10 Best Independent Living Communities in Dallas, TX

Most seniors rely on their private retirement funds to pay for their independent living community in Dallas, as Medicaid and Medicare do not cover independent living costs. However, Medicare and Medicaid can still help you save on health care costs in your independent living community. Seniors looking to plan for future care needs might find it useful to learn more about how Medicaid can be used to pay for senior care expenses in their home.

Some seniors may also qualify for Social Security and other benefits to help them offset their costs of living. Learn about all these methods and more in this section.

Unlike assisted living and memory care facilities, Texas doesn’t require regulation by a state agency for independent living facilities, as these are not considered care facilities. However, independent living communities are still required to comply with Texas’ general housing and apartment standards for rental units, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.

But, if an independent living facility shares a campus or building with an assisted living facility (or ALF), the assisted living-designated area must comply with the assisted living regulation requirements set forth by Texas Health and Human Services (or HHS). If you would like to see the regulations for Dallas assisted living facilities, check out the laws and regulation section on that page.

The following are the housing and apartment regulations for all rentals in Dallas.

Tenants’ rights in Texas

Stand-alone independent living rental communities are required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. It’ll prove useful to learn about your rights as a tenant, as it’ll help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation. Here’s a brief overview of tenants’ rights in Texas:

• Residents hold the right to ask their landlord to repair problems that risk their health and safety, and landlords must make a diligent effort to repair the problems at hand.
• Residents may terminate their lease if a problem that affects their health hasn’t been resolved after two notices to the landlord and within a reasonable timeframe — usually seven days.
• Residents may hire an external contractor to fix the problems at hand if their landlord fails to resolve issues that affect their health after multiple notices within a reasonable timeframe. Residents can then submit their expenses to the landlord to deduct from their rent.

Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that you reach out to an attorney or a tenants association. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and it’ll hopefully help you get the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that tenants provide written notices of complaints or maintenance requests to their landlord and keep a copy of each notice as proof.

If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a tenant in an independent living facility, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.

Accommodations and modifications for disabled seniors

In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — aim to protect tenants from discrimination due to a disability. This prohibits independent living facilities from refusing housing due to a senior’s disability. Furthermore, these laws require housing providers to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

If you’re a senior with a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications within the independent living facility. Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:

• Allowing a service animal to live with a resident even when there’s a no-pets policy in place
• Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the resident’s building
• Changing the due date of rent to reflect a resident’s disability income payment dates

Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units and could include the following:

• Installing a specialized smoke detector for a resident with a hearing impairment
• Adding a wheelchair ramp to enable a disabled resident to easily access shared spaces and participate in resident activities
• Installing grab bars or widening doorways in a resident’s unit to accommodate wheelchair users

These nondiscrimination laws apply to all independent living facilities in Dallas. Independent living facility owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. If you’d like more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications.

COVID-19 regulations for Dallas independent living communities

There are no COVID-19 regulations specific to independent living facilities in Dallas, Texas. However, the city does provide its residents with some general information regarding COVID-19. This information includes COVID-19 testing sites, resources, facility closures, and FAQs.

However, if an independent living facility shares a campus with an assisted living facility, it must comply with any protective measures set forth by the facility. All Texas assisted living facilities are required to develop infection prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19. The measures may include the community’s hygiene practices, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfection and sterilization techniques, safe injection methods, and physical distancing requirements.

Because communities can set their own standards, it’s best to check with your prospective community directly to see if they have any specific regulations regarding COVID-19.

Dallas has become a hotspot for all ages, and especially for seniors in recent years. In 2019, the city developed Age-Friendly Initiative Dallas to improve engagement and accessibility for the city’s aging population. This initiative focuses on improving the following domains for seniors:

• Outdoor spaces and buildings
• Transportation services
• Housing options
• Social participation and inclusion
• Civic participation and employment
• Communication information
• Community support and services

With this effort (along with the increase in senior living options), the city is becoming more aging-friendly with each passing year. Below, you’ll learn about the common features unique to Dallas independent living facilities and how these features help seniors maintain their desired lifestyles.

Safe and comfortable environment for aging in place

In Dallas, many of our partner independent living facilities promote aging in place by offering multiple care types. In fact, about half of our communities have an assisted living and memory care unit on-site. These tiered levels of care enable seniors to age peacefully, as increased care needs won’t warrant a move. It also enables aging couples to live together despite their varying care needs.

Independent living communities also aim to eliminate some of the daily stresses of life by offering convenient services and security features. Most of our partner communities offer housekeeping, dining, and transportation services — so residents don’t have to fret about cooking, cleaning, or driving unless it’s something they’d like to do. Many communities also employ 24-hour staff, use high-tech security systems, and provide emergency call systems to help ensure resident safety.

Engaging amenities and activities help residents thrive

Dallas independent living facilities strive to help seniors enjoy their favorite pastimes, form new friendships, and maintain optimal health. To do so, communities often house a range of amenities for seniors to utilize at their leisure. Some common on-site amenities at independent living communities in Dallas include the following:

• Beauty salon and/or barber shop
• Fitness center
• Swimming pool
• Courtyard
• Movie theater
• Library
• Arts and crafts center
• Game room
• Raised garden beds

Communities also facilitate a range of activities and often update them according to the interests of the current resident population. Here are some of the most favored senior activities in independent living facilities in Dallas:

• Art classes
• Fitness classes (chair yoga, stretches, strength training, etc.)
• Musical events (live performances, music lessons, karaoke, etc.)
• Game nights
• Interest club meetings (book club, walking club, current events club, etc.)
• Holiday and birthday parties
• Devotional services
• Group outings and day trips

Independent living in the surrounding Dallas suburbs

Due to the hustle and bustle of Dallas’ downtown, many seniors prefer the outskirts of Dallas. In fact, many seniors prefer Plano and Arlington. Both of these suburban cities are approximately 20 miles from the city center and offer a family-friendly feel. Arlington is significantly more affordable, with starting rent dropping by approximately $800.

Other affordable places near the city include Irving and Mesquite. These cities offer more open space for bigger parks, shopping centers, and attractions, often making them more attractive to seniors.

Health care for seniors in Dallas

Many Dallas independent living facilities are located fairly close to health care facilities as an added convenience. Residents have access to many hospitals, including two that are highly ranked across the state. Seniors can choose to receive care from the following top Dallas hospitals.

Transportation for seniors in Dallas

The widespread nature of Dallas makes it challenging to walk everywhere, so most residents own a car. However, the city does have walkable neighborhoods like downtown and Oak Lawn. Dallas independent living seniors are in luck — 100% of our partner facilities offer complimentary transportation services to residents. Keep in mind, rides may be limited to errands and appointments, depending on the community.

Dallas residents also turn to other options for getting around without a car, including public transportation. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides convenient trains, buses, streetcars, and trolleys throughout the city. DART typically runs between 5 a.m. and midnight. They also offer a rider assistance program for elderly and disabled residents that meet certain eligibility requirements.

Based on data about Dallas’ public density, walking routes, public transportation options, biking trails, and infrastructure, the city’s downtown has received the following scores from WalkScore, each out of 100: