El Paso’s total population is 678,415, and almost 13% of it is seniors over age 65. It’s known that seniors are more at risk of developing cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, which is why the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s data is so startling. Its study shows that between 2014 and 2018, Alzheimer’s deaths in El Paso rose by 9.24% compared to all deaths at 8.59%. That difference may seem minor at first, but this growth indicates that cognitive disorders are increasing in the aging population. In fact, a 2020 study by the Alzheimer’s Association predicts that Alzheimer’s cases will double from about 6.5 million to 12.7 million by 2050.

This expanding senior population with cognitive issues will have complex health care requirements, including the need for memory care, which involves residential facilities and trained staff equipped for the specific challenges they face. This guide offers information, resources and perspectives for seniors and their families looking into memory care living in the El Paso area. 

Directory of Memory Care Facilities in El Paso, TX

The Legacy at Cimarron

6201 Northern Pass Drive, El Paso, TX, 79911

The Legacy at Cimarron is the first concierge senior community in the El Paso area. Located in a quiet neighborhood in Lubbock, this luxury senior residence offers many levels of care including indepe … (read more)
The Legacy at Cimarron is the first concierge senior community in the El Paso area. Located in a quiet neighborhood in Lubbock, this luxury senior residence offers many levels of care including indepe … (read more)

VibraLife of El Paso

3421 Joe Battle Boulevard, El Paso, TX, 79936

My mom has moved into VibraLife of El Paso. It’s brand new, clean, and well staffed. However, it is the most expensive one we looked at. It’s pretty good. The food is excellent. My mother even says th … (read more)
My mom has moved into VibraLife of El Paso. It’s brand new, clean, and well staffed. However, it is the most expensive one we looked at. It’s pretty good. The food is excellent. My mother even says th … (read more)

2013

Simpatico Cielo Vista

7949 Sunmount Drive, El Paso, TX, 79925

SunRidge at Cielo Vista is nestled in a residential neighborhood in El Paso, Texas, a short drive from El Paso International Airport, the convenient thoroughfare of Loop 375 and several golf courses. … (read more)
SunRidge at Cielo Vista is nestled in a residential neighborhood in El Paso, Texas, a short drive from El Paso International Airport, the convenient thoroughfare of Loop 375 and several golf courses. … (read more)

Good Life Assisted Living and Memory Care El Paso

10400 Railroad Drive Buildings A & B, El Paso, TX, 79924

My sister moved into Good Life Assisted Living and Memory Care El Paso. It just felt really warm, cozy, and comfortable. All the workers were involved with their clients. They were reaching out to the … (read more)
My sister moved into Good Life Assisted Living and Memory Care El Paso. It just felt really warm, cozy, and comfortable. All the workers were involved with their clients. They were reaching out to the … (read more)

Simpatico East

1991 Saul Kleinfield Drive, El Paso, TX, 79936

SunRidge at Cambria is located in El Paso, with several hospitals and pharmacies conveniently located nearby. Residents and visitors enjoy that the community is in a safe and friendly neighborhood and … (read more)
SunRidge at Cambria is located in El Paso, with several hospitals and pharmacies conveniently located nearby. Residents and visitors enjoy that the community is in a safe and friendly neighborhood and … (read more)

Vibralife Of El Paso Rehabilitation Center

3421 Joe Battle Boulevard, El Paso, TX, 79936

VibraLife of El Paso showed me all their levels of care. The person who gave the tour was very nice and caring. The facility itself was cleani. There were no odors or anything, but it just felt like t … (read more)
VibraLife of El Paso showed me all their levels of care. The person who gave the tour was very nice and caring. The facility itself was cleani. There were no odors or anything, but it just felt like t … (read more)

COVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in El Paso

Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in Texas. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.

