Katy, Texas, is often listed as a top retirement city in Texas due to its affordability and variety of health care options, recreational activities, and senior-friendliness. It’s located west of Houston, making it a popular choice among seniors who want to escape the big city traffic and noise. Seniors also have a few great options for senior living in Katy, including independent living facilities.
Independent living enables seniors to live alongside individuals in the same age group and lead hassle-free lifestyles, with senior-specific services and conveniences. These communities handle daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and driving, so residents can focus on building friendships, maintaining hobbies, and discovering new interests.
Within a 10-mile radius of central Katy, seniors have seven independent living communities to choose from within A Place for Mom’s network of partners. In this guide to Katy independent living, you can browse communities based on what matters most to you — overall resident ratings, cleanliness, activities, amenities, services, and other features. We also share our proprietary data and local research to provide you with detailed information on costs, how seniors typically pay, senior-specific benefit resources, and senior-friendly activities in Katy, Texas.
Watercrest at Katy is an excellent facility! Staff is very friendly and helpful. Facility is clean and pleasant. [name removed] has moved into a skilled nursing facility and won't be returning to...
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...
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 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
The front desk person, [name removed], is a true angel and helps keep that place going. She is a true delight! Also, they helped out amazingly when my dad had a medical emergency. The administrator even...
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...
The Grand Parkway is everything that it bills itself to be. The amenities are excellent. The pool was recently redone. The location is perfect with lots of shopping and eateries within a couple of miles.
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...
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...
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 monthly rent at an independent living community in Katy, Texas, is about $3,285 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data.[01] Our figure only accounts for rent, so you might spend more or less depending on your chosen add-on services. Rent is also affected by the community’s location, floor plan, and on-site amenities.
This price may seem steep when compared to senior apartments in the area, but that’s because independent living communities are more service-oriented and offer additional levels of convenience as well as entertainment.
Here’s a list of on-site amenities and services typically included in monthly rent at our partner independent living communities in Katy, Texas:
The following amenities and services are also common at our partner independent living communities in Katy, but they may incur additional fees:
Below, you’ll find figures that reflect average baseline costs for independent living communities in the greater Katy area. They provide a good cost of living comparison across the area.
Seniors usually pull together multiple income sources to pay for independent living in Katy, Texas. Seniors can fund their costs of living in numerous ways, from personal income to retirement resources. Seniors who served in the U.S. military may qualify for VA benefits, while those with a work history may qualify for Social Security benefits. Both can be used to offset independent living costs.
Seniors may also use Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance to pay for in-home health care needs that may arise while living in an independent living community. Certain programs enable seniors to receive health care services anywhere a senior calls home — which could include an independent living community or another senior care community.
In this section, you’ll learn more about the aforementioned resources. Each section provides contact information and websites for programs to help you access such benefits. Learn how these private and public payment methods can be used to cover costs of living as well as long-term care costs within independent living communities.
Seniors often combine several private payment methods to pay for independent living in Katy. Payment methods can include income sources like savings accounts, retirement pensions, investment returns, and Social Security benefits. Depending on your current situation, seniors might also use the following options to free up some private funds for senior living:
Number of veterans who live in Katy as of 2021
About 39% of Katy veterans are 65+.
Veterans and their surviving spouses may qualify for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits can be used to pay some costs of living and care needs in Katy. Disabled veterans particularly benefit from the Aid and Attendance benefit. It’s especially generous and can be added to an existing VA Pension. It can also cover anything that improves a senior’s quality of life — which can include rent or care services at an independent living community in Katy.
VA benefits can be complex, so we recommend reaching out to a local veteran service organization (VSO) if you’re unsure about you’re eligibility status. These organizations are nonprofits that specialize in helping veterans, and often help them obtain and maximize their entitled benefits. They provide veterans advocacy in the benefits application process and will help veterans or their surviving spouses successfully file a claim or appeal a denied claim.
VSOs often operate out of one county department. And, because Katy belongs to three counties — Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller — Katy residents have numerous options depending on which neighborhood they live in. Below, you’ll find contact information for each county’s veterans services department. These departments can put you in touch with the correct resource in your area. You’ll also find online veterans benefits guides below, so you can learn more about veterans benefits.
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 can’t be used to cover rent costs at Katy independent living communities because it’s a health insurance program. Medicaid can, however, be used to cover some long-term care costs, like in-home health care services, should you need them within an independent living facility. In this section, you’ll learn more about accessing Medicaid services as a senior in Texas.
Texas’ Medicaid program for seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities is called STAR+PLUS. It’s operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). It covers some long-term health care and medically necessary in-home health care services within a patient’s residence of choice.
