31 assisted living communities near Austin

What is Assisted Living?

An assisted living community in Austin, TX provides round-the-clock care to seniors in a residential setting. Assisted living communities vary widely in their size and amenities. Some consist of a few rooms within a single-family home, while others could easily be confused with a major resort hotel.

Within these facilities, seniors can stay as independent as possible while receiving help with mobility, transportation, housekeeping and medical care. Austin assisted living communities typically provide meals, often in a shared setting, so that seniors can enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. With activities that include exercise classes, day trips, and social clubs, assisted living helps meet the need many seniors have for social interaction and friendship.

Services Available in Assisted Living Communities in Austin

Austin senior living communities offer a wide range of amenities and services to their residents. Seniors typically enjoy three meals a day, and some communities provide access to kitchenettes in the apartments or cafes in the property. Nonmedical staff is available 24/7 to help with medication, bathing, grooming, and dressing, and laundry service and regular housekeeping are typically included as well.

Most assisted living communities in Austin provide some form of transportation to help seniors get to medical appointments and run errands, and many also schedule day trips to local attractions, shopping, and entertainment. On-site amenities can include everything from indoor pools, outdoor walking paths and game rooms to libraries, beauty salons, and theaters.

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Austin

Before your loved one settles into an assisted living community in Austin, they need to undergo a couple of evaluations. The first one is handled by their physician. The doctor reviews your loved one's medical condition comprehensively, including checking all current medications and treatments. They'll also indicate whether your loved one has any special dietary needs.

The second evaluation is conducted by the staff of the assisted living community. Here, they're looking to see just how much help your loved one might need with the tasks of daily living. They want to understand how your loved one handles social interaction and what their mental condition is. They do this to see whether the assisted living community is a good fit for your loved one. In some cases, if the property isn't able to meet your loved one's needs, the assisted living staff may make recommendations for more appropriate communities.

Costs Associated with Assisted Living in Austin

Assisted living communities come in all sizes and price points, whether you're looking for very basic care or prefer a luxurious environment with all the amenities of a resort. Monthly rates tend to start in the $2,000 range and can rise as high as $10,000 per month if you choose the luxury route. Prices typically cover all accommodations and meals. In addition, nonmedical care and assistance with activities like bathing and medication disbursement are included, as are all standard housekeeping, laundry/linen, and maintenance services. On top of that, most assisted living communities offer a fair number of amenities and social activities that are also included in the monthly rate.

If you're looking for a no-frills lifestyle, you can find that easily at the lower end of the rate spectrum. This is an ideal choice if your loved one isn't interested in lots of amenities and perks but prefers a quiet life indoors. Many basic assisted living options feature smaller rooms, sometimes shared, but all the basic health care and comfort needs are covered amply by a well-trained staff.

Luxury assisted living communities pair resort-style living with round-the-clock, on-site medical care to provide the best that money can buy. Expect to receive personalized care, whether that means full-time nurses and doctors on call 24/7 or customized meals cooked to order. These high-end communities typically feature large apartments, plenty of chartered excursions away from the property, top-flight gyms and pools, and regular visits from health care providers such as physical therapists and podiatrists.

Balanced right in the middle are boutique assisted living communities. These facilities, which are usually moderate in size, do offer amenities, including exercise and enrichment classes, and you can expect to have a private room or apartment. High-quality meals with plenty of options help make life pleasant, and medical care is available 24/7 from certified staff.

When you work with our Seniorly Guides to find a home to love, this is always a free service for families. The Seniorly Guide is compensated directly from the community you eventually select in Austin.

Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living facilities​ sit in the middle of a continuum of care for seniors that has nursing homes on one end and independent living on the other.

Nursing homes, sometimes also known as skilled nursing facilities, are typically home to residents living an almost completely sedentary lifestyle. Many of the residents are dealing with memory loss at some level, and 24/7 nursing care is available to help with medical issues.

Independent living facilities cater to seniors who don't require medication monitoring or help with the daily activities of life. These facilities feature plenty of social activities and are ideal for the senior who wants to lead an active lifestyle.

Assisted living communities are right in the middle, providing a balance that offers help with daily services and transportation while encouraging seniors to maintain a significant level of independence.

Helpful Apps and Websites for Assisted Living in Austin

Whether in assisted living or living independently, delivery services scattered all around Austin make life a lot easier for seniors. Seniors can use their phones or computers to connect to mobile beauty services, meal delivery, pet care and auto repair, all delivered directly to their door. Check out our exclusive list of apps and delivery services available to Austin seniors.

Resources for Caregivers in Austin

Plenty of resources are available to caregivers in Austin, including information, support groups and training to help boost caregiving skills. Hosted events offer caregivers an opportunity to share tips. Free hearing exams are available, and special workshops help caregivers of Parkinson's residents hone their skills. In addition, several organizations offer regular meetups for seniors, including game clubs and book clubs, and spiritual counseling for caregivers. Click here to access our unique list of caregiver resources in Austin.

Government Resources for Seniors in Austin

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), which is part of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, offers services to help older Texans and their caregivers. Staff provide advocacy for those in assisted living when needed and also help them apply for Medicare and Medicaid. In some cases, access to meals is available, as is information about state and federal resources for the elderly.

Austin, which is in Travis County, falls under the aegis of the Area Agency on Aging for the Capital Area. This government agency, which spans 10 counties, provides advocacy and support to seniors in the region. Contact staff at this agency for referrals to outside service providers when needed. Help is available in both Spanish and English.

Austin Demographics

Demographic shifts in Austin have turned it into a Majority-Minority city — that is, a city in which no demographic is in the majority. The more affluent areas are located in the city center and extend out toward the hills west of the city, with residential areas continuing to sprawl outward from the urban core.

Austin Weather

While Austin experiences the hot, humid weather common to most of Texas during the summer, its hill areas are a little cooler than much of central Texas. You can count on sunshine for well over 200 days a year in Austin, and you'll never have to deal with snow.

Transportation in and Around Austin

Austin has excellent public and private transportation to get around town. MetroRapid connects the north and south sections of the city, and MetroRail runs from the city center to Leander. Use Capital Metro to get around the center of the city, even during late-night hours. Several ride-share services are also available all around Austin. In particular, RideAustin donates part of its fares to local charities to give back to the community.

Fun Facts About Austin

Even though Austin is a business hub and the capital of the state of Texas, the city prides itself on "keeping it weird." It's home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and filmmakers, all attracted to the freewheeling spirit that encourages creativity.