10 Best Independent Living Communities in Plano, TX
Plano might be just 19 miles north of the big metropolis of Dallas, but it holds its own as the ninth-largest city in Texas. With 84 parks, 4,243 acres of gorgeous green spaces, and miles and miles of trails, Plano is a vast and gorgeous place to explore for active seniors looking for an independent living community.
Our 22 partner independent living communities in the Plano area are ready to take the load off of you and provide a full array of services and amenities to make life fun and relaxing.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to our partner independent living communities, all within a 10-mile radius of Plano’s city center, which includes Richardson, Frisco, Allen, and parts of Dallas. We’ll also cover everything you need to know about costs, how to pay for an independent living stay, which benefits might help you, the options for health care and transportation, as well as activities you’ll love in the Plano area.
Plano Independent Living Facilities | 3353 Reviews
Outstanding care, we were very pleased. The staff are very loving & caring. My Mom received excellent care & was very happy at Alexandra. Meals are prepared fresh & the home is always spotless.
Moving my father into assisted living was a difficult decision. The day of the move he was furious with me. [name removed] and her staff let my father lead the way on the move. When we arrived they had his...
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The owners are very good people. Nice homely atmosphere for my mother. Caregivers show great love and care
I liked it but they felt like it was pretty expensive. You really only got two meals a day rather than three. You could buy lunch for extra. He thought that the food was good there. The physical structure is...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Plano community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Plano community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of independent living in the Plano area
- What families are saying about independent living in Plano
- How people pay for independent living in Plano
- Understand Texas laws and regulations for independent living communities
- Types of independent living in Plano
- Plano independent living services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Plano? Highlights for seniors
Costs of independent living in the Plano area
Independent living in Plano will cost a monthly average of $3,080, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[02] While this price includes amenities like meals, laundry service, and housekeeping, it can vary based on exactly which additional services you might opt for. However, this figure represents the total average cost per month in our partner independent living communities.
The chart below, however, displays the average starting cost of independent living in Plano without additional fees taken into account.
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Plano, TX vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Plano, TX vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Plano vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Independent Living in Plano, TX by room type
What families are saying about independent living in Plano
Recent reviews for independent living in Plano
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Reviews mention these favorite features of communities
How people pay for independent living in Plano
The cost of living in an independent living community in the Plano area can be covered in several ways. Many seniors start with private income or VA benefits. While Medicaid, Medicare, and long-term care insurance do not cover the monthly cost of an independent living facility, there are other ways they can help you find more room in your budget.
In this section, we’ll cover all of these payment options and how they might benefit you as you look to move into an independent living community in Plano.
To cover the monthly fee for an independent living facility in the Plano area, there are several private pay methods seniors can use. These include personal savings, investment returns, Social Security benefits, and pension payments. Read the following resources for more information on other private pay methods.
Number of veterans who live in Plano
About 46% of Plano veterans are 65+
If you’re a Plano resident who served in the military, you might be entitled to some Veterans Administration benefits that would help you offset the cost of independent living in Plano.
The first benefit to consider is the VA Pension; you can check your eligibility for this monthly payment online. The Aid and Attendance benefit is another worthwhile option to check into. This benefit adds an additional amount to the VA Pension for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living, have serious eyesight issues, live in a nursing home, or must stay in bed a lot during the day.
For additional options, look at the list of Texas veterans benefits provided by Collin County. The North Central Area Agency on Aging (which covers Collin and Denton Counties) offers this helpful presentation: VA Pension Benefits: How to Use Them to Help Pay for Long-Term Care.
The biggest obstacle to getting these benefits can sometimes be understanding the actual application process itself. That’s why veterans services officers are trained to provide free assistance to veterans trying to complete this task. You can connect with them through the Veterans Administration, Collin County Veteran Services, or Plano area veterans services organizations (VSOs), such as the American Legion. Also, the Claims Benefit Advisors of the Texas Veterans Commission can help with claims, appeals, and filling out VA paperwork. If you want to meet in person, you’ll generally have to wait 30 days, but phone appointments only have about a three-day wait.
Resources for Plano veterans
Waco Regional VA Benefits Office
701 Clay Ave.
Waco, TX 76799
Phone: 800-698-2411
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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
Contact: Gary Jackson, veteran service officer
Contact: John Thompson, veteran service officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4380
601 E. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-379-8628
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3530
1210 W. Belt Line Road
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-231-3269
American Legion Post 321
1236 J Ave.
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-423-5423
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 Texas’ health insurance for seniors with low incomes and few assets. Medicaid does not directly cover the cost of living in an independent living community. But it can help defray medical costs to make more room in your budget for your monthly independent living fee.
If you are in need of in-home health care at your independent living facility, a home and community based services waiver can cover the cost if you’re eligible. A doctor also has to approve the in-home as medically necessary.
Another way to find more space in your budget for independent living is through the Texas Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP). If someone else in your household is on employer-sponsored health insurance, HIPP can cover that premium as long as one member of the household is Medicaid-eligible. You can apply for HIPP online.
