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

There are several means to pay for assisted living in San Antonio. Most families and seniors start their financial planning by looking at private income sources and insurance policies. They also turn to federal and state programs, such as the Veteran Affairs (or VA), Medicaid, and Medicare, to help offset some medical and assisted living costs. Here’s an in-depth look at some payment methods.

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

All Texas ALFs must pass a life safety code, physical plant inspection, and health inspection before they are officially licensed. The life safety code examines a facility’s ability to safely house residents, while the health inspection can help ascertain whether 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 and general facility information. To request any additional information not found on the site, email RSLTCR.RecordsMgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.

Additional information and resources

• Summary of Texas assisted living regulations and records
• Texas assisted living laws
• Texas assisted living regulations

Texas 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 San Antonio assisted living facilities

The city of San Antonio doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations in place for assisted living facilities; however, the city offers regular updates and resources on its City of San Antonio COVID-19 website. Visitors are allowed on-site at assisted living facilities, but they must follow any protocols set forth by the community. Facilities are currently required to develop their own infection prevention and control measures regarding masks, physical distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) to help ensure resident safety during any active serious infection and/or outbreaks.

San Antonio has an increasing senior population. In fact, the 60+ population is projected to grow by approximately 20% by 2040. The city aims to accommodate this aging population and has implemented a Senior Services Strategic Plan to evolve senior support services. This plan outlines efforts to rebrand city senior centers, expand medical services, and generally support local seniors. You’ll also find that San Antonio has expanded its senior living scene, especially the assisted living market, to accommodate seniors’ care needs and unique lifestyles. See what our in-network San Antonio assisted living communities have to offer:

Aging in place

When searching for senior living, many seniors look to age in place. Luckily, this is made easy with our in-network assisted living communities as they offer tiered levels of care. Seniors with minimal assistance needs can move in to the independent living unit and then transition to assisted living once their care needs increase. And, if memory impairments arise, many in-network communities also offer a secured memory care unit, suitable for individuals with dementia and memory loss.

Most partnering communities even provide on-site nursing care, including medication management, hospice care, and rehabilitative care. These services enable seniors to receive care within a comfortable setting, as many of these services can be provided within the resident’s unit or in an on-site clinic.

Veteran recognition and celebration

Seniors account for over 40% of the veterans in San Antonio. That is precisely why many of our in-network assisted living communities find ways to recognize and celebrate veterans. Many communities have a memorial wall in their lobby or common areas to commemorate veteran residents’ years of service.

Communities are also known to go all-out for Veterans Day celebrations. Many will host a well-planned barbecue, party, or a multitude of events. The city of San Antonio also hosts many Veterans Day celebrations, which can be enjoyed during scheduled outings or while visiting with friends or loved ones.

Accommodations to beat the heat

Many seniors choose San Antonio for their retirement due to its year-round, warm weather and access to the glorious Texas Hill Country terrain, including beaches, woodlands, and caverns. In the summer, temperatures tend to get high, but that’s no problem for seniors living at our in-network assisted living communities. Our partner communities are one step ahead of the southern heat. They provide indoor and outdoor accommodations with comfortable levels of AC.

Some communities provide amenities like shaded pools, patios, and walking paths, while others provide a wide array of indoor activities. Some indoor activities and amenities include on-site game rooms, movie theaters, fitness centers, lounges, and more. So, on days when venturing outside isn’t an option, there’s plenty to keep anyone entertained on-site.

Devotional services reflect the resident population

Religion is very important to many seniors, so many of our in-network communities try to provide a peaceful, devotional space for residents to practice their respective faiths. Some communities even have an on-site chapel, a Bible study group, and visiting pastors. If a large number of residents practice the same faith, a community may even partner with a local religious leader who will host on-site devotional services.

Assisted living in the surrounding San Antonio suburbs

Assisted living near San Antonio allows for more peace and quiet. Seniors from around the area are likely to stick to their favorite locales when searching for a community. Some of the most popular affluent assisted living options can be found towards the outskirts of San Antonio, including Stone Oak and Alamo Heights. These suburban areas reflect similar city amenities to San Antonio, with a range of shopping centers, restaurants, and other attractions. Local senior residents can explore museums, sample wine at wineries, and visit historic sites. Suburban areas also tend to have less congestion and more open spaces, allowing for more parks, golf courses, and scenic walking trails.

Health care for seniors in San Antonio

San Antonio has many health care options for seniors and veterans. Learn more about some of the city’s top-rated medical care facilities:

Transportation for seniors in San Antonio

The average age of seniors entering San Antonio assisted living facilities is 81, so their safest, most ideal mode of transportation is likely not the public transit system. To minimize any safety risk while getting residents from place to place, 84% of our San Antonio partner assisted living communities offer their own at-cost or complimentary transportation service.

If your senior loved one is more on the independent side or if you’re a visiting family member looking to take them around downtown, you may want to look into VIA Metropolitan Transit options, including buses, ride share, and paratransit services throughout the city. Seniors ages 62+ can ride for only a quarter Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and receive free rides on Saturday and Sunday. Seniors must obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID to receive their senior discounts.

These scores from WalkScore might also prove useful to understand the area. Keep in mind that this data reflects downtown, not the entire city. Each score is out of 100 and is based on downtown’s public density, transportation system, walking and bike routes, and other city information: