10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in The Woodlands, TX

Assisted living care can be financed in various ways, either through private or public means. Families can utilize a combination of private and public funding instead of choosing a single payment method. Here, we’ll provide more details on how seniors and their families can use private pay, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid to finance assisted living care.

All assisted living communities need to be licensed in Texas, with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), which is in charge of regulatory requirements. To obtain a license, an assisted living facility (known as an ALF) must successfully undergo two on-site inspections: one for life safety code compliance and another for health standards. These inspections are conducted separately. Licensing is valid for two years, and renewal requires an additional on-site inspection, including resident care evaluation.

Laws and regulations for ALFs in Texas include:

• Sufficient staff to maintain order, help with medication management, prepare meals, and supervise each resident.
• Each facility needs a manager who is on duty 40 hours per week.
• At least three balanced meals must be served daily, with no more than 16 hours between dinner and breakfast.
• An individual service plan must be completed within 14 days of admission.

To ensure proficiency in inspecting ALFs, the Department has created a specialized training program for its employees who conduct inspections. Inspections are available to review online through the provider search portal.

Texas Department of Health contact information

Texas Department of Health and Human Services
North Austin Complex
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500

COVID-19 regulations for The Woodlands assisted living facilities

Assisted living communities in Montgomery County, Texas, currently have no COVID-19 protocols, but that may vary between each community. However, generally, the county recommends following guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of the virus, and Montgomery County provides general information.

Living in The Woodlands offers residents a remarkable quality of life, enriched by a wide range of amenities and conveniences that are easily within reach. The community prides itself on fostering a strong sense of togetherness, evident through engaging events and festivals held throughout the year. Notably, the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival and the Lighting of the Doves are highly anticipated highlights.

There are a variety of assisted living facilities in the area, each offering its own unique amenities and styles of living. Some are nestled in residential areas, some are closer to the bustle of the city center, some come with water views, and some are garden-style. Whatever your or your loved one’s preference, there is an assisted living community to call home in The Woodlands.

Flexible care

Combined senior communities, which offer a mix of assisted living, independent living, and memory care services, provide numerous benefits for seniors. Only two of the 38 assisted living facilities we partner with are stand-alone. The rest are combined with memory care, independent living, or are group homes.

Group homes are particularly appealing to those who want more personalized care. Group homes provide a smaller, more intimate living environment, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer a close-knit community and more personalized attention from caregivers. These homes often have a lower resident-to-caregiver ratio, providing more individualized care.

No matter the type of facility, each provides individualized care and home-like living accommodations, from private studio apartments to two-bedroom apartments and a variety of other floor plans to meet residents’ needs.

Community living and exciting amenities

Assisted living in The Woodlands provides diverse activities to keep seniors active and engaged. The amenities include heated indoor swimming pools, beauty salons and barber shops, gardening beds, restaurant-style dining rooms and chef-prepared meals, and outdoor sundecks and courtyards for relaxation. Additionally, many communities have dedicated craft and hobby rooms for pursuing artistic interests and landscaped outdoor walking paths. Popular community activities include trivia games, barbecues, picnics, educational lectures, karaoke nights, and holiday parties to keep residents engaged and happy.

Most of the communities in our listing are near recreational and convenient amenities, attractions, and businesses, including restaurants and golf courses. A number of communities are extremely pet-friendly — some even provide pet therapy — so that seniors can keep their beloved pets with them in this next stage of life.

Safety first

Assisted living communities in The Woodlands strongly emphasize resident safety and well-being, providing an array of health protocols and services. Noteworthy health assistance includes comprehensive medication management to ensure accurate and timely administration of prescribed medications. Specialized memory care services cater to the needs of individuals with memory-related conditions. On-call doctors provide accessible medical expertise, while on-site hospice services deliver compassionate end-of-life care.

Many locations ensure resident safety by designing communal and private areas to be easily navigated by people who use walkers or wheelchairs. Rooms also have emergency call systems and shower safety bars.

