Katy, Texas, is on the western outskirts of Houston. It’s deemed one of Texas’ best cities to retire due to its affordability, availability of health care options, and senior-friendly activities. Katy is far enough from Houston to offer seniors some respite from the city’s hustle, but still close enough to drive in for events and activities. There are also a variety of senior living options to offer an easy transition for seniors as they age and enter the next phase of their lives.
A Place for Mom partners with 14 assisted living facilities within a 10-mile radius of north-central Katy. Assisted living offers seniors assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), personal care services, and a social environment filled with aging-friendly amenities and activities. It’s ideal for seniors seeking a safe environment with qualified caregivers who offer a helping hand when needed, while enabling seniors to retain some independence.
This guide to assisted living in Katy lets you browse through the area’s many assisted living communities. You can browse them based on what matters most to you and your family — cleanliness, amenities, care services, activities, and more. You’ll also find robust information on local assisted living costs, common payment methods used by families, senior-specific care resources, and senior-friendly activities in the Katy area.
Overall I would recommend this place. They have very nice rooms, a clean facility, and the head staff are all very solid and seem to care. The food is really good. Some of the nurses are through agencies...
A smaller facility so attention from caregivers is pretty good. Food could be better. Disinfection could be more frequent. Staff is helpful. Cost is reasonable. My loved one seems ok with everything. Overall...
The thing we like most about Caydance Assisted Living and Memory Care is the staff. They are friendly and attentive, from the workers & nurses to management. Everyone knows my parents by name, and greet...
I am satisfied with the care and attention that my loved one is receiving. Have been very pleased with my choice. Handled the storm great. Residence didn't even notice they were without power. Had plenty of...
I always feel.a sense of home when I visit Sunrise. The staff is friendly and professional. The place is clean. I watch how they give such personal attention to their residents. It is truly refreshing to see
We moved our mom here 15 months ago from a fancy large corporate program just down the road after realizing their memory care unit was too stark of a transition from their assisted living unit for our mom’s...
My mom is happy. That's the most important. She's gotten and stayed healthier. The staff is very friendly. Attentive. Caring. Communicative. They notify me when they have any concern or wonder, in a...
My MIL has adjusted well. She likes living there and is very proud of the facility. She loves showing family around and then having them stay for dinner. The food is very good. She likes having physical...
The Reserve is such a warm, welcoming community. [name removed] worked with us to make the transition go well for my father. The entire staff was friendly and respectful of our time with our loved one. The...
We moved my dad into senior care with much sadness. He didn’t have dementia but had numerous health issues. The staff ( nurses and caregivers) could not have been more kind , loving and supportive. It was...
We chose Evergreen Cottages over others we saw because it felt like home. The small community made it easy for my mom to feel comfortable with everyone. From the moment she walked through the door, staff...
I picked this community because, of pricing and proximity to the hospital. The food was always on time and good, per my loved one. Activities Director does the same thing each week. Bingo. Never saw them...
It has been a really good place for our loved one, and with her memory loss she is just like a very happy little kid, not difficult or angry so the staff members think she is just wonderful. From what we...
They are all just excellent in this community. I would put my family members here again and they are the warmest friendliest staff I have ever met. You are immediately a part of the family as soon as you...
This is a good place to be . The staff are friendly and competent. There are a lot of covid restrictions so there are a lot of things that they cant do at this time. They have activities like work outs,...
Ever since finding Veranda House, we have been at ease with leaving our mom here. My family is all so pleased with the amount of activities offered to her. They even take them on field trips! They are so...
My father, who recently died at age 93 in advanced dementia, was fortunate to have spent his last days in comfort here at <em>Bethel Place</em>. I live at a distance, and each time I visited I saw more...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Katy 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 for Katy assisted living is about $4,374 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.[01] This cost doesn’t include the cost of care services. Therefore, you may spend more or less depending on location, chosen floor plan, your senior loved one’s required level of care, available amenities, and any add-on services.
