As a dense suburb near the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, Plano, Texas, has plenty of excellent assisted living communities. Plano boasts a high quality of life and great health care, and its cost of living is somewhat cheaper than Dallas. Assisted living is a good fit for seniors who need help with daily activities, like dressing and bathing. This guide has information about the best assisted living facilities in Plano. We also cover the cost of assisted living in Plano, how to pay, Plano’s senior living laws and regulations, and more.
My dad lives there and he loves it! He is so complimentary regarding how kind and helpful the front office staff are. He really enjoys the live entertainment as well as all of the other activities available.
We are very happy with the care and level of activity my mom gets at the Village on the Park. Thank you to the wonderful team who shows up every day with smiles on their faces. My kids also love visiting mom...
Very happy with Sunrise. Everyone is so friendly - honestly so friendly. We have been so incredibly pleased with our final choice. The food is fine but could improve, but overall we have been so happy.
It is a lovely facility and very very clean. There is never a bad odor. The staff on my mom's floor are friendly and they do care about the residents. [name removed], the activities director is phenomenal!!...
Value for the money is about a 10 !!!! HIGHLY recommend Juniper for a place that is lower in cost than most assisted living places. They have the nicest staff!! They cared For what was going on in my...
I would definitely recommend Brookdale Creekside. The staff has been so patient and kind with the many issues my mom had. They always communicate any questions or concerns they have. I feel like we are part...
The overall experience with Prestonwood Court has been great; it took a while for her to engage with others after the loss of her husband but now she's more involved in being out with others in the activity...
Avalon was wonderful. I would award them a 5 on all counts except activities. The residents at my husband's facility were incapable of activities. My husband died during Covid. The staff was wonderful,...
It was located very close to my home. The staff were friendly and welcoming. It was very clean and I loved the way the staff interacted with the residents.
We like that the Villagio at Plano is a smaller community especially given that our loved one is fully deaf. The staff have really worked hard to get their heads around that and be super accommodating...
Just a great place to live!!! I always enjoy talking to the front desk staff! Everyone does an exceptional job! Excellent food, good sleep conditions, nice and quiet atmosphere, singing and we love the...
They are not so good with the activities. We picked this community, becasue it afforded my loved one, the opportunity to bring a dog, we liked the people and I talked to them on the phone. They need to...
I moved my elderly father after taking him out of [facility removed] which was third world and awful. I made the best decision as he made such tremendous progress at the new facility. They treated him so...
Make yourself visible & show up for your loved ones! We picked this community because it was; well rated, was close, looked homey & was told the number of caregivers to residents was higher than it actually...
Very nice facility. The staff is very friendly, they care a lot about the residents and they take care of them really well. They're very knowledgeable when it comes to the needs of residents and if families...
Mom spent the final 8 months of her life in Avalon Memory Care in Allen. The staff was great. There was rarely a day that my brother or I did not come by and they were always friendly to us and did their...
The comprehensive care and attention at Landing at Watermere Frisco have made a significant difference in our aunt's life. The personalized approach to her needs and well-being is truly commendable.
All of the staff at Atria Carrollton were extremely professional and friendly. Mom ate the same breakfast everyday but her complaints were usually about dinner. Quality and quantity.
Thank you to the caring staff at Village on the Park. We moved our mother there in September after realizing she was no longer safe living in her home. She has blossomed in the environment and her quality of...
My mother [name removed] is a resident of Bethesda Gardens! She loves it there! The activities director, director, & care partners are all wonderful & empathetic… The chef & all the kitchen staff provide...
I'm going to give a 5 in all categories, the most important being the staff. We thought my mom would stay in memory care permanently, but she didn't! I believe this was in part due to the excellent care at...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Plano community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Assisted living in Plano costs $4,500 a month on average, according to our in-house data.[01] This is slightly lower than the national average, which was $4,807 in 2023. It’s also lower than the monthly cost of assisted living in Dallas, which is about $5,000 on average.
Each assisted living community can have a different fee structure. But in general, the monthly cost of assisted living in Plano includes the following:
Some facilities may include extra fees for amenities like a pool, gym, or transportation.
Plano is an affluent area and is one of the most expensive places to live in Texas, although it’s slightly less expensive than Dallas. The cost of living in Plano in 2023 was 26% higher than the rest of Texas, and 21% higher than the national average.[02] Despite Plano having a high cost of living, its assisted living facilities cost less than the national average.[01]
Texas doesn’t tax income, including income from Social Security or pensions. This means despite Plano’s higher-than-average cost of living, some seniors may save money moving to Plano because of the tax breaks. Texas also doesn’t levy inheritance taxes, making Plano a haven for seniors who want to leave a sizeable sum to their loved ones.[03]
The graphic below outlines the baseline prices of assisted living across the greater Plano area, which doesn’t include additional costs or add-ons.
