Cost of Assisted Living in Houston, Texas

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This guide provides information on the costs of senior care in the city of Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas. Here you will also find information about available state resources, as well as local non-profit programs to help pay for the costs of assisted living in Houston. Read our guide to paying for senior care in Texas for a broader explanation of available programs in the state.

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{TOC}The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Houston{/TOC}

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In Houston, senior care costs slightly more than the state average. The cost of day services for elders is over $500 a month in Houston, but home care and assisted living only cost $100 more than the state average. According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of nursing home care is considerably less affordable, at over $1,200 more a month than assisted living.

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{TOC}How much does Assisted Living Cost in Houston?{/TOC}

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In Houston, assisted living costs an average of $3,863 a month, which is close to the state average. Other large cities like Dallas and Austin cost much more on average, at $4,350 and $5,190 a month, respectively. Costs vary widely across Texas, with the lowest averages occurring in Texarkana at $2,265 and El Paso at $2,250. In most areas around Houston, assisted living costs are within $500 of the state average.  

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{TOC}How much does Home Care Cost in Houston?{/TOC}

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Compared to other cities in the area, Houston falls on the higher end of the price range for home care in Texas, averaging at over $200 more expensive than the state average. Texarkana is the most affordable city near Houston for home care costs at $3,222 monthly, followed by Beaumont at only $3,432 a month.

The state average cost for homemaker services is the same as a home health aide. However, in Houston, the home-health aide is paid $1 more an hour on average. In cities like Killeen, Corpus Christi, and Sherman, the home-health aides can cost several more dollars an hour than a homemaker.

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{TOC}How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Houston?{/TOC}

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Adult day health care costs vary greatly across Texas, from $693 in Corpus Christi to $1,408 a month on average in Dallas and Austin. Houston costs much more than the rest of the state, at an average of $1,300 a month. The state average is $758, and several cities near Houston offer adult day care programs in that price range, such as Texarkana, Beaumont, and San Antonio.

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{TOC}How much does Nursing Home Costs in Houston?{/TOC}

Nursing home care is about $1,000 more a month on average than other types of care in Texas. In more populated areas like Houston, which averages $5,095 a month for nursing home care, the costs are $1,000 or more a month more than other areas. Cities like Tyler and Texarkana are around $700 a month less for nursing home care than in Houston.

Usually, nursing home costs are more than assisted living. However, in San Angelo, nursing home care is $4,365 a month on average, which is $85 less than assisted living. In Odesa, nursing home care is only $79 more a month on average than assisted living.

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{TOC}Financial Assistance Programs in Houston{/TOC}

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{TOC}Houston STAR+PLUS Medicaid Waiver Program{/TOC}

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The Medicaid waiver for seniors in Texas, called STAR+PLUS, helps low-income adults over age 65 with the costs of senior care by paying for medical services through the provider of their choice. This program’s managed care organizations (MCO) depend on the area in which you’re located – in Houston, the MCOs are United and Cigna-Health Springs.

These programs have some differences, like approved doctors and value-added programs. The state provides a chart to compare plans for those who qualify for Medicaid. Molina joins these plans in providing the STAR+PLUS program to those who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, and there are charts to compare the plans available to those with dual-eligibility.

Medicaid in Texas is an entitlement program, meaning that anyone who qualifies based on age and income will qualify for medical services. Texas Medicaid does not currently provide guaranteed medical coverage for low-income adults without children. To qualify for Medicaid services for elders in Texas, one must:

• Be age 65 and older, or disabled

• Have income no greater than $2,250 in 2018 for single adults or $4,500 for a couple

• Own assets of no more than $2,000 for single adults or $3,000 for a couple

• Not currently be receiving a Medicaid waiver or frail elderly services

Houston is in the public health region 6/5 South, and the Medicaid office for this region is located at 5425 Polk St, Suite J, Houston, Texas, 77023. You can reach the Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-213-8471 to apply for medical assistance programs.

Medicaid Buy-In Program

For adults over than 65 that work but need help paying for medical services, there is a Medicaid Buy-In Program. Participants in this program make monthly payments to receive regular Medicaid services like health care and access to waiver programs.

To qualify for this program, monthly income is limited to $2,453 a month, but there are differences in countable income; the first $1,471 of earned income is disregarded, and unearned income is counted only after the first $733.  There is also a countable asset cap of $2,000. To apply for the Medicaid Buy-In program, call 1-877-541-7905.

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{TOC}Other Financial Assistance Programs{/TOC}

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Community Care for Aged and Disabled (CCAD)

The Community Care for the Aged and Disabled program provides personal care services for those not living in a nursing home, as well as assistance paying for licensed assisted living facilities. Medicaid income limits apply; individuals may not earn more than $2,250 a month. Applicants may not hold more than $5,000 in liquid assets, or $6,000 for a couple.

Community First Choice (CFC)

The Community First Choice program provides habilitation and personal care services for individuals who require an institutional level of care but choose to remain in their homes. This is a Medicaid entitlement program and so anyone who qualifies for medical services for elders will be able to access this program. Individuals may be enrolled in the STAR+PLUS waiver program and also receive CFC services.

Community Attendant Services (CAS)

For adults aged 60 and over or disabled, there is financial assistance available in paying for personal care services while living at home. The Community Attendant Services program is available to residents who meet age and income requirements for Medicaid, SSI, or other government assistance programs. Applicants must be able to verify their citizenship to qualify.

To apply for any of the Medicaid waivers call the Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-213-8471.

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{TOC}More Senior Living Resources in Houston{/TOC}

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