10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Arlington, TX

Seniors and their families typically pull together various payment methods to pay for assisted living in Arlington, Texas. Most seniors use cash from their savings accounts, retirement income, insurance policies, and funds from federal and state programs to pay for their ideal retirement community.

In this section, you’ll find comprehensive information on how you can use private pay options along with veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare to cover long-term health care and assisted living costs.

In Texas, all assisted living facilities must be licensed and certified 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 Type A and Type B. Here’s how the two differ:

• Type A ALFs house residents who don’t require routine attendance and are capable of following directions in an emergency situation.
• Type B ALFs provide care to residents who require nighttime attendance and assistance for evacuation during emergencies.

Most stand-alone assisted living facilities qualify as Type A, while facilities with memory care and/or other specialized care units typically qualify as Type B. In Arlington, assisted living facilities must meet several standards to remain licensed. Below, you’ll find a brief summary of these Texas assisted living standards.

Assisted living staffing and training regulations

• Assisted living facility managers must complete a course in managing assisted living facilities. The course must cover general assisted living standards, resident characteristics, resident assessments, skills to care for residents, and information on food and nutrition services. Training must also include information on community resources, ethics, financial management, and federal laws — especially accessibility laws under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Assisted living facilities must have caregivers on-site 24 hours a day. These caregivers are required to complete 4 hours of orientation before assuming any caregiver responsibilities. They must also complete 16 hours of supervised, on-the-job training. Training should cover assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), safety measures, fall prevention, emergency evacuation training, first aid procedures, behavior management, and more. Thereafter, caregivers must complete 6 hours of educational training on a yearly basis.
• Each facility must have sufficient staff to maintain the facility’s order, safety, and cleanliness. Caregivers must also assist residents with medication routines, meal preparation and accommodations, and laundry.

Assisted living admissions, assessments, and care plans

• Assisted living facilities should ensure that they can meet the needs of potential residents. They must not admit or retain residents whose needs cannot be met at the facility.
• Prior to admission, facilities must provide a written admission agreement between the facility and the resident. The agreement should entail the services to be provided and charges for the services. If a provided service or supply can be covered by Medicare, the assisted living facility must let the residents know in a statement. Additionally, communities should secure each resident’s Medicare and/or Medicaid number at admission.
• Newly admitted residents must have a health examination performed by a physician. It should be performed no later than 30 days before admission or 14 days after. This examination must then be used to conduct a comprehensive resident assessment and create a service plan.
• Comprehensive assessments must include the resident’s previous place of residence, preferred language, sleep-cycle issues, behavioral symptoms, psychosocial issues, dementia history, activities of daily living patterns, preferred activities, cognitive skills, communication ability, physical function, continence status, nutritional status, medications, health conditions, and other details.

Assisted living facility inspections

All Texas ALFs must pass a life safety code, physical inspection, and health inspection before they’re officially licensed. The life safety code ensures a facility’s ability to safely house residents, while the health inspection ensures that it’s equipped to protect resident health. After an initial inspection, facilities are inspected at least once every two years.

During an inspection, Texas Health and Human Services checks for the following in an ALF:

• General facility construction
• Management of the facility
• Sufficient staff-to-resident ratios
• Compliance with employee background checks
• Implementation of safety and emergency features
• Proper protection from hazardous areas
• Documentation of fire drills, system checks, etc.

The general public can use the Long-term Care Provider Search to access each licensed assisted living facility’s most recent inspection report. The search also provides general facility information about licensing and certification. Inspection reports typically include the date of the most recent inspection, a list of violations, and the date violations were corrected. If you’d like to request additional information you didn’t find using the search, you can email rsltcr.recordsmgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.

Additional information and resources

Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or HHSC) 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 Arlington assisted living facilities

Currently, Arlington doesn’t have any specific COVID-19 regulations for assisted living facilities. However, Texas does require all assisted living facilities to develop their own infection prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19. The measures should include guidance on a community’s hygiene practices, touching the following:

• Disinfection and sterilization techniques
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Safe injection methods
• Physical distancing requirements

Because communities are allowed to set their own regulations, it’s best to check with your prospective community to see what current COVID-19 rules they may have in place. You can also visit the coronavirus informational page on Arlington’s city website to find regular updates regarding local risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.

Arlington is ideal for seniors seeking small-town vibes within a metropolitan area. This suburban city is just west of Dallas, and it offers stunning parks, captivating museums, appetizing restaurants, and a range of senior-friendly activities. The city even hosts an annual Aging Well Expo to help seniors get the most out of their lives in Arlington. At the expos, seniors receive free health screenings, fitness demonstrations, and entertainment. They also receive free tips and information to help them thrive within the city.

Seniors also have an array of senior living options to choose from in Arlington. From multitier senior care communities to group homes, seniors are sure to find the perfect place to call home for the next chapter of their lives. Learn about what our assisted living partners have to offer in Arlington below.

Multiple care options ensure resident comfortability

In Arlington, seniors are sure to find the ideal environment for their retirement due to the multiple care options available. Nearly half of our partner communities in Arlington offer multiple care levels on-site to promote aging in place. This means that these communities combine assisted living with independent living or memory care, so residents don’t have to worry about moving if their care needs ever increase.

This multitier care approach is especially beneficial for senior couples with different care needs. For example, if one partner needs assistance with some activities of daily living while the other partner requires specialized memory care services, they can choose a senior living partner that offers both assisted living and memory care.

Group home settings for seniors seeking a homey environment

Many seniors are afraid to leave the comforts of their home environment when considering senior living. Luckily, seniors in Arlington don’t have to, because we partner with several assisted living group homes in the area. These are residential home settings for seniors in need of daily care. Approximately 30% of our Arlington assisted living partners classify as group homes in residential neighborhoods.

