Long-Term Care in Fort Worth, TX
Deciding that a loved one needs long-term care is one of the hardest choices a family makes. At Trail Lake Nursing & Rehabilitation in southwest Fort Worth, long-term care means a safe, comfortable home with licensed nurses on duty day and night, help with everyday tasks, and a community where residents are known by name. Our CARE culture of Connecting, Acting, Recognizing and Enhancing guides how we look after every resident.
When Is It Time for Long-Term Care?
Every situation is different, but families often start looking at nursing home care when a loved one:
- Needs help with several daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating, moving or using the toilet
- Has medical needs that require regular nursing attention, such as complex medications, wounds or diabetes
- Has had repeated falls or hospital visits
- Has memory loss that makes living alone unsafe
- Has needs that are now too much for family caregivers to manage at home
Sometimes long-term care follows a short-term rehab stay, when therapy shows that returning home would not be safe. Our social worker can help families think through the options.
What Long-Term Care at Trail Lake Includes
Nursing and medical care
- 24-hour skilled nursing care and medication administration
- Oversight from our Medical Director and pharmacy consultant
- On-site pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, podiatry and dental services
- Diabetes management, wound care and an infection prevention and control program
- Transportation to medical appointments
Help with daily living
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and moving around
- Restorative care to help residents keep their strength and abilities
- Emergency call systems
- Laundry and housekeeping
Quality of life
- Meals planned by our full-time dietary manager and a registered dietitian consultant, with independent and assisted dining
- Daily activities and monthly outings led by a full-time certified activity director
- Religious services, music, gardening, arts and crafts, games and cooking
- A full-service salon, wireless internet and private or semi-private rooms
- Social services, including emotional support and help for families
Respecting Each Resident's Choices
Long-term care should fit the person, not the other way around. Residents are encouraged to make choices about their daily routine, such as when to get up, what to wear, which activities to join and how to spend their time, and to take part in planning their own care. Family members and legal representatives are included when a resident wishes, and our social worker helps make sure each resident's voice is heard.
Hospice and Palliative Care
When a resident's goals shift toward comfort, we work with several hospice providers in the Fort Worth area so that residents can receive end-of-life care and support without leaving the place they know. Families remain welcome and involved throughout.
Paying for Long-Term Care
It is important to know that Medicare generally does not pay for long-term custodial care. Most long-term residents pay through private funds, long-term care insurance or Texas Medicaid. Texas Medicaid can pay for nursing facility care for people who meet medical and financial eligibility rules, which are set by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Trail Lake accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private pay and third-party insurance. See our admissions guide for an overview of each option.
A Day in Long-Term Care
No two days are exactly alike, but a typical day follows a comfortable rhythm. Residents are helped with getting up, dressing and grooming at a pace that suits them, then enjoy breakfast in the dining room or with assistance if needed. Mornings and afternoons bring activities, visits, restorative exercises and time in the courtyard, alongside medications and nursing care given throughout the day. Meals are social times, and evenings are quieter, with help getting ready for bed and nurses and aides on duty through the night.
Making the Move Easier
Moving into a nursing home is a big change, for the resident and for the family. A few steps can help:
- Talk openly with your loved one about the reasons for the move and involve them in decisions wherever possible.
- Bring familiar belongings, such as photos, a favorite blanket or a radio, to personalize the room.
- Share your loved one's routines, likes, dislikes and life story with our team, so we can care for the whole person.
- Visit often in the first weeks, and join activities or meals together.
- Give it time. Most new residents need a few weeks to settle in, and our social worker and activity director will help.
Staying Connected With Family
Family involvement makes a real difference. Families can visit at any time, as long as visits respect a roommate's rest and privacy, and they are invited to care plan meetings to share what matters most to their loved one. Our team will keep you informed about changes in health and is always available to answer questions.
Questions Families Ask
Can residents bring personal belongings?
Yes. Familiar items such as photos, a favorite blanket or a small piece of decor help a room feel like home. Please label clothing and personal items, and ask our team about space and safety before bringing furniture.
Are private rooms available?
We offer private and semi-private rooms. Availability changes, so please call to ask about current openings.
How do we get started?
Call (817) 263-2224 or contact us to talk with our team and schedule a tour. You can also read our FAQs and view all services.