Austin, TX Assisted Living: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Austin is a beautiful location for those looking at assisted living services. Ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas, Austin attracts innovation, outdoor enthusiasts, and retirees. Assisted living facilities in Austin could accept State Medicaid, private payers, and long-term care insurance which helps to relieve the financial burden of senior care, and could be more cost effective than home care.
Assisted Living Communities near Austin, Texas
The Enclave At Round Rock Senior Living
Round Rock, Texas 78665
The Enclave At Cedar Park Senior Living
Cedar Park, Texas 78613
Longhorn Village
Austin, Texas 78732
Juniper Village At Spicewood Summit
Austin, Texas 78759
Brookdale Westlake Hills
Austin, Texas 78746
The Crossing At Oak Hill
Austin, Texas 78736
Accession Estates Assisted Living Homes
Austin, Texas 78748
Belmont Village West Lake Hills
West Lake Hills, Texas 78746
Belmont Village Lakeway
Lakeway, Texas 78734
Riva Ridge Assisted Living
Leander, Texas 78641
About Assisted Living in Austin, TX
For an individual who requires physical or cognitive care, providing home care can be difficult and costly. Assisted living communities do an incredible job filling that need. In Texas, the department of Health and Human Services licenses assisted living facilities based on the required needs of the residents. There are three types of licensed assisted living facilities which provide a range of physical and mental healthcare. Levels of senior care range from minimal, such as providing meals and housing, to advanced care, such as mobility assistance and medication administration. Assisted living facilities provide individualized health management in a comfortable setting and focus on maintaining independence, privacy, and dignity. Adult care homes relieve the burden of home caregivers and offer seniors a more enriching quality of life.
Considerations When Looking for Senior Care in Austin, TX
Austin is the state capital of Texas and home to the University of Texas campus. Austin is known for its eclectic live-music scene and its many parks and lakes. It’s popular location for hiking, biking, swimming and boating. The warm climate and natural beauty attract year-round visitors and residents from a variety of cultures. The attractions of Austin include world-class arts, industry, sporting events, galleries, and award-winning cuisine. Austin locals have been known to enjoy the many events historic district as well as museums, galleries, and community spaces. These features and more have led to Austin becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire, so the need for senior care in Austin is significant.
Cities Near Austin, TX
- 28 miles: Hutto, TX.
- 27 miles: Georgetown, TX.
- 27 miles: Leander, TX.
- 26 miles: Dripping Springs, TX.
- 26 miles: Elgin, TX.
- 25 miles: Cedar Creek, TX.
- 24 miles: Wyldwood, TX.
- 24 miles: Driftwood, TX.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Austin, TX
The average cost associated with assisted living in Austin, TX is $4,245/month. Benefits of assisted living are being able to provide health services to those who may need assistance with the activities of daily living. Demand is on the rise, and so too is the cost of assisted living facilities. Accordingly, costs have risen an average of 4.65% since 2020, and the national average for a private, one-bedroom with round the clock care was reported to be $54,000 annually in 2021.
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers in Austin, TX
Houston Methodist Hospital
6565 Fannin St
Kindred Hospital
6441 Main St
HCA Houston Healthcare West
12141 Richmond Ave
The Heights Hospital
1917 Ashland St
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
- Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
- Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
- Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
- Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
- Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
- And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.