What is an Assisted Living Facility?
Assisted living facilities provide individualized health and personal care assistance in a homelike setting with an emphasis on personal dignity, autonomy, independence and privacy. Facilities can be large apartment-like settings or private residences. Services include meals, bathing, dressing, toileting and administering or supervising medication.
Texas Health and Human Services licenses assisted living facilities based on residents' physical and mental ability to evacuate the facility in an emergency and whether nighttime attendance is necessary.
- A Type A facility cares for residents who do not require routine attendance during sleeping hours and are capable of following directions in an emergency.
- A Type B facility is for residents who require staff assistance to evacuate, are not capable of following directions in an emergency and require nighttime attendance.
The Assisted Living Facility Information brochure (PDF) explains the variety of assisted living facilities available in Texas, who they care for, and the services they provide. Assisted living facilities are regulated under Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247 and Texas Administrative Code(TAC), Title 26, Part I, Chapter 553.
COVID-19 Resources
- ALF Visitation Comparison Chart (PDF)
- National Healthcare Safety Network Long Term Care Facility COVID-19 Module Enrollment (PDF)
- ALF Vaccination Data Reporting Emergency Rule (PDF)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Data Reporting Survey
- Infection Control Basics & PPE Training for Essential Caregivers (PDF)
- COVID-19 Response Plans for ALFs (PDF)
- ALF COVID-19 Response Expansion of Reopening Visitation Emergency Rule (PDF)
- ALF COVID-19 Response Emergency Rule (PDF)
- HHSC is providing assisted living facility providers with regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 (PDF).
- Omnicare POC Testing FAQs for Healthcare Professionals (PDF)
- COVID-19 Vaccination-Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care (PDF)
- Long-term Care COVID-19 Vaccination Options (PDF)
Webinars
- April 14, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- April 7, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- March 31, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- March 24, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- March 17, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- March 10, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- March 3, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- February 24, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- February 10, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- February 3, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- January 27, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- January 20, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- January 13, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
- January 6, 2021 – ALF COVID-19 Q&A Webinar Slides (PDF)
Communications
Contact Program Staff
- Contracting information: 512-438-2080
- Contract Oversight: Community Services Contracts Unit Manager
- Licensing and certification: 512-438-2630
- Policy Information: 512-438-3161 / LTCRPolicy@hhs.texas.gov
- Regional nurses: Community Services regional contacts for your region
- Regulatory Services regional contacts
Directory and Regulation Tags
Statutes & Rules
State
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1, Chapter 46: Contracting to Provide Assisted Living and Residential Care Services
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 553: Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 560: Criminal Convictions Barring Facility Licensure
- Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 4, Chapter 247: Assisted Living Facilities
- Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 4, Chapter 250: Nurse Aide Registry and Criminal History Checks of Employees and Applicants for Employment in Certain Facilities Serving the Elderly or Persons with Disabilities