Senior Living Guide · Central Texas
What Is Memory Care?
The short answer: Memory care is assisted living built for dementia. The doors are secured so residents can’t wander off, staff are trained in dementia care, and the day is structured to keep people calm and engaged.
It costs more than regular assisted living, usually because of the extra staff and security. Medicare does not pay for it.
When is it time for memory care?
It’s usually time when your loved one:
- Wanders, gets lost, or tries to leave the house at night
- Leaves the stove on, or forgets to eat or drink
- Can’t manage medicine, even with reminders
- Gets scared, angry, or confused, especially in the late afternoon and evening
- Doesn’t recognize home, or keeps asking to “go home”
- Needs someone watching them all day, and the family caregiver is wearing out
Not sure yet? Take my “Is it time?” quiz.
What’s included, and what’s not
Usually included
- A secured building or wing, so residents can’t wander off
- Staff trained in dementia care, on site 24 hours a day
- Help with bathing, dressing, the bathroom, and eating
- Medicine management
- Meals, snacks, and help staying hydrated
- Daily activities made for memory loss, like music, sensory activities, and simple chores
Usually not included
- A nurse on duty around the clock (some have one, many don’t)
- Complex medical care, like IVs or feeding tubes
- Care for serious aggression that can’t be calmed
- Help from two staff at once, at some places
The kinds of memory care you’ll see
| Standard memory care | For early to middle stages. Help with daily care and reminders, usually one caregiver at a time. |
|---|---|
| Memory care for more behaviors | More staff, behavior specialists, and training to calm wandering, fear, or aggression. Can often help with two staff at once. |
| Memory care on a campus with a nursing home | For late stages or big medical needs. Your loved one can move to nursing care without leaving the campus. |
| Small dementia homes | A handful of residents in a house. Calm and homey for early stages, but usually can’t handle heavy care or behaviors. |
Pros and cons
The good
- Your loved one is safe, even at 3 AM
- Staff know how to calm and redirect, without arguing
- A steady routine often means less fear and fewer bad days
- You get to be the daughter or son again, not the night shift
The hard parts
- It’s the most expensive kind of assisted living
- The first weeks can be rough. Many people ask to go home
- Some places ask residents to leave if behaviors get too hard
- Quality and staffing are very different from place to place
What does memory care cost in Austin?
average per month in the Austin area, often $1,500 to $3,000 more than regular assisted living.
Ask for the all-in monthly price at your loved one’s care level. See Austin prices for every type of care. Families pay with savings and income, the house, long-term care insurance, VA Aid & Attendance, and sometimes Texas Medicaid.
What nobody tells you to ask
- “What would make you ask my mom to leave?” Get the real answer, in writing. Aggression and needing two staff are the big ones.
- “Can you help with two people at once?” Late-stage dementia often needs it.
- “How many caregivers are on the floor at night?” Nights are when wandering and falls happen.
- “How do you handle it when someone refuses a shower or medicine?” Listen for patience and a plan, not force.
- “What training does your staff get in dementia care?” And how long do caregivers usually stay?
- “What happens when she needs more medical care?” Hospice can come in at many places. Ask.
- “Can we see the Alzheimer’s certification and your latest state inspection?”
- “Can I visit anytime?” And what do you suggest for the first two weeks?
For later stages, see hospice and home care in Austin.
Browse memory care communities around Austin, with photos and direct contact info. No forms, no flood of sales calls.
BROWSE ON TOURSENIORLIVING.ORGQuestions families ask about memory care
When is it time to move a parent with dementia to memory care?
When they aren’t safe alone anymore, like wandering, leaving the stove on, or missing meals and medicine. Or when the person caring for them is exhausted. Waiting for a crisis, like a fall or a hospital stay, makes the move harder for everyone.
How much does memory care cost in Austin, TX?
About $7,000 a month on average in the Austin area. It’s usually $1,500 to $3,000 more than regular assisted living because of the extra staff and security.
Does Medicare pay for memory care?
No. Medicare does not pay for memory care rent or daily care. It still covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and hospice. Texas Medicaid can help pay for the care part for people who qualify, at communities that accept it.
What’s the difference between assisted living and memory care?
Memory care is secured, so residents can’t wander off, and the staff are trained in dementia care. Regular assisted living is for people who are mostly alert and can tell staff what they need. Read more about assisted living.
Can memory care kick out a resident for aggressive behavior?
Yes, it can happen if the community can’t keep your loved one and others safe. Ask every community what behaviors they can handle and what would make them ask someone to leave, before you sign.
Will my mom be locked in at memory care?
The doors are secured so residents can’t walk out alone and get lost. Inside, they can usually move around freely, including to a secure courtyard or garden at many places.
My dad keeps asking to go home. Did we make a mistake?
Asking to go home is very common, and it often means “I want to feel safe,” not a real place. Most people settle in over 30 to 90 days. Talk with staff about what helps, like familiar things in the room and visits at calm times of day.
Can hospice come into memory care?
Yes, at most communities. Hospice adds a nurse, aide visits, supplies, and support for the family. Ask the community which hospice companies they work with.