10 Best Memory Care Facilities in San Antonio, TX

There are many options to pay for memory care in San Antonio. Families typically turn to private income sources and insurance policies first, as well as Social Security and pension income. They may also use federal and state programs, such as VA health care, Medicaid, and Medicare, to help offset some medical and memory care costs. This section includes a breakdown of the most common payment methods used by families.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (or the HHSC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating memory care facilities. In Texas, memory care facilities are classified as a type of assisted living facility, so Texas memory care regulations are built into existing assisted living regulations and laws. The state of Texas refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs, and categorizes them into two main types:

• Type A ALFs provide care to seniors who don’t need routine overnight attendance and are able to follow directions in an emergency.
• Type B ALFs are for seniors who need nighttime attendance and staff assistance to evacuate during emergency situations. This type includes facilities with special care units, including memory care and skilled nursing.

All certified memory care facilities fall under the Type B assisted living facility (ALF). The main difference between general assisted living and assisted living facilities with memory care in Texas is that the latter must meet additional certification requirements in memory care. Texas’ memory care regulations hold memory care communities to a higher standard than other states. Regulations require memory care staff to continuously learn about the latest dementia research and train in tried-and-true memory care techniques. Texas even requires facilities to offer specialized memory care programming to actively engage residents.

The additional licensing standards for assisted living facilities licensed in memory care include, but are not limited to, the following.

Memory care staffing and training regulations

Memory care admissions, assessments, and care plans

Memory care activities programming

Memory care facility inspections

To regulate memory care-specialized assisted living facilities, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs unannounced inspections approximately every two years. Inspections assess a facility’s compliance with Texas’s health and life safety code.

The health code inspection includes a review of the following:

The life safety code inspection includes a review of the following:

Families can access each licensed community’s most recent inspection report and general facility information through the Texas Health and Human Services’ Long-term Care Provider Search. For any additional information not found in reports, you can email RSLTCR.RecordsMgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.

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 memory care facilities

There are currently no COVID-19 regulations specific to San Antonio memory care facilities due to the decrease in cases. However, the city does provide regular COVID-19 updates regarding local infection risk, testing, vaccinations, and resources on their City of San Antonio — COVID-19 website.

Visitors are allowed on-site in memory care facilities, as it’s a residential right; however, visitors must comply with any protocols set forth by the individual communities. State regulations require all memory care facilities to develop infection prevention and control measures. These measures must involve masks, physical distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of all infectious viruses and outbreaks, including COVID-19.

San Antonio participates in Dementia Friendly America — a nationwide network of communities aiming to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers. With Dementia Friendly San Antonio, several businesses, organizations, institutions, and community members across the city are taught to accommodate individuals with dementia. They’ve learned to recognize signs of dementia, interact supportively, and support individuals with dementia by offering specialized programs and services.

The city also has a local Alzheimer’s Association chapter dedicated to providing support services and education to those facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. These programs reduce the stigma around dementia and raise awareness. Many memory care facilities continually improve their programming and features to enhance the lives of seniors with dementia. Check out some of those initiatives below.

Specialized training for employees managing dementia symptoms

In San Antonio, our partnering communities are dedicated to providing a personalized experience for your loved ones with dementia. To do so, most caregivers receive specialized memory care training to handle the most common dementia behaviors. In fact, 100% of our communities use redirection, cueing, and reorientation techniques to help manage dementia symptoms. Through training and learned techniques, dementia caregivers can help your loved one manage many common symptoms, like the following:

• Restlessness, pacing, and/or wandering
• Anxiety, aggression, or agitation
• Hallucinations and delusion
• Depression

Safety features and mindful designs ensure resident safety and comfort

Safety is one of the top concerns for dementia patients as they’re often prone to confusion and wandering. To help ensure safety and offer peace of mind, all of our in-network communities offer 24-hour staffing, with implemented security features and practices. Approximately 85% of our partnering communities have an enclosed courtyard to prevent residents from wandering out on their own, while still enabling them to leisurely stroll and get fresh air. Many communities offer both indoor and outdoor walking paths.

A few communities take it a step further and have installed high-tech wander guard systems, which detect residents’ movements and send alerts when a resident has left the premises. Some communities have also incorporated human-centered architecture and design to comfort residents and enable them to easily navigate the community without confusion.

Many of our partnering memory care facilities also share a campus with an assisted living facility, which is an added bonus for seniors looking to age in place or for couples with different care needs. This promotes comfortability among seniors and their families as it eliminates some anxieties associated with moving and separation.

Personalized activities promote socialization and reminiscence

In Texas, state regulations require memory care facilities to offer an activities program that encourages residents to socialize, express themselves, exercise, and stimulate their brains. So naturally, 100% of partnering facilities offer these types of on-site activities.

Facilities are also required to appoint an activity director to manage and facilitate specialized activities. Some communities might put this responsibility on a trained caregiver. But most of our partnering communities employ a full-time activity director. An activity director spends time learning about each resident’s medical history, preferences, and abilities to establish person-centered activities for them.

Memory care activities common to the best memory care facilities include the following features:

• Reminiscence therapies. Many communities offer these person-centered therapeutic activities, ranging from music lessons and movie viewings to brain-stimulating puzzles and memory boxes. These activities, which are informed by a resident’s family and friends, enable residents to recall their favorite memories and help them create new joyful memories through fail-proof activities.
• Group activities. Seniors with dementia can sometimes feel isolated. To prevent that from happening, many communities will host group activities and events to socially and physically engage residents. Fitness classes, holiday celebrations, game nights, art classes, and movie nights are common ways for communities to encourage socialization.

Health care for seniors in San Antonio

San Antonio boasts top-quality health care options for both Texas seniors and veterans. Below you’ll learn a bit about the city’s top-rated medical care facilities:

Transportation for seniors in San Antonio

Seniors with dementia should not use public transportation alone, as it’s not the safest way for them to get around. Luckily, most memory care facilities provide transportation services. As a matter of fact, 100% of our partnering memory care facilities in San Antonio offer complimentary transportation with a caregiver escort.

Additionally, if a senior is a Medicaid recipient, they may receive rides through the medical transportation program provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Services include rides to doctor’s offices, hospitals, drug stores, or any places that provide Medicaid-covered health care services. It’s still important for seniors with dementia to have a caring escort during these trips to ensure their safe arrival and return.

Visiting loved ones may find public transportation useful for getting around during a visit with their loved one. The VIA Metropolitan Transit offers buses, ride share, and paratransit services throughout the city. If you’re looking to explore the city with your senior loved one, they also offer senior discounts. 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. To receive these discounts, seniors must obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID.