St. Joseph Medical Center is a 792 bed senior housing facility. It is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Houston, Texas. The facility is in a generally upper class area, with a median household income of $75,332. ...
Nursing Homes in Texas
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Homes in Texas
- Nursing Care Directory for Texas
- Nursing Care Costs in Texas
- Financial Assistance for Nursing Homes in Texas
- Texas Nursing Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Nursing Care Resources in Texas
The Lone Star State is a phenomenal retirement destination with 25 metropolitan areas and dozens of regional cities each offering its own brand of Southwestern flair. Nine cities, including Austin, Dallas, Kerrville and San Antonio, have already joined AARP's Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities by expressing their commitment to strengthening their services for older adults. Texas has nearly 29 million residents, and seniors represent about 13%, or 3.7 million, of the total population. This isn't surprising since the cost of living is about 6% lower than the national average, and Texans save a significant amount of housing and long-term care. Seniors also benefit from a mild climate with very little snow and warm, sunny weather during much of the year. Thanks to the state's strong economy and diverse businesses, residents enjoy easy access to world-class medical care, top-rated cultural attractions and many community-based resources for aging well.
The state's healthcare system includes more than 1,200 skilled nursing facilities that specialize in caring for adults who have multiple disabilities or complex medical needs. This guide explores long-term care costs, nursing home regulations and government-sponsored financial assistance programs that can help seniors pay for care.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Home Care in Texas
Texas is a smart choice for nursing home residents, according to research from SeniorAdvice. The state's SeniorScore of 75 is three points higher than the national score. This rating is based on more than 100 items related to topics, such as Finances, Recreation & Leisure, Health & Safety and General Quality of Life.
Recreation & Leisure was the state's lowest-scoring category. It earned just 59 points despite having an average number of seniors, nearly 800 golf courses and more than 6,400 churches and religious institutions. Seniors also have access to a large number of parks and recreation areas. Texas earned a Health & Safety score of 63. Positive ranking factors include a high number of hospitals, doctors and senior living facilities, which compensated for the state's high crime rates.
Finances earned an average rating of 66. Property and sales taxes are high across the Lone Star State, although there's no income tax. Rankings were boosted by competitive prices for nursing homes and other forms of long-term care, as well as the state's moderate cost of living. Texas scores very well in General Quality of Life with 76 points, thanks to average rainfall and very pleasant year-round temperatures.
Top Nursing Care in Texas
The Belmont at Twin Creeks is a 112 room senior care facility. It is located at 999 Raintree Cir in Allen, Texas. With around 31,000 individuals living in the zip code of 75013, the encompassing area has a ...
Located at 11855 Lebanon Rd in Frisco, Texas, Stonemere Rehabilitation Center is a 136 unit nursing facility. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with approximately 49,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 75035. It is a predominantly ...
Sagebrook Health Center is located at 901 Discovery Blvd in Cedar Park, Texas. It is a 124 unit nursing facility. The facility is in a predominantly wealthier area, with a median per-household income of $77,679. It is ...
San Remo is a 112 room senior care community situated within the Woods of Spring Creek II area of Richardson, Texas. The encompassing area has a dense population, with about 22,000 individuals living in the zip code of 75082. ...
Villages of Lake Highlands is located nearby the Towngate neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It is a 92 unit senior housing facility. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average family income of $61,572. ...
Heartland Health Care Center-San Antonio is a 162 bed nursing facility located in the High Country area of San Antonio, Texas. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median per-family income of $69,077. It ...
Situated in the Fossil Park neighborhood of Fort Worth, Texas, Remarkable Healthcare of Fort Worth is a 120 unit nursing care facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with about 56,000 people residing in the zip code of 76137. ...
Brookdale Westlake Hills is located in the Barton Hills area of Austin, Texas. It is a 90 unit senior community serving people over the age of 55. With a median family income of $144,895, the community is in ...
Beacon Hill is a 150 unit senior community. It is located at 3515 S Park Ave in Denison, Texas. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median per-family income of $45,400. It is ...
The Carlyle at Stonebridge Park is a 99 bed senior care community located in Southlake, Texas. The encompassing area is densely populated, with approximately 28,000 people residing in the 76092 zip code. With a median per-household income of ...
Park Manor of Mckinney is a 101 room senior care community. It is located at 1801 Pearson Ave in Mckinney, Texas. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with approximately 35,000 residents in the 75069 zip code. With ...
