Texas is a vast state, and even though it is considered a suburb in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Plano is Texas’ ninth-largest city. As one of the top five most livable cities in America, Plano has a lot to offer your loved one.
A Place for Mom partners with 76 memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Plano, which includes Richardson, Frisco, Allen, and parts of Dallas. These facilities offer safety, security, and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In this guide, we will provide you with comprehensive information about memory care facilities, their cost, and how to pay for them. We’ll also touch on the laws and regulations governing memory care facilities, as well as Plano health care and transportation options for your loved one. Additionally, we’ll discuss all that Plano and the Dallas area have to offer.
My dad lives there and he loves it! He is so complimentary regarding how kind and helpful the front office staff are. He really enjoys the live entertainment as well as all of the other activities available.
We are very happy with the care and level of activity my mom gets at the Village on the Park. Thank you to the wonderful team who shows up every day with smiles on their faces. My kids also love visiting mom...
Brookdale was a true answer to prayer when needing a care facility for my Mother. After touring the facility, I immediately knew this was the right place for us. The facility is always clean and well...
Very happy with Sunrise. Everyone is so friendly - honestly so friendly. We have been so incredibly pleased with our final choice. The food is fine but could improve, but overall we have been so happy.
It is a lovely facility and very very clean. There is never a bad odor. The staff on my mom's floor are friendly and they do care about the residents. [name removed], the activities director is phenomenal!!...
Value for the money is about a 10 !!!! HIGHLY recommend Juniper for a place that is lower in cost than most assisted living places. They have the nicest staff!! They cared For what was going on in my...
I would definitely recommend Brookdale Creekside. The staff has been so patient and kind with the many issues my mom had. They always communicate any questions or concerns they have. I feel like we are part...
The overall experience with Prestonwood Court has been great; it took a while for her to engage with others after the loss of her husband but now she's more involved in being out with others in the activity...
It was located very close to my home. The staff were friendly and welcoming. It was very clean and I loved the way the staff interacted with the residents.
Just a great place to live!!! I always enjoy talking to the front desk staff! Everyone does an exceptional job! Excellent food, good sleep conditions, nice and quiet atmosphere, singing and we love the...
I moved my elderly father after taking him out of [facility removed] which was third world and awful. I made the best decision as he made such tremendous progress at the new facility. They treated him so...
Make yourself visible & show up for your loved ones! We picked this community because it was; well rated, was close, looked homey & was told the number of caregivers to residents was higher than it actually...
Very nice facility. The staff is very friendly, they care a lot about the residents and they take care of them really well. They're very knowledgeable when it comes to the needs of residents and if families...
When we chose Brookdale Farmers Branch for my mom, we were hoping to find a place where she would be well-cared for and happy. The staff are professional and compassionate. They go above and beyond to...
Mom spent the final 8 months of her life in Avalon Memory Care in Allen. The staff was great. There was rarely a day that my brother or I did not come by and they were always friendly to us and did their...
The comprehensive care and attention at Landing at Watermere Frisco have made a significant difference in our aunt's life. The personalized approach to her needs and well-being is truly commendable.
All of the staff at Atria Carrollton were extremely professional and friendly. Mom ate the same breakfast everyday but her complaints were usually about dinner. Quality and quantity.
Thank you to the caring staff at Village on the Park. We moved our mother there in September after realizing she was no longer safe living in her home. She has blossomed in the environment and her quality of...
My mother [name removed] is a resident of Bethesda Gardens! She loves it there! The activities director, director, & care partners are all wonderful & empathetic… The chef & all the kitchen staff provide...
I'm going to give a 5 in all categories, the most important being the staff. We thought my mom would stay in memory care permanently, but she didn't! I believe this was in part due to the excellent care at...
The love, care, dedication and high level of care Avalon Memory Care has afforded to my relative is exceptional. It's been a long time since I have been able to be so at peace knowing my relative's care is...
My experience here has been great! The staff is so helpful and friendly. The place is so nice and clean and the food is amazing! I have been living here for 2 years and I have seen a great improvement with...
We really like the facility and they take good care of her. I would recommend it. It is a good facility, great staff, and great food.
