How to Choose Assisted Living in Texas: A Family Guide

Choosing assisted living in Texas starts with one question: what level of help does the person need now, and what could change? Texas licensing makes that especially important because assisted living facilities are classified by the needs of the residents they can serve.

Understand Type A vs. Type B assisted living

Texas HHSC licenses assisted living facilities as Type A or Type B based largely on residents’ ability to evacuate and whether they need nighttime attendance.

• Type A: residents do not require routine attendance during sleeping hours, can follow emergency directions, and can evacuate without physical staff assistance.
• Type B: residents may need staff assistance to evacuate, may be unable to follow emergency directions, and may require nighttime attendance.

Ask every community which license it holds and whether your loved one’s current and expected needs fit that license.

Verify the facility with Texas HHSC

Texas requires assisted living facilities to be licensed under Health and Safety Code Chapter 247. HHSC maintains long-term-care provider information and publishes an assisted living facility directory and violation data.

Confirm the facility’s name, address, license type, and current status through official Texas resources rather than relying only on marketing materials.

Ask about inspections and complaints

Ask when the facility was last inspected, what deficiencies were identified, and what was done to correct them. Texas also accepts complaints about assisted living facilities through the TULIP complaint portal and by phone.

A violation does not automatically determine whether a community is appropriate, but repeated or serious issues deserve careful questions.

Compare the real monthly price

The latest CareScout survey reports a Texas assisted living median of $5,666 per month for a private one-bedroom. Individual quotes can differ substantially.

See Assisted Living Costs in Texas for current planning benchmarks.

Evaluate staffing and daily support

• Who is present overnight?
• Who administers or supervises medications?
• How are falls and emergencies handled?
• How are staffing call-outs covered?
• How are changes in condition communicated to families?
• What help is available with bathing, dressing, toileting, meals, and mobility?

If dementia is involved, ask about certification and disclosure

Texas has separate requirements for assisted living facilities that advertise specialized Alzheimer’s care. A facility or unit that markets specialized Alzheimer’s services generally must be appropriately certified, and Texas requires memory-care disclosure information.

See our Texas memory care guide.

Tour with the resident’s routine in mind

Look beyond the model apartment. Observe meals, common areas, resident interactions, accessibility, activities, and how residents request help. Ask what would happen on an ordinary evening or weekend, not only during the sales tour.

Know where to get independent help

Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsmen help nursing-home and assisted-living residents with concerns, rights, and problem solving. The statewide Long-Term Care Ombudsman number is 800-252-2412.

Compare the same care scenario at every Texas community

A lower advertised rent does not mean a lower total bill. Give each community the same description of bathing, dressing, medication, mobility, nighttime, incontinence, dining, and transportation needs and ask for the resulting written monthly estimate.

Use the assisted-living assessment guide and levels-of-care pricing guide to compare the answers.

Questions to ask before signing

• What license type do you hold?
• Can you safely meet these specific care needs?
• What is included in the monthly rate?
• What triggers additional care charges?
• What happens if needs increase?
• Can I review inspection or violation information?
• How are complaints handled?
• What are the transfer and discharge provisions?

Explore Texas assisted living

Use Nursing Home Placement’s Texas directory to build an initial shortlist, then verify licensing, services, pricing, payer participation, and availability directly.

Frequently asked questions

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

Type A generally serves residents who can evacuate without physical assistance and do not need routine nighttime attendance. Type B can serve residents who need evacuation assistance, nighttime attendance, or cannot follow emergency directions.

Who regulates assisted living in Texas?

Texas Health and Human Services Commission licenses and regulates assisted living facilities.

Where can I report a concern?

Texas HHSC accepts complaints through TULIP and by phone. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen also help residents address concerns and understand their rights.

For statewide context across Texas care settings, licensing, costs, Medicaid, and how the pieces fit together, see Senior Care in Texas: A Complete Guide for Families.

Sources and further reading

• Texas HHSC — Assisted Living Facilities
• Texas HHSC — Long-Term Care
• Texas HHSC — Complaints
• Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Directory

Last reviewed September 2026. Verify current licensing, services, pricing, and availability before choosing care.