10 Best Memory Care Facilities in The Woodlands, TX

Various payment options are available for memory care, allowing seniors and their families to finance their expenses through different means. One avenue is private pay options, utilizing Social Security benefits or investment returns. Public assistance programs can also provide financial support. It is common for individuals to use a combination of private and public funding sources to meet the expenses associated with memory care.

The following sections will explore different payment options and resources available for memory care, including private pay, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living, so it follows the same regulations as assisted living in Texas, with additional regulatory requirements. All memory care communities must be licensed, and the regulatory requirements are overseen by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS).

To obtain a license, a memory care facility, also known as an assisted living facility, must successfully undergo two separate on-site inspections. One inspection focuses on ensuring compliance with life safety codes, while the other inspection assesses adherence to health standards. The license is valid for two years; for renewal, an additional on-site inspection is required, including evaluating the quality of resident care. Inspections can be seen online through the provider search portal.

In addition to the standard licensing, there are other standards memory care facilities must meet; these include:

• Residents must have individualized activity plans based on their health assessment and be offered at least one small group or one-on-one activity daily. Facilities with 17 or more residents must have an activity director on-site 20 hours a week.
• Potential residents must be assessed within 14 days of admission and be interviewed before admission to ensure their needs will be met in memory care.
• All staff must complete four hours of dementia-specific training before starting work at the facility.
• Staff directly caring for residents must complete 16 hours of supervision and training following their orientation and 12 hours annually of training dedicated to Alzheimer’s and behavior management.
• Facilities must have a supervisor or manager, and in facilities with 17 or more residents, two staff members must be immediately available.

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 The Woodlands memory care facilities

COVID-19 protocols for memory care communities in Montgomery County, Texas, can vary among facilities. However, it is generally recommended to follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, Montgomery County provides general information to keep citizens informed on the latest information related to COVID-19.

The Woodlands offers a remarkable quality of life, with a wide range of amenities and conveniences easily within reach. The community prides itself on fostering a strong sense of togetherness, making it a great option for seniors in memory care looking to maintain friendships and family connections.

Top-notch amenities

Memory care facilities in The Woodlands provide calming environments for residents to receive daily care catering to their physical and cognitive needs. As such, many offer specialized activities and events to cater to those with dementia, as well as numerous opportunities for residents to stay engaged and active. Some facilities host regular fitness classes, technology classes, and other activities such as clubs, game nights, birthday celebrations, movie nights, off-site trips, and more.

Many communities have communal indoor and outdoor areas, including courtyards, arts and crafts centers, walking trails, libraries, and dining rooms. Restaurant-style dining is common at memory care facilities, and some places have specialized dining programs and vegetarian and low/no sodium options.

Personalized care plans and compassionate staff

Staff provides compassionate care to residents, customized to the unique needs of individuals with memory loss. Most facilities are equipped to ensure residents are safe through specific care and staff training designed for memory loss. Many facilities are designed to accommodate memory loss and have care protocols for exit-seeking behaviors, hallucinations, and delusions. Most also have staff training and resident care for those who need redirection or are disoriented, restless, pacing, or wandering.

A number of our partner facilities provide on-site nursing and full medication management to ensure residents have the assistance they need. To improve resident safety, many rooms include emergency call systems and shower safety bars, as well as 24-hour staff and anxiety, aggression, and agitation care.

While most memory care facilities have access to on-site health care, families can rest assured that top-rated medical facilities are nearby if needed. Facilities like St. Luke’s and Houston Methodist offer comprehensive medical care, ensuring that residents receive the highest quality health care in a supportive environment.

Combination facilities for easy transitions

Of the 30 in-network memory care facilities, 21 are part of broader care communities, such as assisted living and independent living. These facilities provide a comprehensive continuum of care within a single community. This means that as residents’ care needs change over time, they can seamlessly transition to different levels of care without having to relocate. It also allows for greater flexibility and personalized care plans. Residents can receive the specific level of support they require while maintaining a sense of familiarity and community connections.

Health care for seniors in The Woodlands

Transportation for seniors in The Woodlands

Of our 30 partner memory care facilities, 63% offer complimentary transportation, and 60% offer at-cost transportation. For individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, it is not feasible for them to drive or use public transport independently. Therefore, we recommend contacting any facility you or your loved one is interested in to ensure transportation needs are met.

For residents requiring transportation, several services are available to ensure their safe travel.

• ADA Paratransit provides a shared ride, curb-to-curb transportation option for eligible seniors and their caregivers.
• Interfaith of The Woodlands is demand-response transportation services for individuals aged 62 and over facilitated by volunteer drivers. They assist with local health care appointments, grocery store visits, and social activities.
• Meals on Wheels’ Senior Rides program provides curb-to-curb transportation with no trip restrictions for individuals aged 60 and over or those with proof of disability. This program helps facilitate trips to doctors’ appointments or the Social Security office.
• Bryant Transportation Service offers ridesharing and subscription services to individuals aged 65 and over in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.
• Agape Medical Transport provides fixed routes, ridesharing, and subscription services for individuals over 65 in Harris and Montgomery Counties.

Senior activities in The Woodlands

For those who would like to spend quality time with a memory care resident outside their facility, there are plenty of activities in The Woodlands and nearby Houston.

Many people with dementia or Alzheimer’s enjoy spending time outside, and there are a number of green spaces to enjoy nature. Northshore Park features a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, paved walking paths, and picnic areas. Hughes Landing offers a picturesque view of the waterfront with accessible paths (ideal for mobility devices) and cafes and restaurants to rest at. For a more immersive experience, George Mitchell Nature Preserve, set across 1,800 acres, has wheelchair-friendly trails and is known for its lush landscape and wildlife.

Just 25 miles south of The Woodlands, Houston has several activities ideal for seniors and their families. Several museums in Houston offer specialized programs and tours for individuals with Alzheimer’s. The Museum of Fine Arts hosts Looking Together, an art program designed for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers. The Houston Museum of Natural Science offers guided presentations for those with memory loss; caregivers also receive complimentary admission to the museum when attending with a person in their care. The Space Center is also a popular destination for seniors and their families, especially children. It offers sensory backpacks at the Guest Services Desk and a detailed outline of accessibility resources for seniors and those who may need support.

For those who want to make friends in a supportive environment, Memory Cafe Houston is a monthly get-together that lets people with early-stage memory loss and their caregivers enjoy coffee and conversation with others in similar scenarios. It is on the second Saturday of each month.

Because Alzheimer’s and dementia look different in every person, there’s no right or wrong activity, and a senior’s personality, temperament, and stage of illness will all factor into the kinds of activities they will enjoy.