Memory care in Texas costs an average of about $5,356 per month in 2026, which is well below the national average of $7,505. These are specialized facilities designed for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other memory conditions. They provide secured environments, structured routines, and trained staff that standard assisted living facilities don't.
If your loved one's dementia has progressed beyond what you can manage at home, this guide will help you understand what memory care looks like, what it costs, what Medicaid covers, and how to find a facility you can trust.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- What Memory Care Is
- Memory Care Costs in Texas
- Does Medicaid Cover Memory Care?
- How to Choose a Facility
- When It's Time for Memory Care
- In-Home Dementia Care Alternatives
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Steps
Key Takeaways
- Memory care in Texas averages about $5,356/month, roughly $800-$2,000 more than standard assisted living.
- Medicaid's STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver can cover care services in memory care facilities, but not room and board. A nursing facility level of care determination is required.
- Texas licenses memory care as Type B assisted living. Check any facility's record at apps.hhs.texas.gov/LTCSearch.
- The Alzheimer's Association operates five Texas chapters and a 24/7 helpline (1-800-272-3900) for families dealing with dementia.
- In-home dementia care costs $24-$32/hour in Texas and may be a good option in earlier stages.
What Memory Care Is (and How It Differs from Assisted Living)
Memory care is a specialized form of long-term care designed specifically for people with Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, and cognitive impairments. While regular assisted living helps with daily tasks, memory care adds layers of support that people with dementia need:
- Secured environments. Locked doors and enclosed outdoor areas prevent wandering, which is one of the biggest safety risks for people with dementia.
- Higher staff-to-resident ratios. Memory care units typically have more caregivers per resident than standard assisted living.
- Dementia-trained staff. Caregivers are trained in de-escalation techniques, redirection, and communication strategies for cognitive impairment.
- Structured daily routines. Predictable schedules reduce confusion and agitation.
- Therapeutic programming. Activities designed to maintain cognitive function: music therapy, art programs, sensory stimulation, reminiscence therapy.
- Medication management. Close supervision of medications that people with dementia often forget or mismanage.
In Texas, memory care is provided in Type B assisted living facilities, which are licensed and regulated by HHSC. Residents must have a dementia diagnosis and can't be permanently bedridden.
Memory Care Costs in Texas
Memory care in Texas averages approximately $5,356 per month in 2026. That's roughly $64,000 per year. Costs vary by city: Austin runs higher due to cost of living, while San Antonio tends to be more affordable.
For comparison:
| Care Type | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Memory care | ~$5,356 |
| Standard assisted living | ~$4,570 |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | ~$5,080 |
| In-home dementia care (40hr/wk) | ~$4,576 |
Memory care typically costs $800-$2,000 more per month than standard assisted living in the same area. The premium covers the specialized staffing, secured environment, and therapeutic programming.
Most memory care facilities charge a base rate plus additional fees based on the level of care needed. As dementia progresses and your loved one requires more assistance, the monthly cost will likely increase. Ask facilities for their full fee schedule, including the care level assessment process.
Trying to figure out how to pay for memory care? Chat with Brevy to explore Medicaid, VA, and other options for your family.
Does Medicaid Cover Memory Care in Texas?
Partially. The STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver covers care services in assisted living (including memory care), but it doesn't pay for room and board.
What Medicaid Covers
Medicaid pays for the personal care, medication management, and other health-related services your loved one receives in the memory care facility. This can reduce the monthly cost significantly. The resident (or their family) pays for room and board out of pocket, typically using Social Security income or other funds.
What's Required
To qualify for STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver services in memory care:
- The person must meet Medicaid financial eligibility ($2,982/month income, $2,000 assets)
- They must require a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC), which is assessed based on functional limitations, not just the dementia diagnosis
- The facility must accept Medicaid HCBS waiver members
A dementia diagnosis alone doesn't guarantee NFLOC. The assessment looks at the person's ability to perform daily activities, behavioral issues (wandering, agitation, aggression), and cognitive function.
The Waitlist Reality
HCBS waivers have long waitlists. If your loved one needs memory care now, you may need to start with private pay while waiting for a waiver slot. Alternatively, if their needs reach nursing home level, Medicaid nursing home coverage has no waitlist.
For more on Medicaid coverage options, read our Texas Medicaid programs guide.
How to Choose a Memory Care Facility in Texas
Check the License and Inspections
Every memory care facility in Texas must be licensed as a Type B ALF by HHSC. Search for any facility's inspection history at apps.hhs.texas.gov/LTCSearch. Look for patterns: a single minor violation is different from repeated problems.
