Home Care in Texas
There are currently over 3.7 million Texans aged over 65 and more arrive every day — boosting the overall population at a rate more than double that of the nation. The state attracts newcomers for its climate, housing prices and a relatively low cost of living. For seniors in particular, Texas is considered one of the most tax-friendly states to retire in, despite high sales and property taxes.
Texas has a SeniorScore of 75, which is better than the national average of 72 and indicates that the state has more senior-related amenities and infrastructure than the norm. The state scores highly for its quality of life, access to healthcare providers and facilities and financials. In addition to a low cost of living in the state, Texas has no state income tax, which means seniors keep more of their retirement and investment funds and have more money to pay for home care costs.
Continue reading for home care cost comparisons and details on financial assistance and other home care resources available in Texas.
Top Home Care Agencies in Texas
M&L Medical Services, Inc. is a senior home care provider based in Desoto, Texas at 400 Centre Park Blvd Suite 110. They offer home health care as well as personal home care to senior clientele. They have been serving ...
Capitol Home Health is a senior home healthcare provider located in Austin, TX at 9015 Mountain Ridge Drive Ste#210. They offer in-home nursing services and personal care services for senior clientele. They have been serving seniors in Texas for ...
A Hug Away Healthcare Inc is a senior home healthcare provider located in Katy, TX at 1203 Avenue D, Suite #a. They offer home health care as well as personal care services to senior clientele. For almost 8 years, ...
Located in Houston, TX at 7106 Sherman Ridge Ln, Nurturing Home Health Care Agency Inc. is a senior home care service provider that offers in-home nursing in addition to in-home personal care. They have been in business in Houston ...
Ally Home Health is a senior in-home care company located in Dallas, Texas at 5430 Glen Lakes Drive Suite 260. They provide in-home care in addition to in-home nursing services to senior clientele. Since 2011, they have been helping ...
Located in San Antonio, Texas at 8122 Datapoint Dr Ste 816, Capitol Home Health is a senior in-home care provider offering in-home medical services in addition to in-home personal care. For nearly 4 years, they have been serving seniors in ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a home health care service provider located in Austin, TX at 9811 Anderson Mill Rd Ste 175. They provide in-home nursing and personal home care services to senior clients. They offer different personal ...
Located in Lewisville, TX at 314 W Main St, Aspen Healthcare Services is a senior home health care company that offers personal home care and also in-home nursing. Since 2008, they have been providing care to clients throughout the ...
T and M Healthcare Service Inc is a senior home care provider based in Missouri City, Texas at 2440 Texas Parkway Suite 301. They provide personal home care services and home health services to seniors. They have been serving ...
Located in Houston, TX at 6201 Bonhomme Suite #365n, Star Home Health, Inc. is a home healthcare company that offers home care services as well as in-home health services. For nearly 12 years, they have been providing care to clients ...
Located at 18 Augusta Pines Dr Suite 120 W in Spring, Texas, Silver-Spring Healthcare Services is a home health care service provider that offers in-home personal care as well as in-home medical services. They have been operating in the area ...
Located in Fort Worth, Texas at 6421 Camp Bowie Blvd Suite 100, Klarus Home Care is a senior home health care company offering in-home care as well as home health services. They have been serving seniors in Texas since 2008. ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home health care company located in Webster, Texas at 16940 Highway 3. They offer in-home personal care services and also in-home nursing services for senior clients. They provide CPR and First ...
Located at 105 E Spreading Oaks in Friendswood, Texas, Apostle Home Health Care, Pllc is a home healthcare company offering in-home nursing care and also personal home care. For nearly 13 years, they have been serving seniors throughout the Friendswood ...
Located at 219 W 6th Ave in Corsicana, Texas, Angels at Home Inc is a home health care service provider offering in-home nursing services and in-home care. Since 1996, they have been providing care to customers in the Corsicana area. ...
Abundant Home Health is a senior home healthcare company located in Arlington, TX at 1201 N Watson Road Suite 288. They provide personal care services and also in-home nursing for senior clients. Since 2005, they have been providing care ...
Denson Home Health Inc is a home healthcare service provider located in Houston, TX at 17629 El Camino Real Suite 400. They provide home health services and personal home care for senior clientele. Since 2000, they have been serving ...
