Memory Care Facilities in Harlingen, TX

 

Harlingen, which is located in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, is home to over 70,000 residents, 15% of whom are over 65 years old. This age group is at high risk for cognitive disorders — about 10% of older adults are living with Alzheimer's disease. According to CDC data, the rate of Alzheimer's-related deaths in Harlingen increased by 121.71% between 2016 and 2020. However, access to high-quality dementia care, such as memory care facilities, can help lower the risk of complications. 

Memory care facilities provide secure, structured environments for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Residents have 24/7 access to personal and medical care, which is delivered by specially trained staff. In addition to care, residents can participate in activities designed to improve memory, such as music and sensory therapy.

This guide will examine the pros and cons of receiving memory care in Harlingen and how costs compare to other nearby cities. It also includes resources that help those with memory loss access financial assistance. 

In Texas, all long-term care providers such as memory care communities are regulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities. In addition to licensing these facilities, the department implements health and safety standards. 

 

• On a 100-point cost of living index, with 100 representing the U.S. average, Harlingen rates 70.7. This means that living expenses in Harlingen are about 30% lower than the national average. The cost of living in Harlingen is also lower than the Texas average, which rates 94.2. 
• Residents of Harlingen enjoy a pleasant, year-round climate. Temperatures range from a low of 43 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to a high of 93 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, making the city a relatively warm place to settle down. Harlingen gets a fair bit of rain, averaging about 26 inches of rainfall every year. However, it receives almost no snowfall. 
• In Harlingen, there are approximately 112 physicians per 100,000 people. This amount is much lower than the national average of 210 per 100,000 people. While Harlingen has fewer physicians, it still offers easy access to health care. For example, seniors residing in memory care communities receive on-site personal care and medical support. The city also offers lower health care costs. On a 100-point index, it rates 89.8, which is about 10% lower than the national average. 
• Harlingen's crime rates are lower than the U.S. average. On a 100-point crime index, with 100 representing the highest crime levels, Harlingen rates 16.2. The national average, meanwhile, is 22.7. On the flip side, Harlingen has higher property crime rates — it rates 52.3 while the U.S. average is 35.4. To protect against property crime, memory care facilities often use security measures such as gates and alarms. 
• Texas does not have an income tax. This means that all retirement income — including Social Security, pensions and retirement accounts — is not subject to any state taxes. 

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.

In Harlingen, the average cost of memory care is $5,000 per month. 

Seniors in Harlingen pay an average of $5,000 per month for memory care, which is $625 lower than the U.S. average and about the same as the Texas average of $4,998. Some cities in Texas have higher expenses than Harlingen. For example, Houston is approximately 6% more costly, while McAllen is about 21% more expensive. Other cities offer less expensive memory care, such as Texarkana at $3,463 per month. 

When compared to other types of senior care in Harlingen, memory care tends to be on the more expensive side. On average, it's $1,000 more expensive than assisted living and $2,140 more expensive than in-home and home health care. It's also $4,338 more costly than adult day health care. This is because memory care offers services that are not available in other care types, such as 24/7 supervision and cognitive activities. The most expensive type of senior care is skilled nursing, with a semi private room in a nursing home facility averaging $5,779 per month. 

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.