Memory Care In Austin, TX
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Find the Best Memory Care Near Austin, TX
Memory care in Austin, TX, provides a safe and structured environment for seniors experiencing memory impairment and/or cognitive decline. It can be offered by a licensed stand-alone facility. But more often, it’s provided as a service in a separate wing of a larger assisted living facility.
As with other types of assisted living, memory care staff provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). However, they are also specially trained to address the unique issues that come with dementia or memory loss. Staff also arrange activities, programs, and events specifically designed to help residents work on their cognitive abilities and physical well-being.
Types of Memory Care
There are numerous types of memory loss and dementia. Some forms are temporary and can improve with the right treatment, while others are degenerative — meaning they will worsen over time. The three most common types of memory-loss/dementia in the United States are:
- Alzheimer’s disease — Alzheimer’s is a type of degenerative dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior, causing affected individuals to gradually lose the ability to respond to their environment.
- Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) — VCI is caused by reduced blood flow (such as resulting from a stroke) to various regions of the brain. The impact of VCI varies widely, depending on the severity of the blood flow restriction and the parts of the brain it affects.
- Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) — LBD is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in cognitive and motor abilities due to abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time.
Different types of memory loss or dementia require varying levels of personal care, supervision, and therapy to ensure a high quality of life. The Global Deterioration Scale (also called the Reisberg Scale) is a useful tool for assessing the behaviors and symptoms associated with different stages of dementia.
Seniors with milder forms of memory loss or dementia can often safely receive care services in-home or at an assisted living community. However, in more severe cases, they might lose their orientation to time and place, require greater assistance with personal care, or need 24-hour supervision in case they try to wander. Under these circumstances, moving them into a memory care community is a good option to ensure their safety, comfort, and care.
It can feel like an overwhelming challenge to find the right Austin memory care community for your loved one — particularly if you don’t live in the city. Fortunately, there are local Austin senior living advisors available to help you every step of the way. They have insider knowledge about local memory care facilities and can help you and your loved one through the transition to memory care.
Your Austin, TX Senior Living Advisor
Karen Mitchell
Serving North, South and West Tarrant County as well as Hood and Parker counties
Finding a new place for an aging loved one can be confusing and stressful. I am a caring, supportive resource for families and individuals in need of quality senior care. You don’t have to do this alone. I will guide you through the entire process, discuss your needs and concerns, tour communities with you, and answer all your questions about costs and care options.
What is the Cost of Memory Care in Austin, TX
The average cost of memory care in Austin is around $6,734 per month. However, the cost of a specific community will depend on a variety of factors, including, for instance, the services and amenities it offers, the types of medication and therapy your loved one needs, etc. We recommend reading this useful article to learn more about factors that influence senior housing costs.
What Should Every Senior Know About Living in Austin, TX?
The capital of Texas, Austin is a multicultural city famous for its vibrant music scene. Roughly 9% of the population is 65 years of age or older, and there are a variety of programs and services available to help address the needs of older adults and their caregivers.
Austin Weather & Climate:
Austin has a humid subtropical type of climate characterized by hot, humid summers and milder winters. High temperatures in the summer can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter lows generally hover around freezing.
In general, Austin’s air quality is relatively clean. However, like many cities in warmer climates, Austin does occasionally experience periods of heightened ozone pollution. During these times, it can be unhealthy for older adults to spend much time outside — particularly if they have heart or lung issues.
Local Hospitals and Notable Medical Care:
- Living in Austin offers seniors access to many notable medical communities, including:
- Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin — Ascension Seton is noted for its high-quality work in treating heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, and stroke.
- St. David’s Medical Center — St. David’s is nationally ranked by “U.S. News & World Report” for its rehabilitation program.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Baylor Scott & White, the most award-winning not-for-profit health system in Texas, is noted for its treatment of strokes.
Transportation:
Austin’s Metro public transportation system makes it easy for older adults to travel to appointments around the city. Memory care residents might also be eligible for MetroAccess, which provides a demand-response, shared-ride service for people whose physical or mental impairments prevent them from riding standard public transit.
Arts, Culture, and Recreation:
Austin offers plenty of enrichment opportunities for seniors with memory loss. For instance, families might want to take their loved ones to visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. This serene outdoor sculpture garden is wheelchair accessible, and the statues are washed and waxed to allow tactile exploration. Seniors might also enjoy field trips to go listen to live music or visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
How Do I Pay for Memory Care in Austin, TX?
Veteran's Benefits
The VA offers a number of programs and benefits that qualified veterans or their surviving spouses can use to help pay for Austin memory care. In particular, there is the Aid and Attendance program, the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program, and VA Respite Care.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Unlike most standard health insurance policies, long-term care (LTC) insurance is designed to help pay for the costs of long-term care services like ADL support, skilled nursing, etc. Many LTC policies will also provide a certain amount of coverage for memory care; however, they might have stipulations regarding the type of dementia or care services.
Home Equity
Another common option to help pay for Austin memory care is to use the value of your loved one’s home (if they own the property). For example, you might rent the house, sell it outright, or convert its value using something like a home equity line of credit (HELOC) loan or reverse mortgage.
Medicare
Neither Medicare Plan A nor Plan B covers residential memory care. However, Medicare A will pay for medically necessary skilled nursing for up to 100 days after a hospital stay (and this care can be provided in a memory care facility). Moreover, if a patient with dementia requires treatment in a psychiatric center, Medicare will help pay for up to 190 days of care.
Medicaid
In Austin, TX, the STAR+PLUS Medicaid expansion program covers some memory care services. To qualify, seniors must be eligible for Medicaid and either:
- Be unable to manage ADLs without significant assistance; or
- Require full-time medical supervision.
While the STAR+PLUS program helps cover personal care services, it does not pay for room and board at memory care facilities.
Care assessment tool
Access our free senior care assessment tool, which can help you evaluate the specific needs and requirements of you or your loved one. By answering a series of questions, you’ll receive personalised recommendations and insights to aid in the decision-making process.
Take the AssessmentFAQ About Memory Care in Austin, TX
Yes, your local care advisor can arrange virtual tours of your top memory care selections in the Austin area.
In most cases, personal pets are not allowed in Austin memory care communities. However, communities often arrange therapy animal visits to ensure that residents can still enjoy the company of a four-legged friend.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. However, if your loved one is starting to exhibit signs, such as more frequent lapses in memory, wandering, or increased confusion and disorientation, then it’s time to start thinking about transitioning them to memory care.
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