Located at 101 Oystercreek Drive Suite B in Lake Jackson, Texas, Coastal Staff Relief is a senior in-home care service provider offering personal care services in addition to in-home nursing care. They have been in business in Lake Jackson since ...
Encompass Home Health & Hospice of San Antonio, TX is a home health care provider based in San Antonio, Texas at 14800 San Pedro Suite 200. They provide in-home personal care and also in-home health services for seniors. For ...
Located in Austin, Texas at 5900 SW Parkway Ste#420 Bldg 4, Austin Home Health is a senior in-home care service provider that offers in-home nursing services as well as in-home care. They have been in business in Texas for 22 ...
The Cost of Home Care in Texas
There is roughly $50 per month separating the two types of in-home assistance in Texas. Seniors who need help with regular household chores and activities pay an average of $3,956 per month for full-time home care. Home health care costs an average of $4,004 per month and can include medical services such as pain management and IVs. Medicare and / or Medicaid coverage is available to varying extents.
The Cost of Home Care in Texas Compared to Nearby States
Texans pay an average of $3,956 per month for home care and $4,004 for home health, which is a saving of $334 and $381 per month, respectively, against nationwide costs. The state also compares well beside New Mexico's average of $4,290 for both levels of home care, and Oklahoma's averages of $4,195 and $4,242 per month. However, two of Texas' neighboring states are considerably cheaper for hiring help at home — Arkansas and Louisiana are priced 8.5% and 18.5% lower than Texas.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Texas | $3,956 | $4,004 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
New Mexico | $4,290 | $4,290 |
Oklahoma | $4,195 | $4,242 |
Arkansas | $3,623 | $3,623 |
Louisiana | $3,218 | $3,241 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Texas
In contrast to most parts of the country, Texas has a relatively low average cost of assisted living — $3,750 per month — compared to in-home services. The cost of in-home assistance and home health care is roughly 5% to 7% higher if required on a full-time basis, which may be the deciding factor for those not receiving financial assistance for one or the other. Adult day care and nursing facilities are both more affordable than the norm in Texas, with averages of $704 and $4,687 per month, respectively.
- In-Home Care: $3,956
- Home Health Care: $4,004
- Adult Day Care: $704
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,750
- Nursing Home Care: $4,867
The Cost of Home Care in Texas's Top Cities
The top four most populous cities in Texas have higher costs for home health and assistance compared to the state overall. Houston's average is $143 per month higher and seniors in San Antonio and Dallas pay roughly $230 more per month. Austin is the most expensive city in Texas for home care — $620 more than average for the state — and El Paso is the most affordable, with an average saving of $1,119 per month.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Texas | $3,956 | $4,004 |
Houston | $4,099 | $4,124 |
San Antonio | $4,185 | $4,185 |
Dallas | $4,195 | $4,195 |
Austin | $4,576 | $4,576 |
El Paso | $2,837 | $2,837 |
Corpus Christi | $3,432 | $3,432 |
Amarillo | $3,813 | $3,813 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Texas
Texas Medicaid STAR+PLUS
This managed care program helps Medicaid-eligible seniors and people with disabilities by providing assistance and medical care in the home and community, outside of nursing facilities. STAR+PLUS can also cover services such as adult day care, assisted living, home modifications, meal delivery and respite for caregivers.
Applicants for STAR+PLUS managed care must meet general Medicaid requirements and be receiving SSI benefits, or otherwise eligible for individual services. Medicaid recipients who are currently in nursing facilities are automatically eligible.
Contact Information
Texans can apply online for Medicaid and the STAR+PLUS program or dial 211 for assistance. Alternatively, contact a nearby Area Agency on Aging.
Community Attendant Services (CAS)
The CAS program provides assistance with activities of daily living and medically-related, non-technical assistance to seniors in their own home. Care is provided by an attendant for a maximum of 50 hours per week, depending on the result of medical assessments, and family members can be paid for their time (spouse excluded) as part of the Consumer Directed Services model of care.
Applicants for Community Attendant Services must be in need of assistance around the home due to health reasons, eligible for Medicaid and aged 65+ or disabled. Eligibility is ultimately decided based on the applicant's risk of being placed in a Medicaid-funded nursing facility.
Contact Information
Call Texas Health and Human Services at (855) 937-2372 or find a local office via the website.