Visit at Different Times
Tour during a structured activity so you can see how staff interact with residents. Then visit unannounced on an evening or weekend. The quality of care often differs between planned tours and normal operations.
Questions to Ask
- What's your staff-to-resident ratio? (During the day and at night. Night shifts matter.)
- What dementia-specific training do caregivers receive? (Look for Alzheimer's Association or similar certified training programs.)
- How do you handle wandering and elopement? (Ask about specific safety features, not just "we have secured doors.")
- What happens when my loved one's needs increase? (Some facilities discharge residents who reach a certain care level. Others keep them through end of life.)
- What's included in the base rate, and what costs extra? (Medication management, incontinence supplies, and laundry are common add-on charges.)
- Can I see a sample daily schedule?
- How do you communicate with families about changes in condition?
Red Flags
- Staff can't answer specific questions about their dementia care approach
- The facility smells like urine or cleaning chemicals covering urine
- Residents are parked in front of a TV with no engagement
- High staff turnover (ask directly: "How long has your longest-serving caregiver been here?")
- Pressure to sign a contract during your first visit
Need help finding memory care facilities near you? Chat with Brevy to get personalized recommendations.
When It's Time for Memory Care
This is one of the hardest calls a family makes. There's no single threshold, but these signs suggest it may be time:
- Safety issues at home. Leaving the stove on, wandering outside, falls becoming frequent.
- Caregiver burnout. You're exhausted, your own health is suffering, or you're unable to leave them alone.
- Increased aggression or agitation. Behavioral changes that make home care unsafe for the caregiver or the person with dementia.
- Nighttime restlessness. Sundowning (increased confusion in the evening) that disrupts the entire household.
- Care needs exceeding what home care provides. When 24-hour supervision is needed and home care hours aren't enough.
Many families feel guilty about this decision. It's one of the hardest ones you'll make. But here's what families who've been through it often say: they wish they'd done it sooner. The structured environment and specialized care in a good memory care facility can actually improve quality of life for someone with dementia, not just maintain it.
In-Home Dementia Care Alternatives
If your loved one is in the earlier stages of dementia, in-home care may be a good fit. In-home dementia care in Texas costs $24-$32 per hour. At 40 hours per week, that's roughly $4,576 per month, comparable to memory care costs.
Options for in-home dementia care:
- Private-pay home care agencies that specialize in or train for dementia care
- Medicaid CAS (Community Attendant Services) through STAR+PLUS for personal care hours
- Consumer Directed Services (CDS) to hire a family member as a paid caregiver through Medicaid
- Adult day care for structured daytime programs with caregiver respite
The Alzheimer's Association's five Texas chapters offer caregiver support, education, and care planning help. Call their 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900 for resources in your area.
Not sure if home care or a facility is the right fit? Ask Brevy's chatbot for a personalized recommendation based on your loved one's needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living focused on dementia, while nursing homes provide skilled medical care for people with complex medical needs. Memory care facilities in Texas are licensed as Type B assisted living facilities. Some nursing homes have dedicated memory care wings, but standalone memory care communities are more common.
No. Medicare doesn't cover long-term residential care of any kind, including memory care or assisted living. Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing after a hospital stay (up to 100 days) or home health visits, but not ongoing memory care.
It depends on the stage and the facility. Some people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia do fine in standard assisted living. But as dementia progresses and wandering, agitation, or significant confusion develops, the person typically needs the secured environment and specialized care of a memory care unit.
Common payment sources include: private savings and income (Social Security, pensions), long-term care insurance, VA Aid and Attendance (up to $2,424/month for veterans), and eventually Medicaid if assets are spent down. Many families start with private pay and transition to Medicaid when assets are depleted. See our guide to paying for senior care for all options.
Next Steps
If you're considering memory care for someone you love, start by visiting two or three facilities in your area. Nothing replaces seeing a place in person, talking to staff, and observing how residents are treated.
Here's where to go from here:
- Check facility records: Search HHSC LTCSearch for inspection results
- Learn about paying for care: Our how to pay for senior care guide covers every funding option
- Explore Medicaid coverage: Read our Texas Medicaid programs guide to understand what's covered
- Consider assisted living: If memory care isn't needed yet, our assisted living guide may be more relevant
- Get caregiver support: The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) and our respite care guide can help
- Find memory care options near you at brevy.com
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Medicaid rules vary by state and change frequently. Always verify eligibility and benefits with your state Medicaid agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.