Seniors from all around Texas find themselves choosing Arlington, Texas, for their next chapter of life due to the city’s ideal climate, gorgeous parks, and exciting sports scene. Located just west of Dallas, Arlington is perfect for those looking to retire within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex without the stress that comes along with big-city life. Seniors looking for care services within an active, engaging environment can benefit from Arlington’s diverse assisted living scene. A Place for Mom partners with 27 communities within a 10-mile radius of south-central Arlington.
Arlington, Texas, assisted living communities offer senior residents assistance with activities of daily living, customized meal plans, entertaining activities, and leisurely amenities. These on-site services and amenities help seniors with varying mobility levels and interests thrive. In this guide to Arlington assisted living, you can browse communities according to real resident ratings on cleanliness, activities, amenities, services, and other features. You’ll also find robust information on local costs, how people usually pay, senior-specific benefit resources, and aging-friendly activities in Arlington.
Avalon Memory Care home was a godsend in the worst time of our lives. They cared for my father like he was their own for the last year of his life. They were very communicative and available to us for...
The decision one makes to remove a loved one from a safe, controlled environment at home and into a new and strange one is a tough decision to make. It is also, frequently, done at a desperate time. We are...
If you want security, care, friendliness, kindness, support, peacefulness, cleanliness, smiling faces, and just a happy atmosphere this is the place! When it is my turn for my mom.. I will have already found...
I have referred other people to that facility... when they have reported back to me, they said it was very expensive to get into for upfront costs. And, even though it appeared clean and fresh inside, for...
Love Craver Heights . The staff is fantastic! Very attentive to their patients.. very caring and loving! Would highly recommend to anyone needing loving care.The dining experience is amazing and the...
I would recommend it. Everyone working there is nice. It is clean. The food is not that great and the activities were lacking.
Beautiful place. The best option by far. His apartment is spacious. He was able to bring his favorite furniture from home. Beautiful view of courtyard from his window. Staff has been so kind to him. We could...
My LO has dementia, and although the staff were all good to her, the residents were not. They were very cognizant, mentally able, while my LO was not. She seemed to be more of a bother to the other...
I would say the facility is generally well-run and efficient, the staff always seems kind, courteous, and willing to help. The foood generally is of good quality, if a bit repetitive. The apartment shows...
My mom moved here after leaving another community that we weren't to happy with. She was very nervous in the beginning, but she is very thrilled to be living here, The staff is super friendly and eager to...
Review for Parkwood Community Parkwood has been a blessing for my mom! She’s thriving, making new friends, and rediscovering hobbies like reading and cross-stitching. [name removed] and [name removed], the...
My loved one is currently a resident at Christian Care Communities and Services Fort Worth and the experience has been great for him. He is loving it there, it is just what he needed. Based on our...
This is by far the best fit for my Mother! The staff, care and programs are outstanding. I have referred 4 Families here so far in 2 years of her being a resident here. There are always activities happening...
[name removed] has been at Brookdale for 1 1/2 mos. He loves it there and we are very happy with the staff & the facility. Everyone there is friendly and very helpful.
We chose Isle at Watercrest because of the On-site 24 hour nursing staff, on-site rehab services, full range of independent living all the way to memory care and hospice. The staff have been very...
The facility is clean, rooms are very nice as well. The staff was so attentive to [name removed]. Getting her out everyday in the day area. She perked up around the folks! All the questions we had were...
We liked the pricing we like the fact that it was a smaller thought it would be more personal not as easy for them to get lost. The staff was sweet and seemed very caring. It smelt clean and didn't have a...
We moved in last Jan. I needed help with my husband who had dementia. The care he had was wonderful. He has since passed but I will continue to stay here because everyone is so friendly & helpful.
I choose Mayberry Gardens as I truly believed it checked all the boxes. The facility was clean and cleaning was scheduled on a routine and provided sooner if it was necessary. The staff and administrators...
Very nice and helpful staff. Very professional and provide great care to their residents. The food if often late by 30 minutes to an hour.
Very caring place and employees professional. Housekeeping Very Clean, Meals are very good. Activities are okay for Seniors, some cannot participate, other are more active, and may need simulation. Pricing...
