Located in the southern part of the sprawling Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex is Lancaster, Texas, a smaller suburb located about 15 miles from downtown Dallas. The community has a newly built Senior Life Center, with classes, arts and crafts, fitness opportunities, including a pool, and even a large stage where members present plays and musicals that are open to all senior citizens. The population of Lancaster is 39,000, with 9% of this number being seniors aged 65 and older. These seniors will likely need accommodations in one of Lancaster's six assisted living facilities.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services regulates and licenses these facilities. Adult living communities are divided into two types, depending on the level of care residents require. Assisted living facilities are considered Type A, meaning that residents do not require overnight supervision or staff assistance to evacuate in case of an emergency.