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The following amenities and services are included in the monthly rent at Katy assisted living communities within our partner network:
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The services and amenities listed below are also commonly found at Katy assisted living communities within our partner network, but may incur additional charges:
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The chart below allows you to compare assisted living baseline costs across the greater Katy area.
From private savings to public benefits, there are several ways for seniors and their families to pay for assisted living. Typically, seniors pull together multiple sources of income like savings accounts, retirement income, insurance policies, and funds from federal and state programs to cover assisted living costs.
In this section, you’ll find useful information on how to use private pay options as well as veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare to cover long-term care and assisted living expenses in Katy.
Seniors and their families typically start by looking at their private funds when considering payment options for assisted living. Private pay options include all of a senior’s personal income and asset resources, including savings accounts, retirement pensions, investment returns, and/or Social Security benefits. And, fortunately, Texas doesn’t levy a personal income tax, meaning seniors aren’t taxed for these income sources at the state level.
Other payment resources for assisted living largely depend on your loved one’s resources and current situation. Keep in mind, long-term care insurance policies greatly vary in what they cover, so it’s best practice to check with your loved one’s provider to see if their policy covers any assisted living costs. Potential options may include the following:
Number of veterans who live in Katy as of 2021
About 39% of Katy 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 any costs of living. The Aid and Attendance benefit is especially important for disabled senior veterans and spouses. This generous benefit can be added to an existing VA pension to pay for anything that improves a veteran’s quality of life — which could include rent and care at an assisted living community.
To verify your loved one’s VA benefits eligibility status and ensure they apply properly, you should reach out to a local veterans service organization (VSO) before applying. Navigating VA benefits can be time-consuming and difficult. Fortunately, VSOs are nonprofit and vetted by the VA to help you or a loved one obtain benefits they qualify for. They can help you successfully file a claim or even appeal a denied claim. Look at this service-related disabilities fact sheet to see whether a condition immediately qualifies you or a loved one for VA benefits. The sheet is not exhaustive of all qualifying conditions, so it’s always best to check with a VA benefits counselor to see if your loved one’s specific situation qualifies.
Fortunately, Katy makes it easy to access an array of VA-vetted veterans service organizations (VSOs). Oftentimes, VSOs operate out of one county department, but because Katy belongs to three counties, residents have many options. Your loved one’s VSO options depend on which county or neighborhood they live in.
In the resources section below, you’ll find the VSOs for Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties. You can reach out to these veterans service organizations using the contact information provided. These offices can connect you to local veterans service organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), and more.
Resources for Katy veterans
Harris County Veterans Services Department
2929 McKinney St.
Houston, TX 77003
Phone: 281-876-6600
Email: 281-876-6600
Fort Bend County Veterans Service Office
4520 Reading Road, Suite A-300
Rosenberg, TX 77471
Phone: 281-341-4550
Email: veteranservices@fortbendcountytx.gov
Waller County Veterans Service Office
Waller County Community Center
21274 FM 1098
Prairie View, TX 77446
Phone: 979-826-7733
Email: g.nemec@wallercounty.us
Medicaid is a public health insurance program jointly funded by the state and federal governments. It doesn’t cover rent at a private assisted living community, but it can help cover some health care services and medically necessary care services within an assisted living community.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (or HHSC) STAR Medicaid program offers a managed care program specifically for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities called STAR+PLUS. In addition to routine health care costs, the STAR+PLUS program covers long-term care services, which can include the following:
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Keep in mind that STAR+PLUS can only cover health care and long-term care services through agencies licensed and certified by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
As of 2023, seniors 65+ must not exceed the following monthly income limits to qualify for STAR+PLUS:[03]
For care services to be covered within a private residence, seniors must be eligible for the home and community based services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver program. HCBS waivers enable seniors to receive care services in a residential setting of their choice, like an assisted living community, rather than an institutional setting like a nursing home.[04] If a senior chooses to receive these services in a private assisted living facility, the facility must qualify as a residential or community-based setting. The care services should be provided through a health care agency contracted with the patient’s managed care provider.
