10 Best Independent Living Communities in Houston, TX

Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover independent living senior community costs, as these are not considered long-term care communities. So, Houston seniors typically combine their personal resources to pay for independent senior living. Houston veterans may also use their veteran benefits to offset some costs for independent living in Houston, Texas.

It’s important to note that if you’re planning for care needs that may arise in the future, Medicaid and Medicare may be used to cover some in-home care services or care expenses in assisted living or memory care communities.

Independent living communities in Houston are not regulated by a state agency. However, most of our partner Houston communities share their campus with an assisted living facility. This means they are required to comply with assisted living licensing and regulation requirements set forth by the Texas Health and Human Services, also known as the HHS. Texas independent living facilities with an assisted living facility on the same campus are required to regulate the following in order to pass inspections and stay licensed:

• Sufficient staffing
• Employee background checks
• Management of the facility
• Construction of the facility
• Implementation of safety and emergency features
• Protection from hazardous areas
• Document reports of fire drills, system checks, etc.

Tenant rights

Stand-alone independent living facilities aren’t regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services, but they are still required to comply with Texas’ general housing and apartment standards for landlords and tenants. It’s important for seniors and their families to understand their tenant rights to ensure a safe, satisfactory living situation while renting. Below, you’ll find a brief summary of tenants’ rights in Texas:

• Residents have the right to ask their landlord to repair problems that risk their health and safety. Landlords are required to make a diligent effort in repairing the problems at hand.
• Residents may terminate a lease if a problem that affects their health hasn’t been resolved after multiple notices and within a reasonable timeframe.
• If a landlord fails to resolve issues that affect a resident’s health after multiple notices within a reasonable timeframe, the tenant may hire an external contractor to fix the problem. The tenant can then submit the expenses to the landlord to deduct the expense from their rent.

Before making any major decisions in a tenant-landlord dispute, it’s strongly recommended that a tenant consults with an attorney or tenants association. Consulting a housing expert is the best way to ensure that you don’t breach any lease agreements and will ultimately help you get the outcome you want.

If you’d like more information on your rights as a tenant in a Texas independent living facility, see this Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

Americans with Disabilities Act (also known as ADA) compliance

Tenants with disabilities also have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications when they rent from any property owner. Reasonable accommodations are changes to community policies, and modifications are structural changes to common areas or individual units. These accommodations or modifications could include the following scenarios:

• Smoke detectors need to be installed by the property owner within each room of a unit. If a tenant has a hearing impairment, a specialized smoke detector must be installed.
• Owners must provide common area accommodations for tenants with disabilities, so tenants can easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities.
• Property owners must pay for modifications to units or common areas to make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities, or they must provide a sufficient alternative. Modifications can include adding a wheelchair ramp, installing grab bars in the bathroom, or removing carpet for easy wheelchair use.

For detailed examples and information on reasonable accommodations and modifications, see the Texas Department of Housing and Human Affairs’ infographic. Also note that property owners may lawfully deny a request if the modification poses an undue financial and administrative burden.

COVID-19 regulations for Houston independent living communities

Neither Houston nor Texas have specific COVID-19 regulations for independent living communities. However, independent living communities with an assisted living unit on-site must comply with any guidelines set forth by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (also known as the HHSC). The HHSC retired its COVID-19 response plan for assisted living facilities in January of 2023, but facilities are still required to develop their own infection prevention and control measures regarding masks, physical distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) during an active infection or outbreak.

Houston is home to the highest population of seniors in Texas. So, naturally, the city’s independent living communities check every box when it comes to helping seniors find their home — because the market is competitive. To learn exactly how Houston communities work to keep seniors healthy and happy, check out the following Houston independent living features:

Multiple care types under one roof

It’s common practice for independent living to be provided in assisted living facilities or continuing care retirement communities. In fact, almost all of our partner independent living communities in Houston are on a campus that provides multiple care types, namely assisted living and memory care. Many communities even partner with third-party home care agencies on-site for seniors seeking advanced care services.

To further accommodate senior residents, many of these communities take extra security measures to make sure residents and their belongings remain safe. For example, most of our partnered communities have 24-hour staffing and a secured, gated campus with video-monitored entrances and exits.

Services that make life easier

Many of our independent living communities help seniors lead active lifestyles, free of daily stresses and chores. While residents are off enjoying their beloved hobbies and pastimes, staff members take care of the cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping. Most of our partner communities offer in-unit housekeeping and laundry services. Staff will also happily coordinate transportation, ensuring residents get from place to place safely. Plus, residents don’t have to worry about leaving the community for a haircut, as some partner communities offer on-site beauticians to provide new styles, colors, beard trimmings, and more.

Shared spaces and on-site activities encourage friendship

Independent living residents are often looking to form new friendships and connections. That is precisely why many of our in-network Houston communities provide shared amenities, gathering spaces, and a myriad of on-site activities. Residents are free to gather in on-site arts and crafts centers, libraries, movie theaters, lounges, pubs, and more. They can also choose to attend events and activities hosted by the community. Many communities have a rotating calendar filled with interest-centered club meetings, fitness classes, off-site trips, holiday parties, birthday celebrations, and more.

Independent living in the surrounding Houston suburbs

Many seniors find themselves wary of Houston’s traffic as they age, so they tend to gravitate toward the city’s suburbs for retirement. Some of the most popular Houston suburbs for retirement include Sugar Land and Katy. These cities offer master-planned communities filled with community parks, pools, and courts. Residents in both cities also benefit from a range of amenities, enjoy cuisines from all around the world, shop local boutiques and name-brand stores, and explore niche museums. Plus, the spacious nature of the suburbs enables independent living communities to maximize their on-site amenities.

Health care for seniors in Houston

Aging adults have access to many health care facilities in Houston — some of which are nationally ranked in geriatrics. Below, you’ll learn more about what Houston’s top-rated hospitals have to offer.

Transportation for seniors in Houston

There are several ways to get around in Houston, but due to the city’s urban sprawl, most residents own cars. Luckily, many of our in-network independent living facilities enable residents to travel safely by providing complimentary or at-cost transportation services.

However, some communities only offer rides to a limited number of events, such as strictly to appointments, errands, etc., so knowing your public transportation options will come in handy. Houston’s most popular public transportation method is METRO. It offers buses, rails, and paratransit services throughout Harris County. Houston residents who are 65+ or have a disability may also qualify for RIDES.

Additionally, active seniors may benefit from checking out the following scores from WalkScore. Each score is out of 100 and based on hyperlocal data on Houston’s public density, walking routes, public transit options, biking trails, and more: