Dementia, and specifically Alzheimer’s, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Fort Worth’s senior population continues to grow (21.1% growth between 2013 and 2017), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Fort Worth, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 116.1% between 2013 and 2017. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 14.7%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (7.44% in Fort Worth vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
In order to help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's find the support and care that their loved ones need, we've compiled information below about the cost of Memory Care, how to get financial assistance to help make care more affordable, free resources, etc. Also included are reviews of the best memory care facilities in the area, which cover pricing, types of care provided, residents' reviews, and more.
Note: Memory care is typically provided in communities licensed as assisted living facilities, and in general, costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living services. No authoritative cost data is available for this type of care, so we estimated memory care rates by adding 25% to assisted living fees in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
Families in Fort Worth pay about $246 more per month for their loved ones' memory care than the average cost in Texas, but they save around $381 a month compared to the national average. Waco's median memory care cost is $1,744 lower than Fort Worth's, and in Tyler, memory care costs about $415 less. In Sherman and Wichita Falls, memory care costs an average of $869 and $863 less per month, respectively.
Memory care is the second most costly type of senior care in Fort Worth. On a monthly basis, it costs an average of $1,049 more than assisted living and $3,727 more than adult day health care, the most affordable type of senior care in Fort Worth. Semiprivate rooms in nursing homes average $383 a month more than memory care. For in-home care or home health care, Fort Worth's seniors spend about $382 less than the average monthly cost of memory care.
Note: Data for Fort Worth was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Dallas, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for memory care out-of-pocket, it's important to find alternative methods to help make memory care more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Memory Care in Fort Worth.
In the following list, we've mentioned a few organizations offering programs designed to help seniors with memory loss live their best lives. Family and friends can also take advantage of a variety of educational programs.
resource | contact | description | location |
---|---|---|---|
Long-Term Care Ombudsman | 817-258-8102 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman provides families with free assistance researching memory care facilities and navigating their financing options. Its trained volunteers investigate abuse allegations and other complaints, striving to protect the rights of Fort Worth's seniors living in long-term care communities. | Fort Worth, TX |
Alzheimer's Association - North Central Texas Chapter | 817-336-4949 | The Alzheimer's Association is a national organization committed to helping seniors with dementia and their families access the support and services they need to slow the progression of memory loss. | Fort Worth, TX |
Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County | 817-258-8000 | The AAA of Tarrant County can connect Fort Worth's seniors and their families with a variety of resources to help them prepare for and prevent the advance of dementia. It offers insurance counseling programs that may help families pay for memory care services, and through its caregiver support program, family caregivers can receive free education and training around caring for someone with memory loss. | Fort Worth, TX |
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in Fort Worth, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
Autumn Leaves of Cityview provides research-based memory care in Fort Worth, just a few miles from the Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital and the Hulen Mall. To optimize the residents' safety and well-being, the facility is equipped with dementia-friendly features including wide hallways, natural light and a gated courtyard. Autumn Leaves also provides residents with biography-based life engagement programs. Team members use resident's preferences and history to personalize their schedules and routines, filling their days with cognition and mood-boosting experiences such as games, musical activities and gardening. Meals, which are served in the communal dining room, are also tailored to the residents' dietary preferences and needs.
People love Autumn Leaves of Cityview�for its appealing, scenic�atmosphere, citing the "friendly staff of nurses" and the "fine art and artistic views" seen throughout the building. They also praise the facility for keeping residents�"in a very positive mood." Residents are�"busy all day" doing "great" activities.
Avalon Memory Care in Fort Worth, Texas, provides unique, personalized care to residents with Alzheimers and dementia. The community offers short-term and long-term care, including mobility assistance and assistance with activities of daily living. Residents participate in enjoyable, enriching activities, such as games, arts and crafts, exercise and Bible study. Highly trained staff is on-site 24/7 for supervision and monitoring, and theres round-the-clock security to ensure resident safety. Three nutritious, home-cooked meals are served daily at this facility, which has a secure outdoor area with a covered deck and garden. Housekeeping and laundry services are provided, and rooms are equipped with furniture thats comfortable and elegant.
Visitors praise the landscape, calling it quite beautiful,� and they like the decor. High marks are also given to the food and dining room. The dining room was spacious with a very nice, upscale décor�The menus have a very nice blend of home-style and exotic dishes that you'd find in a 4-star restaurant,� says one reviewer.
