Which Type of Senior Housing is Right for Us?

Finding the answer to this question is the most important thing before starting the search for you or your loved one’s new home. Determining what type of facility you want and need before you begin your tours is important so you don’t waste resources, energy and time. When it comes to senior living facilities or care homes, seniors have many options in the Fort Worth area:

• • Senior Living Community: A Senior living community is often called a retirement community. It is a neighborhood designed for older adults, usually aged 55 or older. These adults can generally take care of themselves and do not require continuous assistance or care.
  • Residential Care Homes:This type of home is often called a care home or group home. Residential care homes are smaller in size and offer more customized care for their residents. They often include medication management, transportation services, restaurant style dining and an around the clock caregiver on-site.
  • Memory Care: Memory care specializes in caring for adults who have been diagnosed with memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other types of memory problems. They provide care according to the level of need the family expresses.
  • Assisted Living: Assisted living is for elderly or disabled people who cannot live independently anymore and require care such as nursing, housekeeping, and prepared meals.
  • Nursing Homes: Nursing homes offer a high level of care similar to a hospital setting. Not being in a hospital setting can increase the quality of life. They have a physician and nurses onsite, and can also provide hospice services.

Texas is one of the fastest growing States in the country that is continuously building Senior Living Facilities. There is a mix of small and large towns, most in proximity to Texas’s three major cities means that retirees have all the perks of small town living with the closeness to resources and events that cities can provide.

A recent Genworth (a company that handles life and long-term care insurance, retirement solutions and more) report from 2020 notes that median costs for various types of Community and Assisted Living in Texas are much lower than the national average, in fact it is about half the cost. Prices in Texas will see an increase over the next thirty years due to inflation, but Texans can still expect to pay less for Senior Living than other States around the country.

This is good news considering how much there is to do in the State of Texas. Fort Worth, Texas is about a thirty-minute drive from the bustling city of Dallas making it a wonderful place to retire. The town is filled with all sorts of restaurants, different types of shops, a growing art and music scene, and beautiful golf courses to waste a lazy morning on. There is never time to get bored in retirement around here!

Expected Assisted Living Cost In The Dallas / Fort Worth Area

In recent years, Texas has experienced an increase in the construction of Assisted Living Communities. In fact, the entire State has become a phenomenal place to retire. The multiple options for different types and place for care in the area make it perfect to stay local if the need arises to change to another type of facility.

The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey Report shows Texas having a slightly less than National Average for cost of Homemaker Services. The cost for both a home Health Aide or a Homemaker Service is around $50,336 a year/$4195 a month/$138 a day. Adult Day Care in Texas costs around $8377 a year, $698 a month or $32 a day. A Texas Assisted Living Facility is around $47,970 a year, $3998 a month or $131 a day. A Semi-Private Texas Nursing Home Room is around $60,225 a year, $5019 a month or $165 a day. If you upgrade to a Private Texas Nursing Home Room you will be looking at $76,650 a year, $6338 a month or $210 a day.

In 2018, New York Life reported the cost of care for different types of Facilities in the Dallas – Ft. Worth area. They found the regional care costs to be as follows:

• Skilled Nursing Facilities Private Room Annual Rate: $92,680.80
• Skilled Nursing Facilities Semi-Private Room Annual Rate: $65,539.40
• Assisted Living Facility Monthly Rate (2 bedroom): $5,189.76
• Assisted Living Facility Monthly Rate (1 bedroom): $4,746.18
• Assisted Living Facility Monthly Rate (Studio): $4,061.39
• Registered Nurse Per Visit Rate: $110.64
• Licensed Practical Nurse Per Visit Rate: $113.00
• Home Health Aide Hourly Rate: $21.42

The 2020 Genworth report also lets us know that the projected costs for the next five years will increase between 2% and 4%, which is a reasonable amount due to current inflation rates and increased costs of living.

Consider a Move to Fort Worth, Texas

Only about a half hour outside of Dallas, Texas, Fort Worth has a slower pace of life than the big city and has held onto its small-town charm. It is far enough away from the noise and traffic of the big city, but close enough that seniors can make the 30-minute commute for a night out on the town, giving them the best of both worlds.

The City of Fort Worth offers multiple tours and trails that run on a schedule, ensuring there is always something to do. There is the Fort Worth Ale Trail, arts month, Fort Worth BBQ’s & Brews Tour, Margarita & taco tour and even boar cruises. There is a National Cowgirl Museum, a Zoo, water gardens, and a botanical garden.

There are multiple forms of public transportation available for those seniors that may not drive anymore. Options include a train to the airport, a city bus system, a downtown bus system and a train running from downtown Fort Worth into the heart of Dallas. All public transportation is extremely affordable with day, month or year passes available. For those still active seniors there is an abundance of walking trails to explore.

Fort Worth has an excellent music scene, since it was the birthplace or home of famous musicians such as the saxophonist Ornette Coleman, pianist Van Cliburn, Leon Bridges, and Pat Green. There have been concerts by Travis Tritt, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more.

For the more cultural senior, there is the Fort Worth Museum of Science and National History.

There is also a Six Flags nearby that is great to take the grandkids too!

Let our experienced team help you identify the best senior housing type that is right for you. For information and guidance, please call us at 214-929-5055. You can also email Paul@SeniorLivingSpecialists.com or complete our Contact Form.