If you already receive Medicare, you might still qualify for Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD). If you’d like to know more about Medicaid in Texas, use the state’s Medicaid Reference Guide, called the Pink Book.
Seniors can apply for Medicaid through the Your Texas Benefits portal. But if you need assistance or have questions, reach out to the North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center, which serves both Collin and Denton Counties. The center provides free help with applying for Medicaid. They also provide a Medicaid Made Simple presentation video that gives more in-depth information. The long-term care ombudsman is another person you can turn to for assistance.
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.
HHSC Benefits Office
5455 Blair Road
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: 214-750-4619
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
If you are at least 65 years old, then Medicare is the federal health insurance plan that will take care of your medical needs. Medicare does not help cover the monthly cost of room and board in an independent living facility. But Medicare can free up room in your budget by covering in-home medical care expenses that a doctor says you must have.
For eligible seniors, more cost savings can be found through Medicare Savings Programs. The cost of Medicare’s premiums and copayments can be lowered or fully covered through one of these programs. Extra Help is another cost-saving program that helps low-income seniors with the cost of medications.
You can sign up for Medicare online or use the downloadable enrollment forms. You can get help or take your paper forms in person to the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office in nearby McKinney.
Call the Texas Medicare Helpline provided through the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for free help with the application process. The North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center also offers benefit counselors, and the long-term care ombudsman is another good resource.
Plano resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office
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
Understand Texas laws and regulations for independent living communities
In the state of Texas, a license is not needed for the operation of an independent living community. These facilities don’t provide health care, so they’re not considered in a different category than any other rental housing.
There are laws and regulations that apply, however, such as the Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). These laws are in place to make sure discrimination does not take place as people look for housing of any kind. Alongside these federal laws, Plano’s city ordinance 9.5-32 also prohibits housing discrimination. If you have any issues, you can log a housing discrimination complaint through the North Texas Fair Housing Center.
The Texas Landlord/Tenant Law Guide is a great resource for understanding all your rights as well as responsibilities as a tenant.
The city’s Property Standards Division ensures that residential and commercial properties follow the city’s property maintenance code. Independent living facilities are subject to the Multi-Family Rental Registration & Inspection Program. You can use this interactive map to see the scores given post-inspection. You can also use this map to pinpoint senior living facilities. You can file a complaint through Fix It Plano or by calling 972-208-8150. This property standards district map will give you a visual representation and show you who is in charge of the specific area of Plano you’re concerned about.
When independent living is combined with assisted living
When an independent living community also offers assisted living or memory care, then a license from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services is required. These combination facilities must follow the laws and regulations set forth in this Texas Administrative Code and this Health and Safety Code for assisted living facilities.
A Type A license would be what a Plano assisted living facility would require. This license is for communities where the residents can help themselves and follow directions during an emergency. If an independent living facility also offers memory care, then a Type B license would be needed. This type is specifically for facilities where residents will need help during an emergency and wouldn’t be able to follow evacuation directions.
These facilities are subject to inspections once every two years. This long-term care provider search portal gives you access to those inspection reports.
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 Plano senior apartments communities
Plano doesn’t have any COVID-19 prevention mandates that independent living facilities must follow; however, Collin County Public Health provides some guidance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidelines for preventing COVID-19, too.
Vaccinations. The CDC encourages COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and Collin County Health Care Services provides free shots. Groups of five or more can call 844-908-3927 and select option 3 to schedule a visit from the mobile vaccination team.
Masking. Face masks, while encouraged by the CDC, are not required in Plano.
Facility cleanliness. The CDC wants people to pay attention to increasing airflow and ventilation to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
Quarantining. The CDC recommends isolating for five days if you test positive for COVID-19.
Types of independent living in Plano
You’ll feel right at home in any of our 22 partner Plano area independent living communities, and there are plenty of choices to help you find exactly what you are looking for. While 14 of our Plano partners are standalone independent living facilities, three combine independent living and assisted living. Another five are a combination of independent living, assisted living, and memory care. These are nice options for aging in place.
Independent living made easy
A Place for Mom’s partner independent living communities in Plano provide a hassle-free lifestyle for active seniors. Chores like maintenance, lawn work, and cooking are things of the past. Our partner independent living communities take care of all that so you have time for everything you enjoy. Some of our partner communities even offer a concierge who can assist you with just about anything you could want.
More time for fun and relaxation
Independent living gives you the best of both worlds: Fewer things you have to do and more things you want to do. If you want to take it easy, join your friends for a movie in the theater room or catch a game of poker or scrabble in the game room. These are the types of common areas you’ll find at most of our partner independent living facilities. Shoot pool in the billiards room you’ll find at 68% of our partner communities. Take your best furry friend on a walk at one of the on-site pet parks or at one of Plano’s 80+ parks because almost all our partner facilities welcome pets.
The comforts of home and some extras
Our partner independent living communities ensure you have the comforts of home. At most independent living facilities, you can join other residents in the dining room for restaurant-style meals or cook up your own since you’ll have a kitchen, too. You can relax by the pool at some of our partner communities or exercise in the fitness centers found at 82% of our partner facilities. Making life even more convenient, almost all our partner facilities have on-site beauty salons.
