Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | June 2026

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Bellaire Meyerland West University Edition VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2 JUNE 5JULY 8, 2026

Brought to you by our gold sponsors: 2026 Health Care Edition Growing cases of Alzheimer’s spark investment

Texas approved $3 billion in funding for dementia research as part of the 2025 legislative session. In anticipation of the rst grants, Houston institutions have begun seeding local research.

INSIDE

Key:

High activity Moderate-high activity Moderate activity

Lower activity/inactivity

Background/voids (no tissue/activity)

Fragmented metabolic "hot spots"

Symmetrical cortical prole

Cortical atrophy (brain shrinkage)

Robust high metabolic activity

Contiguous "unbroken" ow

Enlarged ventricles (tissue loss)

Normal ventricle size

Asymmetrical cortical prole

Normal control scan A healthy brain shows robust, contiguous metabolic activity across the cortex. This unbroken ow allows for seamless communication between regions, supporting sharp memory and reasoning. With intact neural pathways, individuals can easily navigate social environments and recall complex details of daily life.

This scan reveals fragmented activity and signicant tissue loss. As neurons die, metabolic “islands” form, leading to profound memory loss and confusion. In daily life, this manifests as diculty completing familiar tasks, disorientation in known places and a loss of personal independence. Alzheimer’s disease-aected brain

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE EDUCATION AND REFERRAL CENTER, NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGINGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Impacts

• 5400 Bissonnet St., Ste. 12, Bellaire • www.cosmichtx.com

8 Planet Fitness The popular gym chain opened a new location in Maplewood that is the first spot to offer red light saunas, a polar dry plunge, Hyperice percussion massagers and full-leg compression boots. A variety of strength, cardio and functional workout equipment is also available. • Opened May 15 • 5665 Beechnut St., Houston • https://www.planetfitness.com

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What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

UNIVERSITY BLVD.

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

GREENBRIAR DR.

9 Chipotle The popular fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant will open a new 2,400 square foot building near the future Trader Joe’s. According to TDLR, the project will be under construction from October 2026 to March 2027. • 5130 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. 210, Bellaire • www.chipotle.com 10 Coco Crepes This Houston-area creperie and coffee shop will replace the former ZOA Moroccan Kitchen in Bellaire. Crepe flavors include tres leches, pistachio butter and smoked salmon. The shop will also offer gelato, soup, salad and paninis. • 6700 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire • www.cococrepes.com

W. HOLCOMBE BLVD.

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offers classes by certified trainers, programming designed to help members along a 10-week journey and heart rate technology. The gym is open for all strength

Now open

In the news

and health levels. • Opened May 14 • 2720 Bissonnet St., Ste. A, Houston • www.bodyfittraining.com/location/west-u

1 Jabchai Thai Cafe & Eatery Blending a cozy atmosphere with innovative cuisine, the new Rice Village eatery specializes in Thai dishes, including noodle soup, unique fried rice and curry. The spot also serves Thai coffee. • Opened in April • 2523 Quenby St., Houston • www.jabchaicafe.com 2 Panera Bread Meyerland Crossing is the first shopping center to receive the first cafe open under the new franchise president, Alex von Waaden. The new location will include expanded off-premise and to-go options, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor patio. • Opened May 6 • 8845 W. Loop S., Ste. A-1, Houston • www.panerabread.com 3 The Chef’s Table With the original restaurant established in Vintage Park, Chef Paul Friedman has expanded to a second location inside the loop. The menu includes dishes dedicated to African cuisine, featuring ostrich filet, karoo lamb porter and South African sole. • Opened April 23 • 2055 Westheimer Road, Ste. 180, Houston • www.chefstablehouston.com

11 Island Grill Owner Faysal Haddad and his wife, Maria, announced in May that their children, Grace, Michael and Sophie, will step into leadership roles at the Syrian restaurant. The spot sells family recipes such as falafel, tabbouleh and hummus and has multiple locations across Houston. • 2365 Rice Blvd., Houston • www.islandgrillhouston.com

5 Edikted Founded in Los Angeles, the brand creates accessible streetwear-inspired looks for young women. Clothes for sale include tops, bottoms, dresses and swimwear. Accessories are also included in the store. • Opened May 2 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.edikted.com 6 Ronald McDonald House Amschwand House is a new center near West University that families can utilize while undergoing treatments and medical care in the Texas Medical Center. The space is meant for families that require more space or have critical health needs. • Opened May 15 7 Cosmic Ice Cream Co. The Houston-based ice cream shop opened a new 1,164-square-foot location in the Bellaire Triangle Shopping Center and offers seasonal favorites and specialty flavors such as strawberries and cream, toasted coconut and banana pudding. • Opened May 22 • 4115 Drake St., Houston • www.rmhchouston.org

Closings

12 KP’s Kitchen & Bar Owner Kerry Pauly closed the restaurant on May 31 to focus on his Memorial location. The restaurant served handheld sandwiches, seafood and pasta. • Closed May 31 • 5427 Bissonnet St., Ste. 400, Houston • www.kps-kitchen.com/bellaire 13 Picos Restaurant Arnaldo Richards announced in late April that his authentic Mexican restaurant will close at its current location August 30. Richards is planning on relocating to a new site, but has yet to find a suitable location. • Closing Aug. 30 • 3601 Kirby Drive, Houston • www.picos.net

4 Body Fit Training The science-backed programming and training gym

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14 Wagyu House Specializing in all-you-can-eat wagyu, the new restaurant includes American and Australian full- blood Wagyu, as well as Japanese A5 Wagyu. Each type of wagyu includes a certificate of authenticity to certify that the beef is 100% genuine based on texture, quality and meat brightness. • Opened May 1 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Ste. 2515, Houston • www.wagyuhouse.group

15 Sweet Paris Creperie The bistro-style shop celebrated 14 years in business in May. Founders Allison and Ivan Chavez opened the original location in Rice Village in 2012. The shop

offers sweet and savory crepes, as well as coffee, salads, Belgian waffles and paninis. • 2420 Rice Blvd., Houston • www.sweetparis.com

BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Government

BY ROO MOODY & ARIEL WORTHY

New destination zoning district in Bellaire OK’d A new zoning district that will serve as a “des- tination development” was presented to Bellaire City Council by the Planning and Zoning Commit- tee at an April 20 meeting and later approved by city council May 18. The details The Bellaire Makers District will serve several purposes, city consultant Gary Mitchell said. The district will create a unique area on the edge of Bellaire’s city limits, encourage reinvestment in the city and create a green area that is less auto-oriented, according to the presentation. “There’s potential for a ‘destination use’ because this is not a typical area for retail [due to] low visibility,” Mitchell said. “It would potentially have to be near an area where you could draw people to the area for certain activities, versus typical retail.” The district will have several new regulations.

West U bans certain sidewalk activity West University ocials voted April 27 to update the city’s civility ordinance to prohibit placing personal items on a public sidewalk, as well as banning sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk within city limits after residents raised concerns about homeless individuals in the city. What this means Some exceptions to the rule include: in the event of a medical emergency, if a permit has been issued, if residents are attending an event, or if personal items are placed on the sidewalk while waiting to board a bus at a bus stop. The item passed unanimously and went into eect immediately. Both Bellaire and Houston passed similar ordinances in 2025.

Bellaire Makers District The new district will replace the Urban Village District, a specialized mixed-use zone.

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Diving deeper Drive-thru restaurants, manufacturing, com- mercial surface parking lots and commercial businesses, such as tattoo shops and mini-storage facilities, would not be permitted in the district. Additionally, residences would not be permit- ted, but live-work units may be allowed.

A safe way to keep you and your baby healthy If you’re pregnant or planning to be, ask your healthcare professional if you should be taking low dose aspirin to help reduce your risk of preeclampsia.

marchofdimes.org/lowdosebigbenefits

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY EMILY LINCKE

Houston ISD to limit special education classes under new model in 202627

school year. The new programs will reorganize classrooms for about 5,000 students who were enrolled in self-contained special education programs, which pro- vide learning settings for students who need more support. However, the programs are not oered at all HISD campuses, and some programs will be moving to new campuses. Reach out HISD has set up a call line for families in special education who are impacted by the changes planned for the 2026-27 school year. Parents can call 713-556-7042 with questions.

