Information on a License B for Assisted Living Facilities in Texas

Since their introduction in the early 1990s, assisted living facilities have emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to traditional nursing homes. With a focus on dignity and privacy, assisted living facilities provide support while encouraging independence; they ensure safety yet allow autonomy. In Texas, assisted living facilities are licensed according to size, type and building safety features. Type B facilities offer the widest range of services and options.

Characteristics

• All assisted living facilities provide food, assistance with daily hygiene and medication supervision. Type B facilities, however, serve residents with more physical limitations than other assisted living facilities and are required to have staff awake and available throughout the night. Although residents in a Type B assisted living cannot be bedridden, they can rely on wheelchairs to move about and need help transferring. Residents in a Type B facility may also be cognitively or physically unable to follow directions during an emergency, which means the building must meet higher fire and safety standards.

Certification

• Type B assisted living facilities that specialize in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can apply for Alzheimer's Certification. The staff receives additional, ongoing training to work with cognitive impairments, and the facility must meet additional requirements related to safety, resident assessment and activities. Alzheimer's certification can apply to a unit or an entire facility. A "secured unit" is one that has additional safety features to prevent elopement or wandering.

Size

• The size of a Type B facility refers to the number of licensed beds. A small assisted living facility is licensed to care for four to 16 residents; it might occupy a house in residential neighborhood as long as it meets fire and safety requirements. Large assisted living facilities house more than 16 residents and the rooms may seem more like individual apartments.

Licensing

• Assisted living facilities in Texas are regulated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). Health surveyors conduct annual, unannounced visits to evaluate compliance with minimum standards for training, staffing, food safety, privacy, medications, infection control and accident avoidance. Complaints about abuse, neglect and exploitation are prioritized and conducted as needed. Life Safety Code surveyors inspect the building and conduct regular fire safety inspections.

Additional Information

• To learn more about an assisted living facility's compliance record, search the DADS
  Long-Term Care Quality Reporting System. The profile includes a description of the facility, ownership type and history of complaints and violations.

  If you need more information or help finding an assisted living facility, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman can help. An ombudsman is a resident advocate who handles complaints, provides information and represents assisted living facility residents in legislative proceedings.