Memory Care Communities in The Woodlands, TX

At $5,306, memory care in The Woodlands costs an additional $308 per month when compared with the median for Texas. However, it is $319 cheaper than the U.S. median per month. Comparisons with nearby cities reveal The Woodlands to be mid-range for the region. More affordable cities include San Antonio at $4,266 and College Station at $4,998, while costlier ones include Beaumont at $5,465 and Austin at $6,681. 

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 fee for memory care in The Woodlands is $5,306 per month, although each facility has unique price points.

Seniors in the Woodlands pay for memory care services through a mix of financial strategies and payment options. Depending on their financial and functional needs, they may qualify for various financial assistance programs. Seniors can also use their personal income and assets to pay for care.

• Medicaid: Participating memory care centers in The Woodlands accept payment from the STAR+PLUS Medicaid waiver. This waiver's benefits include personal care, medication management and upfront costs, such as security deposits and moving expenses.
• Medicare: Nonmedical memory care services fall outside the scope of Medicare's coverage. However, seniors who receive skilled nursing services or physical or occupational therapy in memory care facilities use their Part B coverage to pay for medically necessary care.
• VA Benefits: The VA helps seniors pay for memory care services through Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits and the Geriatrics and Extended Care program. These programs help veterans pay for personal care services, meals and transportation. According to our proprietary Caring.com database, over three dozen local memory care centers accept VA benefits.
• Private payments: Seniors use their Social Security income, pensions, retirement savings and money from selling or renting out a home to pay for memory care. Facilities accept private payments for all types of expenses, including housing, meals and personal care.

The $5,306 median for memory care makes it the costliest care option in The Woodlands, slightly ahead of the $5,262 that is typical for a semiprivate room in a nursing home. Assisted living costs $4,245 but is not suitable for seniors with dementia. In-home care and home health care share the same median fee of $4,576, but both tend to be suitable only for seniors with early-stage dementia. The same is true of adult day care, which is the most affordable option at $1,099.

Memory care facilities in The Woodlands are regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It issues licenses to those that satisfy strict rules relating to resident care and fire safety. The department also conducts unannounced inspections and investigates complaints to ensure licensed facilities continue to uphold standards. It can revoke licenses from underperforming facilities.

Benefits:

• The Woodlands region fares better than the typical county in the state and nation for health factors and outcomes, indicating access to high-quality health care amenities. Around 46% of seniors in the region receive the annual flu vaccine, helping to control the spread of seasonal illnesses in memory care communities.  
• The Woodlands has hot summers with average daytime highs of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and muggy conditions about 98% of the time. However, the region offers mild weather throughout the rest of the year, providing opportunities for therapeutic outdoor activities, such as gardening.
• The Woodlands offers Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, a facility with over 450 licensed beds and more than 1,400 affiliated physicians. It has around 90 specializations and provides comprehensive treatment for dementia, including brain scans, neuropsychological and genetic testing, medication therapy and caregiver support.

Drawbacks:

• While the cost of living in The Woodlands runs about 6% above the Texas baseline, it aligns with the national norm. To help residents manage their monthly care costs, many local memory care centers accept the STAR+PLUS waiver.
• The American Lung Association gives The Woodlands a rating of F for ozone pollution. Although the region’s proximity to Houston exposes residents to high levels of smog, many memory care centers have air purification systems to support residents’ health and comfort.