Located at 2460 Marsh Ln in Plano, Texas, Prestonwood Rehabilitation is a 132 room nursing care facility. The community is in a largely affluent area, with a median household income of $106,348. With about 48,000 poeple living ...
Hearthstone Health and Rehabilitation is situated around the Brushy Creek neighborhood of Round Rock, Texas. It is a 120 unit nursing home facility. The facility is in a mostly upscale area, with an average household income of $91,674. ...
Park Manor of The Woodlands is a 124 unit senior care facility situated in The Woodlands, Texas. The community is in a generally well-to-do area, with an average family income of $87,350. With roughly 13,000 people residing in ...
Prairie Estates is a 180 unit senior housing facility situated in Frisco, Texas. The community is in a primarily affluent area, with a median family income of $108,417. It is heavily populated, with about 74,000 individuals living in ...
Bel Air at Teravista is a 112 bed senior housing facility located in Round Rock, Texas. With an average household income of $82,625, the facility is in a predominantly wealthier area. It is heavily populated, with around 37,000 ...
Wedgewood Nursing Home is situated within the Park Palisades neighborhood of Fort Worth, Texas. It is a 93 unit nursing home facility. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average per-household income of $51,414. ...
Mesa Vista Inn Health Center is a 144 unit nursing facility located in the Verde Hills area of San Antonio, Texas. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with around 52,000 residents in the zip code of 78240. With ...
Located within the Astrodome Area neighborhood of Houston, Texas, Garden Terrace of Houston is a 120 room senior care facility. The community is in a generally middle class area, with a median per-household income of $40,639. With around ...
Nursing Home Care Costs in Texas
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home in Texas is $5,125. This cost is much less than the national average of $7,908. Oklahoma is the closest in cost at $5,475 per month. Seniors in Louisiana pay around $5,759, which is $634 more than the Texas average. Arkansas seniors pay around $6,083, and those in New Mexico pay approximately $2,479 more than those in Texas at $7,604 per month.
- Texas: $5,125
- National: $7,908
- Louisiana: $5,759
- Arkansas: $6,083
- Oklahoma: $5,475
- New Mexico: $7,604
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Texas' Top Cities
Cities across Texas have varying median costs for nursing home care. In the far western part of the state in El Paso, the cost is around $4,882. To the north in Amarillo, the monthly cost is around $5,140. Seniors in Abilene and Dallas pay $4,669 and $5,627 respectively, and to the southeast in Houston, the average is $5,262. The cost near the center of the state in San Antonio is $5,232.
- El Paso: $4,882
- Amarillo: $5,140
- Abilene: $4,669
- Dallas: $5,627
- Houston: $5,262
- San Antonio: $5,232
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Texas
Long-term care costs vary from adult day health care at $769 per month to assisted living at $3,998. Seniors who want to remain in their home can choose home health or homemaker services at $4,576 per month. The most expensive and comprehensive care is a nursing home at $5,125 per month.
- Assisted Living: $3,998
- Adult Day Health: $769
- Homemaker Services: $4,576
- Home Health Aide: $4,576
- Nursing Home (semiprivate room): $5,125
Medicaid's Coverage of Nursing Home Care in Texas
As of September 2021, Texas has 5,169,664 individuals enrolled in the state's Medicaid program. Many of these individuals require a nursing home level of care. To accommodate them, the state has 1,223 nursing home facilities with 132,004 beds. These facilities offer medical care as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy. Also referred to as skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes in Texas provide medical care, social services, grooming, bathing and meals.
STAR+PLUS is a Medicaid waiver program that helps pay for medical care and nonmedical long-term care services. Benefits include personal care, adult day help, emergency response systems, home modifications, meals and transportation. Under the waiver, seniors are allowed to choose family members to serve as caregivers.
Eligibility for Medicaid in Texas
To qualify for Texas Medicaid, applicants must meet strict income and asset limits. The annual limit for a single applicant is $30,276 for both individual and two-person households. In a two-person household where both seniors apply, the income limit is $60,552 per year or $30,276 each. The asset limit is $2,000 for a single applicant and $3,000 for dual applicants. When the combined incomes of both spouses are below the monthly spousal allowance, the nonapplicant spouse can usually keep more than the maximum protected resources amount under the spousal impoverishment rule.