What to Consider About Memory Care in El Paso

In El Paso and the rest of Texas, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission licenses and regulates assisted living facilities that provide memory care to seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other forms of cognitive deficiency. Developing consistent regulations and high standards to keep vulnerable seniors safe within residential settings is reinforced by the Commission with regular inspections.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in El Paso

  • El Paso is well-equipped for seniors requiring medical treatment and/or memory care. Several area hospitals take a multi-disciplinary approach to elder care but have dedicated geriatric departments. Two of the best-regarded facilities are Bienvenir Senior Health, with three campuses across the city and the Hospitals of Providence network with its Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit. The University Medical Center of El Paso also has a geriatric department and ACE unit. Memory Care-specific facilities may be more difficult to access.
  • El Paso has a lower cost of living than many cities in Texas. It scores 81.4 compared to the U.S. average of 100. For seniors who require memory care, average monthly care costs reflect this affordability at $4,688. This is lower than the state average of $4,998 and much lower than the national average of $5,625. 
  • Social Security retirement benefits and all other types of retirement income are tax-free in Texas. Seniors also get a break from historically high property taxes. Locally, the City of El Paso and AARP team up annually to offer free income tax preparation assistance at local senior centers. All of this helps the tax burden for senior residents, but the city cannot be considered tax-friendly for seniors.
  • In El Paso, summers can be hot, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond. Winters are typically cold but short. Happily, the region is dry and mostly clear year round. That said, air quality can be poor in El Paso, which has a reputation for having many smoggy days and an air pollution problem.
  • Although it has had higher rates of violent and property crime since the pandemic began, El Paso is a surprisingly safe city to live in, with a violent crime rating of 22.1 and property crime rating of 30.1. This compares with the national ratings of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively. Its proximity to the border with Mexico means there is a high-security personnel presence which likely acts as a deterrent. 

Paying for Memory Care in El Paso

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.

Memory care costs an average of $4,688 per month for seniors residing in El Paso. This is less than the state rate of $4,998 and much less than the national average of $5,625 per month.

The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities

El Paso is in western Texas, right at the border between Texas and Mexico. To the east, the monthly average for memory care in San Antonio is $4,266. However, the monthly average in many other Texas cities is higher than in El Paso. For example, in Dallas, the cost is $5,244, and in Houston, it’s $5,306. Memory care costs are much higher to the north; Amarillo is the most expensive area on this list, averaging $5,750 monthly.

$4688

El Paso

$4998

Texas

$5625

The United States

$5244

Dallas

$4266

San Antonio

$5306

Houston

$5750

Amarillo

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Compared to other types of care, Memory Care can be expensive, with only Nursing Home Care being more costly at $4,882 per month in a semiprivate room. Non-medical in-home care that helps with activities of daily living costs $3,623, as does home health care, which requires skilled nursing for medication management or wound dressing. Assisted Living in an El Paso facility costs an average of $3,750 per month. Adult Day Health care is the least expensive care at only $628 per month. 

$3623

Home Care

$3623

Home Health Care

$628

Adult Day Health Care

$3750

Assisted Living Facility

$4882

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in El Paso

In El Paso there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, visit our Memory Care in Texas page.

More ways to pay for memory care in TX

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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.

Free Memory Care Resources in El Paso

El Paso has a number of organizations dedicated to national, state and community programs for seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disorders, as well as their families and caregivers.

Resource

Contact

Service

(800)
272-3900

The El Paso office of this national organization offers educational programs to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and information and referrals to local resources, support groups and care consultations. The 24-hour AA helpline is a national service available to El Paso residents.

(915)
533-0998

The Rio Grande AAA offers information, referral, case management and counseling services to seniors and their families in El Paso and neighboring areas. It also hosts the Long-term Care Ombudsman for the region.

(512)
451-4611

AGE of Central Texas offers a variety of support services to seniors and caregivers, including the Memory Connections program, a support group specifically tailored for those with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

211

Administered by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, 211 is a free hotline service that connects residents to programs across the state, including supports for those with dementia and their caregivers. 

(512)
241-0420

Alzheimer’s Texas is a state-funded organization that provides a variety of services to individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia and their families. Programs include education, caregiver training, early stage memory screenings and respite care.

(800)
242-3399

The state funded and designed this program to increase public awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and connect seniors with cognitive disorders and their caregivers with useful resources.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in El Paso

El Paso Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Texas are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Texas page for more information about these laws.

Laws and Regulations for memory care in Texas