10 Best Nursing Homes in Fort Worth, TX

Many seniors and their families combine private funds and public health insurance programs to cover their senior care costs. Depending on your senior loved one’s personal history and current financial situation, they may be eligible for some of the most common public support methods — VA benefits, Medicare, and/or Medicaid. In this section, you’ll find a summary of private and public pay methods you may want to consider for a nursing home or senior care facility in Fort Worth.

In Texas, all senior care facilities — nursing home, assisted living, and memory care facilities — are licensed and regulated by Texas Health and Human Services (also known as HHS or HHSC). Facilities must be licensed before they start providing housing and care services to residents. Furthermore, if a nursing home or senior care facility wishes to accept Medicaid or Medicare, it must be certified by the HHS to do so.

Here’s a brief outline of the licensing and certification requirements for Texas nursing homes and senior care facilities:

Resident admission processes

• Using a doctor’s order, skilled nursing facilities must craft a person-centered care plan for each resident. Care plans must account for each resident’s dietary, social, psychological, and other daily care needs.
• In assisted living and memory care facilities, a similar procedure must be followed, except facilities are not required to have a doctor’s order for care plans. Administrators will typically use family guidance, which might also include physician recommendations. For memory care facilities, a specialized admissions process must be in place to confirm a resident’s need for memory care services.

Management and staffing requirements

• Texas nursing homes and skilled nursing units are required to have licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, nurse aids, and registered nurses on staff. They must also meet specific staff-to-resident ratios, i.e., one on-site nurse for every 20 residents at all times.
• Assisted living facilities must have an on-site, full-time manager to oversee the facility’s day-to-day operation. These managers are required to complete at least one 24-hour assisted living management course while their staff must complete 16 hours of supervised, on-the-job training.
• Memory care facility managers and staff members must continually participate in specialized memory care training in order to remain a licensed memory care facility.

Health and safety standards

• A certified skilled nursing facility in Texas must meet design, construction, and equipment standards that support the health and safety of residents, staff, and visitors. For example, each facility must have safety equipment and emergency procedures for accidents, fires, or power outages. All facilities must also allow for safe access to fresh air and common areas for activities.
• Both assisted living and memory care facilities are required to have similar health and safety standards in place as nursing facilities.
• Memory care facilities must have additional measures in place to prevent residents from harming themselves or wandering. Memory care facilities must also designate an activities director to encourage socialization among residents. This director must tailor activities based on each memory care resident’s specific abilities and arrange for special equipment, so all residents can participate in activities.

Texas senior care facility inspections

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs inspections on all skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care facilities. These inspections take place approximately every two years, and they check for a facility’s compliance with Texas’ life safety code and health code.

The health code and life safety code require nursing homes and senior care facilities to regulate the following:

• Sufficient staff-to-resident ratios
• Employee background checks
• Management of the facility
• General construction of the facility
• Implementation of safety and emergency features
• Protection from hazardous areas
• Documentation of fire drills, system checks, etc.

You can access a licensed community’s most recent inspection report and general facility information through the Texas Health and Human Services’ Long-term Care Provider Search. You can also email rsltcr.recordsmgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us to request any information not found on the site.

Nursing home quality monitoring in Texas

In an effort to continually enhance the quality of care provided in Texas nursing homes, the Health and Human Services Commission implemented a Quality Monitoring Program (or QMP) to monitor nursing facilities with a history of deficiencies. QMP reviews are conducted by nurses, pharmacists, and dieticians. They may recommend changes to policies or procedures, conduct staff trainings, offer technical assistance, and educate staff about evidence-based best practices during their visits to facilities.

Families can also visit the federal Medicare website to compare and contrast local nursing home ratings, staffing practices, and overall quality of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC or HHS) 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 Fort Worth nursing homes

Fort Worth currently doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations specific to nursing homes or senior care facilities. However, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission does require all care facilities to set their own infection prevention and control measures. This is so facilities take accountability to prevent the spread of all common diseases and infections, including COVID-19. A senior care or skilled nursing facility’s infection prevention and control measures may include guidelines on the following:

• Staff hygiene practices
• Disinfection and sterilization techniques
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Safe injection methods
• Physical distancing requirements

Because communities set their own regulations, it’s best to check with your prospective community about what measures they’re taking to protect residents against common infections. You can also visit the COVID-19 informational page on the Fort Worth website to find regular updates regarding local risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.

