Texas Health and Human Services licenses assisted living facilities depending on the needs of the residents. A type B center is designed for those who require staff assistance, while a nursing home may be the best option for those who need full-time nursing care. Nursing homes provide the highest level of care outside of a hospital setting, and this type of care is sometimes referred to as custody care. In addition to a high level of medical care, assisted living facilities also provide help with activities such as getting in and out of bed, eating, bathing, dressing, and more.
All Texas assisted living centers must have a service plan in place within 14 days of admission. The number of residents per center can range from just four to more than 120 people, and there is an estimated total capacity of 18,000 residents in all assisted living communities in the Austin area. Austin offers a variety of assisted living centers, from small personal care homes to larger newly built properties. There are several organizations and nonprofits dedicated to helping older adults find the right assisted living facility for their needs. In Texas, there is no law that establishes a mandatory staff-to-resident ratio in memory care centers or assisted living facilities; however, every facility must have at least one on-call manager at all times who is responsible for overseeing staff and ensuring that all of the residents' needs are met. Long-term care providers use activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs) to assess eligibility for assistance programs and to determine the levels of care needed in assisted living or independent living communities.
Centers must also ensure that they have sufficient staff on call at all times to help residents with their needs, serve meals, and provide assistance with cleaning and laundry. Independent living communities offer social and practical benefits, while assisted living provides the daily care that is sometimes necessary for older people. The jointly funded state and federal Medicaid program offers specific services that apply to people living under memory care, including assistance with tasks of daily living, therapy, and transitional care services. Texas memory care centers may not admit residents whose needs cannot be met by their staff unless a licensed home care agency complements the care of those residents. To receive Medicaid exemption benefits in Texas, seniors must reside in a type B ALF and require a level of nursing care. Assisted living centers provide support for activities of daily living (ADLs), while independent living communities do not.
For those who qualify, Medicaid can also help cover some of the costs associated with residing in an assisted living community. For many older people, the choice between assisted living and independent living comes down to the amount of assistance they need on a daily basis. Assisted living communities generally offer several levels of care, such as help with eating or mobility tools like a Hoyer elevator. Assisted living and independent living offer older people different care and housing options that are tailored to their individual needs.
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