This option is ideal for seniors who want to remain living in a family-style house. These homes are traditional in design, yet equipped with safety features for seniors. Caregivers are staffed 24/7 in the homes and provide family-style activities and personalized care services. Furthermore, group homes typically offer home-cooked meals within a cozy dining room, a yard and patio to enjoy fresh air, and traditional living room areas to promote gathering and socialization.

Group homes also enable caregivers to build better relationships with residents due to the smaller resident-to-caregiver ratio. The smaller ratio enables caregivers to better learn a resident’s personality, needs, and preferences, which promotes comfort among residents.

Engaging activities and amenities stimulate residents’ minds, bodies, and souls

Arlington assisted living communities offer a range of on-site amenities and a diverse calendar of activities to help residents stay healthily active and engaged. Some communities host scientifically researched programs proven to help seniors thrive, while other communities encourage resident-led activities.

Some of the most common activities you’ll find in our partner Arlington assisted living communities include the following:

• Art and cooking classes
• Fitness classes (chair yoga, strength training, aerobics, etc.)
• Devotional services
• Lifelong learning lectures or classes
• Interest clubs (book clubs, chess clubs, gardening clubs, etc.)
• Happy hours and/or wine tastings
• Holiday parties and birthday celebrations
• Group games (trivia, bingo, poker, board games, etc.)
• Singing events (karaoke nights, choir groups, etc.)
• Day trips and outings (local diners, museums, local festivals, etc.)

Seniors are also free to explore on-site amenities at their own leisure. Some of the most common amenities in our partner Arlington assisted living communities include the following:

• Arts and crafts centers
• Fitness centers
• Beauty salons and barbershops
• Libraries and business centers
• Devotional spaces
• Gardens with raised gardening beds
• Game rooms
• On-site cafes or bistros
• Common living spaces (sunrooms, lounges, etc.)
• Courtyards and walking paths

A select few of our assisted living partners in Arlington, Texas, also offer some luxe amenities like on-site Jacuzzis, spas, convenience stores, and more.

Health care for seniors in Arlington

As a suburb of Dallas, Arlington doesn’t have many regionally or nationally recognized hospitals, because Dallas tends to house the bulk of them. Nonetheless, seniors still have a wide variety of health care options to receive medical care within Arlington. Learn about Arlington’s top health care facilities below.

Transportation for seniors in Arlington

Many active, independent seniors drive in the Arlington area due to its easygoing traffic and lack of mass public transit options. However, most of our partner assisted living communities in Arlington offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services right on-site. So, if you don’t feel like driving that day, just ask the concierge to schedule a ride! If a particular community doesn’t have its own transportation service, you can also ask the concierge to coordinate a ride for you using a ride service.

Arlington doesn’t have its own public transit system, though the city still offers a transportation service for seniors in the area. The city provides Handitran to seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. To apply for this transportation service, seniors need to provide proof of age. Upon application, seniors must pay $10. Afterward, seniors only pay $2 per one-way trip or $55 per month for unlimited rides. If your loved one must use a public transportation service, be sure they’re accompanied by a caregiver to ensure their safe arrival and return.

For a better understanding of the city’s sprawl and infrastructure, you may want to take a look at these scores from Walk Score. They’re each out of 100 and based on Arlington’s walking trails, biking routes, public transportation options, and public density:

Senior activities in Arlington

Seniors have a wide range of activity options in Arlington — for all mobility levels or disabilities. From delicious restaurants and alluring shops to outstanding museums and exciting sporting events, Arlington seniors easily find ways to engage with the community. Plus, many of these places offer accommodations for seniors with disabilities — just be sure to ask!

Seniors can explore local attractions during assisted living community-scheduled group outings or while visiting with family and friends. Check out some senior-favored activities in Arlington below. You can also check out the Things To Do page on the Arlington city website for more local favorites and to search by specific neighborhoods.

Outdoor activities

The area offers several serene spots to appreciate nature. Seniors can explore the astonishing, 1,300-acre River Legacy Nature Center. The nature center offers active and passive activities for seniors of varying mobility levels. Active seniors can find hiking and biking trails, while seniors with low mobility can utilize some of the center’s accessible picnic areas, pavilions, river overlooks, aquariums, and terrariums.

Seniors also enjoy peaceful strolls in Arlington parks. One especially popular park is the Richard Greene Linear Park. Its stunning Caelum Moor environmental sculpture spans across 5 acres in the 41-acre park, filled with hiking trails, biking routes, and picnic areas alongside a tranquil lake. Only some trails and routes are wheelchair-accessible, so be sure to find the right one.

Sporting events

Professional sports are a big draw in Arlington. Many seniors in the area are lifelong fans of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers. Families can easily spend an afternoon or evening watching their favorite teams compete in the national leagues. Loved ones can also gather at one of Arlington’s sports bars and pubs to watch games while grabbing a bite or drink.

Arts and culture

Seniors with an eye for art can view the captivating exhibits at the Arlington Museum of Art. Immerse yourself in modern works of art and reflect with timeless, historic pieces that transport you back in time. Plus, the museum offers discounts to seniors and veterans along with guided tours and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Arlington seniors with a love for performing arts can also attend their favorite concerts, plays, and symphonies at one of Arlington’s performing arts theaters.

Popular family activities in surrounding cities

Dallas and Fort Worth are about half an hour away, so day trips within the greater Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex are easy to plan. Families can view exotic creatures from around the world at the Dallas Zoo or Fort Worth Zoo. Nature-loving seniors can take in natural beauty at the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden or the 3,600-acre Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.