Most seniors and their families use a combination of private and public funds to cover the cost of assisted living. These include personal income or savings, veterans benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Private pay options for Plano assisted living facilities include personal savings, income, investment returns, Social Security benefits, and pensions. However, there are other ways to leverage your income toward senior living. Learn more about these methods in the articles below.
Approximate number of veterans living in Plano as of 2021
About 30% of Plano veterans are 75+
With nearly 2,400 Plano veterans who are 75 or older, you won’t be the only one looking into VA benefits to help cover the cost of assisted living.[04]
You can start by checking your eligibility for the VA Pension, a monthly amount paid out to qualified veterans. In addition to that, you might be able to receive the Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit puts extra money on top of your monthly Pension check.
Collin County provides a list of Texas veterans benefits you can check to see if anything else applies to your situation. The Area Agency on Aging of North Texas provides a helpful video on VA Pension Benefits: How to Use Them to Help Pay for Long-Term Care.
The most difficult part of claiming VA benefits can be understanding and completing your application. Veterans service officers are ready to help. These people provide free assistance to veterans with the application process. You can find these trained experts through the Veterans Administration, Collin County Veteran Services, or Plano area veterans service organizations (VSOs), such as the American Legion.
The Texas Veterans Commission has Claims Benefit Advisors who can help fill out VA paperwork and file claims. In-person meetings have a wait time of at least 30 days, but there is only about a three-day wait for a phone appointment.
Resources for Plano veterans
Texas Veterans Commission
Phone: 800-252-8387
Email: northeastclaims@tvc.texas.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Collin County Veteran Services
900 E. Park Blvd., Suite 150
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-881-3060
Email: veteranservices@collincountytx.gov
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3530
1210 W. Belt Line Road
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-231-3269
American Legion Post 178
8300 McKinney Road
Frisco, TX 75034
Email: Contact form
Veterans Center of North Texas
900 E. Park Blvd., Suite 170
Plano, TX 74074
Phone: 214-600-2966
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medicaid is a federal and state-sponsored health insurance program and doesn’t cover most assisted living costs. In Texas, Medicaid is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Seniors over 65 can enroll in the STAR+Plus HCBS (home and community-based services waiver) program, which provides Medicaid coverage for long-term care services. Enrollees in the STAR+Plus program are still responsible for paying for their rent and meals in their senior living community.
If you are at least 65 years old and already on Medicare, Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD) is also an option. MEPD can cover regular health care expenses like doctor visits, but it can also cover long-term services like home and personal care.
To get started with your Medicaid application, go to the Your Texas Benefits portal. If you need more help, you can contact the North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center, which serves both Collin and Denton Counties. The center assists seniors and their families with applying for Medicaid at no cost. You can also reach out to the long-term care ombudsman with questions.
Plano resident Medicaid resources
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
1059 S. Sherman St.
Plano, TX 75081
Phone: 972-480-5000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX
Phone: 877-229-9084
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Phone: 817-695-9196
Managing Local Ombudsman: Tina Rider
Email: trider@nctcog.org
The federal government provides health insurance through Medicare for those who are 65+ or have qualifying disabilities. You won’t be able to cover the monthly costs of assisted living with Medicare. Medicare is designed to help seniors pay for medical care services. Medicare outlines covered services, but in general, it will only pay for services, items, or procedures that are medically necessary and short-term.
Medicare cost savings are also available through Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) and Extra Help. Just like it sounds, Extra Help provides extra assistance with the coverage of medication costs, while MSPs can cover or reduce Medicare copayments and even premiums.
You can sign up online for Medicare or go in person to the nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office, which is in McKinney. If you want to take a paper copy of an application with you, you can download the enrollment forms.
The Texas Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides the Texas Medicare Helpline to give you access to free one-on-one Medicare advisors. Benefits counselors are also available through the North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center. The long-term care ombudsman can also answer your questions.
Plano resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office — McKinney
3250 Craig Drive
McKinney, TX 75070
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Texas Medicare Helpline
Phone: 800-252-9240
North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX
Phone: 877-229-9084
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Phone: 817-695-9196
Managing Local Ombudsman: Tina Rider
Email: trider@nctcog.org
Texas assisted living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. The department defines assisted living facilities (ALFs) as establishments that offer residents room and board, supervision, personal care, and medication administration.