The STAR+PLUS HCBS waiver program can help cover the following care costs as long as the agency providing the care services is contracted with Medicaid:[04]
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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]
Not all assisted living communities in Katy qualify as an HCBS setting; however, some will. In order to qualify, a facility must do the following:[04]
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If you need help navigating your loved one’s Medicaid eligibility and benefits, find a Texas Health and Human Services office near you or search for local programs through their services search tool. You can also contact your local area agencies on aging (or AAAs) if you’d like help accessing local long-term care services and disability programs. You should also check with your prospective assisted living facility to see if they offer access to Medicaid care services on-site.
Below, you’ll find more resources to help you better understand Medicaid benefits for seniors. You’ll also find valuable search tools that’ll help you locate Medicaid benefit offices in Katy.
Katy resident Medicaid resources
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program that provides coverage to all U.S. citizens aged 65+ and individuals with disabilities. It doesn’t cover room and board costs at an assisted living facility, but it can help cover some medically necessary care costs provided at a Katy assisted living facility.
If seniors want to save further on Medicare costs, they can check out the Medicare Savings Program or contact the Texas Legal Services Center:
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If you have more questions about your loved one’s Medicare benefits and enrollment, you can visit the federal Medicare website or call 2-1-1. In the resources section below, you’ll also find applications and resources to help your aging loved one access their Medicare benefits in Katy.
For assistance with Medicare in Texas, you can reach out to a local Social Security Administration office, the Texas Legal Services Center, or your local long-term care ombudsman. Long-term care ombudsmen can be found at your nearest Area Agency on Aging. They advocate for the health care rights of assisted living residents and help families learn about potential senior care options and payment options.
Katy resident Medicare resources
16200 Dillard Drive
Houston, TX 77040
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Texas Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Phone: 800-252-9240
Phone: 800-622-2520, ext. 3
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Harris County Area Agency on Aging website
8000 N. Stadium Drive
Katy, TX 77054
Greg Shelley, managing local ombudsman
Phone: 713-500-9931
Email: gregory.k.shelley@uth.tmc.edu
Seniors who live in Harris County and qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are eligible to receive dual coverage through one Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) in Katy, Texas. This program is called the Dual Eligible Integrated Care Demonstration Project and is commonly referred to as “the Demonstration.” Keep in mind, this program doesn’t cover Katy residents in Fort Bend or Waller Counties.
The Demonstration strives to do the following:
To qualify for the Demonstration, a senior must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Eligible individuals should be automatically enrolled. 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, email managed_care_initiatives@hhsc.state.tx.us.
All Texas 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]
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Most stand-alone assisted living facilities in Katy qualify as Type A, while facilities with memory care and/or other specialized care units usually qualify as Type B. In Katy, assisted living facilities must meet several standards to remain licensed. Below, you’ll find a summary of these Texas assisted living standards.
All Texas ALFs must pass a life safety code, physical inspection, and health inspection before they receive their license. 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 (HHS) checks for the following in an ALF:[08,09]
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You can use the Texas HHS Long-term Care Provider Search to access each licensed assisted living facility’s most recent inspection report and general facility information. To request any additional information not found on the site, 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.
Katy doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations specific to assisted living communities. 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:
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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 COVID-19 informational page on the Katy website or the Harris County coronavirus page to find regular updates regarding local risk levels, testing, vaccinations, and more.
Katy attracts seniors due to its temperate climate, great health care options, proximity to Houston, and affordability. The city also offers robust senior living options — namely assisted living communities — to properly accommodate its aging population.
Check out the unique features provided by our assisted living partners in Katy below.
Many of our assisted living partners in Katy offer aging-in-place options. This means our partner communities offer more than one level of care on-site. Katy senior living communities offer independent living and/or memory care options in addition to assisted living. The most popular combination is assisted living and memory care. This allows residents to remain in the same community even when their care needs change or if their partner has different needs.
Care levels are generally outlined as follows:
Seniors who prefer a home-like environment can also receive assisted living services within a care home in Katy. Approximately 20% of our Katy assisted living partners are residential care homes.[01] Care homes offer assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and personal care services within a family-style home in a residential neighborhood.
