Assisted Living in Houston, TX

What Is Assisted Living?

What Assisted Living Provides

Assisted living provides residential care for seniors who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) but do not require 24-hour skilled nursing. Houston has more than 412 licensed communities, from small residential homes with six beds to large resort-style campuses with 200+ units — across every major corridor of the metro, from inside the 610 Loop to Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and Clear Lake.

Texas License Types: A vs. B

Texas HHSC licenses assisted living under two categories:

• Type A — Residents can evacuate independently without staff assistance. Lower acuity, typically more independent seniors.
• Type B — Staff may assist residents during evacuation. Can serve higher-acuity residents, including those with early-stage memory conditions.

Both license types undergo the same annual HHSC inspection cycle and must meet identical staffing, safety, and resident rights standards.

What's Typically Included

Most communities bundle the following in the monthly fee:

• Three daily meals + snacks
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Scheduled activities and wellness programs
• Basic ADL assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming)

Medication management, higher care tiers, and specialized therapies usually cost extra. Ask for an itemized fee schedule before committing — and watch for one-time community fees at move-in, which can range from $1,500 to $5,000.

How to Pay

Payment options include:

• Private pay — Personal savings, retirement accounts, or long-term care insurance
• VA Aid & Attendance — Up to $2,431/month (2026) for veterans or surviving spouses needing ADL assistance
• STAR+PLUS Medicaid Waiver — Covers assisted living for qualifying low-income seniors; slots are limited with wait lists

What to Look for When Touring

Tour at least three communities before deciding. During each visit:

• Pull the HHSC inspection report at tulip.hhs.texas.gov before you go
• Ask to see a full week's activity calendar
• Eat a meal at the community if possible
• Observe how staff interact with current residents — not just with you
• Ask about staff turnover rate and average tenure

When choosing a assisted living community, key factors include staffing ratios, activities of daily living (ADL) support, medication management practices, secured memory units (where applicable), dining programs, and the physical layout of the building. We recommend scheduling tours at your top 3 options and bringing a list of your loved one's specific care needs to discuss with the care director.