Houston ISD will be implement- ing a new approach to special education in the 2026-27 school year that district leaders say will better student and teacher experi- ences through reduced class sizes, narrowed age groups for classes and improved adult-to-student ratios. However, during a May 14 board of managers meeting, some par- ents expressed concern that the changes could be a detriment to special education students’ learn- ing and emotional well-being. What’s happening? HISD’s revamped Special Education Success Programs are slated to roll out in the 2026-27

NOW OPEN New Model Park in Prairieland Village

Classroom changes Houston ISD’s self-contained special education classes will feature key changes in the 2026-27 school year such as: 15 students per class at maximum

Tour 18 new model homes in a variety of sizes and designs, with pricing starting from the $300s.

65% of HISD self-contained special education classes contained students in three or more dierent grade levels in the 2025-26 school year

5 students per adult at maximum

2 grade levels or less for 95% of classes

SOURCE: HOUSTON ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Learn more at Bridgeland.com

Houston ISD’s board of managers opted to request an exemption May 14 to a new state law requiring three-point seat belts on school buses that would cost the district about $29.1 million to comply with. Current situation Senate Bill 546 requires public HISD to opt out of new school bus seat belt law

school districts to add three-point seat belts to all school buses by Sept. 1, 2029. HISD currently has about 773 buses, with about 64% of them in compliance with SB 546, according to a May 14 presentation. That leaves about 278 buses that would either need to be retrotted or replaced. Trustees unanimously voted to le a petition with the state stating that the district can’t aord to meet the seat belt requirements by the deadline.

Homes within Bridgeland are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with Howard Hughes Communities (HHC) or any of its affiliates, companies, or partnerships. Neither HHC nor any of its affiliated companies or partnerships guarantees or warrants the obligations of, or construction by, such builders. Prices and specifications subject to change.

BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Transportation

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

Transportation projects in Houston focus on connectivity, neighborhood concerns

Ongoing project

Completed project

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Brays Bayou Greenway Project: This Houston Parks Board project will create two miles of enhanced trails along South Braeswood Boulevard, three new undercrossings and a pedestrian bridge over Willow Waterhole. Update: Construction is underway from Stella Link to South Rice Avenue, along with upgrades beneath West Loop 610. • Timeline: Spring 2026-late 2026 • Cost: $2.3 million • Funding source: Houston Parks Board

Pedestrian safety concerns Project: This project includes addressing several pedestrian safety concerns and vehicular mobility issues throughout West University Place. Update: City Council approved up to $300,000 to support professional services to look into five proposals throughout the city, as well as around parks, schools, churches and the civic center area. • Timeline: Early 2026-TBD • Cost: $298,450 (cost is only for the study) • Funding source: West University Place

Traffic-calming measures Project: Based on the results of a traffic study, dozens of neighborhoods were recommended for the permanent installation of approximately 60 speed cushions citywide. Update: Houston City Council unanimously approved the traffic control devices to become permanent installations. • Timeline: 2025-2026 • Cost: $3.5 million • Funding source: Houston Public Works

VOTERS OF WEST UNIVERSITY MIDTERM 2026 REPORT CARD: MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, & CITY MANAGER

• A FIRST IN WEST U HISTORY: ANONYMOUS & OVERTLY BIASED SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY, PERHAPS TO REVERSE VOTERS OPINION ON LIBRARY-COMMUNITY CENTER BOND FUNDING FROM "NO" TO "YES" AND THEN TRY ANOTHER ELEC- TION TO FUND A REBUILD IN THE "SCENIC" MILTON STREET TANK FARM NOT APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2025 SURVEY RESULTS WERE TO BE RELEASED LAST WEEK • BOARD DELIBERATIONS ON AN APPEAL TO CANCEL INVALID BUILDING PERMIT WAS HELD ENTIRELY IN SECRET WITH ΝΟ RESPONSE AT ALL TO THE 3 ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS CITED - SUCH TOTAL SECRECY PROHIBITED BY OPEN MEETINGS ACT- OMA COMPLIANCE OFFICER IGNORES COMPLAINTS: FOR PERMIT REFORM, SIGN THE PETITION HERE OR SCAN QR CODE tinyurl.com/WESTU-SETBACK-PETITION • PUBLIC WORKS TRADITIONALLY IGNORES CONTRACTORS DUMPING TRASH NEXT DOOR, BUT IF YOU HAVE EVER QUES- TIONED CITY DECISIONS, TWO CITY EMPLOYEES MAY VISIT YOU FOR MINOR PROPERTY INFRACTIONS, SUCH AS THE REDIC- ULOUS "NEW FOLIAGE GROWTH OVER A BACK FENCE," AS HAS RECENTLY HAPPENED, AND EVEN THREATEN A FINE • PUBLIC WORKS NEGLECT OF ENCROACHMENT ON POOR FARM DITCH IS CAUSING INDEFINITE DELAY FOR REPLACING GUNITE PANELS DAMAGED BY TREE ROOTS, AFTER DECADES OF DITCH TREE CULLING NEGLECT. • ADDITION OF POLICE STAFF APPROVED IN EARLY 2025 FOR INCREASED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT ALMOST COMPLETE AF- TER THREE VETTING CYCLES -ARE SALARIES INSUFFICIENT TO QUICKLY ATTRACT QUALIFIED STAFF? • GOOD PROGRESS: CITY COUNCIL HAS RECEIVED FOR DELIBERATION, COUNCILMAN CLAY BRETT'S SENSIBLE E-VEHICLE REGULATION PLAN THAT IS WITHOUT EXCESSIVE RESTRICTIONS