These homes typically house a smaller number of residents and offer all the comforts of a home. The smaller number allows caregivers to learn more about residents and form long-lasting relationships. In addition to the usual bedrooms, kitchens, living spaces, and yards, these care homes offer accessible features that help residents get around safely, like ramps and grab bars. These care homes also offer prepared meals, housekeeping, and transportation.
Our Katy assisted living partners do their best to eliminate excessive travel for routine care needs. To do so, many of our partner communities offer on-site nurses and medical services within each resident’s unit. Some of the most common on-site care services available at Katy assisted living communities include the following:[01]
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Some assisted living communities even offer on-site clinics, with optometrists, dieticians, doctors, and other specialists to help residents access optimal care.
Katy assisted living communities offer a range of on-site amenities and a rotating calendar of activities to engage residents’ minds, bodies, and souls. Some communities offer researched programs to help seniors thrive, while other communities encourage resident-led activities.
Some of the most common activities offered by our Katy assisted living partners include the following:[01]
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Seniors can also take advantage of on-site amenities whenever they’d like. Some of the most common amenities available at our partner Katy assisted living communities include the following:
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Average annual retirement income for Katy seniors 65 and older
Katy is known for its great health care options. The city often appears on top retirement lists due to its health care offerings. The city itself doesn’t have many hospitals, because Houston tends to house most of them, but Katy does have some recognized clinics. Residents also have a few hospitals in the area, which you can learn about below.
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital has been serving the city for approximately four decades. It houses 208 beds and a medical staff with expertise in 39 specialties. It’s also known for providing patient-centered care and is nationally recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for nursing professionalism and excellent care.
Houston Methodist West Hospital is technically located in Houston. However, it’s in West Houston, so it serves many Katy residents. This hospital offers over 200 beds and is known for its innovative medical and surgical care.
Houston Methodist West Hospital is technically located in Houston. However, it’s in West Houston, so it serves many Katy residents. This hospital offers over 200 beds and is known for its innovative medical and surgical care.
Due to Katy’s close proximity to Houston, many seniors own a car to occasionally drive out to the vast city. However, as seniors age, they tend to drive less and turn to other transportation options. Luckily, all of our partner assisted living communities in Katy offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services for residents.[01]
Community-provided transportation means that seniors don’t have to drive unless they wish to. It also helps ensure seniors’ safe arrival and departure, because rides are provided by qualified individuals who can help seniors with disabilities get around with ease.
Visiting family and friends can also utilize some public transportation options with their senior loved one. Katy doesn’t have its own public transit system, but Houston’s METRO does offer some buses and rail lines in Katy. Seniors 65+ can apply for one of the discounted METRO fare cards. Seniors between 65 and 69 can get a discounted rate, while seniors 70+ can ride for free. METRO also offers discounts for individuals with disabilities and free rides for qualifying veterans.
To get a better feel for the city’s sprawl and infrastructure, check out the scores provided by Walk Score below. These scores are each out of 100, and they’re based on Katy’s walking trails, biking routes, transportation options, and public density:[10]
There are tons of activities for seniors to enjoy in Katy and in the nearby city of Houston. Seniors and visiting families can savor delicious eats at the local restaurants or browse the town’s shops and museums. Check out the Travel Katy website for more fun things to see and do.
Most of our assisted living partners in Katy also schedule group outings to help residents attend events and explore local attractions safely and with ease. Check out some senior-favored activities among Katy residents:
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Some of the places listed above offer accommodations for individuals with disabilities, so be sure to inquire with each place before visiting. You can ask about accessible seating, guided tours, maps, rentable wheelchairs, etc.
Atria Westchase, Atria Sugar Land and The Gardens of Bellaire are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Katy, 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 Katy is $4,697 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. (2021). Katy 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. 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).
Walk Score. (2023). Katy, Texas.
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. (2021). Katy 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. 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).
Walk Score. (2023). Katy, Texas.