It is a friendly, family oriented atmosphere with that is given by the complete staff The rooms are based on double occupancy with big full bathroom. The living or communal area is expansive with sofas and...
Very friendly lovely place staff is very nice they have their own private rooms where they don't have to share but you can't have roommate if you'd like. Very helpful great location again wonderful staff
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Arlington 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
The average rent is around $4,231 per month for assisted living in Arlington, Texas, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.[01] This may seem steep at first glance, however, you’ll find that the monthly cost of assisted living covers many daily expenses for seniors.
Here’s a list of services and amenities typically included in monthly baseline costs at our partner Arlington assisted living communities:
The following services and amenities are also typically found in Arlington assisted living communities, but they may incur add-on fees:
The following chart provides a good baseline cost comparison of assisted living communities across the greater Arlington area:
Seniors and their families typically pull together various payment methods to pay for assisted living in Arlington, Texas. Most seniors use cash from their savings accounts, retirement income, insurance policies, and funds from federal and state programs to pay for their ideal retirement community.
In this section, you’ll find comprehensive information on how you can use private pay options along with veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare to cover long-term health care and assisted living costs.
Seniors and families initially look into their private funds when they start devising a payment plan for assisted living in Arlington. Private pay options include all of a senior’s personal income and asset resources. This might include savings accounts, retirement pensions, investment returns, and/or Social Security benefits. And, on the plus side, Texas doesn’t levy a personal income tax, saving seniors from paying taxes on these income sources at the state level.
Long-term care insurance may also be an option for seniors looking to pay for assisted living. However, many long-term care insurance policies vary in what they cover, so it’s recommended that you consult with your loved one’s policy provider to see what assisted living costs they can cover.
Seniors might also turn to the following methods to help cover their assisted living costs, depending on available resources and current financial situations:
Number of veterans who live in Arlington as of 2021
About 47% of Arlington veterans are 65+.
Senior veterans or their surviving spouses may be eligible to receive pensions or disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help with costs of living. The Aid and Attendance benefit is especially valuable for disabled senior veterans and spouses. This generous benefit can be added on to existing VA pensions to pay for anything that improves a veteran’s quality of life — which may include rent at an assisted living facility in Arlington.
If you’re at all unsure about your senior loved one’s eligibility status for VA benefits, you should reach out to a local veterans service organization (VSO) for benefit advising and assistance. Veteran service officers at your local VSOs can help identify your loved one’s eligibility status and help them properly apply to maximize their entitled benefits. They’ll help veterans successfully file a claim or even appeal a denied claim.
Arlington seniors are in luck, as most veteran services are available at one location — Tarrant County Veteran Services Office. This office connects veterans to local, regional, and national services offered by organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), and others. You can reach out to the Tarrant County Veterans Service Office in Arlington using the contact and website information provided below. In the below resources, you’ll also find some helpful online guides explaining more about veterans benefits for seniors.
Resources for Arlington veterans
Tarrant County Veteran Services Office
1200 Circle Drive, Suite 300
Fort Worth, TX 76119
Phone: 817-531-5645
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medicaid is a public health insurance program. It can’t be used to pay rent at a private assisted living community. But it can help cover some long-term health care services and medically necessary personal care services within an assisted living community in Arlington.
In Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) runs the state’s Medicaid programs, with STAR+PLUS being the most common among seniors.
Seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities receive Medicaid coverage through STAR+PLUS — the state’s managed care Medicaid program. This program covers basic health care services and some skilled nursing services through agencies licensed and certified by the HHSC. STAR+PLUS covers the following types of long-term care services:
As of 2023, seniors 65+ must not exceed the following monthly income limits to qualify for STAR+PLUS:[03]
STAR+PLUS offers the home and community based services (HCBS) waiver program to help seniors remain in a community setting like an assisted living community, rather than an institutional setting like a nursing home.[04] This program can be used in an assisted living facility that qualifies as a residential or community-based setting. Care services should be provided through a health care agency contracted with the patient’s managed care provider.