2022 Medicaid Income Limits in Texas
Annual Income Limits | Asset Limits | |
Single Person | $30,276 | $2,000 |
Two-Person Household | $30,276 | $2,000 for applicant |
Two-Person Household | $60,552 | $3,000 |
Aside from income and asset limits, applicants must be:
- Aged 65 and older or disabled
- A citizen of the United States
- A resident of Texas
Applying for Medicaid in Texas
Seniors can apply for Medicaid online through Your Texas Benefits or over the phone by calling (877) 541-7905. To apply by mail or in person at one of the local Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) offices, download the paper forms and print them. Mail to: Customer Service Coordinator, P.O. Box 149347, MC-1913, Austin, Texas 78714.
Information You Will Need
- Valid driver’s license or government issued ID
- Social Security number
- Proof of citizenship
- Copies of powers of attorney, guardianship orders, court orders or similar documents
- Earnings for the past 60 days
- Copies of bank statements for the past 60 days
- Copies of insurance policies
- Proof of property ownership
- Copies of retirement accounts
Medicaid Application Assistance and Resources in Texas
Organizations are available to help seniors navigate the Medicaid application process in Texas. Some of these resources are available both online and in person to provide guidance from understanding benefits to making changes to current accounts.
Resource | Contact | Service |
(800) 252-8263 | Benefits.gov is a U.S. government website that provides information on public benefits programs. The site helps seniors understand which benefits they may be eligible for, how to apply and how to make changes to their applications. | |
(737) 867-7700 | The Your Texas Benefits website is the place where seniors can go to apply for Medicaid and other state benefits. The site also includes a help center that offers information on program details, eligibility and application assistance. | |
(800) 735-2989 | Texas Health and Human Services provides resources for individuals applying for Medicaid and other benefits. Local offices provide case managers who answer questions, help with applications and assist with account changes. These changes may also be made online. |
Medicare's Coverage of Nursing Home Care in Texas
For seniors who meet certain requirements, Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay. This benefit is only available to those who have been hospitalized for at least three days (not counting the date of discharge) so it's typically used by those who are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery.
For those who meet the above requirements, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility (per benefit period). It's important to note that the first 20 days are covered in full, but starting on day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate. After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.
Texas Medicare Support & Resources
Medicare is government-sponsored insurance provided to seniors aged 65 and older. Texas has resources to help these individuals navigate the different plans available by providing unbiased advice on which options best suit their individual needs. Through these services, seniors get information on eligibility, how to apply and whether or not supplemental insurance is needed to pay for the entire cost of nursing home care.
Resource | Contact | Service |
(800) 252-9240 | Texas SHIP provides Medicare counseling and assistance in navigating different health and prescription drug plans. SHIP counselors explain Medicare guidelines, eligibility criteria and how Medicare works with other insurance plans. | |
(844) 309-3504 | MedicareResources.org is part of HealthInsurance.org. The website reviews Medicare basics for Texans and offers information on available plan options, enrollment and eligibility as well as answers to frequently asked questions. | |
(866) 231-4922 | Texas has 28 Area Agencies on Aging that provide services to seniors aged 60 and older. These agencies offer insurance counseling, referrals and personal assistance as well as benefits counseling. |
Additional Financial Assistance Options for Nursing Home Care in Texas
- Medicare: For the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will cover the entire cost of care, and a portion of the costs up until day 100. After 100 days, Medicare won't cover any of the costs. Importantly, seniors must also have a "qualifying hospital stay" that lasts 3 days prior to their admission to a nursing home in order to qualify for Medicare coverage.
- Aid and Attendance: Aid and Attendance may be available to veterans who receive a VA pension. This benefit is a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. It is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used to pay for skilled nursing care.
- Reverse Mortgages: For those who own a home, reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. It's often a good fit for married couples when only one partner needs nursing care, as the other residents of the home may continue living there. Keep in mind that reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid (with interest), typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: For seniors who already have long-term care insurance, the cost of skilled nursing care may be covered. Most policies cover at least a portion of the costs, but it depends on the specific policy terms. It's important to note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not be eligible to sign up for a long-term care insurance policy.
Texas Nursing Home Care Rules and Regulations
Licensed and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities in Texas are regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission. In addition to licensing nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities, it maintains the state's Nurse Aide Registry, approves training courses, licenses administrators and creates regulations for establishing and maintaining licensed nursing facilities. Here are some of the requirements that Texas nursing homes must follow.
