If you have noticed changes in an aging loved one’s physical or emotional well-being, a move to a more supportive living environment might be just what they need. With so many senior living options to choose from, however, family caregivers and adult children often struggle to understand which one might be best for their loved one.
Our team of local senior care advisors has extensive knowledge of Plano, Texas and the senior living communities located there. Here’s what you should know about both.
Getting to Know the City
The city of Plano is located about 20 miles northeast of downtown Dallas. Plano stretches over Collin and Denton counties.
In addition to being just 30 miles from the country’s third busiest airport — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — Plano is part of the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) system. Both of these transportation options make the city easy to access.
Several major highways also run through the city. These include U.S. Highway 75, Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, Texas State Highway 121 and Texas State Highway 289. They make the city easy to reach for visits to a senior loved one, and in the event of a medical emergency.
This affluent Dallas suburb is home to many corporate headquarters. They range from Dr. Pepper to Dell Services, Pizza Hunt, Rent-A-Center and Toyota USA.
Plano and the communities nearby are home to almost 80 medical facilities. There are also a wide variety of independent living, assisted living, residential care homes and memory care communities.
Medical Facilities in Plano, Texas
For many older adults and their families, finding a senior living community near a hospital or medical center is important. Plano and the surrounding north Texas area are home to over 80 medical facilities.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, LifeCare Hospital of Plano, and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center are located in Plano.
Assisted Living in Plano
Older adults and their loved ones often find assisted living communities to be an ideal solution when the senior needs a helping hand. It is a housing option that provides residents with independence and privacy, while still offering them the assistance they need.
Residents in an assisted living community typically have their own suites or apartment. Each provides the safety features older adults often need:
- Emergency call systems
- Smoke alarms and sprinklers
- Handicapped accessible bathrooms and walk-in showers
- Handrails and grab bars in hallways
Residents also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of life enrichment activities and wellness programs each day. They usually range from arts and crafts to movie nights, Bible study, and gentle yoga.
Assistance with bathing, grooming, toileting and medication reminders are standard in an assisted living community. Most also include housekeeping services, laundry and meals.
There are nearly 15 assisted living communities in Plano and another 20 close by. Monthly costs for assisted living in Plano range from $3,000 to almost $6,000 a month.
Available Memory Care Programs in Plano
As more and more Baby Boomers reach retirement age, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease continues to climb. Because the disease can be tough for families to safely manage at home, it is often the catalyst for exploring memory care programs in and around Plano.
Dedicated memory care programs offer:
- Safe environments with alarms on doors and windows
- Caregiving teams who undergo specialized training to help them support the needs of people with cognitive loss
- Nutrition programs that are designed to work around the physical impairments caused by the disease
- Life enrichment activities that honor a residents’ remaining abilities and help them feel successful during their day
In Plano, Texas, there are about 15 dedicated memory care programs and another 20 near the city. The average monthly cost is just under $4,300.
Residential Care Home Information
Another senior living option not every state offers is a residential care home. Fortunately, north Texas is home to many of these home-like communities.
Residential care homes closely resemble a private residence. Fewer residents live in each care home giving them more one-on-one time with caregivers. For seniors who aren’t comfortable in a large senior living community, a care home can be a good solution.
In many cases, residential care communities offer bundled, all-inclusive pricing. It typically includes a private room, meals, activities, wellness programs and transportation.
Plano is home to nearly 20 residential care homes. There are 20 more in nearby cities. Monthly fees range from $2,500 up to $5,000.
Independent Living in Plano
Another popular type of senior housing is called independent living. These can be stand-alone senior communities, villas or private apartments on the campus of a retirement community.
Independent living communities focus on freeing seniors from the burdens of household tasks and maintenance, as well as providing them with an opportunity to participate in life enrichment and wellness programs. The goal is to help residents live healthy, engaged lives.
There almost 10 independent living communities in Plano and another 20 close by for seniors and their families to consider. They range in price from $1,500 a month to over $6,000 depending upon the services and amenities offered by the community.
Local Senior Care Advisors Can Help
With such a wide variety of options to choose from, it is easy to see why families feel overwhelmed trying to make a decision. Adult children often say they put off searching because they just don’t know how and where to start.
This is where the experienced senior care advisor team from Senior Living Specialists can help. To date, we’ve assisted well over 2,000 families in their search. We know the options in and around Plano. We use this knowledge to help families like yours narrow down your choices and make an informed decision.
Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. Call us at 214-929-5055 to find out more!
Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home.
