10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Houston, TX

Families can utilize several private and public payment methods to pay for memory care in Houston. Initially, you’ll want to take a look at your loved one’s personal income sources and insurance policies. Then, you can turn to federal and state programs, such as VA health care, Medicaid, and Medicare, to help minimize out-of-pocket costs for medical and memory care services. In this section, you’ll find a breakdown of the most common payment methods used by families.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (or the HHSC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating memory care facilities. Memory care facilities are a type of assisted living facility; so, Texas memory care regulations are built into existing assisted living regulations and laws. The state of Texas refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs, and categorizes them into two main types:

• Type A ALFs provide care to seniors who don’t need routine overnight attendance and are able to follow directions in an emergency.
• Type B ALFs are for seniors who need nighttime attendance and staff assistance to evacuate during emergency situations. This type includes facilities with special care units, including memory care and skilled nursing.^[07]

All certified memory care facilities fall under the Type B assisted living facility (ALF). The main difference between general assisted living and assisted living facilities with memory care is that the latter must meet additional certification requirements in memory care. Texas’ memory care regulations hold memory care communities to a higher standard than other states. Regulations require memory care staff to continuously learn about the latest dementia research and train in tried-and-true memory care techniques. Texas even requires facilities to offer specialized memory care programming to actively engage residents.

The additional licensing standards for assisted living facilities licensed in memory care include, but are not limited to, the following:

Memory care staffing and training regulations

• Memory care facilities providing care to more than 17 residents are required to have two caregiving staff members on-site at all times.
• Caregiving staff must undergo 4 hours of memory care-specific training before they can assume any job-related duties or tasks.
• After the initial training, caregiving staff must participate in 16 hours of additional supervised training. This training should encompass all of their responsibilities, including assisting with activities of daily living, behavior management, emergency procedures, and more.
• Memory care facility managers must complete 6 hours of memory care training on an annual basis, while their memory care team will need to complete 12 hours of continued education and memory care training on a yearly basis.^[08]

Memory care admissions, assessments, and care plans

• Each memory care facility must develop a process for ensuring their ability to care for a potential resident and apply this process before admitting each resident.
• Within a new resident’s initial two weeks after admission, facilities are required to perform an assessment of the resident’s behaviors, health conditions, communication abilities, dietary requirements, required medications, and ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Resident assessments should be used to craft personalized care plans that accommodate residents’ needs, preferences, and strengths. These care plans should keep a resident physically, cognitively, and socially healthy.
• It’s mandatory for care plans to be adjusted on an annual basis and after serious conditional changes in the resident.^[08]

Memory care activities programming

• Memory care facilities must have an activities program that encourages, but does not force, socialization, self-expression, physical activity, and cognitive awareness among residents.
• A designated activity director is required to lead activities and help ensure a healthy balance of group and individual activities that address varying cognitive, recreational, and activity of daily living (ADL) needs.
• The activity director must also consider each resident’s medical history, limitations, and preferences to determine person-centered activities. They must also arrange special equipment for the residents who need it.^[08]

Memory care facility inspections

To regulate memory care-specialized assisted living facilities, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs unannounced inspections approximately every two years after the initial inspection. Inspections assess a facility’s compliance with Texas’ health and life safety code.^[09]

The health code inspection includes a review of the following:

• Appropriate staff-to-resident ratios
• Employee background checks
• Management of the facility
• Any items that could affect resident health^[09,10]

The life safety code inspection reviews:

• Construction of the facility
• Safety and emergency features
• Protection from hazardous areas
• Documentation of fire drills, system checks, etc.^[09,10]

You can access each licensed community’s most recent inspection report and general facility information through the Texas Health and Human Services’ Long-term Care Provider Search. For any additional information not found in reports, you can email RSLTCR.RecordsMgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.

Texas Health and Human Services (HHS or HHSC) 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 Houston memory care facilities

Houston doesn’t have any set COVID-19 regulations for memory care facilities. However, Harris County Public Health does offer general public guidance regarding COVID-19. The department website offers regular updates and information on testing, vaccinations, social distancing, and additional local information.

Visitors are allowed on-site in memory care facilities, as it’s a residential right. However, visitors must comply with any protocols set forth by the individual communities. State regulations require all memory care facilities to develop infection prevention and control measures. These measures must discuss masks, physical distancing, and additional protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of all infectious viruses and outbreaks, including COVID-19.