As of 2023, seniors 65+ must not exceed the following monthly income limits to qualify for STAR+PLUS:[03]
STAR+PLUS offers a home and community based services (HCBS) waiver program to help seniors remain in the residential setting of their choice while receiving care. This program helps seniors avoid institutional settings, like hospitals or nursing homes, by providing medically necessary in-home health care services through Medicaid-verified agencies or caregivers. The services can be provided in an independent living community, if that’s what the senior already calls home. However, you should check with your prospective community’s policies beforehand, as they may have a policy on their residents’ ability to care for themselves.
The home health care costs that may be covered by Medicaid’s HCBS program can include the following:
As of 2023, seniors 65+ must meet the following requirements to qualify for the HCBS waiver program:[04]
In Texas, seniors can access Medicaid services using several means. In the resources section below, you can apply for Medicaid online, contact a Medicaid benefits office near you, or search for benefits assistance programs through the local area agency on aging.
Katy resident Medicaid resources
Harris County Area Agency on Aging website
8000 N. Stadium Dr.
Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 832-393-4301
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Like Medicaid, Medicare can’t help cover rent at an independent living facility in Texas. However, you can use it to pay for health care services. Seniors who are 65+ and/or have a disability usually qualify for Medicare in Texas. Medicare can help cover several medical care services within an independent living community, some of which include the following:
To further save on Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copayments, seniors can apply for a Texas Medicare Savings Program. As of 2023, seniors must not exceed the following monthly income limits to qualify:[03]
Katy Medicare-eligible seniors can find Medicare applications, assistance with Medicare benefits, legal advice, and referrals using the contact information in the resources section below. Utilize the search tool we provided to find local Medicare offices and services. Or, contact the Harris County Area Agency on Aging to find additional aging resources in Katy. You can also visit the federal Medicare website or dial 2-1-1 for more information.
If you’re a Harris County resident who qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid, you might qualify for dual coverage. Texas offers a joint Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) called the Dual Eligible Integrated Care Demonstration Project for six counties — with Harris County being one of them. Keep in mind, this program doesn’t cover Katy residents in Fort Bend or Waller Counties.
This project is commonly referred to as “the Demonstration,” and it aims to offer the following:
To qualify, a senior must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Qualifying seniors should automatically be enrolled in the Demonstration and receive a notifying enrollment letter in the mail. If you’d like to opt out, you can follow the instructions provided in the letter. For additional information on the program, you can email managed_care_initiatives@hhsc.state.tx.us.
Katy resident Medicare resources
Find a local SSA office for Medicare assistance
16200 Dillard Dr.
Houston, TX 77040
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Harris County Area Agency on Aging website
8000 N. Stadium Dr.
Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 832-393-4301
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 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.
Katy independent senior living communities are not regulated by a state agency, unless they share a building or campus with an assisted living care facility. Stand-alone independent living communities — those without shared assisted living spaces — have the same regulations as general apartment complexes. This means they must comply with general Texas housing and rental standards, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.
Housing laws and regulations like these help ensure that residents of any rental community are not discriminated against and are provided with safe, well-maintained housing. Additionally, most Texas independent living communities have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some raising it to 62.
If an independent living community shares space with an assisted living unit, shared areas must follow assisted living facility regulations. Assisted living regulations are set by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) to help ensure a suitable environment for aging seniors. If you’d like to learn more about Texas’ assisted living regulations, you can visit the assisted living facility page on the HHS website or check out the detailed licensing standards for assisted living facilities in the Texas Administrative Code.
In Texas, stand-alone independent living communities are only required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. This means landlords must grant tenants some specific rights, provide disability accommodations, and maintain all facilities. Below, you’ll learn about your rights as a resident in an independent living rental community.
Knowing your tenants’ rights will help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while you rent. Here’s a brief overview of some important tenants’ rights in Texas:[05]
Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that tenants reach out to an attorney or a local tenants’ association for advice. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and will more likely lead you to the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that tenants provide multiple written notices to their landlord and keep a copy of each notice as proof.[05]
If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a senior apartment tenant, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
Yes. In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect tenants from being discriminated against due to their disability. These laws require all housing providers to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in their housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.
If you’re a senior with a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications within your independent living community. Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:[06]
Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units. Some examples of reasonable modifications in line with the ADA include the following:[06]
These nondiscrimination laws apply to all rental communities in Katy. Property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. If you’d like more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications for Texas renters.
Katy doesn’t have any specific COVID-19 guidelines for stand-alone independent living communities.
However, the state does require that any independent living community sharing a space with an assisted living community comply with assisted living facility standards. The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) requires that assisted living facilities set their own prevention and control measures for common infections, including COVID-19.