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY ROO MOODY

Independence Day 8K The 10th annual Independence Day 8K event features multiple races, including a 5K and a family 1K walk. • June 27, 7 a.m. • $25-$65 (registration) • Meyerland Plaza, 8650 Endicott Lane, Houston • www.houstonrunning.co/independenceday Rewind & Play: Soccer Edition The Children’s Museum Houston is hosting an adults’ night out for individuals 21 and up to come back after hours and enjoy the museum in a different way. • June 27, 6-9 p.m. • Cost TBD • 1500 Binz St., Houston • www.cmhouston.org/events/adult-night-out

June

Tiles + Tides The Rice Village District is inviting mahjong players to an open-play event that is vacation-inspired and includes curated canapés and international wine. • June 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • $60 (per ticket) • Navy Blue, 2445 Times Blvd., Houston • www.rice-village.com/event Party on the Patio Music lovers and West U residents can listen to a Tom Petty experience by Mary Jane at Colonial Park Pool. • June 19, 7-9 p.m. • Free (entry) • 4130 Byron St., Houston • www.westutx.gov/475/news-and-events K-Pop Demon Hunters Mini Con Charlie’s Collectible Show Houston is hosting a full day of K-pop performances, cosplays, sing-alongs, panels, crafting stations, artists and vendors in Bellaire. • June 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (entry) • 9700 Bissonnet St., Ste. 1500, Houston • Facebook: Kpop Demon Hunters Mini Con

Celebration of Independence The city of Bellaire is celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary with a community parade, children’s bike ride and festival, which will include food, live music and activities. • July 4, 9 a.m.-noon • Free (entry) • 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire • www.bellairetx.gov/1386/celebration-of- independence

July

Independence Day West University residents can celebrate the Fourth of July with a bike parade and a pool party featuring bounce houses, face painting, games and prizes. • July 4, 9 a.m.-noon • Free (entry) • 3756 University Blvd., Houston (parade) • www.westutx.gov/475/news-and-events

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Dining

BY ROO MOODY

Ella Coee nds new home on Sunset Blvd. Back in Italy, Laura Marino ran her own coee and wine shop, and now, because of a new partnership between Ella Coee and Simone on Sunset, she has brought her expertise to West University Place. The backstory Ella Coee rst started in 2021 as a mobile coee shop in Bualo Bayou Park. After four years of operating as a mobile truck, Marino moved out of the park and signed a lease in West University Place. How it works After that rst lease in West U was nished, Ella Coee partnered with the wine bar called Simone on Sunset. In March, the coee shop relocated inside the wine bar, and the two now operate at separate hours. “I think Laura’s the best, not because she’s my friend, but because I work with her and there’s a client who says she can change your morning,” said Elena Di Stefano, general manager of Simone on Sunset. Her thoughts About a year ago, Marino said she sold her mobile truck to another couple looking to start a similar concept. She was happy to help them and oer advice, just as she had been helped when she started in Houston. “Community is the best way to help each other, and that’s what happened between us,” Marino said about her partnering with Di Stefano and Simone on Sunset.

Customers can enjoy their drinks from Ella Coee inside the cafe or outside on its patio.

PHOTOS BY ROO MOODYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Laura Marino and her employee, Raina, outside Ella Coee.

ALBANS RD.

SUNSET BLVD.