Bethesda Gardens is a faith-based, non-profit assisted living and memory care facility. It's located in Fort Worth, Texas, a convenient distance from the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital and Woodmont North shopping mall. To ensure the safety of residents, the facility is equipped with a 24-hour emergency call system and offers fall prevention programs. Safety is also bolstered by the presence of medication aides, Licensed Nurses and experienced support team members. This pet-friendly facility works to foster a welcoming community atmosphere, through social activities, such as cultural outings, ice cream socials and painting classes. Additional on-site amenities include salon services, a '50s style diner, private patios, a chapel and a game room. Meals, which are made daily from scratch, are eaten in the restaurant-style dining room.
According to one online reviewer, Bethesda Gardens is "clean, beautiful, very modern, and very bright." Others praise the communicative staff, pleased that they "can reach someone very quickly."
Nestled on more than one acre of property in Fort Worth, Texas, Colonial Gardens is a memory care facility thats known for its native limestone architecture and landscaped yards. The spacious outdoor areas allow the residents to wander, the interior layout is structured for residents safe wandering while being constantly in sight of the staff. In addition to offering�residents a scenic, comfortable environment, the community also boasts professional caregivers trained�to manage�the various types of dementia, including including Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Although the state only requires two hours of certificate training, the communitys caregivers undergo 20 hours of classroom and virtual reality education. Applying their knowledge and incorporating each residents personal history allows them to deliver personalized care. Activities are designed especially for residents with all types of Dementia & Alzheimers, and three meals a day are served � plus snacks in the afternoon and evening time.
Reviewers described the community as beautiful and having a homelike feel. The staff was also praised for being professional and for receiving a more complex level of training than most communities. A relative says, This was the only community that asked me which type of dementia does my father have and they helped me figure out what stage of the disease he is in.�
Truewood by Merrill provides�a full range of senior living care in a 9-acre park-like setting near the Trinity River. Nature lovers can enjoy the numerous tree-lined walking trails, riverside views and garden courtyards with fountains. The staff strives to provide memory care residents with a nurturing environment and�family-like community through the Illuminations Memory Care Program.�Mind stimulating activities�facilitate residents'�connection to their family, surroundings and caregivers. Brain games promote cognitive functioning while massages, musical events and visits with pets�activate�the senses.�Residents eat from a rotating menu of fresh, nutritious chef-prepared meals in the restaurant-style dining hall.
Reviewers say they are impressed by the outdoor amenities, friendly staff and nice dining room. One family member says, It seemed to be very friendly and homelike in its setting. It offered my father opportunities to get outside to get away from everybody and still be in nature. My kids were impressed with the staff and how they interacted with people.�
GoodLife provides assisted living and memory care for residents with Alzheimers and/or other types of dementia. Caregivers are on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the caregiver-to-resident ratio is low to ensure each resident gets individual attention and high-quality care. Medications are dispensed by licensed nurses, and theres a medication management system in place for accuracy and regulatory compliance. GoodLife believes that residents deserve the absolute best care, and creates a nurturing, family-like atmosphere. The community loves to hold holiday celebrations and social events for residents and their families whenever possible.
Residents family members have positive things to say about the staff at GoodLife. My Mom is truly living the good life. The staff is very caring and although my Mom is unable to speak due to a stroke, they have mastered the ability to communicate and understand her wishes,� commends one reviewer.
Nestled in the northwest corner of Fort Worth, Heartis�Eagle Mountain gives residents easy access to the surrounding Texas landscapes. The facility, which offers assisted living and memory care, promotes an active lifestyle. The apartments connect to outdoor amenities, such as secure courtyards, walking paths and well-maintained grounds. Regular activities include fitness classes, neighborhood strolls, religious services and off-site shopping trips. Residents can socialize in the community's game room or relaxing common area, and they can eat�in the inviting dining room. Heartis�chefs prepare balanced meals served to order, offering tasty options ranging from chicken Kiev to lemon pepper tilapia. To keep residents safe and healthy,�Heartis�Eagle Mountain offers services such as medication supervision and 24-hour emergency response.
Online reviewers praise the attentive staff, who are "very nice and helpful." People also mention the quality of the food, describing it as "really good" and "fantastic."