STAR+PLUS’ HCBS waiver program can help cover the following care costs through Medicaid-contracted agencies:[04]
When a senior applies for Medicaid, the HHSC will assess their need for the HCBS waiver program. As of 2023, seniors must meet the following eligibility requirements:[05]
Note for home and community based services (HCBS) settings: Not all assisted living communities in Arlington qualify as an HCBS setting; however, some will. In order to qualify, an assisted living facility must do the following:[04]
Before move in, you should check with your prospective assisted living facility to see if they offer access to Medicaid care services on-site.
If you need help understanding your loved one’s Medicaid eligibility, you can find a Texas Health and Human Services office near you using the Your Texas Benefits search tool below. You can also search for other local programs in Arlington through the HHSC services search tool. We’ve also provided some additional resources to help you better understand Medicaid benefits for seniors in the resources below.
Furthermore, as a senior, you can always contact your local area agencies on aging (or AAAs). These agencies provide assistance to Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries in accessing local, long-term care services and disability programs.
Arlington resident Medicaid resources
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to adults 65+ and individuals with disabilities. It can’t cover rent at an assisted living community, but it can help cover some medically necessary care costs.
The following Texas programs can help seniors save on Medicare costs and apply for Medicare benefits:
As of 2023, seniors must not exceed a monthly income of $1,458 as an individual or $1,1972 as a couple to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Seniors must also not exceed $9,090 for resources as an individual or $13,630 as a couple.[03]
For assistance with your loved one’s Medicare benefits eligibility and enrollment, you can visit the Medicare website or dial 2-1-1. Below, you’ll also find applications and resources to help your senior loved one access their Medicare benefits in Arlington.
If you’d like additional assistance with Texas Medicare, you can reach out to a local Social Security Administration office, the Texas Legal Services Center, or your local long-term care ombudsman using the contact information below. Your local long-term care ombudsman can be found at the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County. They advocate for the health care rights of assisted living residents and help families learn about potential senior care options and payment methods.
Arlington resident Medicare resources
Find an SSA office in Fort Worth
2010 N. State Highway 360
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Texas Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Phone: 800-252-9240
The Legal Hotline for Texans
Phone: 800-622-2520, ext. 3
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County website
201 N. Rupert St., Suite 107
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Tiffany McLennan, managing local ombudsman
Phone: 817-258-8102
Email: tiffany.mclennan@unitedwaytarrant.org
If your senior loved one qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid, they’re eligible to receive dual coverage through one Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) in Arlington, Texas. This program is called the Dual Eligible Integrated Care Demonstration Project and is commonly referred to as “the Demonstration.” The Demonstration aims to do the following:
To qualify for the Demonstration, a senior must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Dual-eligible individuals should be automatically enrolled in the program. They may choose to opt out of the Demonstration after they receive an enrollment letter in the mail notifying them of their enrollment. To request additional information on this program, you can email managed_care_initiatives@hhsc.state.tx.us.
In Texas, all assisted living facilities must be licensed and certified by Texas Health and Human Services (also known as HHS) in order to operate and house residents. Texas Health and Human Services refers to assisted living facilities as ALFs and categorizes them into Type A and Type B. Here’s how the two differ:[06]
Most stand-alone assisted living facilities qualify as Type A, while facilities with memory care and/or other specialized care units typically qualify as Type B. In Arlington, assisted living facilities must meet several standards to remain licensed. Below, you’ll find a brief summary of these Texas assisted living standards.
All Texas ALFs must pass a life safety code, physical inspection, and health inspection before they’re officially licensed. The life safety code ensures a facility’s ability to safely house residents, while the health inspection ensures that it’s equipped to protect resident health. After an initial inspection, facilities are inspected at least once every two years.[08]
During an inspection, Texas Health and Human Services checks for the following in an ALF:[08,09]
The general public can use the Long-term Care Provider Search to access each licensed assisted living facility’s most recent inspection report. The search also provides general facility information about licensing and certification. Inspection reports typically include the date of the most recent inspection, a list of violations, and the date violations were corrected. If you’d like to request additional information you didn’t find using the search, you can email rsltcr.recordsmgmt@hhsc.state.tx.us.
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5. p.m.