2418 Sunset Blvd., Ste. B, Houston www.ellacoeetx.com

Customers can buy Ella Coee’s signature blend made with beans from Guatemala by the bag.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY ARIEL WORTHY

Health Care Edition

2026

Readers, welcome to Community Impact’s annual Health Care Edition. This annual guide explores the many factors shaping health and wellness across Houston’s Inner Loop communities. In this edition, readers will nd coverage examining how local hospitals, health care providers and community organizers are responding to the evolving needs of residents.

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Chloe Mathis General Manager cmathis@ communityimpact.com

Houston Methodist Hospital houstonmethodist.org 713.790.3333 At Houston Methodist, we are

Harris Health harrishealth.org 713.526.4243 Our country’s leading safety net healthcare provider, delivering high quality and compassionate care to everyone in our community.

What's inside

committed to connecting patients with advanced, personalized and innovative care. That is our promise of leading medicine.

Read six recent updates from local hospitals (Page 12)

Learn more about concerns on health care aordability (Page 19)

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

Use of AI in health care rising in Houston

How AI is being used As for Baylor at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Scott Packard, a spokesperson at its parent company CommonSpirit, said AI is already being deployed in many ways, including: Using AI to spot strokes faster to help doctors save over 80 minutes in treatment time

“This is not ChatGPT for surgeons,” Davis said. “This is about allowing the physician to make the best possible clinical choices at the point of care.” Dr. Gustavo Oderich is the chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and the director of its aortic center. He said trying to do complex surgeries with regular imaging systems can be dicult because the imaging is not as clear, which could make the procedures go longer. “Ultimately, it results in bad outcomes,” Oderich said. “At the end of the day, by having sophisti- cated systems like this one, we can do things at a very high level, performance and quality.” For GE HealthCare, Davis said they will continue to look at AI as an opportunity to make complex tasks simpler and more routine. “Our approach is purpose-built, responsible, clinically relevant and designed to make clinicians the most eective...” she said.

Articial intelligence in health care may sound futuristic, but doctors at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center are already using it behind the scenes to help improve performance during minimally invasive surgeries. How it works GE HealthCare’s Allia Moveo acts as a high-tech imaging machine that doctors use during surgery, which helps them see blood vessels and other structures more clearly, according to a news release from GE HealthCare. The machine uses AI to help improve image quality by reducing visual distortions caused by things such as breathing or blood ow. Those improvements use AI, not as a replace- ment for doctors, but as practical technology to help them work more condently and eciently, said Kat Davis, vice president and general manager for GE HealthCare’s interventional solutions business.

Monitoring patient data for early signs of critical conditions

Using AI to better detect cancer, including improving breast cancer detection by nearly 30% Creating 3D models of patients’ hearts to determine treatment

SOURCES: BAYLOR AT ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER, COMMONSPIRITCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Something to note AI still has governance that is ruled by a commit- tee, said spokesperson Scott Packard. The com- mittee regulates AI use to ensure there is always a clinician between AI and the patient, and that it never makes decisions without clinician approval.

BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Health care

6 health care updates from local hospitals in Houston

1 Harris Health-Ben Taub Hospital The Level 1 trauma facility received the green light to expand the hospital in early 2026. The $410 million expansion will include building a new facility connected to Ben Taub Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. The project will add approximately 100 new patient rooms and expand surgical capabilities at Ben Taub’s campus, which officials have said is critical for maintaining the hospital’s Level 1 trauma designation. The expansion will break ground by late 2027.

2 Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center

3 Houston Methodist Hospital A $25 million commitment from The Duncan Fund was awarded to Houston Methodist in mid-2025 to support the hospital’s department of medicine. In recognition of the gift, hospital officials renamed the largest department in its system “the Houston Methodist Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine.” Specific clinic and research areas the commitment will target include programs that leverage data and artificial intelligence to tailor treatments and preventive strategies.

A newly renovated and expanded unit designed for postpartum mothers and their babies was unveiled at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in late 2025. The 19-bed unit increased the hospital’s capacity to care for new mothers from 75 beds to 96 beds. The expansion allows the hospital to better meet the needs of its growing maternal population and consolidate the labor and delivery, high-risk antepartum services into one unit.

UNIVERSITY BLVD.

BEN TAUB LOOP

ROSS STERLING AVE.