Houston memory care facilities are constantly evolving to help individuals with dementia lead their best lives. In fact, the city has a local Alzheimer’s Association chapter dedicated to providing support services and education to those facing the hardships of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.

Due to the state’s robust memory care regulations, seniors with dementia can also expect a personalized level of care services, activities, and more. Read on to learn about some of the best memory care features in Houston.

Memory care staff is trained to manage dementia symptoms and behaviors

Our partnering Houston memory care facilities aim to offer a personalized experience for senior loved ones with dementia. To make this happen, memory care communities require caregivers to receive specialized memory care training to handle the most common dementia behaviors. In fact, 95% of communities use redirection, cueing, and reorientation techniques to help manage dementia symptoms. Through comprehensive training and learned techniques, dementia caregivers can help your loved one manage many common symptoms. Here’s a short breakdown of what memory care communities are equipped to handle:

• 95% of communities specially train their staff to handle dementia symptoms like restlessness, pacing, and wandering.
• 50% of communities specially train their caregivers to handle hallucinations and delusions.
• 25% of communities specially train their caregivers to handle anxiety, aggression, or agitation.^[01]

Security measures and mindful architecture ensure resident safety and comfort

Because seniors with dementia are often prone to confusion and wandering, many memory care facilities prioritize security. In our Houston network, 100% of communities offer round-the-clock staffing to help ensure timely care and safety for residents. And 60% of communities are also designed to specifically accommodate memory loss. This means that they incorporate human-centered architecture and design to promote comfortability and reduce confusion for residents navigating the community.^[01]

To further prevent wandering, most of our partner memory care communities in Houston offer an enclosed courtyard for residents to enjoy fresh air within a safe space. Residents can also freely roam indoor and outdoor walking paths that are monitored by staff. A select few communities also take advanced security measures by installing high-tech wander guard systems. These systems detect residents’ movements and send alerts when a resident wanders off the premises.

Person-centered activities promote reminiscence and socialization

Texas state regulations hold memory care facilities in Houston to a high standard. They require memory care facilities to offer activities programming that encourages residents to socialize, express themselves, exercise, and stimulate their brains. Naturally, this means that all of our partner facilities in Houston offer on-site activities.

Furthermore, regulations require facilities to appoint an activity director to manage and facilitate the specialized activities program. Some facilities put this responsibility on trained caregivers, but most of our partner facilities have hired a full-time activity director to oversee the program. This director dedicates their time to learning about each resident’s medical history, preferences, and abilities to establish person-centered activities for them. Some of the most common memory activities include the following:

• Reminiscence therapies. Person-centered therapeutic activities often involve reminiscence. These activities are informed by a resident’s family, friends, and sometimes their physician. Reminiscence can enable residents to reflect on cherished memories and create new, joyful memories through fail-proof activities — like art classes, movie viewings, brain-stimulating games, and memory boxes.
• Shared activities and events. Dementia and aging are known to be associated with feelings of isolation. To combat loneliness, many partner communities host group activities and events to socially and physically engage residents. Ranging from simple fitness classes and interest clubs to holiday celebrations and movie nights, memory care residents will find themselves forming new friendships while keeping up with their favorite pastimes.

Health care for seniors in Houston

Transportation for seniors in Houston

Public transportation isn’t the safest method of getting around for seniors with dementia, unless they have a caregiver escort. This is why most Houston memory care facilities assist residents in getting from place to place safely. In fact, 85% of our partner Houston memory care facilities offer complimentary transportation services on-site.

Do note that some communities restrict these rides to appointments and errands, while others will also take you to leisure activities and events. Other communities may provide transportation through at-cost ride services. Be sure to check with your prospective community if this is a service your loved one may require.

For facilities that don’t offer transportation on-site, seniors with caregiver escorts may consider using the local RIDES program. This program offers discounted nonemergency transportation services to seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities who reside in Harris County. If you choose this route, make sure it’s safe for your loved one by asking if they can be accompanied by a caregiver.

Additionally, if a senior is a Medicaid recipient, they may receive rides through the medical transportation program provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Seniors can receive rides to doctors’ offices, hospitals, drug stores, or any place that provides Medicaid-covered health care services. It’s still important that seniors with dementia are accompanied by a caregiving escort during these trips to ensure their safe arrival and return.