You can find all assisted living regulations in the Texas Administrative Code and Health and Safety Code.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services licenses and inspects all ALFs in the state. ALFs can obtain two types of licenses. A Type A license is for facilities where residents typically don’t require assistance during the night and can follow instructions in case of an emergency. On the other hand, a Type B license is intended for facilities where residents do, in fact, require some overnight assistance and would need help evacuating during an emergency. In Texas, no ALFS can admit residents who need around-the-clock medical care.
Assisted living facilities in Texas get inspected about every two years. These inspections help ensure compliance in two critical areas: health and safety.
The health inspection verifies that the facility maintains staffing levels, has required training programs, and ensures staff members have passed criminal background checks. It also looks for anything that could potentially hurt the health of the residents. For instance, the life safety code inspection assesses whether the building has precautions that lower the risks of emergencies, such as fires or flooding.
To ensure transparency and protection, ALFs in Plano must give each resident a copy of the Residents’ Bill of Rights and display it prominently in the facility. Within two weeks of a resident’s arrival, the ALF should create an individualized service plan (ISP) that outlines the needed care and how the ALF will meet those needs.
Texas offers a long-term care provider search portal. You can access inspection reports, complaint information, and additional details about assisted living facilities in the state.
Texas Department of Health and Human Services
North Austin Complex
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500
There are no COVID-19 laws in place for Plano area assisted living facilities. Collin County Public Health provides some guidance to prevent disease, as does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are highly encouraged by the CDC, and the Collin County Health Care Services provides free vaccines. A mobile vaccination team will visit groups of five or more who schedule an appointment by calling 844-908-3927 and selecting option three.
Visitors. Visitors are allowed in any assisted living facility regardless of whether or not they’ve been vaccinated.
Masking. Wearing a mask is not a requirement in Plano.
Quarantining. Assisted living facilities in Plano quarantine residents who test positive for COVID-19 to protect other residents and staff members.
If you want the comfort of an assisted living facility in a peaceful area with easy access to big-city amenities, Plano has you covered. Plano is an affluent suburb of the Dallas-Forth Worth area.
Local assisted living facilities reflect a quiet luxury with top-notch caregivers, excellent meals, and an understated elegance. In this section, we cover what assisted living in Plano is really like according to communities, residents, and family members.
Assisted living is a hassle-free senior living option for people over 65 who need a little extra help during the day, but don’t need around-the-clock assistance. It’s perfect for seniors who may need help moving from room to room or remembering to take their medication.
Seniors with dementia are better suited for Plano’s memory care communities. People who need medical attention or who are unable to get out of bed themselves may be a good fit for a local skilled nursing facility. Active adults who want a larger living space and more flexibility might prefer an independent living community in Plano.
A Place for Mom partners with 67 assisted living facilities in the Plano area.[01] Not all assisted living facilities in Plano offer the same experience, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Most communities are traditional, which means they have more than 25 residents and offer only personal care. About half of assisted living communities in Plano also offer memory care services, although memory care does come at a higher price.
A small group of our partner assisted living facilities in Plano are residential care homes, which offer the same services as traditional assisted living communities but do it from a residential home. Residential care homes typically have no more than eight residents at a time, and caregivers may live in the home with the residents. While these offer the same care services and are licensed in the same way, they tend to be somewhat less expensive than larger facilities.
Seniors who want access to different types of care and more social opportunities may prefer traditional assisted living communities. Those who are looking to save some money and enjoy the familiar setting of a residential home may be better suited to a residential care home.
Individual choice and personal preferences are top of mind at our partner Plano assisted living facilities, no matter which one you choose. For example, you can enjoy restaurant-style dining, take room service, or stop by an on-site bistro. Options like low-sodium diets and vegetarian meals are also commonly offered.
In addition to housekeeping and laundry service, some of our partner facilities also offer dry cleaning, grocery shopping, and errand services. Keep in mind that these extra services tend to be offered only at the larger traditional assisted living facilities.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Plano
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Plano population
Median annual income for Plano seniors 65 and older
As one of the principal suburbs of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Plano has plenty of established and reputable hospitals that are all within a 20-minute drive from our partner assisted living communities.
Medical City Plano is a 600+ bed medical center that’s also a Level I Trauma Center. This hospital offers the entire scope of medical practice, including primary care and all specialties. Medical City Plano is the largest hospital in the city, so it’s a one-stop shop for your medical needs.