Nestled on 16 beautiful acres of land�in Arlington, Texas, memory care and assisted living services are offered at Morada Lake Arlington.�Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including bingo and dominoes along with arts and crafts classes. They can join a walking club or�go on a group outing to local attractions via scheduled transportation by the facility. Memory care residents participate in the Life Guidance program that features a structured and secure environment with specially trained staff and many opportunities for social engagement.
Reviewers�describe the facility as well-kept and clean with a good atmosphere and kind, polite staff members. "I'm perfectly happy here. There are many types of rooms, studios, 1-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms, and 3-bedrooms also. The staff is the best you can get. The food is great, they serve three meals a day, and the menu is more than you could want," said one resident in an online review.
Sunrise of Fort Worth prides itself on its�warm atmosphere and staff of�Designated Care Managers (DCMs) who are partnered with�specific�residents. DCMs�provide residents with emotional support, communicate with�family members and�create�Individualized Service Plans�based on residents'�personal preferences. Memory care residents are assigned to Life Enrichment Managers who facilitate activities such as�gardening, card games and movie�screenings inspired by�residents' unique�skills and interests. Pets are welcome, and calming�music plays in the reflection room to create a homelike environment.�The restaurant-style dining hall serves well-balanced meals cooked from scratch using local, fresh ingredients.�It also offers specialized diet options, including pureed�dishes and Fortified Foods.
Residents and�loved ones appreciate the well-run, inviting environment. One�family member says, "The facility is nice, clean and smells fresh. The staff is nice and they seem to be competent at what they do. There are activities and the other residents are friendly."
The Auberge at Benbrook Lake is an assisted living community focused on memory care using the evidence-based Nexus brain health program designed to help stall the decline of brain functioning and promote cognition. Residents participate in up to 20 hours per week of activities, including physical exercises, social engagements, digital programs and stress reduction. Unique events, such as a glamorous masquerade ball or vow renewal ceremonies, keep life exciting, and residents can enjoy the large outdoor courtyard and putting green at their leisure. Families are welcome to join residents for nutritious gourmet meals in the dining hall at any time, and menu options are available for those with special dietary needs.
Family members remark on the high quality of care and thorough, helpful staff. One reviewer says, They took really good care of mom. The staff was very attentive; if you needed someone, they got there really quickly The eating areas were just immaculate. The people were cleaning a lot, and they did it at a time I didnt see.�
The Stayton at Museum Way provides memory care along with assisted and independent living in a luxury high-rise building surrounded by Fort Worth's exciting West 7th Cultural District. A full-time lifestyle coordinator works with each memory care resident to create familiar routines based on personal preferences. Curated�song�playlists�help residents recall deep, pleasurable memories through the Music & Memory program, while It's Never 2 Late memory-stimulating�program�is paired with technology that includes activities, such as virtual reality games and puzzles. Residents with dementia or Alzheimer's�receive tailored Real Food First meals, which include sculpted purees, fortified smoothies and�nutrient-packed�finger food options. The on-site performing arts theater, pet park, beauty salon and swimming pool also give residents the room to relax and explore their unique interests.
Family members notice the facilitys high standard of care, cleanliness and variety of activities. One reviewer describes her mothers experience, They keep the community very clean. The staff are nice and assist with her needs. She is happy with the meals and variety. They are offering her activities that she is enjoying.�
Located in Haltom City, The Village at Silver Sage is a specialized memory care community. Seniors can decorate their private or shared accommodations with special items that remind them of home. The building and outdoor areas are secure, and an emergency call response system keeps seniors safe throughout the community. Residents eat traditional favorites in the cozy dining rooms, with individual assistance that helps them maintain their independence. Seniors spend their days participating in personalized, meaningful activities. Some of the frequently offered activities include Bible study, lunch outings and movie nights. In addition to scheduled activities, residents can choose to read in the formal library or admire the gardening planter boxes in the atrium. The community offers exercise programs, mental health care and other services to keep residents healthy. It also offers a therapeutic kitchen that helps stimulate seniors memories with familiar baking smells.
The Village at Silver Sage receives positive comments about its staff. One reviewer describes the staff as friendly, calming, reassuring and very attentive." The facility is also loved for its comfortable, hotel-like environment. One reviewer notes they really loved the atmosphere and layout.