Scope of Care | Nursing facilities provide 24-hour medical care to ensure residents' physical, mental and emotional well-being. They employ registered nurses, nurse aides, licensed administrators, pharmacists and rehabilitative therapists. Nursing homes may also apply a voluntary certification to care for individuals who have Alzheimer's disease, dementia or cognitive decline. A physician, physician's assistant or advanced practice registered nurse must approve each admission and provide orders for the residents' care. |
Care Planning | Facilities must complete a comprehensive needs assessment for each resident within 14 days of admission. The state requires a comprehensive reassessment every 12 months with quarterly reviews. Assessments may also be ordered following a significant change in the resident's health or behavior. These results are used to develop a comprehensive care plan that's approved by an interdisciplinary team. |
Pharmacy Services | Medicaid-certified nursing homes must provide all emergency and routine medication that residents require in-house or through a contracted provider. Licensed-only nursing facilities must provide emergency medications and offer services to help residents obtain their regular prescriptions. Nursing homes must employ or consult a licensed pharmacist who is responsible for maintaining appropriate records. Facilities are also responsible for reviewing residents' medication regimens monthly. |
Staff Screening | Texas Health and Human Services maintains a registry of certified nursing aides. Nursing facilities must conduct a comprehensive criminal background check on all direct-care workers within 24 to 72 hours of employment, depending on the facility's classification. Registry records must be reviewed annually for all applicable employees. |
Staff Training | In Texas, certified nurse aides must complete 100 hours of training and undergo a competency evaluation through a program that's approved by the Department of Aging and Disability Services. The state requires nurse aides to complete at least 24 hours of in-service training every two years with an emphasis on geriatrics and/or dementia to renew their registration. |
Medicaid Coverage | Texas Medicaid covers nursing facility care through its STAR+PLUS program, which serves seniors and disabled adults who meet income and asset requirements. Applicants must complete a function needs assessment to confirm that they require a nursing home level of care. |
Reporting Abuse | Instances of suspected abuse or neglect occurring in nursing homes and other licensed long-term care facilities should be reported to Texas Health and Human Services by calling (800) 458-9858. The Health and Human Services Commission's Provider Investigations department reviews complaints and follows up on all reports. |
Free Nursing Home Resources for Seniors in Texas
The following is a list of resources available throughout Texas. These resources assist seniors with a variety of needs ranging from insurance counseling to health and fitness.
Resource | Contact | Service |
(800) 989-8137 | The Texas state Care Planning Council connects seniors who have elder care needs to the services they require to live better, safer lives. These services include elder law, funeral and burial planning, health and wellness, home care, home maintenance, insurance counseling and medical alert systems. | |
(800) 252-5400 | APS investigates and works to resolve complaints of abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors and those with disabilities. The agency also seeks to educate the public on elder rights and can help seniors locate safe housing while it conducts investigations. | |
(800) 273-8255 | The Texas Veterans Portal connects men and women in Texas who’ve served in the military with benefits and services. These services include health and wellness, education, training, employment assistance, housing, loans, disability payments and counseling. Veterans can sign up to receive the Aid and Attendance benefit that provides financial assistance for personal services in long-term care. | |
(512) 451-4611 | AGE of Central Texas provides resources and services to seniors living in the central part of the state. These programs include educational opportunities, caregiver training, computer labs, wellness centers, financial assistance and online memory care activities. | |
(800) 252-2412 | The Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman listens to seniors and family members who have concerns or issues against long-term care facilities. The ombudsman protects the rights of these seniors and works to resolve these issues. The ombudsman also visits long-term care communities to ensure that they're meeting state and federal standards. |
Texas COVID-19 Rules & Regulations for Nursing Homes
Date Updated: Feb. 15, 2022
Sources: Placeholder
All of the information below is based on research from a variety of sources, including those listed above. Among other types of senior living facilities, these rules apply to skilled nursing facilities. It's important to note that since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, you should contact your local nursing home or Area Agency on Aging for the latest information.
Visitation & Group Activities
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in-person? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are residents to quarantine after being visited by loved ones? | No |
Are visitors required to mask when visiting loved ones? | Yes |
Are third-party contractors allowed in senior living facilities? | Yes |
Are temperature checks required for visitors coming into the senior living facility? | Yes |
Can residents leave the facility for non-medical reasons? | Yes |
If residents leave, are they required to quarantine when they return? | No (Conditions Apply) |
Does the state require senior living facilities to cancel all group outings? | No |
Does the state allow senior living facilities to host group activities? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Safety Measures for Staff and Residents
Does the state require senior living facilities to regularly check staff members for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Does the state require senior living facilities to regularly test staff members for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Does the state require senior living facilities to regularly screen residents for COVID-19 symptoms? | Yes |
Does the state require senior living facilities to regularly check residents for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
Does the state require senior living facilities to regularly test residents for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
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