10 Best Nursing Homes in Austin, TX
With its 300 days of sunshine, wide selection of enticing restaurants and food trucks, and robust live entertainment scene, Austin is an exciting choice for retiring seniors. The city has launched many initiatives to become senior-friendly and has even increased its local senior living and nursing home options.
Nursing home is often used as a catch-all term for a breadth of senior living facilities. However, a nursing home level of care is actually a specialized type of care involving skilled nursing services. This care level offers the highest level of medical observation outside of a hospital and is ideal for seniors who require 24-hour medical attention, hospice care, or rehabilitative services.
If you or your senior loved one doesn’t require 24-hour skilled nursing care but does need support with activities of daily living, assistance with medication, or memory care, an assisted living or memory care facility is an ideal setting. A Place for Mom partners with 28 of these senior care facilities within a 10-mile radius of Austin’s downtown. These facilities provide personal care, supportive services, personalized activities, and social programming to help seniors lead healthy, engaging lifestyles. Most of these Austin assisted living and memory care facilities also offer on-site skilled nursing services to their current residents.
In this guide to Austin nursing homes, you’ll learn how skilled nursing facilities compare to senior care facilities. You’ll be able to compare local average costs, ways people pay, and state facility regulations. You’ll also find a wealth of information on what Austin senior care facilities are like, data and features of our partner communities, and local senior-friendly activities and resources.
Nursing Homes Facilities near Austin, TX
I would highly recommend this community they are like a family here. They have activities like arts and crafts and more for the residents to do.
I would say to come and visit because you will enjoy it. They have activities like work outs all day, indoor swimming pool, there is a card room, a theater and evening activities. There is so much to do that...
Communication between members of the staff and between directors is not great. So care plans are challenging to put into practice. As your parent becomes more mentally impaired this can be a challenge....
Everyone has been kind, thoughtful, patient, and very caring. During Covid restrictions I received pictures to let me see and know how my husband is doing. Can't say enough about the staff.
If a friend asked me, I would say several residents did not like the food. My mom hated 95% of the food. And food / cooking had been one of her passions. The community is kind and welcoming and I think the...
My parents sold their home in Westlake and moved into The Village at the Triangle in [date removed]. They Love it. I describe it as a combination of a luxury hotel meets cruise ship. The cleanliness,...
Looked for three months to find an assisted living for our Mom, went and looked everywhere. Walked into the Heritage and it felt like home. Music playing, fresh flowers. We tried the food and it was...
This is a memory care community and I would recommend this community for someone in need. They have some activities for the residents like physical therapy and occupational therapy and this is the activities...
No one can beat this place. Words can't express what they do. truly angels that work here. Food amazing, staff loving and friendly. Lots of happy smiles and healthy residents in the hall ways all the time
We found the caregiving staff out on the floor to be very good. They took great care of people and seemed to really care. The meals were good, no complaints there. The housekeeping staff was wonderful and...
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We recently had to find a place for our dad after he was diagnosed with cancer. We had a great visit with Silver Leaf and chose them. We were there a lot. A lot of people in and out to visit and hospice was...
My parents are very happy here! They've been wonderful to work with. During the move in process they went out of their way to make sure we had all of the information we needed, and after the move in they did...
I cannot say enough great things about Autumn Leaves! They are so loving and caring to all their residence. I can see the true compassion that each of the employees have for the residence. Communication...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Austin community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Austin 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 nursing homes in Austin, Texas
- What families are saying about nursing homes in Austin
- How people pay for a nursing home in Austin, Texas
- Understand Texas laws and regulations for nursing homes
- What to expect from nursing homes in Austin
- Austin nursing homes services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Austin? Highlights for seniors
Costs of nursing homes in Austin, Texas
Nursing homes, sometimes known as skilled nursing facilities, tend to have higher costs than assisted living communities. This is because they provide 24-hour medical care and oversight. That said, the average monthly cost of a private room in an Austin skilled nursing facility is $8,973 per month — significantly higher than assisted living and memory care monthly costs.[01]
If your senior loved one doesn’t require a nursing home level of care, you should look into assisted living or memory care options. The median monthly rent for an Austin assisted living community is $5,280, and for a memory care community, it is $6,260 a month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.[02]
Here’s an overview of amenities and services typically covered by monthly rental baselines at the senior care communities in our Austin network:
- A dining plan with three meals and snacks daily
- On-site amenities (fitness centers, pools, craft centers, libraries, movie theaters, courtyards, etc.)
