By Cindy Moore on Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Category: Texas Assisted Living

Why Select Assisted Living in Houston, TX?

Next to Austin, Houston is arguably one of the most progressive cities in Texas. This understandably makes it attractive for young Americans, but what might come as a surprise is that Houston is equally attractive to senior citizens, especially among those looking for Assisted Living communities to compare for their future care needs. In fact, Houston is such a popular place to live for seniors that by 2036, people aged 65 and over will account for as much as 16 percent of the population.

As the most populous city in Texas and the southeast anchor of the greater megaregion known as the Texas Triangle, Houston has more than its share of attractions and amenities. Yet remarkably, despite its size, the people here are friendly and welcoming, offering up plenty of good old-fashioned Southern hospitality anywhere you turn.

Houston is also home to the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions, as well as NASA's Johnson Space Center, which is home to the Mission Control Center. As you might expect, the city also has a high percentage of veterans making up its senior population.

If you’re thinking about Houston for your or your loved one’s Assisted Living needs, there are several things to keep in mind and compare with other cities, such as Houston’s cost of living, its public transportation system, its senior services, its overall atmosphere and culture, and more. At Senioridy.com, we believe that when all factors are considered, you will find that Houston will be sitting at or near the top of the list.

Want to learn more about assisted living in Houston, TX? This guide from Senioridy is the perfect place to start.

Assisted Living in Houston, TX: What You Need to Know

Houston is seeing tremendous growth in its older population and for good reason. The city has a low cost of living, a warm tropical climate, and an excellent selection of assisted living facilities and senior services. If you’re looking to learn more about what to expect from the city’s Assisted Living communities, then Senioridy is here to help. Just click on the topics below to learn more about them.

 

Senior Population and Assisted Living Volume in Houston, TX

In 2021seniors aged 65 and over accounted for 11.5 percent of the population of Houston. This was up from 8.6 percent just over a decade prior. According to the Aging Agenda for Houston/Harris County, by 2036, adults over 65 will number 865,000 and makeup 16% of the population, and by 2040, their number will climb to 985,000, roughly three times the current number.

Luckily, Houston is home to more than 60 Assisted Living facilities, which can provide seniors in need of assistance with affordable living spaces, supportive environments, and all the services they need to enjoy an outstanding quality of life. Beneficial free and low-cost Assisted Living resources can be found at the following links:

Houston has a sizable (and fast-growing) senior population for several reasons. From its warm temperatures and nationally recognized healthcare to its incredible selection of senior-friendly attractions and robust senior services, there’s so much to the city that makes it an ideal place to live for older adults. As you might expect, this can also mean that there might be a waiting list to get into some of the best Assisted Living facilities in Houston.

Criteria for Admittance in Assisted Living in Texas

To become an Assisted Living resident in Texas, you will need to meet certain admission requirements. Along with being at least 65 years old, residents must have medical needs that do not exceed the capabilities of the facility’s staff (unless that resident is covered by a licensed home health agency).

Home health agencies can be hired by Assisted Living residents who have greater care needs, although there are limitations. For example, a senior cannot be admitted to an Assisted Living facility in Texas if they are permanently bedridden.

To better provide for the needs of its seniors, Texas separates its Assisted Living facilities into two categories – Type A facilities and Type B facilities.

Type A facilities are designed to admit seniors who:

Type B facilities are designed to admit seniors who:

 

Typical Costs of Assisted Living in Houston, TX

The average monthly cost for Assisted living in  Houston is $4,245 per month, which is slightly more than the state average of $3,998 but nearly $300 less than the national average. It’s also more than $1,000 less per month than the cost of the average nursing home in Houston.

Financial assistance is available for those who need it in Houston through the state’s STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program, which is designed specifically for adults who have disabilities or are age 65 or older. Adults in STAR+PLUS get Medicaid healthcare and long-term services and support through their selected health plan. Veterans may also be eligible for one of several different pension programs from the VA to  help cover some of the costs associated with assisted living.

It is important to remember that the monthly cost mentioned above is an average. Assisted Living communities in Houston may charge more or less than that amount, depending on the programs, amenities, and services they offer. For instance, amenities that can impact the cost of Assisted Living can include but are not limited to:

Of course, you should never assume that an affordable Assisted Living facility is any more or less effective or beneficial than a more expensive facility. It is simply a reminder to always compare several different facilities, so you can find the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Benefits of Assisted Living in Houston, TX

While making the decision to move into an Assisted Living facility can often be a challenging one, the decision can be made a lot easier when you take into account all the benefits that come with making such a move. These benefits include:

Affordable Lifestyle

Assisted Living in Houston can cost slightly more than the state average, but when compared to the national average, seniors in Houston save on average a couple of hundred dollars per month. Plus, financial assistance is available for those who need it through Medicaid and the state’s STAR+PLUS program.

Senior-Friendly Climate

Houston’s climate is considered humid subtropical with tropical influences. While the city does enjoy all four seasons, it can be quite hot and humid in the summer and wet and cool in the winter, although the temperature rarely drops below freezing. All in all, the weather is favored by seniors, especially those who suffer from conditions that can be worsened by cold temperatures.