Currently, Arlington doesn’t have any specific COVID-19 regulations for assisted living facilities. However, Texas does require all assisted living facilities to develop their own infection prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19. The measures should include guidance on a community’s hygiene practices, touching the following:
Because communities are allowed to set their own regulations, it’s best to check with your prospective community to see what current COVID-19 rules they may have in place. You can also visit the coronavirus informational page on Arlington’s city website to find regular updates regarding local risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.
Arlington is ideal for seniors seeking small-town vibes within a metropolitan area. This suburban city is just west of Dallas, and it offers stunning parks, captivating museums, appetizing restaurants, and a range of senior-friendly activities. The city even hosts an annual Aging Well Expo to help seniors get the most out of their lives in Arlington. At the expos, seniors receive free health screenings, fitness demonstrations, and entertainment. They also receive free tips and information to help them thrive within the city.
Seniors also have an array of senior living options to choose from in Arlington. From multitier senior care communities to group homes, seniors are sure to find the perfect place to call home for the next chapter of their lives. Learn about what our assisted living partners have to offer in Arlington below.
In Arlington, seniors are sure to find the ideal environment for their retirement due to the multiple care options available. Nearly half of our partner communities in Arlington offer multiple care levels on-site to promote aging in place. This means that these communities combine assisted living with independent living or memory care, so residents don’t have to worry about moving if their care needs ever increase.
This multitier care approach is especially beneficial for senior couples with different care needs. For example, if one partner needs assistance with some activities of daily living while the other partner requires specialized memory care services, they can choose a senior living partner that offers both assisted living and memory care.
Many seniors are afraid to leave the comforts of their home environment when considering senior living. Luckily, seniors in Arlington don’t have to, because we partner with several assisted living group homes in the area. These are residential home settings for seniors in need of daily care. Approximately 30% of our Arlington assisted living partners classify as group homes in residential neighborhoods.[01]
This option is ideal for seniors who want to remain living in a family-style house. These homes are traditional in design, yet equipped with safety features for seniors. Caregivers are staffed 24/7 in the homes and provide family-style activities and personalized care services. Furthermore, group homes typically offer home-cooked meals within a cozy dining room, a yard and patio to enjoy fresh air, and traditional living room areas to promote gathering and socialization.
Group homes also enable caregivers to build better relationships with residents due to the smaller resident-to-caregiver ratio. The smaller ratio enables caregivers to better learn a resident’s personality, needs, and preferences, which promotes comfort among residents.
Arlington assisted living communities offer a range of on-site amenities and a diverse calendar of activities to help residents stay healthily active and engaged. Some communities host scientifically researched programs proven to help seniors thrive, while other communities encourage resident-led activities.
Some of the most common activities you’ll find in our partner Arlington assisted living communities include the following:
Seniors are also free to explore on-site amenities at their own leisure. Some of the most common amenities in our partner Arlington assisted living communities include the following:
A select few of our assisted living partners in Arlington, Texas, also offer some luxe amenities like on-site Jacuzzis, spas, convenience stores, and more.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Arlington as of 2021
Average annual retirement income for Arlington seniors 65 and older[02]
As a suburb of Dallas, Arlington doesn’t have many regionally or nationally recognized hospitals, because Dallas tends to house the bulk of them. Nonetheless, seniors still have a wide variety of health care options to receive medical care within Arlington. Learn about Arlington’s top health care facilities below.
Medical City Arlington opened its doors in 1976. This hospital offers 433 beds and employs 1,500 medical professionals. It’s known for its high performance in six specialties, including treatment of heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to U.S. News and World Report.
USMD Hospital at Arlington is known for providing exceptional surgical care in North Texas. It’s high performing for the treatment of prostate cancer and pneumonia, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital is a Level IV trauma center, Cycle II chest pain center, and primary stroke center. It’s known for its high performance in treating kidney failure, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to U.S. News and World Report.
Kindred Hospital Tarrant County — Arlington is one of the smaller hospitals in Arlington. It offers 68 beds for long-term acute care, six beds for ICU, and two negative pressure rooms. Seniors can receive advanced wound care, cardiac care, and other specialized services at this hospital.
