Memory Care Facilities in Abilene, TX

 

Of Abilene's over 127,000 residents, 13.3% are 65 or older, which is lower than the national rate of 17.3%. Despite the smaller senior population, older residents still face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's and might need dementia care to support their needs. The Alzheimer's Association notes that Alzheimer's affects 1 in 9 seniors 65 and older. Data from the CDC shows that Alzheimer's-related deaths in Abilene increased by 26.67% from 2016 to 2020, which was slower than the overall death rate increase of 32.79%.

High-quality memory care communities provide tailored care services for seniors with dementia, including personal and nursing care. Residents also participate in special programming designed to support cognitive functioning and keep people with memory loss calm and comfortable. Secured environments with 24-hour supervision allow as much independence as possible while keeping seniors safe. In this guide, seniors and caregivers learn about the costs of memory care and other care options. It also covers financial assistance and community resources that can support the family.

Memory care communities in Abilene and throughout Texas fall under the jurisdiction of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The department handles licensing and regulatory issues with long-term care facilities in the city to ensure seniors have a safe environment.

 

• Abilene is an affordable place to live compared to Texas and the United States. It costs 20.7% less than the national average. The cost of living in Texas as a whole is slightly lower than average but only by 5.8%, making Abilene significantly lower. 
• The city has a higher crime rate than average. On a 100-point scale, violent crime is 28.7 while property crime is 57.4. The national numbers are 22.7 for violent crime and 35.4 for property crime. Memory care communities provide increased security for residents with secured entrances and constant supervision, so the crime rates might not impact a senior's decision to live there.
• The water and air quality in Abilene ranks higher than average, supporting a healthier environment. Based on a 100-point scale, the water quality is 100, much higher than the national rating of 55, and the air quality is 67 compared to a national average of 58.
• Seniors have access to several hospitals, including Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center South, both offering emergency care. Options for dementia care include the Hendrick Neuroscience Center, which treats dementia and memory loss, and Oceans Behavior Hospital Abilene, caring for patients experiencing dementia-related behavioral changes.
• Abilene offers a sunny home for seniors with 243 sunny days per year. Many memory care communities offer secured courtyards, giving residents the opportunity to soak up the sun while staying safe. Winters are relatively mild with January lows of 32 degrees and an average of 3 inches of snow. 

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The median cost of memory care in Abilene is $4,311 per month with variations based on location, services and amenities.

Abilene memory care rates come in at about $687 lower than the Texas median and about $1,314 below the national median. It's on the lower end of nearby cities as well, making it an affordable location for seniors with dementia. San Angelo is more affordable at about $561 less per month. Wichita Falls is similar to Abilene with a median rate that's $70 more. Dallas averages $933 more and Midland is about $1,675 more monthly. 

Memory care rates are among the lowest in Abilene compared to other senior care types. Only assisted living averages a lower rate with a cost that's about $862 lower. In-home and home health care both cost about $217 more than memory care and offer care services in the home. Seniors who need the most intensive care might choose a nursing home, which is usually the most expensive option. The median rates are about $358 more per month than memory care for a semi private room.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Texas page.