Safety and Security

Besides needing a little extra help completing certain daily tasks, one of the most common reasons why families choose Assisted Living for their aging family members is because these facilities provide their loved ones with safe and secure environments. This is especially important for seniors who are prone to wander or no longer capable of living completely independently.

Quality Healthcare On-Site and Off

Having access to quality healthcare is essential as we age. In Houston, seniors in Assisted Living not only enjoy outstanding on-site health and wellness services, but they also have several nationally recognized hospitals in the area where their healthcare needs can be met, such as Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Memorial Hermann Hospital, to name a few.

Comfortable ApartmentsThat Feel Like Home

Most Assisted Living facilities in Houston allow their residents the freedom to furnish and decorate their apartments as they wish, and this is important because it allows seniors to create living spaces that are not only more comfortable, but that feel more like home. When moving into assisted Living, the more comfortable the resident is, the easier their adjustment to their new living situation will be.

Personalized Care

Assisted Living facilities are staffed by skilled healthcare professionals and caring support staff. This allows every resident to enjoy a continuum of care that is designed to satisfy their unique health needs and personal preferences. Assisted Living staff are highly trained to provide every resident with the high-quality, compassionate care they need to live healthy and active lives.

Daily Hands-On Assistance When Needed

In Assisted Living, residents can receive the help they need when they need it, no matter what it is they need. Whether seniors need help with their housekeeping, assistance with their hygiene needs doing their laundry, or anything else, highly trained, compassionate staff is always on hand to provide them with professional and respectful, hands-on assistance that’s designed to protect the residents’ dignity regardless of how much, or little, support they require.

Social Activities

Assisted Living communities provide an endless calendar of social activities for their residents because these activities not only keep them active and socially engaged, but they’re also instrumental in helping new residents make friends.

Quality Nutrition

When seniors live on their own, they can often find their health suffering because they aren’t getting the proper nutrition their bodies need. This is why nutrition plays such an important role in the services provided by Assisted Living facilities. In an Assisted Living facility, a senior can enjoy delicious and healthy meals, including diet-specific meals, created for them by skilled culinary artisans.

Quality of Life in Houston, TX

Houston is a vibrant city that boasts warm weather, excellent healthcare, a low cost of living, top-tier senior services, and a fantastic selection of senior-friendly attractions. Combined, this allows the city to provide a wonderful and deeply satisfying quality of life for its older population. Whether you’re looking for ways to spend time with friends or with visiting family, there’s no shortage of ways to see the best of what Houston has to offer.

Some of Houston’s must-see attractions include NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Botanical Gardens, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is not only the largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world but also an event that’s considered on par with New Year’s Eve at Times Square or Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Houston also sports a tremendous performing and virtual arts scene, which is spearheaded by several highly regarded resources, like ROCO, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Houston Symphony, virtual Texas Art Exhibitions on Glasstire.com, and theMiller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, to name a few. And as for sports, Houston has plenty to keep fans rooting for the win with the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), Rockets (NBA), Dash (NWSL), and Dynamo FC (MLS), all calling the city home.

As if that’s not enough, Houston also boasts several art museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Contemporary Arts Museum, as well as museums that preserve our nation’s history, like the Military Museum of Texas, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and the San Jacinto Museum of History. Plus, there’s no shortage of enticing antique shops, picturesque parks, delicious restaurants, and other senior-friendly stops to add further satisfaction to any expedition into the city.

Senior Centers in the Houston Area

Houston has a large selection of senior centers where older adults can enjoy making new friends while participating in a wide variety of fun and informative programs. Most centers even offer exercise and wellness programs, meals, and other services that are designed to add value and satisfaction to the lives of Houston’s older community.

Below is a list of senior centers in the Houston area:

 

Public Transportation Services in Houston, TX

Seniors in Houston often rely on the city’s public transportation system to get them where they need to go, whether it’s to a doctor’s appointment, a shopping excursion, or a visit to a local museum. Houston’s public transportation is called METRO. With 71 local bus routes, 3 METRORail lines, 4 METRO curb-to-curb routes, and the METRORapid Silver Line, there is no shortage of transportation options available for seniors who need to travel outside of their Assisted Living community.

METRO offers discounted fares for seniors aged 65 to 69 and free fares for those aged 70 and over. To take advantage of discounted or free fare, a METRO Q® Fare Card is required. A METRO Q® Fare Card can be acquired by visiting the METRO Online RideStore. Age verification is required to get the card, so seniors are required to upload an electronic copy of their ID.

How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in Houston, TX

Whether you are looking for an assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one, there are a few options available to you that can help you find the right one for your needs in Houston or the surrounding area. One option is to do it the old-fashioned way by looking in the phone book or inquiring about assisted living from your friends and relatives.

Another is to contact a placement agency. Senior placement agencies help seniors find the right assisted living facility for them by working with them and their families to find the best possible fit for their needs. These types of services typically charge a referral fee to the Assisted Living community since they are bringing in revenue to that facility, so they don’t usually charge seniors or their families. It is important to note that since agents can only get paid by assisted living facilities that they have contracts with, you may not be shown all the assisted living facilities that are available to you.

Another option is to use an online directory to search for assisted living facilities in or near Houston, TX from Senioridy.com. Senioridy's comprehensive assisted living search engine can provide you with the best possible results based on your needs.

Once you do this simple search, you will be presented with many top-rated facilities to compare.