Texas requires any facility marketing memory care to file a specific Alzheimer's/dementia disclosure statement covering staffing, training and physical design -- standard assisted living carries no such requirement. Physically, memory care units typically add secured egress, and there's no published cost median for memory care the way there is for standard assisted living.
The distinction that matters
Beyond the paperwork difference, what should actually change your evaluation on a tour is staffing and physical design specific to dementia care: secured exits with door alarms, staff trained specifically in redirection and de-escalation techniques, and a physical layout designed to reduce disorientation. Ask to see the current disclosure statement by name -- it's required to describe exactly these elements, so a facility that can't produce one for a unit it's actively marketing as memory care isn't meeting a basic requirement. On cost, expect to negotiate and get quotes in writing rather than relying on a published average, since none exists for this category anywhere in the country.
Related questions
- Is independent living licensed the same way as assisted living in Texas?
- When does in-home care make more financial sense than assisted living in the Fort Worth area?
- What's the real difference between a nursing home and assisted living in Texas?
- Should a Fort Worth family consider a CCRC instead of standalone assisted living?