- On-site activities (interest clubs, game nights, holiday parties, fitness classes, reminiscence therapies, etc.)
- Day trips to local attractions and events
- General maintenance and landscaping
Seniors may have to pay additional fees for the following on-site amenities and services at some of our Austin senior care community partners:
- Personalized care services (assistance with activities of daily living, medication administration, catheter care, specialized memory care, etc.)
- Pet rent and additional occupant fees
- Room service and special meal accommodations
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Beauty salon and barbershop services
- Transportation services
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Austin, TX vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Austin, TX vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Nursing Homes in Austin vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Nursing Homes in Austin, TX by room type
What families are saying about nursing homes in Austin
Recent reviews for nursing homes in Austin
Brookdale Lohmans Crossing in Austin, TX
Brookdale Beckett Meadows in Austin, TX
Sundara Senior Living in Round Rock, TX
How people pay for a nursing home in Austin, Texas
Most seniors and families use a mixture of private funds and public health insurance programs to pay for their nursing home or senior care. Depending on your senior loved one’s personal history and current situation, they may be eligible for some of the most common public support methods — VA benefits, Medicare, or Medicaid. In this section, you’ll find an overview of the private and public methods you may want to utilize for senior care in Austin.
Families and seniors typically build private funds over their lifetimes, and most families use more than one private resource to pay for nursing homes or senior care communities. Here are some common income sources used by families:
- Personal income sources. These private income sources include savings accounts, retirement pensions, investment returns, and more. Any and all of these can be combined to cover the cost of a senior care community.
- Selling a house. Seniors moving into a nursing home or senior care community are often looking to downsize, resulting in the sale of their house. A house sale could free up some cash to help your loved one pay for senior care.
- Reverse mortgage. If selling your senior loved one’s house isn’t a feasible option, a reverse mortgage might be. This option can allow your loved one to borrow from their home’s equity to cover some senior care community costs.
- Health savings accounts (HSA). Depending on a senior’s personal history, they may have opened a health savings account or HSA. If your senior loved one has an HSA, they may use their accumulated funds to pay for medically necessary care services within a nursing home or senior care facility.
- Life insurance. If your senior loved one is enrolled in a life insurance plan, they may be able to sell, surrender, or borrow from their policy to pay for senior care.
- Long-term care insurance. When approaching retirement, some seniors purchase a long-term care insurance policy to help offset their future senior care costs. If your senior loved one has long-term care insurance, you may want to check with their policy provider to see what it may cover at a senior care community.
- Social Security benefits. If your senior loved one is a former worker or a dependent of a former worker, they may qualify for some Social Security benefits. The most common is Social Security Retirement (SSR), which provides a monthly check to your loved one after they retire.
Number of veterans who live in Austin
Roughly 39% of Austin veterans are 65+.
Can veterans benefits pay for nursing homes or senior care communities?
If you or your senior loved one is a veteran, veterans benefits may help cover long-term care and senior living costs, like nursing homes and senior care communities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers senior veterans and their surviving spouses various pensions and benefits. The Aid and Attendance benefit is especially helpful for disabled senior veterans as it can be added to an existing VA pension to pay for anything that improves quality of life — which could include a nursing home or senior care facility.
How does one qualify for veterans benefits?
If you’re at all unsure about you or your loved one’s eligibility for VA benefits, it’s in your family’s best interest to reach out to a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO) before beginning the application process. VSOs are VA-vetted and help senior veterans or their surviving spouses obtain their entitled benefits. VSOs help successfully file claims or appeal a denied claim. In Austin, some senior care facilities even partner with local veteran programs to help ensure that seniors obtain their entitled benefits.
Resources for Austin veterans
Travis County Veterans Services Department
5325 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-854-9340
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (By appointment only)
Virtual contact: Veterans services contact form
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
1700 N. Congress Ave., Suite 800
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-475-2395
Regional Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office
VA Regional Office — One Veterans Plaza
701 Clay Ave.
Waco, TX 76799
Phone: 254-299-9932
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Medicaid is a joint state and federal program that provides health insurance to individuals with limited income and resources. In Texas, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (or the HHSC) runs the state’s Medicaid programs, with STAR+PLUS being the most popular among seniors.
STAR+PLUS Medicaid program
STAR+PLUS is the state’s managed care program for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. This program covers basic health care services and some skilled nursing services through agencies that’ve been licensed and certified by the HHSC. For seniors to receive Medicaid within a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, they must meet income requirements and have an approved medical necessity. A medical necessity means their need for full-time nursing services must be confirmed and provided by a licensed nurse within a nursing facility.
