The Woodlands | April 2023

homeowners age 65 and owner from $25,000 to $40,000 in 2022. According to Tax Assessor-Collec- tor Tammy McRae, the new county exemption represents an overall tax- payer savings of $2.7 million, based on 2022 data. Montgomery County currently has just over 49,500 accounts for residents over age 65 for homestead exemptions, she said. “The appraisal district is automat- ically supported to add the [age] 65 [and over] exemption when you turn age 65. I always tell everyone [to] go ahead and apply anyway just to ensure that you get it,” McRae said at the March 28 meeting. The Woodlands area has also seen a slate of new facilities open directed toward seniors. The area has eight facilities providing a¦ordable hous- ing to seniors, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a total of 34 assisted-living facilities in the region, according to THHS. However, new openings have focused on memory care facilities. Three new facilities have opened in The Woodlands since 2021—Acorn Manor Assisted Living, The Heritage Memory Care and Villas of Syca- more Creek Ranch The Woodlands.

In addition, Oak Ridge Memory Care will open in Oak Ridge North later this year, the rst in that area, accord- ing to information from the facility. Statewide, several bills are before the Texas Legislature this year per- taining to senior needs. Advocacy organizations such as AARP Texas have highlighted bills such as Senate Bill 1629, calling for nursing home reform; House Bill 728, calling for the creation of an Interagency Coun- cil on Aging; SB 273, which would revise SNAP to allow more seniors to qualify; and HB 2983, which would increase access to medically tailored meals through Medicaid. “There’s been such a shortage lately of direct care workers,” Fre- itag Hejja said. “I know that there are quite a few bills being put forth right now to increase pay for direct care workers, especially when they’re funded through Texas Health and Human Services programs. So hope- fully … that might make a little bit of an impact.” Lizzy Spangler contributed to this report.

BILLS TO WATCH

Advocacy organizations such as AARP Texas have noted several bills in the Texas Legislature relating to seniors needs and issues.

SENATE BILL 1629: Increase nursing home transparency In committee as of April 14 SENATE BILL 273: Revise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to allow more seniors to qualify In committee as of April 14

HOUSE BILL 728: Creates an Interagency Council on Aging Sent to House: April 12

HOUSE BILL 2983: Increase access to medically-tailored meals through Medicaid Report at Calendars Committee as of April 14

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE COMMUNITY IMPACT

FOCUS ON MEMORY CARE

SOURCES: ACORN MANOR ASSISTED LIVING, THE HERITAGE MEMORY CARE, OAK RIDGE MEMORY CARE, VILLAS OF SYCAMORE CREEK RANCH COMMUNITY IMPACT Four new facilities that have opened or plan to open this year in The Woodlands area oer memory care services. Acorn Manor Assisted Living Opened May 2021 25807 Budde Road, The Woodlands 832-277-3577 www.acornmanorassistedliving.com The Heritage Memory Care Opened early 2022 10700 Montfair Blvd., The Woodlands 832-764-7905. www.theheritagetexas.com Villas of Sycamore Creek Ranch The Woodlands Opened December 2022 5000 S. Alden Bridge Drive, The Woodlands 832-791-15771. www.scrmemorycare.com Oak Ridge Memory Care Coming soon 26311 Oak Ridge Drive, Oak Ridge North

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LUNCH IS OUR TREAT WHEN YOU VISIT US FOR A TOUR. Call (281) 306-5146 or visit VillageatTheWoodlandsWaterway.com to learn more and schedule your tour. Join us for an upcoming event! MYRA SMITH HUMORIST AND AUTHOR Tuesday, May 23 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. RSVP: (281) 306-5146 Meet the author of Help! I’ve Fallen Into Old Age and I Can’t Get Up! and take home a free, signed copy.

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2323 Lake Robbins Drive | The Woodlands, TX 77380 Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care

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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • APRIL 2023