1504 Ben Taub Loop, Houston www.harrishealth.org

6411 Fannin St., Houston www.memorialhermann.org

6565 Fannin St., Houston www.houstonmethodist.org

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

4 St. Luke’s Health-Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center In February 2026, the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center location became the first hospital in the United States to use an innovative new imaging system. The system, according to a Feb. 24 news release, is designed to enhance precision and efficiency in minimally invasive surgical procedures. Known as GE HealthCare’s Allia Moveo, the system uses 3D imaging, including AI-driven technology, to remove artifacts to provide clear images for clinicians. The program is used to support a range of cardiovascular, vascular, interventional and surgical procedures. The hospital system was also the first in the United States to perform a fully robotic heart transplant on an adult patient in July 2025.

5 HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center

6 Texas Children’s Hospital Dr. Damian Young, investigator at Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute and director of the Center for Drug Discovery at Baylor College of Medicine, was awarded a $6.7 million grant in April from the National Institute on Aging to develop new approaches to rapidly identify potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. According to an April news release, this five-year project brings together experts in chemistry, artificial intelligence and translational science to tackle one of the most complex challenges in Alzheimer’s research—quickly identifying therapies that are both safe and effective. The project will move through multiple phases to try and explore whether existing drugs can be repurposed to accelerate clinical testing.

In early January, hospital officials announced the appointment of Heather Ash as its new Chief Nursing Officer. Ash brings more than 19 years of nursing leadership experience to the role,

according to a news release on the hospital’s website. She most recently served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at HCA Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio. Ash will play a role in driving nursing excellence and advancing patient experiences. Heather Ash

RICHARD J. V. JOHNSON AVE.

HOLCOMBE BLVD.

1101 Bates Ave., Houston www.commonspirit.org

1313 Hermann Drive, Houston www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com

6621 Fannin St., Houston www.texaschildrens.org

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BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9733 Buffalo Speedway (713) 838-7486

HOLCOMBE 2314 W Holcombe Blvd (713) 669-1722

WESLAYAN 3902 Bissonnet (713) 218-8144

Growing cases of Alzheimer’s spark investment From the cover

Growing challenges

Current situation

most families have to use their life savings or sell a home or property to help pay for long-term care. “Low-income options are limited,” Bailey said. “That in-between gap … that’s a big problem.” Memory care in Houston generally costs between $5,200-$5,500 per month. The average monthly household income in Houston is $5,401.

Alzheimer’s is also a major factor in rising health care costs, according to experts. The average total lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia is estimated at around $405,262 , accord- ing to the Alzheimer’s Association. Amanda Bailey, founder of Help for My Parents, a free assisted living search firm in Houston, said

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that gradually damages and destroys nerve cells in the brain, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care, support and research of the disease. The disease often causes memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioral changes. Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, a chemistry professor at Rice University researching neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, said there isn’t any real medicine to treat these diseases. While research is ongoing, the number of patients continues to increase throughout the world. “The largest risk factor is age, and we all live longer today in general,” she said. “That means we are getting more patients.” Texas ranks third in the nation in the number of Alzheimer’s cases and second in the number of deaths caused by the disease, according to the Texas Dementia Initiative. As of 2023, in Harris County, approximately 12.2%, or 64,800 people, ages 65 and older, live with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The growing cost of health care

Cost of care by payment source, 2025 Medicare: $174B

$3.9 billion is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the Texas Medicaid program

Medicaid: $72B Out of pocket: $97B Other: $41B *

Roughly 70% of the cost for dementia care is borne by family caregivers Dementia costs families over $20.6 billion per year

$384B total

*NOTE: OTHER PAYMENT SOURCES INCLUDE PRIVATE INSURANCE, HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, OTHER MANAGED CARE OR UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

By 2050, costs are projected to reach more than $1 trillion

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, NIHCM FOUNDATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

What’s being done

The goals of DPRIT

Percent of residents with dementia in Harris County, 2021

Dementia is an umbrella term for disorders that impact memory, thinking and behavior, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most well-known.

Last year, over 2 million Texas voters approved state Proposition 14 to create the Dementia Prevention Institute of Texas, or DPRIT. The vote, leaders said, was driven by a desire to accelerate cures for Alzheimer’s. The $3 billion initiative will grant up to $300 million each fiscal year in competitive grants over the next decade, making it the largest state-funded research program in the nation. “With a steadfast commitment, Texas has the potential to become a world leader in combating dementia through the search for effective treat- ments and, ultimately, a cure,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a 2025 news release after state senators passed the DPRIT legislation. DPRIT will be modeled after the Cancer Preven- tion and Research Institute of Texas, or CPRIT, which was created in 2007. Since its inception, CPRIT has surpassed $4 billion in total grants, funded over 2,200 projects, recruited 344 top researchers to Texas and enabled 11.2 million prevention services, according to the institute’s website. “DPRIT is really important for us to recruit more people to Texas,” Wittung-Stafshede said. “We have stellar researchers in this field, but we don’t have enough. Recruiting people is important.”