Medicaid only covers room and board at Medicaid-contracted nursing facilities, which A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with. If your senior loved one doesn’t require a nursing home level of care, they might be better suited for a senior care community, such as an assisted living or memory care community. Keep in mind, Medicaid doesn’t cover rent at senior care facilities; however, it may cover some nursing services provided within the facility if seniors apply and qualify for the following Medicaid waiver.
Home and community based services (HCBS) waiver
If your senior loved one doesn’t require 24-hour care services within a nursing home, they may benefit from Medicaid’s home and community based services (or HCBS) waiver program. When a senior applies for Medicaid, the HHSC assesses their need for the HCBS program. The waiver can be used anywhere a senior calls home, meaning it can be used in an assisted living or memory care facility that contracts with the senior’s managed care provider. The HCBS program enables seniors to receive care within a residential setting, as opposed to an institutional setting commonly found in nursing homes.[04]
The home and community based services (or HCBS) waiver program can help cover the following services:[05]
- Personal care
- Medical supplies
- Dental services
- Adaptive aids, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, orthotic devices, and orthopedic shoes
- Nursing services
- Respite care
- Cognitive rehabilitation therapy
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
To qualify for the home and community based services waiver, seniors must meet the following requirements:[06]
- Be 65 years of age or older
- Require an institutional level of care, typically found in a nursing home
- Have a monthly income of less than $2,742 individually or $5,484 as a couple
Not all Austin senior care facilities qualify as an HCBS setting, so be sure to check with each prospective community if you plan to use Medicaid to pay for care services. Qualifying facilities must do the following:[04]
- Be integrated into a greater community
- Provide opportunities for interested residents to seek work or volunteer
- Help an interested senior engage in local community life
- Allow the senior to control their personal resources
- Allow the senior to receive Medicaid care services
Austin has many Medicaid resources throughout the city. Below, you’ll find some search tools that can help you access local Medicaid services, find websites to learn more about Medicaid, and apply online. The HHSC also offers numerous programs through their local area agencies on aging for seniors 60+, as well as other long-term care programs for low-income seniors and seniors with a disability.
Austin resident Medicaid resources
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to adults 65+ and individuals with disabilities. It covers skilled nursing care costs with Medicare-contracted nursing homes for a limited time. In Texas, Medicare may fully cover up to 20 days in a Medicare-certified nursing home or skilled nursing facility and partially cover up to 100 days. Medicare is no longer responsible for payments after the 100-day limit.[07]
Here’s a brief overview of what Medicare can cover along with some programs that can help your loved one save on Medicare costs and apply for benefits:
- The Texas Medicare Savings Program helps cover some Medicare Parts A and B deductibles, premiums, copayments, and/or coinsurance. Part A covers hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care services. Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. Seniors must meet certain income requirements to qualify for this program.
- The Kidney Health Care program covers costs for some treatments, surgeries, medicines, and premiums for Texas residents with end-stage renal disease.
- The Texas Legal Services Center houses the Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program and the Legal Hotline for Texans, which both offer Medicare assistance to eligible seniors.
Below, you’ll find Medicare applications and a services search to help you find a Medicare office in Austin. For additional assistance with your eligible benefits and enrollment, you can contact your local long-term care (LTC) ombudsman. An ombudsman advocates for the health care rights of assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facility residents. They also help families learn about senior care options and payment methods.
Families can also reach out to the Capital Area Council of Governments, which helps local seniors access the long-term care they need. It provides assistance programs, benefits counseling, long-term care coordination, caregiver support, and referrals to aging Austin residents.
Austin resident Medicare resources
Texas Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Phone: 800-252-9240
The Legal Hotline for Texans
Phone: 800-622-2520, ext. 3
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-term care ombudsman
Clement “Pete” Moreno, managing local ombudsman at the AAA of the Capital Area
6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165
Austin, TX 78744
Phone: 512-916-6054
Email: cpmoreno@capcog.org
Understand Texas laws and regulations for nursing homes
In Texas, all senior care facilities — nursing home, assisted living, and memory care facilities — are licensed and regulated by Texas Health and Human Services (also known as HHS or HHSC). Facilities must be licensed before they start providing housing and care services to residents. Furthermore, if a nursing home or senior care facility wishes to accept Medicaid or Medicare, it must be certified by the HHS to do so.
