The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Garland, TX

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Garland

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, Garland senior care costs are low compared to the national average but relatively high for Texas. Garland is particularly expensive for adult day care services, with the average cost nearly double the state average of $758. In general, costs in Garland range between $200 and $400 more than the state average, except for the notably higher cost associated with adult day care.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Garland, so the data for the closest city, Dallas, was used.

Garland Assisted Living Costs

While assisted living costs in Garland — at $4,350 — are substantially higher than the state average of $3,795, this area is on the lower end compared to other cities like Austin. In Austin, seniors can expect to pay $5,190, which is $840 more than in Garland. El Paso, on the other hand, is substantially lower at only $2,250, which is $2,100 less than in Garland. The cost of assisted living in Texas typically falls between $3,000 and $4,500, putting Garland at the upper end of the mid-range.

Garland Home Care Costs

Average home health assistance costs in Garland match the national average exactly at $4,004 per month. While this is comparable to other major cities, it is almost the most expensive area in the state. Austin and Longview are slightly pricier at $4,099 and $4,052, respectively. Odessa tops the list at $4,185 — $181 more than seniors can expect to pay in Garland.

Most areas are substantially more affordable, with costs as low as $2,860 in Brownsville. Most of Texas falls between $3,000 and $4,000, with Garland just outside that range.

Garland Adult Day Care Costs

The cost of adult day care in Garland is $1,408, which leaves this area tied for most expensive with Austin. Most areas in Texas are substantially less expensive, with Abilene averaging a mere $618 per month for a similar level of service. El Paso is just $10 more than Abilene, making it $780 less than Garland.

Longview, one of the more expensive areas surveyed, tops the state average by $55 but is still $595 less than Garland. Though Garland is at the high end for Texas, the cost of adult day care is still well below the national average of $1,560. 

Garland Nursing Home Costs

Nursing homes typically carry the highest price tag for senior services, but they remain relatively affordable in Garland, with an average cost of $5,064. That’s nearly $2,400 less than the national average and only about $250 more than the Texas state average. In areas such as Austin and Killeen, seniors can expect to pay $5,323 and $5,407, respectively, or about $250 to $350 more than in Garland.

More rural areas like Longview come with a much-reduced cost for nursing home care with an average price of $3,954, which is $1,110 less than in Garland. Most areas fall between $4,600 and $5,200 for nursing home care.

Financial Assistance Programs in Garland

Medicaid Program in Garland

Medicaid is a jointly funded state and federal program designed to help low-income individuals obtain health care. Seniors who qualify may also receive assistance with institutional living costs and some limited personal assistance in-home. The addition of Medicaid waivers allows seniors to also receive a wider variety of services both at home and in senior living communities. Under general Medicaid, Garland seniors get help paying for the cost of doctor’s visits, hospitalization, rehab services, prescriptions, and other medical care costs.

Medicaid is an entitlement program, so all qualified applicants gain access to comprehensive medical care. In Garland, the STAR+PLUS program manages all Medicaid for seniors and includes programs that directly pay for long-term support services. This can include nursing home stays, adult day care services, in-home care, hospice and/or a personal attendant. 

There are both income and functional requirements to qualify for STAR+PLUS. For in-home care services, seniors must be at least 65 years old and have an assessed need for constant and long-term care. The income limit for applicants is $2,313 per month for individuals. Standard Medicaid requires a monthly income of no more than the current Social Security Income maximum, which is $771 for 2019.

In Texas, married couples may apply for institutional Medicaid but income is tallied per individual. Each applicant must have an income that does not exceed $2,313 per month.

In addition to income limits, there are also asset restrictions. Qualified applicants have no more than $2,000 in countable assets. However, not all assets count toward that limit. A house with up to $585,000 in equity value, all home furnishings, a personal vehicle and several other types of property are excluded from the asset calculation.

Interested seniors can fill in an application online or call the Medicaid information line at 800-252-8263. For more information about the program and eligibility requirements, click here.

Medicaid Waivers in Garland

STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services Waiver

In 2015, Texas made sweeping changes to several HCBS waivers. The STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver became the new standard for supporting Garland seniors who might otherwise enter a nursing home. This program is designed to offer in-home or in community support services to delay nursing home transfers. It extends services to seniors residing in assisted living communities or foster homes. This waiver program offers a variety of services, including:

• Personal assistance
• Nursing services
• Home-delivered meals
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Respite care
• Minor home modifications

While the STAR+PLUS managed care option is an entitlement program, the HCBS waiver is not. This means that eligible seniors may be waitlisted pending availability of funds. Qualified seniors have full Medicaid coverage, demonstrate a medical need for constant and long-term assistance and meet the income limits for institutional Medicaid. Applicants can call 1-877-782-6440 or click here for more information.

Community First Choice Program (CFC)

Rolled out in 2015, the Community First Choice program is designed to help Garland seniors age in place. It is similar to the STAR+PLUS waiver in some respects, but it is an entitlement program, so there are no waiting lists before seniors receive services. It offers assistance with activities of daily living like meal preparation, dressing, grooming, and light housekeeping. It may also cover the costs associated with an emergency response system, but it does not offer in-home health services. Seniors who need assistance but are otherwise medically stable may qualify. Eligible seniors qualify for full Medicaid, have an assessed need for an institutional level of care and require assistance with ADLs. Applicants can call 1-800-252-8263 to start the process or click here for more information.

Primary Home Care Program (PHC)

Garland seniors may be approved for up to 50 hours per week in home-based services, though the average is 16 hours. Under the Primary Home Care Program, services may include personal care help, activities like shopping, housekeeping, laundry services or meal preparation. It may also provide transportation for medical appointments. PHC is an entitlement program, so there are no waiting lists for services.

To qualify, Garland seniors must be eligible for full Medicaid and have a need for long-term in-home assistance. While a senior’s home valued at up to $585,000 is exempted from consideration for Medicaid eligibility, it is worth noting that the state may place a lien on the property to offset some of the costs of the program. For more information about the PHC program, click here.

Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) Program

The Texas Medicaid Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) Program offers families and seniors financial assistance with the costs of adult day care services. It is available on weekdays for up to 10 hours per day. This allows family caregivers to delay nursing home placements and keep seniors in the community during nights and weekends.

In an adult day care setting, seniors receive personal care, meals, social activities, medication monitoring and nursing services at a licensed facility. In Garland, adult day care is offered through this program at AAA Health Care. For more information about their program, call (972) 494-3111.

To qualify, Garland seniors must be eligible for full Medicaid and require a nursing home level of care. For more information about the program, click here.

Other Financial Assistance Programs in Garland

Community Care for the Aged and Disabled (CCAD)

In addition to Medicaid waivers, Garland seniors may also be eligible for the Community Care for the Aged and Disabled program. This program aims to delay nursing home placement by offering some help in an assisted living facility. Some covered services include adult foster care, meal delivery, health services and assistance with the activities of daily living. Qualified applicants meet the income and eligibility requirements for institutional Medicaid and require assistance with ADLs and medical supervision. To apply call 1-855-937-2372 to get started. For more information about the program, click here.

Community Attendant Services (CAS)

The Community Attendant Services program allows seniors to receive non-medical personal care in their own homes. It also allows seniors to self-direct their care, including the hiring of friends or family to act as a caregiver. Under CAS, seniors can receive up to 50 hours of assistance per week. Help falls into one of two categories:

• Personal care like bathing, grooming and toileting
• Home management like shopping, housekeeping and meal preparation

To qualify, seniors must be institutional Medicaid eligible and require assistance with at least one ADL. For more information about the CAS program, click here.

More Senior Living Resources in Garland