement options. Luckily, Austin has expanded its independent living scene to help seniors maintain their independence and thrive without the stress of homeownership. Check out some features unique to Austin independent living communities below.

Diverse amenities and engaging activities offer luxury and convenience

Austin independent living communities aim to help seniors continue their tried-and-true hobbies, form new friendships, maintain optimal health, and discover new interests. To do so, communities house a range of amenities for seniors to enjoy at their leisure.

Some of the most common amenities seen in Austin independent living communities include the following:

• Beauty salon and/or barbershop
• Picnic and barbecue areas
• On-site cafes and/or bistros
• Gardens with raised gardening beds
• Fitness centers
• Swimming pool
• Walking paths
• Movie theater
• Library
• Business center
• Game room
• Arts and crafts center
• Concierge services

Many Austin communities also offer on-site activities facilitated by an activity and/or life enrichment director. These directors craft a monthly schedule of dynamic activities catered to the needs and interests of current residents. Some of the most popular activities at Austin independent living communities include the following:

• Art and cooking classes
• Educational classes and/or lectures (guest speakers, TED talks, etc.)
• Fitness classes (chair yoga, tai chi, aerobics, etc.)
• Musical events (live performances, music lessons, karaoke, etc.)
• Holiday and birthday parties
• Interest clubs (book clubs, current events club, walking club, etc.)
• Card and board games (trivia nights, bingo, scrabble, etc.)
• Devotional services
• Group outings and day trips

A range of services and floor plans offer safety, convenience, and quality

Many seniors believe moving to a senior living community will result in sacrificing their privacy and space. However, that’s a common misconception, and Austin independent living communities do their best to help ensure residents get the space and privacy they need. In fact, the most popular in-network communities offer stunning, spacious villas and cottages. These villas and cottages often look like smaller homes or townhomes and offer seniors more privacy and space. Here are some key differences between regular units and cottages or villas:

A typical independent living unit in Austin features the following:

• Full-size washer and dryer
• Full kitchen or kitchenette
• Patio or balcony
• Closets

A villa or cottage offers the aforementioned amenities, and may also include:

• Larger kitchen
• Private patio
• Multiple walk-in closets
• Private garage

On top of these features, Austin independent living residents benefit from the added safety of emergency call response systems and security systems. Several in-network communities have installed robust tech to help ensure residents reside in a safe environment. Plus, seniors never have to worry about chores that usually come with home ownership — communities happily offer housekeeping, dining, landscaping, maintenance, and transportation services.

Multi-tiered care levels support aging in place

Most Austin independent living communities share a campus with an assisted living facility, enabling residents to gracefully age in place. If you’re not familiar with how the two differ, check out how assisted living differs from independent living. Typically, independent living eliminates the stresses of home ownership and offers seniors a maintenance-free lifestyle filled with activities and amenities. On the other hand, Austin assisted living offers seniors all of that in addition to assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personalized care services.

Some communities even offer a memory care unit, making for an easy transition for any seniors who develop memory loss problems or a type of dementia down the line. This multi-tiered care approach also helps senior couples with differing care needs age together. Many of these communities also have on-site doctors and nurses to monitor residents’ vitals, medications, and health issues.

Independent living in the surrounding Austin suburbs

Because of Austin’s fast pace, some seniors prefer to live further from the city’s downtown. Luckily, there are many suburbs that’ve become popular. For example, Round Rock is often clumped in with Austin, as it has become a part of the city’s metro area due to the city’s rapid growth and expansion. It offers all of the independent living luxuries of Austin communities at a slightly lower starting price. Plus, the city offers gorgeous parks and premium outlets to shop.

However, if you’d prefer a lower cost and don’t mind living 30 minutes from Austin’s downtown, Pflugerville might be your best option, where costs are cut nearly in half. It offers peaceful, family-friendly neighborhoods without sacrificing quality of life, as it’s still close to daily conveniences and not too far from Austin’s attractions.

Health care for seniors in Austin

Austin’s range of health care options makes it attractive to seniors. The city has robust medical centers throughout the city. Here’s some information on Austin’s top-rated medical centers:

Transportation for seniors in Austin

Austin’s vast urban sprawl makes it difficult for residents to easily walk everywhere, so many residents own a vehicle to drive themselves around. However, the city’s downtown area is known for being easy to walk and bike. And, to seniors’ advantage, 100% of our in-network independent living communities offer complimentary transportation services. Do remember that some communities may limit their rides to appointments and errands, while others also offer rides to leisure events.

Seniors can also utilize CapMetro — the citywide public transportation system offering buses, rail lines, shuttles, and more. CapMetro offers a $3 Reduced Fare ID (RFID) Card for seniors 65+, Medicare card holders, and individuals with disabilities, which offers half-priced fares for all transportation services. Seniors must renew the card every two years.

The city’s parks and recreation department also operates a Senior Transportation Program to offer rides to seniors 60+ in the Austin area. This transportation service is funded by the City of Austin and Capital Area of Council of Governments (CAPCOG) to enhance the quality of life for seniors and to promote independence among the population. Seniors must apply for the service. After approval, seniors can receive free rides for medical appointments and select routes. To reserve a ride for errands, riders must pay a $3 fee per destination.

To get a better understanding of Austin’s sprawl, check out the following scores from WalkScore. They’re each out of 100 and are based on downtown Austin’s public density, walking routes, public transportation options, biking routes, and infrastructure: