Top Home Care Agencies in Austin, TX
Among the 115 home care agencies in Austin, Texas, there are many options for seniors or adults with disabilities who need extra support while living at home. A person’s annual or monthly cost of home care depends on how much care they need each day. Austin home care agencies have an average hourly cost of $26. With insight into payment methods and listings of agencies below, we can help you find an agency that fits your needs. Plus, we’ve included additional information on Austin home care agencies, such as their state regulations and important questions to ask potential agencies.
Home Care Agencies near Austin, TX
Home Helpers Home Care of South and Central Austin, TX
3800 North Lamar Blvd. Suite 200, Austin, TX 78756
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Costs of home care in Austin, TX
Average cost of home care in Austin, TX
Average monthly cost of home care vs. senior living in Austin, TX
Compare the costs of aging in place against senior living
Use our cost calculator to compare your loved one’s current living and home care expenses against the cost of senior living in Austin.
Paying for home care in Austin, Texas
It’s common for people in Austin to pay for home care with their health insurance policies and personal funds. However, the type of home care needed can affect the way people can pay.
For instance, health insurance typically only covers medically necessary services, like those provided by home health care. Home health care offers medical care in the home as prescribed by a doctor, whereas home care involves nonmedical services like housekeeping and support with daily activities. Some of these nonmedical home care services may be covered by insurance if they’re given alongside doctor-prescribed home health care.
People may also consider their income and other assets to pay for what health insurance doesn’t cover. Many seniors use savings, retirement accounts, and pensions to cover their long-term home care services and help them continue to live independently. Long-term care insurance policies might also be used to cover home care costs. But this depends on what your policy covers and if the care is considered medically necessary for continued independence.
Public insurance options such as Medicare and Medicaid can also cover home care costs if eligibility criteria are met, primarily a medical necessity. Eligible veterans may also be able to use Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to cover costs.
Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.
VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.
Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care insurance to cover home care costs.
Does Medicare pay for home care in Austin?
Yes, Medicare will cover nonmedical home care services as long as they’re part of home health care services prescribed by a doctor.[01] Home care includes personal, nonmedical care and support with daily activities, while home health care is medically necessary care prescribed by a doctor.
People must be age 65+ or have a disability to be eligible for this type of Medicare coverage. However, it’s important to remember that Medicare won’t cover home care services that aren’t considered medically necessary.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Austin?
Yes, STAR+PLUS, the Texas Medicaid program, pays for home care services for seniors or adults with disabilities if these services are prescribed by a doctor. Medically necessary in-home services are provided by home health care agencies. However, these may also include personal home care services, like light housekeeping. People age 65+ and adults with disabilities can receive coverage from STAR+PLUS if they receive doctor-prescribed medical care through a home health care agency.
STAR+PLUS beneficiaries must be assessed via a needs assessment questionnaire that measures the individual’s ability (or inability) to perform certain activities. The assessment includes personal activities such as bathing, getting dressed, and eating. Movement activities such as walking, exercising, and balancing abilities are also considered. People must get a minimum score of 24 to receive personal home care coverage, because they need to show impairment and/or impairment in a range of activities.[02]
Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Austin?
Eligible Austin senior veterans, their dependents, or their surviving spouses can access several local benefits, including home care services. Start by browsing Austin’s veteran resource directory and contacting the Texas Veterans Commission to find your nearest benefit options.
Veterans and their families are encouraged to work with a veterans service organization (VSO) for benefit assistance to understand what they qualify for. VSOs can help pair veterans or their spouses with qualified benefit officers who can guide them through the benefits application process. Browse the VSOs below to find an officer near you:
- American Legion post search
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter search
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter search
Note: Aside from potential membership fees for the groups listed above, VSOs provide support for free.
What other Austin services help seniors age in place?
There are a few programs in Austin that can help seniors age in place. These programs connect seniors with nearby resources to help them prioritize their health, access Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and remain as independent as possible.
Browse the list below to find local senior-specific resources and support with health insurance benefits:
- Austin’s Area Agency on Aging offers Medicare and Medicaid benefit counseling. It also has a health and wellness program designed to help seniors prevent falls and maintain their health in their home.
- Texas HICAP is the state’s Health Insurance, Counseling, and Advocacy Program. At no cost, seniors age 60+ can receive help applying for and understanding their Medicare benefits.
- Senior Citizen’s Services Hub in Austin has a robust list of resources to help seniors with transportation, emergency services, health care, home repairs, and more.
What are people saying about home care in Austin, TX?
What families are saying about home care in Austin
Recent reviews for home care in Austin
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How to choose the right Austin home care agency
Consider factors such as accreditation status, hiring practices, and how licensing standards are upheld when choosing your Austin home care agency. Each of these factors gives you a look into the potential quality of care that a home care agency can provide.
The information we provide below can help you understand what the state requires of these agencies. It’s a good idea to connect with agencies in your local area that you’re interested in to ask any additional questions. Be sure to discuss things like any added fees or minimum age requirements they might have.
While home care agencies can meet many personal care needs, these agencies might not be the best fit if medical care is also needed. In this case, a home health care agency can provide doctor-prescribed medical care. Keep these agency differences in mind as you research your options, considering that some agencies may offer both home care and home health care.
Licensure and accreditation
Texas Health and Human Services licenses all Austin home care and home health care agencies. Receiving a license allows an agency to be recognized as a Home and Community Support Service Agency under state jurisdiction.[03]
Licensing requirements for Home and Community Support Service Agencies include the following:[04]
- Staff must include an administrator and a supervising nurse.
- Personnel records must be kept for all employees and volunteers.
- The agency must have a policy for investigating complaints.
- An emergency preparedness plan must be in place.
Once licensed, a nonmedical home care agency can provide care under the Personal Assistance Services category. Services for licensed, nonmedical home care agencies include home management and support with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as help with eating and getting dressed.[05] Home health care agencies provide care under the Licensed Home Health Service category or the Licensed and Certified Home Health Services category.[06]
You can view the license status of Austin home health care agencies in the state’s long-term care provider search, but it doesn’t include home care agencies that only provide personal assistance services. Enter your zip code or the city or county name, and then choose “All Home Health Care” in the dropdown menu.
In addition, Austin home care agencies can choose to be accredited. If an agency is accredited, it means they’ve met the accrediting organization’s quality of care standards. Depending on the organization, standards may include client assessment methods, infection control, and caregiver competency.[07]
Hiring practices
Austin home care agencies have specific hiring practices to employ competent caregivers. Understanding these practices can help make prospective clients more comfortable.
Every home care agency should have written policies that outline the following caregiver requirements:[04]
- Orientation
- Training
- Background checks
- Competency demonstration
- Annual evaluation
While these are the minimum requirements, some agencies may choose to uphold additional rules or certifications. We recommend contacting the agencies you’re interested in and asking them about their employee qualifications.
Fees and minimums
Make sure to also learn about Austin home care agencies’ minimum care requirements and costs. Learning about these factors in advance can help you choose between your prospective agencies.
Cost-specific questions can give you a clearer picture of the overall cost of care. First, ask agencies if they have a required minimum number of shifts or hours per shift. For instance, some agencies require at least two to four hours per day or a minimum of seven hours per week. You can also ask if they require a deposit or if they charge for initial client assessments.
You may also want to ask prospective agencies if they have a client minimum age requirement. This information may help you find an agency that can best meet your or your loved one’s needs or rule out options that don’t fit.
Other questions to ask Austin home care agencies
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Frequently asked questions about home care in Austin
Preferred Care at Home of North Austin - Georgetown - Williamson County - Cedar Park, TX, Golden Heart Senior Care - Austin West and Spring Hills Home Care - Round Rock, TX are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Austin, TX. These Home Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Home Care in Austin is {{ zipAverageCost }} per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Home care is provided by an aide who comes to a senior’s home to help with daily chores and activities of daily living. It can be offered anywhere a senior calls home — including a house, senior apartment, independent living, or assisted living. Learn more about home care.
Home care services are customizable to a senior’s unique needs. Services can include companionship, help with chores like cooking and housekeeping, or assistance with activities of daily living, like toileting and bathing. Explore home care services in more detail.
Home care provides nonmedical services for seniors who require assistance with daily tasks like housework, bathing, dressing, and transportation. In contrast, home health care is prescribed by a doctor and includes services like skilled nursing care and therapies, health monitoring, and medication administration that are provided by licensed medical professionals. Read more about home care vs. home health care.
References
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2014, November). Form H2060, needs assessment questionnaire and task/hour guide.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2024). How to become a licensed HCSSA provider.
Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies, Texas Administrative Code § 558 (2002 & rev. 2021).
Texas Health and Human Services. (2024). 4600, primary home care and community attendance services.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2024). Primary home care (PHC).
The Joint Commission. (2018). Accreditation for personal care and support.
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