Here’s a summarized list of licensing and certification requirements for Texas nursing homes and senior care facilities:
Resident admission processes
- Using a doctor’s order, skilled nursing facilities must craft a person-centered care plan for each resident. Care plans must account for each resident’s dietary, therapeutic, social, psychological, and daily care needs.
- In assisted living and memory care facilities, a similar procedure must be followed except they are not required to use a doctor’s order for care plans. They’ll usually use family’s guidance, which might include a physician’s recommendations. For memory care facilities, there must be a specialized admissions process in place to confirm a resident’s need for memory care services.
Management and staffing requirements
- Texas nursing homes and skilled nursing units are required to have licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, nurse aids, and registered nurses on staff. All nursing facilities must also meet specific staff-to-resident ratios: one on-site nurse for every 20 residents at all times.
- Assisted living facilities must have an on-site, full-time manager to oversee the facility’s day-to-day operation. These managers are required to complete at least one 24-hour assisted living management course alongside their staff.
- Memory care facility managers and staff members must continually participate in specialized memory care training in order to remain a licensed memory care facility.
Safety and health standards
- A certified skilled nursing facility in Texas must meet design, construction, and equipment standards that support the health and safety of residents, staff, and visitors. Each nursing facility must have safety equipment and emergency procedures for accidents, fires, or power outages.
- Both assisted living and memory care facilities are required to have similar processes in place. Furthermore, memory care facilities must have measures in place to prevent residents from harming themselves or wandering. All facilities must also allow for safe access to fresh air and common areas for activities.
- Memory care facilities must designate an activities director to encourage socialization among residents. It’s required for the director to tailor activities based on each individual’s abilities. These directors are also responsible for arranging special equipment that enables all residents to participate in activities.[08,09]
Senior care facility inspections
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission performs inspections on all skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care facilities. These inspections take place approximately every two years and check for a facility’s compliance with Texas’ life safety code and health code.[10]
The health code and life safety code require nursing homes and senior care facilities to regulate the following:[10]
- Sufficient staff-to-resident ratios
- Employee background checks
- Management of the facility
- General construction of the facility
- Implementation of safety and emergency features
- Protection from hazardous areas
- Documentation of fire drills, system checks, etc.
You can access a licensed community’s most recent inspection report and general facility information through the Texas Health and Human Services’ Long-term Care Provider Search. You can also email rsltcr.recordsmgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us to request any information not found on the site.
Nursing home reviews
In an effort to continually enhance the quality of care provided in Texas nursing homes, the Health and Human Services Commission implemented a Quality Monitoring Program (or QMP) to monitor nursing facilities with a history of deficiencies. These QMPs are conducted by nurses, pharmacists, and dieticians that may recommend changes to policies or procedures, conduct staff trainings, offer technical assistance, and educate staff about evidence-based best practices during their visits to facilities.
Families can also visit the federal Medicare website to compare and contrast local nursing home ratings, staffing practices, and overall quality of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC or HHS) 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 Austin nursing homes
There are currently no COVID-19 regulations specific to Austin nursing homes or senior care facilities. However, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission does require all facilities to set their own infection prevention and control measures to prevent the spread of common diseases and infections, including COVID-19. The measures may include guidance on the community’s hygiene practices, disinfection and sterilization techniques, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection methods, and physical distancing requirements.
Because communities set their own regulations, it’s best to check with your prospective community to see what measures are taken to protect residents against common infections and COVID-19. You can also visit the COVID-19 in Austin page on the city website to see regular updates regarding risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.
What to expect from nursing homes in Austin
The city of Austin has taken many initiatives to become more aging-friendly for current and future seniors. One of the biggest initiatives includes enacting Age-Friendly Austin. This action plan addresses eight areas that influence the health and quality of life for local seniors:
- Civic participation and employment
- Communication and information
- Community support and health services
- Housing
- Outdoor spaces and buildings
- Respect and social inclusion
- Social participation
- Transportation options
Austin also offers a selection of robust skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities for seniors that require nursing services around the clock. And, for seniors who don’t require round-the-clock medical care, Austin offers many other senior care community options. In fact, seniors can find specialized communities for their unique care needs with options like assisted living and memory care.
Read on to see how our partner senior care facilities in Austin are accommodating seniors’ unique lifestyles and care needs.
