DEV | TEST h1 template (view-level fallback) Assisted Living

There are several means to paying for assisted living. Many families combine private and public sources to cover their assisted living costs. Below, you’ll find a variety of options and resources to help pay for assisted living in Dallas. Also, you can visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care to get an understanding of payment options.

When searching for a suitable assisted living option, your loved one’s safety is often a primary concern. Getting a deeper understanding of Texas assisted living regulations and records can help you make sure that proper health and safety measures are taken to protect and care for your loved one.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating assisted living facilities in Dallas. The facilities are regulated under the Health and Safety Code, and they govern the safety of Texas residents receiving assisted living services. Texas has a complete list of assisted living laws and regulations, which covers everything from licensure types and standards to inspection and survey information.

• Assisted living laws require the state to deliver the highest possible quality of care in assisted living facilities, which includes advocating for the following:
  • Resident independence and self-determination
  • Humane treatment
  • Conservative interventions
  • Residents’ access to care
  • Continuity of care
  • Coordination of services
  • Safe surroundings
  • Professionalism of service providers
  • Participation in useful studies
  • Resident quality of life
• Texas assisted living regulations also include inspections of the following:
  • Requirements for each licensing type
  • Facility construction
  • Information on investigations
  • Information on license suspension and revoking

Texas refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs, and they are categorized into two types — Type A and B:

• Type A ALFs provide care to seniors who don’t require routine attendance overnight and are capable of following directions in an emergency. This includes most assisted living communities and larger group homes.
• Type B ALFs are for seniors who require nighttime attendance and staff assistance to evacuate in emergencies. This type includes facilities with specialized care units, including skilled nursing and memory care.

For more general information on assisted living facilities, check out this assisted living pamphlet.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs unannounced inspections on each assisted living facility approximately every two years. Inspections are based on an ALF’s compliance in two areas — health and safety code, also known separately as the health code and life safety code.

The health code includes, but is not limited to, inspections of the following:

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

The life safety code includes, but is not limited to, inspections of the following:

• Construction of the facility
• Safety features
• Emergency features
• Protection from hazardous areas
• Documented reports of fire drills, system checks, etc.

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

Additional information and resources

• To request additional information, email RSLTCR.RecordsMgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.
• For additional resources and contact information, 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

Dallas assisted living facilities are required to develop their own policies and procedures regarding masks, social distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) to help ensure the health and safety of residents. That said, testing isn’t state-mandated for staff or residents, and visitors are allowed on site at facilities.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has a COVID-19 response plan and regularly provides updated COVID-19 FAQs to help assisted living facilities stay up to date with practices regarding the following:

The Dallas 65+ population grew by more than 30% between 2011 and 2021. The growth doesn’t come as a surprise because, as Texans often say, everything’s bigger in Texas — including senior living options, activities, and resources.

The state’s senior population is projected to double by 2050. In order to support this rising aging population, the state of Texas passed an executive order known as the Aging Texas Well Strategic Plan. This plan serves as a strategic guide for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and other state agencies to develop better resources to help the senior population in Texas thrive.

Types of assisted living in Dallas, Texas

Dallas’ diverse assisted living market ranges from high-end, luxurious options to traditional, affordable options. Many assisted living communities offer a wide range of care options, with some providing all-inclusive care services and others offering à la carte services to keep care affordable. Assisted living options are scattered throughout the metropolis, so residents can easily find a community in their desired neighborhood.

Luxury assisted living

Dallas offers a wealth of luxury assisted living options, from Downtown Dallas to its suburbs. These communities often feature alluring décor, high-end furnishings, and a rotating calendar of activities and events. Resort-style amenities like movie theaters, cocktail bars, heated swimming pools, and spas with luxurious services like massages, manicures, and more are also commonplace in these communities. The dining scene is often robust — residents can typically dine in elegant, restaurant-style dining rooms and enjoy chef-prepared menu items or grab snacks as they please from on-site bistros and cafes.

Country-style assisted living

The Dallas area is also home to several traditional assisted living facilities that radiate classic Southern charm. Ideal for seniors seeking a nostalgic setting, these communities are typically adorned with vintage and timeless furnishings. They also offer typical care services, like assistance with activities of daily living, catered or home-cooked meals, and a calendar of engaging activities. Some of these communities may be religiously affiliated, so they can be a perfect match for seniors seeking faith-based living options.

Assisted living in care homes

Approximately 40% of A Place for Mom’s assisted living partners in central Dallas are care homes — an intimate, homelike setting where assisted living services are provided to a smaller number of seniors at a time. The number of residents in a given community ranges from four to eight. These homes vary from small, suburban homes to modern mansions, so seniors have options to find a home within their comfort zone. These homes provide similar care services, often at a more personalized level due to the higher caregiver-to-resident ratios. Activities and amenities vary greatly depending on the community, but they strive to accommodate residents’ interests as best as they can. Some of these care homes may also be faith-based.

Assisted living in the surrounding Dallas suburbs

If the big-city life doesn’t suit you, Dallas is surrounded by suburbs with many assisted living facilities, including ones with care options ranging from independent living to advanced memory care. If you’re seeking luxurious communities on the outskirts of Dallas, you may want to consider facilities near Highland Park or Southlake.

For more affordable assisted living communities, check out the many options in Garland and Grand Prairie. Plano also often appears on best retirement spot lists due to its close proximity to Dallas, safe neighborhoods, and robust activity options.

Health care for seniors in Dallas

Dallas houses a great number of health care providers, with many offering a breadth of specialties. The Dallas area is home to some highly rated and nationally recognized hospitals, like the following:

Transportation for seniors in Dallas

Some Dallas neighborhoods are easier to explore on foot, with the downtown area being the most walkable. However, the wide sprawl of the city makes it difficult to walk everywhere, which is why many residents own their own vehicles.

Dallas also offers ways to travel without a car through Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). DART provides trains, buses, streetcars, and trolleys that run from 5 a.m. to midnight. They also offer a rider assistance program specifically for residents who are disabled and/or 65 and older, though it requires residents to register and meet certain eligibility criteria.

Some assisted living facilities also provide their own transportation options — including complimentary and at-cost rides for appointments, errands, and scheduled, off-site activities.