If you are an adult child in the Dallas area, exploring the options for senior housing can be overwhelming. The city has over 30 assisted living communities with another 30 located nearby. Dallas is also home to a number of independent living communities, memory care centers and residential care homes. It’s no wonder seniors and their families often delay making a decision.
As north Texas’ most experienced team of local senior care advisors, Senior Living Specialists understands what each of these types of senior housing has to offer. We also have insider knowledge of each community’s strengths and weaknesses.
Here’s what you need to know to learn more about why Dallas is a good location to consider retiring to and which housing option might best fit your senior loved one’s needs.
What to Know About Dallas, Texas
While Dallas is the third most populated city in Texas, it boasts warmth and hospitality. Arts, culture and entertainment abound in this southern city.
With roots that can be traced back to the rail industry, it is now known for being home to a variety of industries ranging from engineering to communications. In fact, Dallas is home to one of the largest concentrations of corporate headquarters for publicly traded companies in the country.
In addition to a major airport, Dallas also has a light rail public transit system to make it easier for seniors who no longer drive to get around town. The city also has four major highways—Interstates 20, 30, 35E, and 45.
From a variety of world-class health care institutions to a broad spectrum of senior housing options, Dallas can be a great place for seniors looking to retire to a warm climate.
Major Medical Centers
Older residents of a city are often the primary consumers of health care centers. Seniors who choose to retire in Dallas will have access to almost 60 medical facilities.
Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital has a strong reputation. If a senior has experienced a stroke or lives with heart disease, having easy access to this institution can be a plus.
Nearby Methodist Dallas Medical Center offers an orthopedics specialty. They are known for hip and knee replacement surgeries. Both of which are more common in older adults.
Assisted Living Options in Dallas
If an assisted living community seems like a good fit for you or a senior you love, you will have plenty of communities to explore. When one of our senior care advisors first meets with your family, we will help you narrow down your choices based on your needs and our knowledge of the local assisted living communities.
A few items we always help families consider are:
- Services & Amenities: Is the community able to handle the type of care your family member needs? Do they offer the amenities that are important to the senior you love? For example, if an older parent has a small dog who is their best friend, it is important to know which communities are pet-friendly.
- Price: Assisted living communities in Dallas can vary widely in price. While some will offer housing beginning around $2,000 a month, others are over $6,000 a month. Factors that weigh in to this include the size of the apartment chosen and the amount of assistance the resident requires.
- Location: For some families, location is the deciding factor. The senior might want to remain close to an adult child’s home. Or they could place a priority on being near their primary care physician. Also consider the location of your loved one’s religious organization. If they belong to Watermark Community Church or The Village Church, for example, finding an assisted living community that is nearby and offers transportation might be critical.
Dementia Care Programs Located in Dallas
Managing Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia in a home setting can be a real challenge. As the disease progresses, families often seek a safe senior housing solution for their loved one. For adults in the Dallas area, there are about 30 memory care communities to choose from and another 30 located nearby.
Each of these communities has a slightly different philosophy of care so it’s important to have a senior care advisor who knows them provide assistance. You should also make sure you know:
- Monthly Cost: The average cost of a memory care program in Dallas is just under $4,800 per month. But each community has its own pricing structure. Ask questions to make sure you know what is —and what isn’t — included in the monthly fee.
- Life Enrichment Opportunities: Because staying engaged can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, make sure you understand what types of events and life enrichment activities the community offers and how many are held each day.
Insights Around Local Residential Care Homes
Dallas is fortunate to have another type of senior housing option not every state offers and that is residential care homes. There are over 30 residential care homes in the Dallas area with average monthly costs ranging from just under $2,000 to almost $6,000.
These communities are typically smaller and more closely resemble a private home. Seniors and their families find them to be a nice alternative to larger assisted living communities.
Independent Living in Dallas
The term “independent living” can be used to describe many types of senior housing in Dallas. It might be an apartment community dedicated exclusively to older adults or a villa on the campus of a continuing care retirement community.
An independent living community is designed to allow seniors to live a lifestyle that is free from home maintenance and repairs. These senior housing communities typically host a full calendar of social activities and wellness programs throughout the day.
Because these communities vary greatly, so do the monthly costs. Those with fewer services and amenities might cost around $1,000 a month, while those with plush apartments, rich amenities and more services can be as much as $5,000.
Senior Care Experts in Dallas
Our team has helped over 2,000 families in north Texas find the senior housing solution that best meets their loved one’s needs. Because we are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home, there is no charge to families who take advantage of our services.
Call us today at 214-929-5055 to learn how we can help you get your search started!