On-site nursing services accommodate seniors’ medical needs
In Austin, 75% of our partner assisted living and memory care communities offer on-site nursing care services.[02] These services include wellness checks where on-site licensed nurses can monitor vitals, monitor and administer medications, and help manage common health conditions inside the resident’s unit. This offers an additional safety net for seniors and families who want to avoid the stresses of relocation in the later stages of life when more medical attention may be required.
Additionally, a select few of our partner senior care communities offer a skilled nursing unit on-site. Skilled nursing units offer a range of 24/7 medical services, including but not limited to the following:
- Cardiac care
- Diabetes care
- Disease management
- Oxygen therapy
- Pain management
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
- Post-surgical care
- Rehabilitation
- Hospice
Multi-tiered levels of care to support various care needs
Austin senior care facilities are committed to helping seniors age gracefully in place. To do so, they offer multiple levels of care on-site — most often independent living, assisted living, and memory care. In fact, almost all of our partner senior care facilities in Austin offer at least two care types on the same campus, e.g., independent living and assisted living or assisted living and memory care. This multi-tiered approach minimizes the stress of moving for seniors, as residents are able to remain in the community even if their care needs increase. It also enables senior couples with different care needs to age together.
Seniors often enter a senior care facility at the lowest level of care — independent living. The purpose of independent living is not care, but to eliminate the stress of homeownership and to provide convenient services, such as restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation. Seniors in assisted living benefit from the same services but also receive personal care services, such as assistance with their activities of daily living and medication management. Memory care residents receive even more specialized assistance with dementia-specific care. This care type includes assisted living personal care services along with behavior management and specialized therapies to help manage common dementia symptoms in residents experiencing memory loss.
A range of amenities and activities for all mobility levels
Seniors and families often associate nursing homes and senior living communities with boredom and a lack of freedom. However, that’s far from the case at our partner communities. Austin nursing homes and senior care facilities offer a diverse range of amenities and activities to keep senior residents healthily engaged and active. Austin skilled nursing facilities offer a smaller range of activities due to limited mobility levels among most residents. You’ll find assisted living and memory care communities generally have more robust activity schedules.
Some of the most common activities in nursing home facilities can include the following:
- Arts and crafts classes
- Church services
- Cooking lessons
- Group games
- Ice cream socials
- Music nights with local musicians
Some of the most common activities in Austin assisted living and memory care communities include the following:
- Art and cooking classes
- Brain-stimulating activities and puzzles
- Devotional services
- Fitness classes (tai chi, strength training, chair yoga, water aerobics, etc.)
- Game nights (card games, board games, trivia, bingo, etc.)
- Group outings (museum trips, picnics at local parks, dining at local restaurants, etc.)
- Interest clubs (walking club, book club, etc.)
- Life-long learning classes and educational lectures
- Reminiscence activities (activities that enable dementia patients to recall cherished memories)
- Singing (choir groups, singalongs, karaoke, etc.)
- Happy hours and holiday parties
- Live music
Seniors are also free to use on-site amenities whenever they’d like. Some of the most common on-site amenities at our partner Austin senior care communities include the following:
- Arts and crafts centers
- Common areas and lounges
- Enclosed courtyards or secure walking paths
- Game rooms
- Gardens with raised garden beds
- Libraries and/or business centers
- Life skill stations (interactive replicas of familiar environments for dementia patients)
- Movie theaters
- On-site bars or pubs
- On-site bistros or cafes
- On-site fitness centers
- Swimming pools
- Therapeutic whirlpools
Austin nursing homes services and amenities
Availability of select care services in Austin nursing homes
Availability of select dementia care services in Austin nursing homes
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Austin nursing homes
Availability of select dining options in Austin nursing homes
Availability of select programs and activities in Austin nursing homes
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Unfamiliar with Austin? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors 65+ currently living in Austin
Average annual retirement income for Austin seniors 65+ in 2021[03]
Average number of sunny days per year in Austin[11]
Health care for seniors in Austin
Austin offers a wealth of health care options for seniors and their families. There are several medical centers throughout the city. Check out this section for some information on Austin’s top-rated medical centers.
St. David’s Medical Center
St. David’s Medical Center is the No. 1 hospital in Austin and it nationally ranks No. 37 in rehabilitation, according to U.S. News and World Report. The hospital offers 426 beds for acute care and 64 beds for rehabilitation. It’s also home to the internationally renowned Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute and St. David’s Neuroscience and Spine Institute.
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin is the No. 2 hospital in Austin, according to U.S. News and World Report. This medical center offers a comprehensive Level 1 stroke center and Level IV trauma center. It also offers multiple locations in Austin and Round Rock.