Plano independent living services and amenities
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Plano independent living
Availability of select dining options in Plano independent living
Availability of select programs and activities in Plano independent living
Explore senior care with confidence
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Unfamiliar with Plano? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Plano
Median annual income for Plano seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in Plano
Plano might be one of the major suburbs of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, but it’s not overshadowed by the big city in the health care department. In fact, Plano is home to some top-notch medical centers of its own.
Medical City Plano
Medical City Plano is a general medical and surgical facility that’s been rated high performing by U.S. News & World Report in five adult procedures and conditions. The full-service 600+ bed hospital is designated a Level I Trauma Center.
Baylor Scott and White The Heart Hospital – Plano
Baylor Scott and White The Heart Hospital Plano is rated as No. 50 in the nation for cardiology and heart surgery. It also holds seven high-performance ratings from U.S. News & World Report in areas such as lung cancer surgery, aortic valve surgery, and more.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano is a general medical and surgical facility that U.S. News & World Report has rated as a high performer in kidney failure care, stroke care, knee replacements, and COPD.
Transportation for seniors in Plano
Plano is a big city, so it is no surprise that it’s also primarily car-dependent. Walk Score, which scores cities from 0 to 100 for ease of getting around, puts Plano at the lower end for its availability of public transportation.[06] However, Plano is one of 12 Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs that is connected to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System (DART). Plano is serviced by the DART bus system, light rails, and on-demand transportation.
The Orange or Red Lines of the DART Rail System can be accessed at the Downtown Plano Station or the Parker Road Station. This rail system map shows you how these lines can connect to others to get you to Dallas and beyond.
Plano has two park-and-ride locations for the DART Bus System: Jack Hatchell Transit Center and the Northwest Plano Park-and-Ride.
GoLink, DART On-Demand, operates seven days a week, from 5 a.m. to midnight in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A door-to-door paratransit service is also available through DART.
DART has a travel training program to help those with physical or intellectual disabilities learn all about how to get around on DART. A qualified instructor will work with you one-on-one to help you feel comfortable with everything from how to buy tickets to learning the bus routes. To sign up, call 214-828-8676.
My Ride North Texas is another option for finding transportation anywhere in the 16-County North Texas area. Other ride-sharing services available in Plano include Alto, Uber, and Lyft.
Plano has more than 1,600 miles of sidewalks and 70 miles of recreational trails if you’d like to bike or walk. You can use this park and trail system map to see how to get around.
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in Plano
Plano can stand on its own for great things to do, but you can also take a short ride on the DART Orange Line or Red Line (or hop in a car) to find even more great things to do in Dallas.
Plano has plenty to offer
We’ll begin in the Downtown Plano Arts District, where you can participate in events like the Third Thursday Sip and Shop or a Jazz Concert Under the Starz. You can walk over to nearby Haggard Park and enjoy spending time in the gazebo, take a stroll on a trail, or enjoy a view of the lake. There, you can also check out the Interurban Railway Museum, where admission is free!
The Heritage Farmstead Museum is another Plano staple, where the history of the Blackland Prairie life in North Texas is explored and honored.
The great outdoors
If you are an avid golfer, there are 75 places to take a swing in a 20-mile radius of Plano. Eight golf courses, such as The Courses at Watters Creek, Ridgeview Ranch, and The Golf Ranch, are right in Plano.
The Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve in Plano has 800 acres of gorgeous green space featuring miles of trails. You can fish, kayak, or paddle board from dawn til dusk. Bob Woodruff Park North is another outstanding outdoor destination. Enjoy a fishing pier, trails, and even sand volleyball courts. If you like to ride horses, there’s an equestrian area available as well.
Just for seniors
The Sam Johnson Recreation Center for Adults 50+ is just for you. It has a wellness center, a huge cardio and weight room, and a plethora of classes and recreational opportunities. You can join groups for book clubs, scrabble, bunco, poker, bridge, table tennis, quilting, and much more.
Go a little further
Take a short drive North of Plano to Parker, and you can see the Southfork Ranch. It’s famous for being the Ewing mansion on the iconic television show “Dallas.”
Take a quick jaunt into Dallas to enjoy the beauty of the 1.4 million plants at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, which is billed as one of the best botanical gardens in the world. If wildlife is more your style, head over to the 106-acre Dallas Zoo.
History lovers won’t want to miss the George W. Bush Presidential Center. In addition to being the Presidential library and museum, it also has a 15-acre prairie, and a Texas rose garden to enjoy. For more presidential history, go to Dealy Plaza and visit The Sixth Floor Museum inside the former Texas School Book Depository from where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Sports fans have plenty of professional sports teams in Dallas to choose from to take in a game. There’s the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, and MLB’s Texas Rangers. You can also take a tour of AT&T Stadium, where the Cowboys play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Landing at Watermere - Frisco, Watermere at Flower Mound and Brookdale Lake Highlands are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Plano, TX. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Plano is $4,589 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Plano Chamber of Commerce. (2023). Community Facts and Figures.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Plano.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Plano.
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