Infection prevention and control measures may include regulating the following in a community:
Because Texas long-term care facilities are allowed to set their own standards, we recommend reaching out to your prospective community to see how they’re handling COVID-19. You can also visit the COVID-19 page on the Katy website to find local updates on risk levels, testing centers, and vaccination spots.
Katy’s easy access to medical services, recreational activities, and close proximity to Houston make it a top retirement destination in Texas. The city also offers several senior-friendly activities and living options to help seniors have a seamless transition into the next phase of their lives. For active, independent seniors in Katy, independent living communities are ideal.
Check out some robust features provided by our independent living partners in Katy below.
Approximately half of our independent living partners in Katy offer aging-in-place options.[01] This means that active, independent seniors can have access to care services down the line, in the event their needs ever change. In these communities, seniors also have access to the social and luxe benefits of resort-style living, without the daily stresses of home ownership.
The independent living option can be very service oriented. For example, residents don’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or driving unless it’s something they wish to do. Our partner communities have staff who provide home-cooked meals, housekeeping and laundry services, and transportation for errands, medical appointments, and some off-site trips. And concierge services are available to make life simple. Security is also a priority, as communities provide safety features and security staff.
Should care needs arise, residents can easily move into an assisted living or memory care unit on the same campus. Assisted living and memory care units provide assistance with daily living activities and services designed to help with common dementia symptoms. Seniors can also benefit from on-site home care services to save money and help ensure they choose a caregiving service that meets their needs.
Independent living is all about amenities and activities. These communities help residents stay socially, physically, and mentally active. Residents can get active by utilizing on-site fitness centers or joining community-scheduled fitness lessons such as yoga, tai chi, and/or dance. Residents can also mingle with one another by participating in community events like the following:
Residents are also encouraged to utilize shared spaces for entertainment and daily conveniences. Typical shared spaces at our Katy independent living partners can include the following:
Katy is just west of Texas’ largest city — Houston. Seniors often choose Katy for its peaceful environment close to the metropolis. However, Katy has limited independent living options due to the close proximity to Houston, where most of the options exist.
So seniors often expand their search into the outskirts of Houston to find more suitable options. Houston independent living communities offer more luxe services, conveniences, and amenities. Houston is also more suitable for seniors who’d like to explore the city’s attractions using public transportation or their own vehicles.
Sugar Land is also another booming suburb of Houston where seniors go to escape the big city noise without straying too far from the city amenities. Sugar Land offers tons of master-planned communities with convenience and safety in mind.
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Katy is known for its range of health care options. It’s often on many top retirement lists due to the city’s diverse health care scene. The city itself doesn’t have very many hospitals, because Houston tends to house most of them, but Katy still offers a few options along with many recognized clinics. Learn more about Katy’s top medical centers below.
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital has been serving Katy residents for about 40 years. It houses 208 beds and a medical staff with expertise in 39 specialties. It’s 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 residents in Katy as well. This hospital offers over 200 beds and is known for its innovative medical and surgical care.
Some of our Katy independent living partners offer complimentary rides for residents to appointments and errands. Independent living communities without their own transportation service still help residents find rides, with staff that can arrange at-cost rides using a local transportation service. Katy doesn’t have its own public transportation service, so seniors often use local rideshare services or utilize their own personal vehicle.
Seniors with Medicaid can also utilize the medical transportation program provided by Texas Health and Human Services. This program offers seniors rides to doctors’ offices, hospitals, drug stores, or any place that provides covered health care services. To schedule a ride, you can visit the linked website and find your health care provider.
To get a better understanding of the city’s sprawl and infrastructure, use the scores below. These scores are each out of 100, and they’re based on Katy’s walking trails, biking routes, transportation options, and public density:[07]
Seniors have access to several aging-friendly activities and attractions in Katy, Texas. You can try out new restaurants, browse local and well-known shops, explore parks, and roam museums. Many of our Katy independent living partners even host group outings to some popular places to help seniors engage with the community. Of course you don’t have to wait for group outings — independent seniors often venture out on their own or with visiting loved ones.
You can visit the Travel Katy page for a detailed guide filled with activities. Or, check out this compiled list of accessible, senior-favored activities in Katy:
Many of the listed places offer accommodations for individuals with disabilities, so be sure to call ahead of time when planning a visit. You can ask about sensory guides, accessible maps, accessible seating, guided tours, etc., depending on your needs.
Watercrest at Katy, Atria Westchase and The Conservatory at Champion Forest are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Katy, TX. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Katy is $4,154 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. (2016, March 1). A-3300, home and community-based services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ rights handbook.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
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. (2016, March 1). A-3300, home and community-based services waiver programs. In Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook.
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ rights handbook.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Walk Score. (2023). Katy, Texas.