Baylor Scott and White The Heart Hospital Plano is a private hospital and one of the best heart hospitals in the nation. It specializes primarily in cardiovascular health, and it also offers preventative health care and recovery programs after heart surgery.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano has been in practice since 1991, and offers a full scope of care, including geriatrics. This hospital is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, which means physicians conduct cutting-edge research into stroke care, and stroke patients have some of the best outcomes in the nation.
Residents at our partner assisted living facilities in Plano have convenient access to on-site transportation services, with 57% of our partners providing complimentary transportation and the others offering at-cost options.[01] This makes traveling to medical appointments, errands, and events simple and safe for seniors.
For visiting family and friends, Plano is one of 12 suburbs of Dallas to opt into the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System (DART). Most of Plano’s transportation options include the DART light rails, buses, and on-demand transportation.
In Plano, you can catch the Orange or Red Lines of the DART Rail System at the Downtown Plano Station or the Parker Road Station. If you need to know how these lines connect to others, check this rail system map.
If this all seems a bit overwhelming, DART offers a travel training program. One-on-one time with an instructor will teach you how to use the DART system, from purchasing a ticket to recognizing bus numbers to understanding the route system. Call 214-828-8676 to sign up or inquire about the program.
For on-demand rides, use GoLink. This DART On-Demand service is available seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight. A door-to-door paratransit service is also available for those with disabilities who can’t use the regular DART buses or light rails. Other options include using My Ride North Texas — which covers a 16-county area — Alto, Uber, and Lyft.
If you’re interested in striking out on foot or by bike, Plano has a decent walk score and bike score. Walk Score provides this number by comparing the infrastructure for walking and biking among cities and rating them on a scale of 0 to 100.[07]
There are plenty of fun things to do in Plano, but you can also head into Dallas for even more activities. All of our partner assisted living facilities in Plano offer daily and weekly activities for the residents. These can range from visiting choirs to movie nights to BINGO games. Many communities also take residents on field trips to local museums or performances. Family and friends are also encouraged to visit and take their loved ones on regular excursions.
You can start out in Downtown Plano Arts District, where you’ll find events such as the Third Thursday Sip and Shop or a Jazz Concert Under the Starz. Nearby Haggard Park is a great place for a stroll or relaxing in the gazebo taking in the lakeside views. While you’re there, you can wander over to the Interurban Railway Museum, where admission is free!
Explore the historic grounds of the Heritage Farmstead Museum. This facility brings the North Texas Blackland Prairie to life.
Local seniors enjoy the 800-acre Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, which has a lake for fishing and miles of trails for a nice stroll. Eight miles of the trail system are concrete, which is perfect if you are looking for something wheelchair accessible. Another great Plano park is Bob Woodruff Park North, where you can enjoy a fishing pier and trails and do some people-watching in the equestrian area, where you can enjoy seeing horses, too.
There’s no shortage of places to get out and drive a golf ball if that’s something you enjoy. Check out a few of the beautiful fairways you can find in Plano:
Do a little sightseeing by heading just north of Plano to the Southfork Ranch. It bills itself as the World’s Most Famous Ranch, because it’s been seen by millions of people on T.V. as the Ewing mansion on the show “Dallas.”
Speaking of Dallas, history buffs will want to head into Dallas and check out the George W. Bush Presidential Center. It’s not only a Presidential library and museum, it is also a gorgeous 15-acre prairie and a Texas rose garden. For even more presidential history, head over to Dealy Plaza and visit The Sixth Floor Museum, located inside the former Texas School Book Depository from where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
If sports are more your thing, there are plenty of options to enjoy. Get a behind-the-scenes look at pro football by taking a tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can also take in a game and root for the Cowboys, the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, or the MLB’s Texas Rangers.
To be amazed by nature, you won’t want to miss the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, where you’ll see more than a million colorful plants and flowers along with beautiful water features and sculptures. Wheelchairs and trams are available, making the gardens accessible. Seniors get discounted admission.
Brookdale Lake Highlands, Rosewood Assisted Living and Memory Care and Brookdale Farmers Branch are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Plano, TX. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Plano is $5,273 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Rent Cafe. Cost of living in Plano, TX.
Texas Comptroller. Taxes.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Veteran status: Plano city (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Age and sex: Plano city (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Age of householder by household income: Plano city (B19037). American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Plano.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Rent Cafe. Cost of living in Plano, TX.
Texas Comptroller. Taxes.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Veteran status: Plano city (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Age and sex: Plano city (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Age of householder by household income: Plano city (B19037). American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Plano.