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center is the No. 3 hospital in Austin, according to U.S. News and World Report. This medical center is the south campus of St. David’s Medical Center — the No. 1 hospital. It’s nationally accredited for its oncology program, and it offers 368 beds for acute care. It also offers a Level II trauma center to treat patients in critical condition.
Transportation for seniors in Austin
While it’s not necessary for seniors in skilled nursing facilities to travel for care, more mobile seniors may benefit from on-site transportation services available at senior living communities. As a matter of fact, 85% of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities in Austin offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services to their residents.[02]
Seniors without access to on-site transportation services may also utilize the city’s public transportation options designed just for seniors. The citywide public transportation system, CapMetro, offers buses, rail lines, shuttles, and more across Austin. CapMetro offers a Reduced Fare ID (RFID) Card specifically for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. The card is available to purchase for $3 and offers half-priced fares to seniors.
Note: If using public transportation, seniors with immediate care needs should always be accompanied by a caregiver — whether that’s a community caregiver or a visiting loved one.
Seniors enrolled in Medicaid may also benefit from the statewide medical transportation program offered by Texas Health and Human Services. This program offers seniors rides to doctors’ appointments, pharmacies, hospitals, or any place that accepts Medicaid. If using this service, it’s still important that seniors with immediate care needs are accompanied by a caregiver, which may also be provided by Medicaid.
Senior-friendly activities in Austin
Austin hosts a wide variety of activities to live up to its slogan — “Keep Austin weird.” Most nursing home residents aren’t able to leave the facility due to their high level of care needs, so nursing facilities often host on-site activities and events to entertain residents.
However, some assisted living and memory care residents might have a little more mobility, enabling them to explore what the city has to offer. That said, senior living residents often enjoy community-planned outings. Read on for some outings favored by Austin’s seniors.
- Austin Public Library. This library has several branches scattered throughout Austin. They offer myriad events and interest groups for locals — including art classes, movie discussions, cooking demonstrations with samples, poetry readings, and more. The central library also displays themed art and history exhibitions. At the central library, seniors can discover new books, enjoy a coffee or snack in the cafe, or spend an afternoon at the rooftop garden with friends.
- Bullock Texas State History Museum. This museum encompasses all things Texas. It houses famed state artifacts, historic exhibits, and cultural events. The museum has also taken on many initiatives to be accessible and offers wheelchairs for check-out, accessible routes, open captioning, descriptive listening devices, transcripts, and English- and Spanish-guided tours.
- Austin food trucks. Austin is known for its numerous food trucks scattered throughout the city offering competitively delicious eats. There are even dedicated parks for visitors and residents to gather and eat from these food trucks. Families can savor tasty eats from around the world within one park. It’s also a great way to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
- The Texas Capitol. Texas’ capitol building is known to be one of the most distinguished capitols in the U.S. It boasts stunning design features and architecture. Seniors can soak up information about the state and capitol’s history by exploring exhibits, viewing artifacts, and roaming historic rooms used in the past. The Texas Capitol also offers wheelchairs for check-out, accessible routes, and guided tours to help all visitors absorb the rich history, regardless of their abilities.
- Live music in Austin. The city is deemed the “Live Music Capital of the World” due to its wide range of musical events and venues. Seniors and locals alike attend concerts of all kinds, symphonies, and theatrical performances. You can browse the linked guide based on location, genre, pricing, and more to help you find the most relevant live music options for your tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brookdale Westlake Hills, The Isle at Cedar Ridge and Avalon Memory Care - Cedar Park are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Austin, TX. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Austin is $5,374 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Genworth. (2021). Cost of care survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Austin city, Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Home and community based services (HCBS).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Client FAQs.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023, March 1). Appendix XXXI, Budget reference chart. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2012, September 1). H-7000, Medicare and co-payment. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification, Texas Administrative Code § 554 (1995 and rev. 2021).
Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities, Texas Administrative Code § 553 (2021).
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (1991 & rev. 1999).
City of Austin. (2020). About the city of Austin.
U.S. News and World Report. (2022). Best hospitals in Austin, TX.
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- Windemere, Texas
- Brushy Creek, Texas
- River Hills, Texas
- Round Rock, Texas
- West Lake Hills, Texas
- Eubank Acres, Texas
- Dessau, Texas
- Walnut Forest, Texas
- Lost Creek, Texas
- Rollingwood, Texas
- Hornsby Bend, Texas
- Pflugerville, Texas
- Pershing, Texas