Private pay
Most residents pay monthly rent from savings, pensions or the sale of a home. No entrance fee, no buy-in.
For families
Family resources
Visiting, staying in touch, paying for care, activities and the menu.
For families
For families
Practical answers for the sons, daughters and grandkids of Palo Duro residents.
- 01
Visiting
Come any time, any day. Join your folks for a meal; guest meals are billed to their account or paid at the front desk.
- 02
Staying in touch
Every apartment has a phone and Wi-Fi. Our activity staff can set up video calls for anybody who wants one.
- 03
Care conferences
Assisted living and memory care families meet with the nurse and social worker every quarter, and any time care changes.
- 04
The family newsletter
A monthly email with the calendar, the menu, photos and the birthdays. Ask Lorena to add you.
- 05
Guest suite
Out-of-town family can book our guest suite by the night. It books up at Thanksgiving, so call early.
- 06
When something happens
If your loved one falls or gets sick, the nurse calls the family contact right away, day or night.
Insurance & payment
Paying for senior living
Jenna in our business office will go over every option with you before move-in. These are the most common ways families pay.
Long-term care insurance
Many policies cover assisted living and memory care. We help file the claims.
VA Aid and Attendance
Eligible veterans and surviving spouses may receive a monthly pension that can go toward care.
Texas Medicaid waiver programs
Some assisted living residents qualify for help through state programs. Openings vary, so ask us.
Medicare
Medicare does not pay rent or assisted living, but it covers our outpatient therapy and visits from home health or hospice.
Bridge options
Families waiting on a house sale or a benefit decision can ask about short-term payment arrangements.
Activities & dining
A week at Palo Duro
A sample week from the Canyon campus. The full calendar goes out to residents and families on the first of every month.
Mon
- Coffee and dominoes in the Commons
- Water aerobics in the warm pool
Tue
- Wellness clinic with the nurse
- Woodshop open shop
Wed
- Tai chi on the lawn
- University lecture: Panhandle history
- Bible study with Pastor Oakes
Thu
- Canyon drive and picnic at the rim
- Gardening club in the raised beds
Fri
- Fiddle band and happy hour
- Friday fish fry
Sat
- Grandkids' pancake breakfast
- Shuttle to the farmers' market
Sun
- Chapel service
- Chicken-fried steak lunch with families
Good to know
Questions, answered
Is Palo Duro independent living or assisted living?
Both, plus a small memory care neighborhood. Most residents move into an apartment or casita on their own, and care can be added later without moving off campus.
Do you charge an entrance fee?
No. Independent living is a monthly rent on a twelve-month lease. Assisted living and memory care are a monthly rate plus a care level set by a nurse's assessment.
What does the monthly rent include?
Supper every evening, housekeeping, utilities, Wi-Fi, maintenance, transportation and the activity calendar. The full list is on our Living & care page and in your lease.
Does Medicare pay for senior living?
Medicare does not pay for rent or assisted living care. It does cover the outpatient therapy we offer on campus and home health or hospice visits ordered by your doctor.
Can Medicaid help pay for assisted living?
In Texas, some residents qualify for help through Medicaid waiver programs. Availability changes, so ask Jenna, our social worker, and she'll walk you through it.
Do you take VA benefits?
Eligible veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance pension, which can go toward assisted living. We help with the paperwork.
What happens if my needs change?
A nurse reassesses, we meet with you and your family, and we adjust the plan. If you need memory care or more help, you can move within the campus.
Are there nurses on site?
Yes. Licensed nurses are on the Canyon campus around the clock, and on our Amarillo and Hereford campuses too.
Can I bring my own furniture?
Please do. Every home is unfurnished except the respite and guest suites. We'll help you measure before you move.
Can I keep my car?
Yes. Apartments have covered parking and every casita has a garage. Plenty of residents also leave the driving to our vans.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs and cats are welcome in independent living, with a one-time pet fee. There's a fenced dog run behind the casitas.
How often do you go out to the canyon?
Every Thursday from April through October, weather permitting, plus special trips for the summer musical and fall color.
What is the food like?
Home cooking with a Panhandle accent: chicken-fried steak on Sundays, green chile stew, fresh pies and a salad bar every day. Diabetic and soft diets are always available.
Can my family visit any time?
Yes. There are no visiting hours. After 9 p.m., ring the bell at the Commons door and the night nurse will let you in.
Do you offer short stays?
Yes. Respite stays run a week to a month in a furnished suite, with meals and care included.
What is the Mesquite House?
Our sixteen-suite memory care neighborhood on the Canyon campus, with its own courtyard, kitchen and a team trained in dementia care.
Which hospitals are nearby?
The major Amarillo hospitals are about twenty-five minutes from our Canyon campus, and closer to our Amarillo campus. EMS response in Canyon is quick.
Is there a waiting list?
Sometimes, especially for casitas. A refundable deposit holds your place, and Marisol will call as soon as a home opens up.
Can hospice care happen here?
Yes. You choose your hospice agency, and they care for you in your own home on campus with our staff alongside.
How do I schedule a tour?
Call or text (806) 555-0172, or book online. Sunday lunch tours are the most popular, so book a few days ahead.
Come for Sunday lunch. Stay for the sunset.
Call or text Marisol to set a time, or pick one online. Bring the whole family; the chicken-fried steak is worth the drive from Lubbock.