Arlington, Texas, is one of the largest cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and it has one of the broadest selections of assisted living and memory care communities in the region. Linda Clement, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)®, and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), founder of Peace of Mind Senior Solutions LLC, based in North Richland Hills, Texas, helps families across DFW navigate senior living decisions at no cost to families. This guide covers what families in Arlington need to know about local senior living options, costs, neighborhoods, and how to approach the search.
About Arlington, Texas as a Senior Living Market
With a projected 2026 population of nearly 400,000 residents, Arlington is the seventh most populated city in Texas and sits squarely between Dallas and Fort Worth along Interstate 20 and Interstate 30. This central location gives Arlington seniors convenient access to major medical centers in both cities without the congestion of a downtown urban setting. The city is home to roughly 47,600 adults aged 65 and older, representing approximately 12 percent of the population, and that senior population is growing as Baby Boomers continue to age into care-need years.
Arlington’s suburban character, warm dry climate, and park infrastructure make it an attractive destination for older adults who want an active lifestyle with support nearby. The city is served by Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, USMD Hospital at Arlington, and Medical Center of Arlington, all of which operate in close proximity to several senior communities in the city.
Types of Senior Living Available in Arlington
Arlington has a large and varied senior living inventory. Families searching here will find independent living communities, assisted living communities, memory care communities, residential care homes, and combination campuses that offer multiple levels of care in one location. Understanding the differences matters, because moving into the wrong level of care creates unnecessary disruption for seniors and families alike.
Assisted Living
Assisted living is designed for seniors who need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, and meals, but who do not require the round-the-clock skilled nursing care of a nursing home. Arlington has approximately 29 licensed assisted living communities. Residents typically live in private apartment-style units and have access to shared dining, social activities, and on-site support staff at all hours. The average cost of assisted living in Arlington is approximately $4,195 per month, though this figure varies depending on care level, unit size, and community amenities. Higher-end communities with enhanced care services can run $5,500 or more per month.
Memory Care
Memory care communities are designed specifically for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. They feature secured environments to prevent wandering, staff trained in dementia-specific care approaches, and structured daily programming designed to reduce anxiety and support cognitive engagement. Arlington has approximately 30 licensed memory care facilities. Average memory care costs in Arlington are approximately $4,996 per month, with a range from roughly $3,000 per month at more affordable small-group homes to $7,500 or more at larger full-service communities.
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes, sometimes called group homes, are smaller licensed facilities that operate out of converted residential properties and typically serve between four and six residents. Arlington has approximately 15 residential care homes. These settings are often preferred by seniors who need dementia care but thrive in a quieter, more homelike environment rather than a larger community. Monthly fees for residential care homes in Arlington range from approximately $3,000 to $6,500 per month depending on the level of care provided.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are for seniors who are active, healthy, and capable of living on their own but who want the convenience, social connection, and maintenance-free lifestyle of a senior community. There are approximately 10 independent living communities in Arlington, with additional options in adjacent cities. Independent living does not include personal care services, which means families should evaluate carefully whether a loved one’s current needs and anticipated future needs are a good match for this level.
Notable Senior Communities in Arlington, TX
The following communities are among the established assisted living and memory care options operating in Arlington. This list is informational and not an endorsement. Every family’s situation is different, and the right community depends on care needs, budget, preferred city locations, and the specific culture and staffing of each community.
Brookdale Pecan Park
Brookdale Pecan Park, an assisted living and memory care community in Arlington, has received a Best Senior Living designation from U.S. News. The community is part of the Brookdale Senior Living network, one of the largest senior care operators in the country. Memory care programming includes at least 6 structured programs per day, including cooking demonstrations, music, art classes, yoga, and dancing. The community is situated near River Legacy Park and Arlington Music Hall.
Lynridge of Arlington
Lynridge of Arlington Assisted Living and Memory Care is located along Interstate 20 West and offers assisted living and memory care services. The community offers studio suites and one-bedroom apartments in assisted living, as well as private suites in memory care. Amenities include an art studio, theater, game room, beauty salon, fitness center, and spa, along with concierge services and housekeeping.
The Waterford on Cooper
The Waterford on Cooper is a centrally located Arlington community offering assisted living and memory care. It received a Best Senior Living designation from U.S. News in 2025. Residents have access to a landscaped courtyard with walking paths, a full-service beauty salon, and an activity center with daily programming including live entertainment, yoga, wellness classes, and seasonal outings.
