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Types of senior care in the Austin area

Six categories, and the differences between them matter more in Texas than most families realise.

Quick answer

The main senior care types in Texas are assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, in-home care, independent living and hospice. Texas licenses assisted living as Type A or Type B based on whether residents can evacuate without staff assistance.

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Short answer

The main senior care types in Texas are assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, in-home care, independent living and hospice. Texas licenses assisted living as Type A or Type B based on residents' ability to evacuate, and memory care requires a separate Alzheimer's certification.

Assisted Living

Help with daily activities in a licensed residential community, with meals, housekeeping and medication management included.

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Memory Care

Secured, dementia-specific care. In Texas this requires an Alzheimer's certification on a Type B license, not just an assisted living license.

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Nursing Homes

Skilled nursing facilities providing 24-hour licensed nursing care, long-term care and short-term post-hospital rehabilitation.

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In-Home Care

Caregivers and skilled clinicians who come to the home, from a few hours a week to around-the-clock support.

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Independent Living

Age-restricted apartments and cottages with dining, transportation and activities, for adults who do not need daily care.

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Hospice Care

Comfort-focused care for a life-limiting illness, delivered at home, in a facility, or in a dedicated inpatient unit.

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Texas licenses assisted living by evacuation ability. Type A residents must evacuate without staff help; Type B residents may need assistance but cannot be permanently bedfast. It decides which communities can legally accept your parent. Read the full explanation →
Memory care is a certification in Texas, not a license. A community marketing dementia care must hold an Alzheimer's certification on a Type B license. Ask to see the certificate, not the license. Read the full explanation →

Questions Austin families ask

What's the difference between Type A and Type B assisted living in Texas?

Texas licenses assisted living by residents' ability to evacuate. Type A residents must evacuate without physical staff assistance, follow emergency directions, and not need nighttime attendance. Type B residents may need staff help evacuating, nighttime attendance, and help transferring from a wheelchair, but cannot be permanently bedfast.

Is memory care a separate license in Texas?

No. Memory care isn't a license type. Under Texas rule 26 TAC 553.27, any community advertising specialized Alzheimer's or dementia care must hold an Alzheimer's certification, and it must be licensed as Type B to qualify. Always ask to see the Alzheimer's certificate, not just the license.

How do I check if an Austin assisted living facility is licensed?

Search the Texas HHSC provider database. Use TULIP at tulip.hhs.texas.gov for current license status, and the legacy tool at apps.hhs.texas.gov/ltcsearch for inspection history and cited deficiencies. Both are free and public. Confirm the license type, Type A or Type B, matches your parent's actual care needs.

Do Texas assisted living facilities have star ratings like nursing homes?

No. CMS star ratings on Medicare Care Compare cover nursing facilities only. Texas assisted living facilities are regulated solely by state HHSC and receive no federal star rating. To evaluate an Austin assisted living community, review its HHSC inspection history and deficiency reports directly.

Where can I see nursing home inspection results in Texas?

Two places. Texas HHSC publishes survey results with cited and corrected deficiency dates at apps.hhs.texas.gov/ltcsearch. Medicare's Care Compare adds one-to-five star ratings covering health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. HHSC surveys most nursing facilities about once a year on health and life safety code compliance.

Who do I call to report a problem at an Austin nursing home?

Call Texas HHSC Complaint and Incident Intake at 1-800-458-9858, weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. That line covers nursing homes, assisted living, home health, and hospice. You can also contact the Capital Area ombudsman at 512-916-6054 for free, confidential advocacy.

How do I report suspected elder abuse in Texas?

Call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400, available 24 hours a day, if action is needed within 24 hours. Non-urgent reports can be filed at txabusehotline.org. If someone faces immediate risk of death or serious harm, call 911. Reports are confidential and may be anonymous.

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