Many active, independent seniors drive in the Arlington area due to its easygoing traffic and lack of mass public transit options. However, most of our partner assisted living communities in Arlington offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services right on-site. So, if you don’t feel like driving that day, just ask the concierge to schedule a ride! If a particular community doesn’t have its own transportation service, you can also ask the concierge to coordinate a ride for you using a ride service.
Arlington doesn’t have its own public transit system, though the city still offers a transportation service for seniors in the area. The city provides Handitran to seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. To apply for this transportation service, seniors need to provide proof of age. Upon application, seniors must pay $10. Afterward, seniors only pay $2 per one-way trip or $55 per month for unlimited rides. If your loved one must use a public transportation service, be sure they’re accompanied by a caregiver to ensure their safe arrival and return.
For a better understanding of the city’s sprawl and infrastructure, you may want to take a look at these scores from Walk Score. They’re each out of 100 and based on Arlington’s walking trails, biking routes, public transportation options, and public density:[11]
Seniors have a wide range of activity options in Arlington — for all mobility levels or disabilities. From delicious restaurants and alluring shops to outstanding museums and exciting sporting events, Arlington seniors easily find ways to engage with the community. Plus, many of these places offer accommodations for seniors with disabilities — just be sure to ask!
Seniors can explore local attractions during assisted living community-scheduled group outings or while visiting with family and friends. Check out some senior-favored activities in Arlington below. You can also check out the Things To Do page on the Arlington city website for more local favorites and to search by specific neighborhoods.
The area offers several serene spots to appreciate nature. Seniors can explore the astonishing, 1,300-acre River Legacy Nature Center. The nature center offers active and passive activities for seniors of varying mobility levels. Active seniors can find hiking and biking trails, while seniors with low mobility can utilize some of the center’s accessible picnic areas, pavilions, river overlooks, aquariums, and terrariums.
Seniors also enjoy peaceful strolls in Arlington parks. One especially popular park is the Richard Greene Linear Park. Its stunning Caelum Moor environmental sculpture spans across 5 acres in the 41-acre park, filled with hiking trails, biking routes, and picnic areas alongside a tranquil lake. Only some trails and routes are wheelchair-accessible, so be sure to find the right one.
Professional sports are a big draw in Arlington. Many seniors in the area are lifelong fans of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers. Families can easily spend an afternoon or evening watching their favorite teams compete in the national leagues. Loved ones can also gather at one of Arlington’s sports bars and pubs to watch games while grabbing a bite or drink.
Seniors with an eye for art can view the captivating exhibits at the Arlington Museum of Art. Immerse yourself in modern works of art and reflect with timeless, historic pieces that transport you back in time. Plus, the museum offers discounts to seniors and veterans along with guided tours and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Arlington seniors with a love for performing arts can also attend their favorite concerts, plays, and symphonies at one of Arlington’s performing arts theaters.
Dallas and Fort Worth are about half an hour away, so day trips within the greater Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex are easy to plan. Families can view exotic creatures from around the world at the Dallas Zoo or Fort Worth Zoo. Nature-loving seniors can take in natural beauty at the 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden or the 3,600-acre Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.
Avalon Memory Care - Fort Worth, Sunrise of Fort Worth and Highlands Village Senior Living of Mansfield are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Arlington, TX. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Arlington is $5,249 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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The average cost of Assisted Living in Arlington is $5,249 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Arlington city; Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023, March 1). Appendix XXXI, Monthly income/resource limits. In STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Client FAQs.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2016, March 1). A-3300, home and community-based services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023). Assisted living facilities (ALF).
Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities, Texas Administrative Code § 553 (2021).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Long-term care provider search.
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (2021).
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Arlington, TX.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Arlington.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Arlington city; Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023, March 1). Appendix XXXI, Monthly income/resource limits. In STAR+PLUS Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Client FAQs.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2016, March 1). A-3300, home and community-based services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2023). Assisted living facilities (ALF).
Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities, Texas Administrative Code § 553 (2021).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2022). Long-term care provider search.
Assisted Living Facility Licensing Act, Health Facilities § 247.001 (2021).
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Arlington, TX.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Arlington.