Morada Lake Arlington
Morada Lake Arlington sits on 16 wooded acres and offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care under the SHINE memory care program. The community is located near Lake Arlington and Veterans Park, providing residents with scenic outdoor access alongside structured care programming.
Colonial Oaks at Arlington
Colonial Oaks at Arlington is a senior living community offering assisted living and memory care. It is listed among the options reviewed by U.S. News in the Arlington market and serves families looking for a smaller-scale community alternative to the large national chain operators.
How Families Pay for Senior Living in Arlington
The most important financial conversation to have early in a senior living search is an honest assessment of what resources are available. Most assisted living in Arlington is paid for privately, meaning out of pocket with personal savings, retirement income, Social Security, investment accounts, or proceeds from selling a home. Medicare does not cover assisted living room and board costs. Medicare may pay for short-term skilled nursing care or home health services following a qualifying hospital stay, but it does not cover ongoing residential assisted living costs.
Texas Medicaid and STAR+PLUS
Texas Medicaid does not directly pay for most assisted living. However, the STAR+PLUS Medicaid waiver program may help income-eligible seniors cover some personal care services while living in certain community settings. STAR+PLUS is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Families exploring Medicaid-funded care should contact HHSC directly or consult with a Texas-licensed elder law attorney, as eligibility rules, asset limits, and covered services change regularly. For seniors who require round-the-clock skilled nursing care, Texas Medicaid may cover nursing home placement for income- and asset-eligible individuals through a separate pathway from the STAR+PLUS waiver. Learn more in our dedicated Medicaid Senior Care Guide for DFW Families.
VA Aid and Attendance
Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which can help offset the cost of assisted living or memory care. In 2026, the maximum Aid and Attendance pension rate is $2,424 per month for a single veteran, $2,874 per month for a married veteran, and $1,558 per month for a surviving spouse. It is important to understand that the actual monthly payment equals the Maximum Annual Pension Rate minus the veteran’s countable income, and that unreimbursed medical expenses, including assisted living costs, can reduce countable income and increase the benefit. Processing typically takes several months to over a year. Families exploring this benefit should contact the Texas Veterans Commission or a VA-accredited attorney for guidance.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Seniors who purchased long-term care insurance policies earlier in life may be able to use those benefits to offset assisted living or memory care costs. Policy terms vary widely, and families should review the elimination period, daily or monthly benefit amount, and inflation protection provisions before assuming what will be covered. A senior placement advisor can help families understand how their insurance benefit interacts with the communities they are evaluating.
Arlington Neighborhoods and Senior Living Locations
Arlington is a large city with senior communities spread across multiple corridors. Families who have a strong preference for staying close to a particular part of the city, or close to specific hospitals or family members’ homes, should communicate that clearly during the search. Communities near the Interstate 20 corridor in south Arlington tend to be closer to Mansfield and the South Arlington medical cluster. Communities near Highway 360 or Cooper Street in central Arlington are closer to Texas Health Arlington Memorial and offer easier access to both Dallas and Fort Worth. The northeast portion of the city borders Hurst-Euless-Bedford and gives families proximity to North Texas Medical Center and Baylor Scott and White facilities.
How to Start a Senior Living Search in Arlington
A senior living search in a city the size of Arlington can feel overwhelming because the number of options is large and the differences between communities are not always obvious from a website or a brochure. The right approach is to start with a clear picture of what your loved one needs today and what they are likely to need over the next two to three years, and to match that picture against communities that can genuinely meet those needs.
Key questions to answer before touring include: What activities of daily living does your loved one need help with? Are there memory care or behavioral concerns? What is the realistic monthly budget? Is there a preference for a large community with many amenities or a smaller, quieter environment? Does your loved one have religious or cultural preferences that matter in a community setting? Are there any medical needs that require access to specific specialists or hospitals nearby?
Once those questions are answered, narrowing a list of 29 or more assisted living communities to four or five realistic candidates becomes much more manageable. A Certified Senior Advisor can walk families through this process at no cost to the family, since placement advisor compensation comes from the communities where clients are placed, as permitted under Texas SB 1383 signed into law on June 20, 2025.
Working with a Senior Placement Advisor in Arlington
Linda Clement, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)®, and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), founded Peace of Mind Senior Solutions LLC to provide honest, pressure-free senior living guidance to families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Linda draws on two layers of knowledge: publicly available licensing and inspection data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and her own firsthand knowledge of communities in the DFW market, built through direct community relationships and advisory experience.