65+

10.8%

Create and expedite dementia research

65-69

3.4%

70-74

5.9%

Drive the commercialization of dementia research

75-79

10.9%

80-84

19.5%

85+

Enhance the research superiority of Texas

35.7%

White

Over 2.9 million Texans voted on Proposition 14

10.5%

13% African American 11.2% Asian/Pacific Islander 10.2% Hispanic 10.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native 4% Unknown 7.7% Other

For

Against

2.02M

924.05K

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

“With DPRIT, we can become the leader in the U.S. and in the world on dementia-types of disease.

NOTE: THE 2021 DATA FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF PERCENTAGES IS THE LATEST NUMBERS AVAILABLE.

Male (65+)

But more than that, the funding also puts a lot of hope back into the field.” PERNILLA WITTUNG- STAFSHEDE, CPRIT SCHOLAR

12.2%

Female (65+)

9.2%

SOURCE: DEMENTIA DATAHUB/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

The local perspective

Getting help

Available resources

SOURCES: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, HELP FOR MY PARENTS, AMAZING PLACE, CAREPARTNERS/COMMUNITY IMPACT 3 Alzheimer’s Association A nonprofit that helps families and patients with support groups, education and local resources. • www.alz.org/texas 2 CarePartners A nonprofit organization that offers a dementia day center and resources for caregivers. • www.carepartnerstexas.org 1 Amazing Place An adult day care that offers day programs for dementia patients and supports families. • www.amazingplacehouston.org

As of early May, the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute has not yet awarded any of the official $3 billion in funding. However, some research institutions have started to prepare for when funds are released, especially in Houston. Rice University has already selected 12 projects that will obtain funding through the Rice DPRIT Seed Grant program, an internal initiative to help faculty launch pilot studies tied to the new state program. UTHealth Houston has also awarded 21 seed grants to advance dementia-focused research and prepare investigators for the inaugural funding cycle of DPRIT. Wittung-Stafshede said she hopes that with the funding and creation of the new dementia institute, scientists and researchers will be able to come together to eventually identify what causes Alzheimer’s and dementia and maybe even find a cure or vaccine for the disease in five to 10 years .

While researchers wait for funding to trickle down from the state, Bailey said that she hopes families with loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer’s start to prepare a long-term care plan early on, as 85% of families are not prepared for a dementia diagnosis, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. “When rubber meets the road, [families] are less prepared than they thought they were,” Bailey said. Detecting early warning signs can be key to preparation, she said. Early signs of dementia can include short-term memory loss, difficulty completing familiar tasks, struggling with language and conversations, or uncharacteristic shifts in mood, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. “I see the crisis mode a lot,” Bailey said. “And if people could get ahead of the crisis, that would save them a lot of stress.”

90 610

288

610

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Health care

BY ROO MOODY

The program primarily focuses on second graders because that is when permanent molars erupt.

KOEHLER ST.

HARVARD ST.

170 Heights Blvd., Houston www.houstonhealthfoundation.org

Approximately 177,000 students have received dental sealants through Project Saving Smiles.

PHOTOS BY ROO MOODYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Local partnership provides 100,000 free dental screenings Founded in 2010, the Houston Health Foundation was created to partner with the Houston Health Department to serve vulnerable individuals in the community. Robin Mansur, CEO and president of the foundation, said it was Dr. Teresita Ladrillo at the health department who founded the nonprot

Houston Heights. “[A] toothache is one of the leading reasons for absences for missing school,” Mansur said. “We don’t have to connect the dots very hard to realize that the health of children has an impact on their ability to run, their academic success and their sense of self-condence.” The local impact Once a child is screened, the dental technician can apply a dental sealant and uoride varnish to prevent cavities from forming. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting the children to the right place for a simple intervention that can have a life-long impact,” Mansur said.

after realizing public dollars were insucient to address the community’s needs. About the program The foundation has ve core health and wellness initiatives, including one for students called Project Saving Smiles. Primarily focusing on second graders, Project Saving Smiles is a partnership between the founda- tion and the health department to assess students’ oral health and provide oral education. The program has worked with more than 200 schools in the Houston area and has completed over 100,000 dental screenings, which are held at the school or at the department’s clinic in the

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Trusted primary care and cardiology close to home.

