Senior Living Apartments in The Woodlands, TX

Senior apartment communities do not qualify for coverage under programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance, as they are not intended to provide medical care. However, seniors residing in senior apartments may receive assistance from these programs for medically necessary in-home care services.

In this section, you’ll learn how private pay options, housing assistance, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid can be used to pay for some costs associated with moving to a senior apartment.

Senior apartments that don’t offer health services do not need to be regulated like other senior communities (under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission). Instead, seniors are protected under the county, state, and federal laws for renters.

Rental properties are not required to be inspected before a tenant moves in. However, landlords must make necessary repairs to ensure the property is safe and habitable. Federal laws to be aware of include:

• The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on familial status, disability, race, nationality, religion, and sex. The Housing for Older Persons exemption, part of the Fair Housing Act, guarantees that only approved housing is available for people over 55.
• The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that senior apartments must provide adequate accessibility, including common areas, and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has laws specifically for Section 8 of the Housing Act, which protects tenants. Most senior living apartments require tenants to be over 55 under the Fair Housing Act, and some have higher age minimums.

Locally, there are additional laws that protect renters, such as:

• The Texas Property Code outlines the landlord’s and tenant’s rights and responsibilities regarding leases, rent payments, security deposits, and repairs. For example, it protects tenants from retaliation by landlords if they report code violations or assert their rights as renters.
• The Montgomery County Fair Housing Ordinance is similar to the federal Fair Housing Act but includes additional protected classes such as age, marital status, and sexual orientation.

You can find more information on Texas’ landlord/tenant laws and tenants’ rights in this Landlord/Tenant Law guide.

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 senior apartments communities

Though there are currently no COVID-19 regulations for senior apartments in The Woodlands and Montgomery County, general guidelines may vary depending on the specific apartment complex. Generally, senior apartments follow the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Montgomery County continues to provide general information and resources for residents online.

The Woodlands is a highly desirable and sought-after place to live in the greater Houston area, known for its upscale, family-friendly environment and a strong sense of community. Senior apartments in the area have plenty of amenities for seniors on-site, such as common areas, fitness centers, pools, salons, arts and crafts centers, and computer and media centers.

Luxury living options

Many of the senior apartments in the Woodlands are luxurious, providing resort-like amenities, including concierges, roof terraces, heated pools and spas, putting greens, private wine lockers, full-time activity directors, and much more. Some options also provide enclosed garages and furnished units.

Balmy, pleasant weather

With a humid subtropical climate, The Woodlands has hot summers and mild winters, making it ideal for those who want to escape cold weather. And with around 250 days of sunshine a year, it’s perfect for those who like to spend time outside. Luckily, it’s common for senior apartments in the area to offer communal outdoor spaces and even walking trails.

Ideal for active, independent seniors

The Woodlands offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, parks, and a major waterway that allows for kayaking and paddleboarding. In addition, there are numerous dining and shopping choices, such as the Woodlands Mall, Market Street, and the Hughes Landing area, which has sophisticated dining and entertainment options. Many of the senior apartments in The Woodlands are conveniently located near these destinations.

Senior apartments in the surrounding The Woodlands suburbs

Senior apartment living isn’t as common in the heart of The Woodlands, so you might want to expand your searches to include the Houston area, which is just a short drive away from The Woodlands.

Health care for seniors in The Woodlands

Transportation for seniors in The Woodlands

Because The Woodlands is a planned community, it’s designed to be bike and pedestrian-friendly, focusing on green spaces and easy access. Even though The Woodlands is relatively easy to walk around, many residents own and use cars as their primary mode of transportation.

There are several public transportation options for those who cannot drive or don’t want to. The Woodlands Township Transit is the name of the local transportation service, running The Town Center Trolley, The Woodlands Express, and an ADA Paratransit service.

The trolley service operates every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours, and it provides transit service along a 4.1-mile route, while The Woodlands Express is a commuting service that offers affordable transportation from The Woodlands to destinations such as the Texas Medical Center, Greenway Plaza, and the central business district of Houston. The service operates on weekdays, excluding holidays.

For seniors or people with disabilities who cannot use the Town Center Trolley service, The Woodlands Township offers ADA Paratransit. This service is a shared ride, curb-to-curb option provided for ADA-eligible passengers; it operates during the same hours as the Town Center Trolley system. There are also several nonprofit and private transport options specifically for seniors:

• Interfaith of The Woodlands provides demand-response transportation services through volunteer drivers to individuals 62 years and over who are enrolled in the program for local health care appointments, grocery store visits, and social activities.
• Senior Rides offered by Meals on Wheels offer curb-to-curb transportation services with no trip restrictions to individuals 60 years and over or who have proof of disability to doctors appointments or the Social Security office.
• Aging in Place – The Woodlands is a membership program that can connect members to practical support services and social networks.
• Bryant Transportation Service offers ridesharing and subscription services to individuals 65 years and over within Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.
• Agape Medical Transport provides fixed routes, ridesharing, and subscription services to individuals over 65 within Harris and Montgomery Counties.

The below scores represent the walkability and bikeability of The Woodlands. Scores are out of 100 and are determined by the area’s density, transportation system, walking routes, and biking infrastructure.^[07]

Senior activities in The Woodlands

Music lovers will have plenty to do in The Woodlands, with a number of music venues and regular events to enjoy. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater that hosts concerts and events throughout the year, featuring an impressive lineup of shows and performing arts events. Waterway Nights is a free concert series showcasing local artists held on Saturdays during the spring and summer at Waterway Square, while Rock the Row takes place on Thursdays from spring through fall at the Hughes Landing Band Shell, featuring local and regional bands playing various genres of music. Another free and family-friendly event is Concerts in the Park at Northshore Park on Sundays during the spring and fall, where picnic baskets, coolers, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome.

For those who love spending time outside, there are several ways to enjoy the Texas sunshine. George Mitchell Nature Preserve is part of Montgomery County’s Spring Creek Greenway, providing approximately 12,000 acres of forest. The Preserve spans 1,800 acres, featuring hiking, biking, and scenic paths along the lake, with access to the extended Spring Creek Nature Trail.

There are also plenty of opportunities to spend time on the water, with The Woodlands Waterway crossing through the city. Spend the day on the water at Riva Row Boat House or Lakes Edge Boat House, which offers kayak rentals, paddleboards, and water bikes. Swan boats and elliptical stand-up paddleboards are available at Riva Row Boat House, while Lake Paloma offers self-serve single and tandem kayak rentals. For a unique experience, book a swan boat at The Woodlands Mall and explore The Waterway after a day of shopping.

Want to spend the day shopping? Market Street provides a unique shopping experience with over 90 stores and restaurants in an open-air main street environment. The adjacent Central Park hosts various events and live music performances, making it a lifestyle center for the community. However, if you’re looking for a one-stop shop, head to The Woodlands Mall, which boasts over 160 stores and restaurants. You can find great deals and refuel with a variety of dining options.

Woodlands Online is a hub of community resources and information for The Woodlands, Texas, offering various services and features. There’s even a dedicated events page for seniors that lists upcoming activities, such as pickleball, cornhole tournaments, game nights, and festivals.

Sports lovers can make the short trip to Houston to see the Astros, Rockets, Texans, or Dynamo FC play. While there, enjoy the variety of cuisine the city has to offer, from authentic Mexican and Texas-style barbecue to fresh gumbo and Thai fusion. Museum lovers will want to explore the Houston Museum District, home to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Natural Science, The Menil Collection, and of course, the Space Center.