Fort Worth has many initiatives in place to be more aging-friendly and dementia-friendly for current and future seniors. For instance, the city enacted an action plan called Age-Friendly Fort Worth. This initiative aims to increase the quality of life for seniors through enhanced services, resources, and opportunities. Fort Worth has also joined the nationwide Dementia Friendly America network — to create Dementia Friendly Fort Worth. This initiative inspires Fort Worth businesses, organizations, and institutions to offer dementia-friendly accommodations.

Seniors and their families have a range of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities to choose from in Fort Worth. And, for seniors who don’t require 24-hour medical care, Fort Worth offers several other senior care community options. In fact, seniors can find specialized communities for their unique care needs, with options like assisted living and memory care.

Below, you’ll learn how our partner senior care communities in Fort Worth compare to typical nursing homes. You’ll also find that assisted living and memory care communities can accommodate a variety of lifestyles and can even provide for some nursing care needs.

Skilled nursing for seniors with serious medical conditions

Seniors can expect the highest level of medical care outside of a hospital in Fort Worth nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. Skilled nursing facilities employ doctors and nurses that can attend to patients’ medical needs 24 hours a day. Although A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone nursing homes, we do partner with a few continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in Fort Worth. These CCRCs offer a full range of senior care options on one campus, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services.

Seniors can typically find the following in Fort Worth nursing homes or CCRCs:

• 24-hour licensed nursing care services
• 24-hour emergency response systems
• Rehabilitative care (speech, occupational, and physical therapy)
• Restorative therapy
• Pain management and wound care
• Hospice care
• Medication management
• Common areas and activity rooms
• Three meals and snacks daily
• Wellness programming (health education and fitness activities)

Assisted living for seniors without 24-hour medical care needs

If a senior doesn’t require 24-hour medical supervision, they may benefit more from the personalized services available at Fort Worth assisted living communities. Not only are these communities substantially more affordable, they help seniors to live a socially fulfilled and comfortable life of convenience. Assisted living senior care communities in our Fort Worth network typically provide the following comprehensive services:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Personal care services
• Three meals and snacks daily
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Standard nursing services

Residents can also expect to find the following types of on-site nursing services at Fort Worth assisted living senior care communities:

• Vitals monitoring (body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc.)
• Medication management
• Diabetic care
• Urinary or bowel incontinence management
• Dental care
• Podiatry
• Hospice care
• Rehabilitative care, like physical, occupational, and physical therapies

Fort Worth assisted living facilities are ideal for seniors seeking to stay active and engaged within a community environment. Senior residents benefit from on-site wellness programs and life-enriching, on-site amenities and activities. Activity programs at our partner DFW senior care communities typically include an array of activities, like the following:

• Fitness classes
• Holiday parties and happy hours
• Arts and crafts classes
• Educational speakers
• Group games
• Various wellness therapies
• Singing and musical performances
• Interest clubs

You can also expect generous amenities at our partner Fort Worth senior care facilities. Here are some of the typical amenities one can find at these facilities:

• Fitness centers and pools
• Libraries and business centers
• Courtyards, gardens, and walking paths
• Outside BBQ areas
• Game and activity rooms
• TV lounges
• Theaters
• Private and restaurant-style dining rooms

Memory care for seniors with dementia

Memory care communities in Fort Worth offer the same types of services and amenities as assisted living senior care facilities, with additional security measures in place for individuals with dementia. Some memory care facilities will also have a skilled nursing unit or offer skilled nursing services on-site. This is to prevent the need for relocation in the event the person with dementia requires rehab or hospice. Keep in mind that these facilities may not always admit a new resident if they already require skilled nursing services. This is one reason why it’s important to choose your loved one’s ideal community sooner rather than later.

