10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Plano, TX

Paying for a Plano memory care facility for your loved one might feel overwhelming. But there are several options that can help, from private payment methods and VA benefits to Medicare and Medicaid; we’ll go over the options to help your loved one afford the care they need.

In order to operate, Plano’s memory care facilities must receive a Type B assisted living facility license from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. They are then inspected once every two years (more often if there is a complaint). If you want to look at how Plano’s memory care facilities have fared on their inspections, you can find them on this long-term care provider search portal.

Memory care facilities in Plano must follow the regulations in this Texas Administrative Code and the Health and Safety Code. This is the same set of rules and regulations that apply to assisted living facilities; however, there are additional standards for Certified Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Facilities, which is how Texas refers to a memory care facility.

These additional standards for memory care facilities cover the safety and security aspects of the actual facility, as well as provide guidance around staffing, staff training, and activities that must be provided. Here is a summary of the expectations in place for Texas’ memory care facilities:

• Two staff members have to be immediately available to help any resident who needs assistance in a memory care facility with 17 or more residents. Otherwise, a specific staff-to-resident ratio is not specified by law.
• Staff members are required to complete specialized training to ensure they know how to provide care for residents with cognitive issues.
• Memory care facilities must provide specific activities to encourage residents to socialize and participate in physical activity. These planned activities also have to be individualized based on what’s appropriate for each resident’s needs and abilities.
• Memory care facilities must provide secured outdoor spaces as well as exit alarms to keep residents safe from potential wandering.

Texas Department of Health contact information

Texas Department of Health and Human Services
North Austin Complex
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500

COVID-19 regulations for Plano memory care facilities

The city of Plano does not require memory care facilities to follow any specific COVID-19 preventative measures. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some guidelines for COVID-19 prevention.

Since Plano is the primary suburb of the major metropolitan area of Dallas-Fort Worth, it may not surprise you that A Place for Mom partners with 76 memory care facilities in the Plano area — giving you plenty of options to find the perfect fit for your loved one.

Options to fit all needs

The stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia, as well as any physical needs your loved one might have, will play into your decision about which type of living arrangement will be best. While 15 of our partner facilities are solely dedicated to providing memory care, others have a variety of options.

• 38 of our partner facilities offer both assisted living and memory care services.
• 18 of our partners are assisted living personal care homes that also offer memory care. These smaller facilities are generally converted residential homes in regular neighborhoods that provide care in a small, intimate setting.
• 5 of our partner facilities combine independent living options, assisted living, and memory care, making these great choices for aging in place.

Security that provides peace of mind

When looking for the right facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that 84% of our partner memory care facilities in the Plano area were specifically designed with memory care in mind. That means you can expect the facility itself to be conducive for those who struggle with remembering by having easy-to-understand signage and color-coordinated hallways. Additionally, 79% of our partner facilities have enclosed courtyards, which give your loved one a chance to enjoy the freedom of going outside in a secure manner.

Keeping your loved one healthy and engaged

More than half of our partner memory care facilities have a dedicated activity director who schedules daily activities to engage your loved one and provide socialization opportunities. Besides group events, your loved one has the freedom to relax in common areas, like the TV lounges that are found at nearly all our partner facilities. More than half of our partners offer arts and crafts centers to help ensure your loved one doesn’t get bored.

Health care for seniors in Plano

As one of the major suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth, Plano residents have access to excellent health care options. In fact, Plano has been named one of the healthiest cities in America.

Transportation for seniors in Plano

Getting around is made easy for residents at our partner memory care facilities in Plano since 62% of our partner facilities provide at-cost transportation, and 43% offer it for free.

Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia should not travel alone, but if you want to use public transportation to take your loved one on an outing, there are plenty of options. You and your loved one can catch the Orange Line or the Red Line of the DART Rail System at the Downtown Plano Station or the Parker Road Station. If you need to know how these lines connect to others, use this rail system map. The DART Bus System has two park-and-ride locations in Plano, which are the Jack Hatchell Transit Center and the Northwest Plano Park-and-Ride.

A travel training program is provided by DART for people with physical or mental disabilities. You can take this along with your loved one to better understand how to help them get around.  A certified instructor will teach you how to use the DART system and will cover everything from how to buy a ticket to how to read and understand the schedule. You can call 214-828-8676 to sign up or ask questions about the program.

For on-demand rides, you can use GoLink. This DART On-Demand service is available seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight. A door-to-door paratransit service is also available for those with disabilities who are not able to use the regular fixed-route buses.

DART Rides is a rider assistance program for people who are disabled or at least 65 years old. You have to qualify for this program, and the website lists all the details about eligibility requirements.

Senior activities in Plano

The North Central Texas Council of Governments has put together a resource list for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Here you can find things to do, from dementia-specific workshops to a list of engaging virtual activities specifically created for those with memory impairments to information about the Plano Memory Cafe, which is held monthly at the Sam Johnson Recreation Center’s Wellness Center.

The Plano Public Library also offers this Dementia-Alzheimer’s List of Resources that can help you learn more about these illnesses and inform your decisions on activities to do with your loved ones. You and your loved one can also visit the library twice a month for Memory Keepers, which is a relaxing get-together for people in earlier stages of dementia and their loved ones to share memories through guided prompts.

If you want to take your loved one out on the town, a good place to start is in the Downtown Plano Arts District, where you can find fun and relaxing events like Jazz Concert Under the Starz. Just a few steps away, you can enjoy Haggard Park, which is a great place for a stroll or sitting in the gazebo to enjoy the lakeside views.

While you are in the area, head over to the Interurban Railway Museum, where admission is free! Due to the historic nature of the museum, there are accessibility challenges, so you’ll want to check that before you go. Another fantastic stop is the Heritage Farmstead Museum, where the old-fashioned ways of life on the North Texas Blackland Prairie are remembered.

For some outdoor adventures, enjoy Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, which has 800 acres that include a lake that’s great for fishing and miles of trails. In fact, eight miles of the trail system are concrete, which is nice if you need something accessible. Bob Woodruff Park North is another great spot to enjoy a fishing pier and trails. The park also has an equestrian area where you might enjoy doing some people- and horse-watching!

If you’re up for a short jaunt out of town, just north of Plano, you can see the Southfork Ranch. It claims to be the “World’s Most Famous Ranch” because it was featured on the T.V. show “Dallas” as the Ewing mansion.

Speaking of the Big D, history buffs will want to head into Dallas and go to the George W. Bush Presidential Center. It’s a Presidential library, museum, and gorgeous 15-acre prairie with a Texas rose garden. You and your loved one might want to visit The Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza, where the life and assassination of President John F. Kennedy are commemorated.

If you and your loved one enjoy rooting for big sports teams, Dallas has great options. You can start with a tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in addition to taking in a game. You can also root for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, or MLB’s Texas Rangers.