I would give them 5 on each. We researched and experienced several others, including more expensive places, and Grand Brook was better. Especially when it comes to personal interaction with the resident....
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Plano community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
In Plano, the average actual monthly cost of staying at a memory care facility is $4,389, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[03] This figure includes the cost of daily meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and specialized care for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia, along with any additional service fees or add-ons.
The chart below displays the starting costs of a memory care facility stay in Plano without the additional fees or add-ons being accounted for.
Paying for a Plano memory care facility for your loved one might feel overwhelming. But there are several options that can help, from private payment methods and VA benefits to Medicare and Medicaid; we’ll go over the options to help your loved one afford the care they need.
Paying privately for a memory care facility in Plano essentially means ways you can cover the cost out of pocket. Private payment methods can include anything from personal savings and pensions to Social returns on investments. Here is a list of additional private funding sources you and your loved one may find helpful:
Number of veterans who live in Plano
About 30% of Plano veterans are 75+
If your loved one is a veteran — or their spouse was — the VA has some benefits that may help your loved one pay for a memory care facility. Two of the most common benefits are the VA Pension and the Aid and Attendance benefits. Both of these benefits are paid out monthly to eligible veterans. The Aid and Attendance benefit is for veterans who need help with daily activities, are limited in their ability to get out of bed, live in a nursing home, or have significant eyesight problems.
Navigating the application process for VA benefits can often be the most challenging aspect. However, veterans don’t have to face this task alone. Dedicated veterans services officers are readily available to offer assistance completely free of charge. These knowledgeable professionals can be found through various channels, including the Veterans Administration, Collin County Veteran Services, or local veterans services organizations (VSOs) like the American Legion, operating in the Plano area.
The Texas Veterans Commission offers the expertise of Claims Benefit Advisors, who specialize in filling out VA paperwork and facilitating the filing of claims. While in-person meetings may entail a wait time of at least 30 days, individuals opting for a phone appointment can expect a significantly shorter three-day wait period. Rest assured, help is at hand for veterans seeking support throughout the application process.
Collin County has a helpful list of Texas veterans benefits you can review to see what might apply to your loved one’s situation before you get started. You can also watch VA Pension Benefits: How to Use Them to Help Pay for Long-Term Care, which is an informative video created by the North Central Area Agency on Aging.
Resources for Plano veterans
Regional VA Benefits Office
701 Clay Ave.
Waco, TX 76799
Phone: 800-698-2411
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Texas Veterans Commission
Phone: 800-252-8387
Email: northeastclaims@tvc.texas.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Collin County Veteran Services
900 E. Park Blvd., Suite 150
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-881-3060
Email: veteranservices@collincountytx.gov
Contact: Gary Jackson, veteran service officer
Contact: John Thompson, veteran service officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4380
601 E. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-379-8628
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3530
1210 W. Belt Line Road
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-231-3269
American Legion Post 321
1236 J Ave.
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-423-5423
American Legion Post 178
8300 McKinney Road
Frisco, TX 75034
Email: Contact form
Veterans Center of North Texas
900 E. Park Blvd., Suite 170
Plano, TX 74074
Phone: 214-600-2966
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If your loved one has a low income or limited resources, they might be able to qualify for Texas’ Medicaid program. Medicaid won’t cover the monthly cost of living in a Plano memory care facility; however, it will cover health care costs for your loved one. If your loved one is on Medicare, they can still check their eligibility for Texas’ Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD).
If a doctor decides it is medically necessary for your loved one to have in-home health care delivered at their memory care facility, that may be able to be covered by a home and community based services (HCBS) waiver. You can help your loved one fill out this application for HCBS waiver services.
To help your loved one with a Medicaid application, use the Your Texas Benefits portal. If you have questions or need help, reach out to the North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center, which serves Collin and Denton Counties. The center offers assistance with applying for Medicaid, and the help is free. You can also reach out to the long-term care ombudsman with questions. This Medicaid Made Simple video from the Area Agency on Aging of North Central Texas is an information resource if you’d like to learn more.
If your loved one doesn’t qualify for Medicaid, Plano has a program called Know Your Options, which can help those with memory issues (and their loved ones) pay for home monitors for people who may wander, personal care, respite care, and many other helpful items and services.