Memorial Hermann Medical Group practice in Bellaire offers primary care and cardiology services in one convenient location. Our providers are welcoming new patients ages 18 and older and look forward to caring for you. We offer online appointment scheduling for in-person and virtual office visits.

To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code or visit memorialhermann.org/mhmg-bellaire

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Health care

BY HANNAH NORTON

About 5.2 million Texans, or 16.7% of the state’s population, did not have health insurance in 2024, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas’ uninsured rate was higher than any other state in 2024. For years, advocates have called on Texas lawmakers to pass laws to drive down health care costs and improve access to health insurance, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Ahead of the 2027 state legislative session, lawmakers are working to understand: • Why health care costs are rising in Texas and across the nation • The factors that make health care unaffordable • What can be done to rein in prices Texas House and Senate committees held initial hearings on the drivers of high health care costs in April and May. Lawmakers study rising health care costs

Zooming in

Change in U.S. health care costs Since 2000, U.S. health care prices have grown faster than ination.

Medical care

All goods and services

125%

"A family of four who get their coverage from an employer are going to face [health insurance] premiums of about $27,000 a year. Every family is basically buying a new Toyota Corolla worth of health insurance." ZACK COOPER, DIRECTOR OF YALE UNIVERSITY’S HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY LAB

121.3%

100%

86.1%

75%

50%

25%

The median Texas household spends about one-third of its income on employer-sponsored health insurance.

0% 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024

SOURCES: PETERSONKFF HEALTH SYSTEM TRACKER, THE CENTER FOR HEALTH AND DEMOCRACYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

More context

monopolies,” Cooper told lawmakers April 30. Sixty-one percent of Texans live in areas “dominated by just a few large hospital systems,” according to the public policy nonprot Texas 2036. To improve health care aordability, Texas 2036 recommends that lawmakers work to increase price transparency, strengthen competition among health care providers and incentivize employers to provide low-cost insurance.

The consolidation of hospitals and other health care companies may be part of what’s driving health care price increases, according to Zack Cooper, director of Yale University’s Health Care Aordability Lab. Since 2000, Cooper said there have been more than 1,300 mergers among the nation’s approximately 5,000 hospitals. “Even though we rely on competition to determine the prices that insurers want to pay hospitals, about 21% of hospitals are eectively

“Many of us know that health care pricing is largely broken, but I think sometimes it’s dicult to know why.” REP. JAMES FRANK, RWICHITA FALLS

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Real estate

The median price of homes sold in April increased slightly in three local neighborhoods, while two areas saw signicant decreases. Most notably, home prices in the Texas Medical Center dropped by more than 60%. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

April 2025

April 2026

-34.9%

+6.9%

-17.65%

-19.35%

-5.88%

77005

77025

77030

77096

77401

77005

77401

77030

Median home sales price

77025

610

April

2025

2026

$1,975,000 $520,000 $1,165,000 $470,000 $1,280,000

$2,024,558 $355,000 375,000 $487,000 $1,378,250

77096

77005

288

77025

Homes sold by price point

77030

77096

April 2026

77401

$1,000,000+

$750,01-$1,000,000

Average days on market +27.7%

$500,001-$750,000

+43.08%

+153.45%

-23.81%

-19.44%

$250,001-$500,000

<$250,000

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY CB&A REALTORS 8326784770 • WWW.CBAREALTORS.COM

77005

77025

77030

77096

77401

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Summer starts at Rice Village.

The Rice Village District is celebrating the Summer season, and the excitement of the World Cup, with a lineup of family-friendly events, interactive experiences, shopping, dining, and soccer-inspired festivities. Visit our website and social media for our full lineup of events.

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At Memorial Hermann, we believe finish lines don’t exist. For our patients and the health of our community, our work is never done. Each milestone inspires us to look ahead—to relentlessly improve care, innovate for the future and to see that the medicine of tomorrow is even better than today. It is our promise to not only advance health but to personalize care, for you and for generations to come. Relentlessly pushing health and care forward.

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

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