Her service is entirely free to families. Families in Arlington and across DFW who are trying to decide between care options, understand costs, or simply figure out where to start are welcome to reach out for a no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Senior Living in Arlington, TX
How much does assisted living cost in Arlington, TX?
Assisted living in Arlington, Texas costs approximately $4,195 per month on average, though prices range from roughly $3,200 per month at more affordable communities to $5,500 or more per month at communities offering enhanced care levels or premium amenities. Memory care in Arlington averages approximately $4,996 per month, with a range from around $3,000 to $7,500 or more, depending on the setting. Costs vary based on care level, unit size, and the specific community.
How many assisted living communities are there in Arlington, TX?
Arlington, Texas, has approximately 29 licensed assisted living communities, 30 licensed memory care facilities, roughly 15 residential care homes, and about 10 independent living communities. The large number of options means families benefit from working with a local senior placement advisor who can help narrow the search based on care needs, budget, and location preferences within the city.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living in Arlington, TX?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board costs in Arlington or anywhere else in Texas. Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing care following a qualifying hospital stay, or home health services ordered by a physician, but it does not cover the ongoing residential costs of an assisted living community. Families in Arlington typically pay for assisted living through private funds, VA benefits if the senior is a veteran or surviving spouse, long-term care insurance, or, in some cases, Texas Medicaid programs such as STAR+PLUS for qualifying individuals.
What VA benefits are available for Arlington veterans who need assisted living?
Veterans residing in Arlington, Texas, who need assisted living or memory care may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. In 2026, the maximum monthly benefit is $2,424 for a single veteran, $2,874 for a married veteran, and $1,558 for a surviving spouse. The actual monthly payment is calculated as the Maximum Annual Pension Rate minus the veteran’s countable income, and unreimbursed medical expenses, including assisted living fees, can reduce countable income and increase the net payment. The Texas Veterans Commission provides free assistance to veterans applying for this benefit.
What is the difference between assisted living and memory care in Arlington?
Assisted living in Arlington is designed for seniors who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, but who do not have significant cognitive impairment. Memory care is a specialized level of care designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Memory care communities feature secured environments to prevent wandering, staff with specialized dementia training, and structured programming designed to reduce confusion and agitation. Some Arlington communities offer both levels of care on the same campus, allowing residents to transition to higher levels of care without moving to a new building.
Is there a free service to help families find senior living in Arlington, TX?
Yes. Linda Clement, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)®, and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), provides free senior living placement assistance to families in Arlington and across the Dallas-Fort Worth area through Peace of Mind Senior Solutions LLC. Her service involves understanding the family’s specific care needs, budget, and preferences, and then identifying the best-matched communities from the Arlington market. The service is free to families because placement advisors are compensated by the communities where clients are placed, a fee structure that is explicitly permitted under Texas law. You can reach Linda at 817-357-4334 or info@peaceofmindseniorsolutions.com.
How do I choose between the many assisted living options in Arlington, TX?
Choosing between the approximately 29 assisted living communities in Arlington, Texas, starts with an honest assessment of your loved one’s current and anticipated care needs. From there, the search narrows based on budget, preferred location within the city, community size and culture, and any medical or specialist access requirements. After identifying three to five realistic candidate communities, scheduling in-person tours and asking detailed questions about staffing ratios, staff turnover, care plan processes, and what happens if care needs increase are essential steps. A Certified Senior Advisor familiar with the Arlington market can significantly shorten the research process and help families ask the right questions before committing to a community.
READY TO TALK THROUGH YOUR OPTIONS?
If you are navigating senior living options right now, you do not have to figure it out alone. I offer a free, no-pressure consultation for families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who are trying to determine the right next step for their loved one. If you are not in DFW, I can still point you in the right direction. You can reach me in three ways:
- Call or text: 817-357-4334
- Email: info@peaceofmindseniorsolutions.com
- Complete our contact form
There is no obligation and no cost. Just an honest conversation with a Certified Senior Advisor who has helped many DFW families through exactly what you are facing right now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Clement, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)®, and Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), is the founder of Peace of Mind Senior Solutions LLC, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. With 20 years of experience in senior healthcare operations, Linda helps Dallas-Fort Worth and other families nationwide navigate senior housing and care decisions with honest, pressure-free guidance. For personalized assistance, contact Linda at info@peaceofmindseniorsolutions.com