Plano resident Medicaid resources
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
1059 S. Sherman St.
Plano, TX 75081
Phone: 972-480-5000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
HHSC Benefits Office
5455 Blair Road
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: 214-750-4619
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX
Phone: 877-229-9084
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Phone: 817-695-9196
Managing Local Ombudsman: Tina Rider
Email: trider@nctcog.org
Know Your Options
PhoneL 855-937-2372
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for seniors 65+, those who are disabled, or those who have end-stage renal disease. Medicare can pay for tests, doctor visits, and therapies, but it does not pay for room and board at a memory care facility.
If you want to help your loved one find additional Medicare cost savings, here are some programs to look into:
You can help your loved one sign up online for Medicare or download the Medicare enrollment forms and take them to the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office, which is in McKinney.
For help with the enrollment process, The Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides the Texas Medicare Helpline. When you call, you can talk to advisors who can assist you with the process and answer questions. Benefits counselors can also be found through the North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center; the long-term care ombudsman is also a reliable resource.
Plano resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office
3250 Craig Drive
McKinney, TX 75070
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Texas Medicare Helpline
Phone: 800-252-9240
North Central Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX
Phone: 877-229-9084
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Phone: 817-695-9196
Managing Local Ombudsman: Tina Rider
Email: trider@nctcog.org
In order to operate, Plano’s memory care facilities must receive a Type B assisted living facility license from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. They are then inspected once every two years (more often if there is a complaint). If you want to look at how Plano’s memory care facilities have fared on their inspections, you can find them on this long-term care provider search portal.
Memory care facilities in Plano must follow the regulations in this Texas Administrative Code and the Health and Safety Code. This is the same set of rules and regulations that apply to assisted living facilities; however, there are additional standards for Certified Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Facilities, which is how Texas refers to a memory care facility.
These additional standards for memory care facilities cover the safety and security aspects of the actual facility, as well as provide guidance around staffing, staff training, and activities that must be provided. Here is a summary of the expectations in place for Texas’ memory care facilities:
Texas Department of Health and Human Services
North Austin Complex
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500
The city of Plano does not require memory care facilities to follow any specific COVID-19 preventative measures. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some guidelines for COVID-19 prevention.
Vaccinations. The CDC encourages seniors to have COVID-19 vaccinations and subsequent boosters.
Masking. Wearing a face mask is not mandatory in Plano, but it is recommended if in a crowded area.
Facility cleanliness. The CDC has recommendations around how to improve airflow and ventilation in buildings to keep the COVID-19 virus from spreading.
Quarantining. The CDC recommends people isolate for five days if they’ve tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19.
Since Plano is the primary suburb of the major metropolitan area of Dallas-Fort Worth, it may not surprise you that A Place for Mom partners with 76 memory care facilities in the Plano area — giving you plenty of options to find the perfect fit for your loved one.
The stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia, as well as any physical needs your loved one might have, will play into your decision about which type of living arrangement will be best. While 15 of our partner facilities are solely dedicated to providing memory care, others have a variety of options.
When looking for the right facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that 84% of our partner memory care facilities in the Plano area were specifically designed with memory care in mind. That means you can expect the facility itself to be conducive for those who struggle with remembering by having easy-to-understand signage and color-coordinated hallways. Additionally, 79% of our partner facilities have enclosed courtyards, which give your loved one a chance to enjoy the freedom of going outside in a secure manner.
More than half of our partner memory care facilities have a dedicated activity director who schedules daily activities to engage your loved one and provide socialization opportunities. Besides group events, your loved one has the freedom to relax in common areas, like the TV lounges that are found at nearly all our partner facilities. More than half of our partners offer arts and crafts centers to help ensure your loved one doesn’t get bored.
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As one of the major suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth, Plano residents have access to excellent health care options. In fact, Plano has been named one of the healthiest cities in America.[01]
Medical City Plano has a Level I Trauma Center and more than 600 beds. U.S. News & World Report rates it as a high performer in colon cancer surgery and heart failure care, along with three other procedures.