Health care for seniors in The Woodlands

Transportation for seniors in The Woodlands

For many people in assisted living, owning a car may not be desirable or possible. While The Woodlands is a town that relies on driving, there are options for those in assisted living to travel without a car. Many of our partner facilities offer transportation: 60% offer complimentary transportation, and 73% provide at-cost transportation.^[01] There are also several public and nonprofit transportation services.

The Woodlands Township Transit offers various transportation services tailored to different needs. For example, the Town Center Trolley operates along a 4.1-mile route, running every 10-15 minutes, while The Woodlands Express provides affordable weekday transportation to destinations like the Texas Medical Center and Houston’s central business district.

For ADA-eligible passengers who cannot utilize the trolley service, ADA Paratransit offers a shared ride, curb-to-curb option for eligible seniors and their caregivers. In addition, there are nonprofit and private transport options specifically catering to seniors.

• Interfaith of The Woodlands offers demand-response transportation services through volunteer drivers for individuals aged 62 and over, assisting with local health care appointments, grocery store visits, and social activities.
• Meals on Wheels’ Senior Rides program provides curb-to-curb transportation with no trip restrictions for individuals aged 60 and over or those with proof of disability, facilitating trips to doctors’ appointments or the Social Security office.
• Aging in Place – The Woodlands membership program connects members to practical support services and social networks.
• Bryant Transportation Service offers ridesharing and subscription services to individuals aged 65 and over in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.
• Agape Medical Transport provides fixed routes, ridesharing, and subscription services for individuals over 65 in Harris and Montgomery Counties.

The below scores indicate the degree of walkability and bikeability within The Woodlands. These scores range from 0 to 100 and are determined by considering various factors, such as the density of the area, the transportation system, the availability of walking paths, and the infrastructure for biking.^[08]

Senior activities in The Woodlands

The Woodlands is a thriving community with plenty for seniors and their families to do. Music enthusiasts will find plenty of options to indulge in. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater, hosts various concerts and performing arts events throughout the year and offers accessible seating options. During spring and summer, Waterway Nights and Rock the Row have free concert series featuring local and regional bands of various genres. Additionally, Concerts in the Park, held at Northshore Park on Sundays in the spring and fall, offers a family-friendly atmosphere where attendees can bring picnic baskets, coolers, blankets, and lawn chairs.

For those who want to shop till they drop, head over to Market Street, where more than 90 stores and restaurants are set in an open-air main street ambiance. Adjacent to it, Central Park serves as a hub for community events and live music performances, creating a vibrant lifestyle center. For a wider shopping selection, The Woodlands Mall offers over 160 stores and dining options.

With Houston just 25 miles south of The Woodlands, the city is well worth a visit and has dozens of activities for seniors and their families. One highlight is Bayou Bend, the former home of philanthropist Ima Hogg, which features an impressive collection of American furnishings, silver, ceramics, and paintings. Visitors can explore the meticulously maintained 14-acre gardens surrounding the house for a serene experience. They also offer a senior discount.

A visit to Houston can’t be without two iconic experiences: Barbecue and the NASA Space Center. Foodies can indulge in some of the country’s best smoked meats, with pit masters serving up mouthwatering briskets, sausages, and ribs, with dozens of barbecue spots throughout the city to savor these delicious culinary delights.

Seniors can immerse themselves in the city’s rich cultural scene by exploring the Houston Museum District, which is home to esteemed institutions such as The Menil Collection, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Natural Science.

The wonders of space can be discovered at NASA whether visitors are interested in a tram tour or want to see the inside of a shuttle up close. The Space Center offers sensory backpacks at the Guest Services Desk and a detailed outline of accessibility resources for senior citizens and those who may need support.

Sports enthusiasts can see the NFL’s Houston Texans at NRG Stadium during the season. Wheelchair access is available at all NRG Park facilities, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive experience for individuals with mobility needs.

For those who’d prefer to stay closer to home, Woodlands Online is a valuable resource for the community, providing a wide range of services and features. There is a dedicated events page for seniors, listing upcoming activities such as cornhole tournaments, game nights, and festivals.