10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Dallas, TX

Paying for memory care in Dallas can be done in many ways, but timely planning enables families to maximize their options. Families tend to use some combination of private methods and public sources to fund memory care costs. Check out our compiled information and resources to help understand the various ways to pay for memory care in Dallas.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating memory care facilities. The state categorizes memory care facilities under assisted living facilities; therefore, Texas memory care regulations are built into assisted living regulations and laws. The state of Texas refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs, and categorizes them into two main types:

• Type A ALFs provide care to seniors who don’t need routine overnight attendance and are able to follow directions in an emergency.
• Type B ALFs are for seniors who need nighttime attendance and staff assistance to evacuate during emergency situations. This type includes facilities with special care units, including memory care and skilled nursing.

All certified memory care facilities fall under the Type B assisted living facility (ALF). The main difference between general assisted living and those offering specialized memory care is that memory care-licensed assisted living communities must meet additional certification requirements. The additional licensing standards for assisted living facilities licensed in memory care include, but are not limited to, the following:

Memory care facility manager qualifications

• To become a memory care facility manager, a person has to be 21 years old and possess an associate’s degree in nursing or health care management, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or proof of high school graduation and at least a year of experience working with dementia patients.
• A memory care facility manager must also participate in at least 6 hours of additional memory care-specific caregiver training on a yearly basis.

Memory care staffing and training regulations

• Memory care facilities providing care to more than 17 residents must always have two caregiving staff members on site.
• All memory care staff members must undergo 4 hours of memory care-specific training before they can assume any job-related duties or tasks.
• After the initial training, caregiving staff must complete 16 hours of supervised training covering all of their responsibilities, including assisting with activities of daily living, behavior management, emergency procedures, and more.
• Each memory care staff member will need to complete 12 hours of continued education and memory care training on a yearly basis.

Resident admission, assessments, and care plans

• Each memory care facility must create a process for ensuring their ability to care for a potential resident and apply this process before admitting each resident.
• Within a new resident’s initial two weeks, facilities are required to perform a resident assessment of behaviors, health conditions, communication abilities, dietary requirements, required medications, and ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Resident assessments should be used to create care plans that accommodate residents’ needs, preferences, and strengths. These care plans should also keep them physically, cognitively, and socially healthy.
• It’s mandatory that care plans be adjusted on an annual basis and after serious conditional changes in the resident.

Required activities program

• Memory care facilities must have an activities program that encourages, not forces, socialization, self-expression, physical activity, and cognitive awareness.
• A designated activity director is required to lead these activities and help ensure that there’s a healthy balance of group and individual activities that address varying cognitive, recreational, and activities of daily living (ADL) needs.
• The activity director must also account for each resident’s medical history, limitations, and preferences to determine person-centered activities and arrange special equipment for residents who may need it.

Memory care facility inspections

To regulate memory care-specialized assisted living facilities, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs unannounced inspections approximately every two years. Inspections are based on a facility’s compliance with Texas’ health and safety code, also referred to separately as the health code and life safety code.

The health code inspection includes a review of the following:

• Appropriate supervision levels for residents
• Employee background checks
• Management of the facility
• Any items that could affect resident health

The life safety code inspection includes a review of the following:

• Construction of the facility
• Safety and emergency features
• Protection from hazardous areas
• Documentation of fire drills, system checks, etc.

Families can see each licensed community’s most recent inspection report and general facility information through the Long-term Care Provider Search provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

For additional information, you can email RSLTCR.RecordsMgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us or visit this section on the Long-term Care Provider Search page.

Texas Health and Human Services contact information

• 4601 W. Guadalupe St.
  Austin, TX 78751
  Phone: 512-424-6500
  Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Dallas memory care facilities

Memory care facilities in Dallas, Texas, follow the same COVID-19 regulations as assisted living facilities. All long-term care facilities are required to develop their own policies and procedures regarding masking, social distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) to govern the safety of residents. Now that emergency rules have expired in Texas, visitors are allowed on site at facilities because visitation is a resident right.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) developed a COVID-19 response plan and regularly updates a list of COVID-19 FAQs to help assisted living and memory care facilities stay up to date with the following practices:

Dallas offers an array of memory care facilities and services dedicated to improving the lives of those living with dementia. The city has a fund called AWARE, as a part of The Dallas Foundation, to provide funding to outstanding programs, projects, and research organizations that support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Dallas also has a local Alzheimer’s Association chapter dedicated to providing support services and education to those facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. These programs and services can be used by family members to get a better understanding of dementia. Families can also choose to donate to support the development of resources and programs for individuals with dementia in the Dallas area.

Memory care community features in Dallas

Due to Texas’ robust memory care regulations, the city’s memory care facilities try to personalize their residents’ experiences as best as possible. With regulations that are designed to promote quality of life and care for dementia patients, families can narrow their search to the specific community features that will best enrich their loved one’s life.

Memory care within assisted living facilities

Many Dallas-area assisted living facilities offer a secured memory care unit for individuals with dementia, so they can reside in a safe environment built to minimize risks around wandering and confusion. Some communities also integrate activities with the assisted living units to benefit individuals with only mild dementia, so a wide spectrum of care is available and tailored to all residents. These types of communities are a good choice for couples who want to live together, but require different levels of care.

Person-centered dementia care

Care must be personalized to the individual in the state of Texas. That is precisely why many communities have adapted a person-centered care approach, dedicated to learning about each individual’s personality, history, preferences, and interests. This personal information is then used by staff members and caregivers to curate residents’ optimum routines and person-centered service plans, including favorite clothes and personalized sleep schedules. Oftentimes, communities will collaborate with families to customize things like a resident’s living quarters, dining plan, or activity options.

Personalized activity programs

Memory care communities in Dallas are required to support activities. Many communities try to develop a truly unique, person-centered program filled with a combination of active and calming activities to entertain residents and help manage their dementia behaviors. These programs help residents maintain a sense of purpose and enhance their quality of life — through personalized activities that are meaningful to them as individuals.

Many communities also use reminiscence therapy, which stimulates the brain and enables dementia patients to recall cherished memories through mementos. Life skill stations are designed and tailored to residents to replicate the environment of their old professions. And sensory therapies help residents to relive cherished moments using songs, scents, textures, and tastes.

Safe and monitored environments

Memory care communities often have enclosed courtyards and walking paths, innovative security systems, monitored entrances, easy-to-navigate hallways, and safety call systems to help ensure resident safety. Many communities also have on-site nurses, 24-hour staff, and visiting doctors to oversee proper, timely care.

Health care for seniors in Dallas, Texas

The city of Dallas has several health care providers, with some ranking high in numerous specialties. Seniors can receive quality care from some of the most highly rated and nationally recognized hospitals in the country:

Transportation for seniors in Dallas, Texas

Public transportation isn’t the safest or most ideal option for seniors with dementia, and that is precisely why memory care communities in Dallas typically provide their own transportation services. Some provide complimentary transportation, while other communities include it in the monthly rate or provide it as an à la carte service. Most communities can organize rides for appointments, errands, and scheduled group activities; however, only some will provide transportation to personal events.