There’s a reason the word heart is in the middle of this hospital’s name. Baylor Scott and White The Heart Hospital Plano is nationally ranked in the Top 50 hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery. It also boasts seven high-performance ratings from U.S. News & World Report in all areas of cardiology, as well as lung cancer surgery and other specialty areas.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano has been serving the communities of Plano, Frisco, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, and McKinney since 1991. U.S. News & World Report rates the hospital as high performing in knee replacements, stroke care, and two other specialty areas.
Getting around is made easy for residents at our partner memory care facilities in Plano since 62% of our partner facilities provide at-cost transportation, and 43% offer it for free.
Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia should not travel alone, but if you want to use public transportation to take your loved one on an outing, there are plenty of options. You and your loved one can catch the Orange Line or the Red Line of the DART Rail System at the Downtown Plano Station or the Parker Road Station. If you need to know how these lines connect to others, use this rail system map. The DART Bus System has two park-and-ride locations in Plano, which are the Jack Hatchell Transit Center and the Northwest Plano Park-and-Ride.
A travel training program is provided by DART for people with physical or mental disabilities. You can take this along with your loved one to better understand how to help them get around. A certified instructor will teach you how to use the DART system and will cover everything from how to buy a ticket to how to read and understand the schedule. You can call 214-828-8676 to sign up or ask questions about the program.
For on-demand rides, you can use GoLink. This DART On-Demand service is available seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight. A door-to-door paratransit service is also available for those with disabilities who are not able to use the regular fixed-route buses.
DART Rides is a rider assistance program for people who are disabled or at least 65 years old. You have to qualify for this program, and the website lists all the details about eligibility requirements.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has put together a resource list for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Here you can find things to do, from dementia-specific workshops to a list of engaging virtual activities specifically created for those with memory impairments to information about the Plano Memory Cafe, which is held monthly at the Sam Johnson Recreation Center’s Wellness Center.
The Plano Public Library also offers this Dementia-Alzheimer’s List of Resources that can help you learn more about these illnesses and inform your decisions on activities to do with your loved ones. You and your loved one can also visit the library twice a month for Memory Keepers, which is a relaxing get-together for people in earlier stages of dementia and their loved ones to share memories through guided prompts.
If you want to take your loved one out on the town, a good place to start is in the Downtown Plano Arts District, where you can find fun and relaxing events like Jazz Concert Under the Starz. Just a few steps away, you can enjoy Haggard Park, which is a great place for a stroll or sitting in the gazebo to enjoy the lakeside views.
While you are in the area, head over to the Interurban Railway Museum, where admission is free! Due to the historic nature of the museum, there are accessibility challenges, so you’ll want to check that before you go. Another fantastic stop is the Heritage Farmstead Museum, where the old-fashioned ways of life on the North Texas Blackland Prairie are remembered.
For some outdoor adventures, enjoy Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, which has 800 acres that include a lake that’s great for fishing and miles of trails. In fact, eight miles of the trail system are concrete, which is nice if you need something accessible. Bob Woodruff Park North is another great spot to enjoy a fishing pier and trails. The park also has an equestrian area where you might enjoy doing some people- and horse-watching!
If you’re up for a short jaunt out of town, just north of Plano, you can see the Southfork Ranch. It claims to be the “World’s Most Famous Ranch” because it was featured on the T.V. show “Dallas” as the Ewing mansion.
Speaking of the Big D, history buffs will want to head into Dallas and go to the George W. Bush Presidential Center. It’s a Presidential library, museum, and gorgeous 15-acre prairie with a Texas rose garden. You and your loved one might want to visit The Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza, where the life and assassination of President John F. Kennedy are commemorated.
If you and your loved one enjoy rooting for big sports teams, Dallas has great options. You can start with a tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in addition to taking in a game. You can also root for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, the NHL’s Dallas Stars, or MLB’s Texas Rangers.
Brookdale Lake Highlands, Brookdale Farmers Branch and Avalon Memory Care - Allen are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Plano, TX. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Plano is $5,694 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Plano Chamber of Commerce. (2023). Community Facts and Figures.
Smart Asset. (2020). Most Livable Cities in the U.S.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Plano.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Plano Chamber of Commerce. (2023). Community Facts and Figures.
Smart Asset. (2020). Most Livable Cities in the U.S.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Plano.