Read on for some other features specific to licensed memory care facilities in Texas:

• Memory care facility staff should personalize services and activities to their residents a bit more than general senior care. This is to accommodate the unique needs that come with a dementia diagnosis.
• Licensed memory care facilities or memory care units in Texas require staff to undergo specialized training in dementia care. This ensures all staff with 1-1 interactions with residents are trained to understand and approach common dementia behaviors and symptoms.
• Most of our memory care partners in Fort Worth are also built with intentional design features that enable specialized programming for dementia patients.
• Programs include activities for a range of mobility and cognitive levels. Therapeutic programs enable residents to reminisce, with a variety of activities designed to cherish past memories or create new, meaningful memories.
• Facilities will typically host similar activities and events as other senior care communities, though memory care focuses more on musical events, movie nights, brain-stimulating games, and other activities that support cognitive health and well-being.

Health care for seniors in Fort Worth

The greater Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area is home to highly rated medical centers, mainly located in Dallas. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of the top-rated medical centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Transportation for seniors in Fort Worth

Almost all of our partner senior care communities offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services to residents, or they connect residents to reliable ride programs in the area. It’s important to note that some communities may limit transportation services to medical appointments and essential errands.

Seniors in need of public transportation options can utilize nonprofit transportation services in Tarrant County for routine medical appointments, shopping trips, and other essential errands. Senior Medicaid recipients can also schedule rides using the medical transportation program provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. If going the public transportation route, please ensure that your senior loved one is accompanied by a caregiver.

Visiting friends and family who don’t drive can use Tarrant County’s public transportation system, Trinity Metro, to get around Fort Worth to visit their loved ones. Trinity Metro offers buses, trains, and rideshare options.

Senior activities in Fort Worth

Seniors of all mobility and cognitive abilities have a range of activities to choose from in Fort Worth, Texas. In fact, our partner senior care communities regularly schedule group outings to local attractions and events catered to residents’ abilities. You can check out the Visit Fort Worth website for a comprehensive look at popular local activities. Below, we outline some senior-favored activities with accessibility options in Fort Worth:

Shop and dine in Fort Worth

The city has excellent shopping opportunities featuring many local boutiques, luxury outlets, and shopping centers for locals to browse. You can find handmade, one-of-a-kind goods; Western-inspired decor and clothing; designer clothing; and much more.

Sundance Square is particularly popular for its restaurants, bars, and events. It’s filled with decadent flavors, lively entertainment, and diverse shops. Enjoy live music outdoors, attend concerts and plays, or examine unique works of art at the Sid Richardson Museum. The district even offers conveniences like a bank and post office.

Art, history, and culture in Fort Worth

Fort Worth has a rich art and culture scene. Attend Broadway musicals, ballets, symphony orchestras, and more at the locally famous Bass Hall. Or, visit the Fort Worth Opera, which offers dementia-friendly programming that promotes reminiscence and interaction for individuals with dementia.

The city also offers several museums to explore. Art enthusiasts can explore the Amon Carter Museum of American Art which boasts significant works of American art. The museum even hosts a special event — Artful Events — for seniors with dementia to connect with artworks in a social setting. The Kimbell Art Museum is another local favorite, with rare artworks.

If art isn’t your thing, but science and history pique your interest, you can roam the creative exhibits at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Learn about Fort Worth’s history, examine realistic dinosaur displays, and study the evolution of modern medicine.

Nature and community activities in Fort Worth

Seniors can calm their minds and immerse themselves in the beautiful sights and sounds of nature at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Families enjoy exploring the stunning, 120-acre campus filled with blooming flowers, exotic plants, and horticulture displays. The garden even provides wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis, along with guided tours to help seniors with varying mobility levels explore.

The local parks are peaceful places to enjoy an afternoon stroll, picnic, or birdwatching. Fort Worth’s Parks and Recreation Department maintain gorgeous parks and trails all over the city. Active seniors enjoy using public tennis and pickleball courts at these parks. The Parks and Rec department even hosts other unique recreational and social activities for seniors at local community centers.

Note: Most of the listed attractions offer accommodations for seniors with disabilities — just be sure to ask ahead of time. Some places offer wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis while others offer guided tours, accessibility maps, sensory bags, and other accommodations.