Community First Choice (CFC)
The CFC program is a Medicaid entitlement program that provides seniors and other eligible Texans with help in their own home or other private residence. Common services include personal assistance — such as help with activities of daily living — habilitation and emergency response systems. CFC can also provide support management if needed.
Applicants for Community First Choice must have needs that would otherwise require placement in a nursing facility or other institution. They must also have income no greater than 100% of the federal poverty level, which sets the maximum at $12,760 for seniors in 2020.
Contact Information
Call Personal Care Services at (888) 276-0702 or contact the individual's Medicaid case manager or Managed Care Organization (MCO).
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Texas Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Texas, home care and home health providers are licensed and regulated by Health and Human Services. These providers are technically known as Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA).
Scope of Care | Skilled medical care, including medication management, is only available from licensed home health providers. In-home care is limited to assistance with activities of daily living and household chores, which includes meal preparation, hygiene, mobility assistance and so on. |
Care Plan Requirements | Recipients of either type of home care must be given a detailed care plan, including the name of agencies and individuals involved and present in the home. Caregivers are encouraged to play an active role in creating the care plan. To the extent possible, this plan should include a list of services expected to be provided and the frequency of care. |
Medication Management Requirements | In-home care providers cannot manage or administer medication for the recipient, although they can act as a reminder. Home health providers can administer medication, including via IV. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Employees of home care and home health providers must receive a satisfactory background check for criminal history and presence on various statewide blacklists of prohibited persons. |
Staff Training Requirements | In-home services can only be provided by appropriately licensed individuals working for providers that are licensed to provide such services. Employees must receive regular training on the health, social and other needs of the residents they care for. |
Medicaid Coverage | In-home care and home health services (prescribed by doctors) are covered by Texas Medicaid and the STAR+PLUS managed care program. |
Reporting Abuse | Call the Texas HHS complaint line at 1-800-458-9858 to file a report, or visit the website for more options and information on the reporting process. |
Free Home Care Resources in Texas
Seniors in Texas have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Texas Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
Each area of Texas has a corresponding Area Agency on Aging, which provides services from the Older Americans Act and various state programs, such as Medicaid. AAAs offer counseling on long-term care and how to pay for it, referrals to local services, in-home care and caregiver support. Staff from these agencies may also perform intake assessments for state benefits.
Contact Information
Call the statewide hotline at (800) 252-9240 or check the local AAA directory.
Texas Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)
The state is served by 28 local Aging and Disability Resource Centers that are part of a national network and funded by the federal and state governments. Services vary by region, and seniors may be able to apply online or fill out self-referrals for local connections. This should be the first contact point for seniors with disabilities and their caregivers.
Contact Information
Call the statewide hotline at (855) 937-2372 or check the local ADRC directory.
Transportation for Seniors
Texans who need help getting around their local area may be eligible for free transportation to and from Medicaid-related services and doctor appointments. This includes visits to the dentist, pharmacist, senior center and for grocery shopping.
Contact Information
Seniors should contact their local AAA and people with disabilities should contact an ADRC. Alternatively, visit the American Public Transportation Association for a list of public transit links or dial 211 to find local services.
Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program
Seniors in Texas who are eligible for Medicare can get help finding the most suitable options and enrolling for services. This assistance is funded by the state and provided at no cost to eligible residents. Current recipients of Medicare can also get help paying for premiums and prescriptions.
Contact Information
Call (800) 252-9240 or find a local office via the HHS website.
Respite Care – Take Time Texas
Take Time Texas is an online resource tool and respite program managed by the state Health and Human Services Department. Caregivers can find local providers and get connected to the Texas Lifespan Respite Care Program and other appropriate services. Respite care may be provided in the senior's own home, a friend or family member's home, adult day care center or assisted living community.
Contact Information
Search the Take Time Texas website or read more about respite care for seniors and the options available.
Resources for Veterans - TexVet
TexVet is funded by Texas Health and Human Services to provide information, counseling and assistance to veterans in the state. Help is available from local County Veteran Service Officers in-person or by phone. One of the most common requests is for help applying for benefits from the VA and other sources. Staff can also connect veterans with legal help, social groups and transportation.
Contact Information
Visit the TexVet website for a directory of local contacts and more information on the services available.
Other Cities in Texas