Top Home Care Agencies in Houston, TX
In Houston, seniors can age safely at home with support from an in-home caregiver. The average hourly cost of home care in Houston is $24. Home care agencies can personalize care for each senior’s needs and work with your family’s schedule to provide the services you need. In addition to helping with daily personal care tasks like bathing and dressing, home care aides provide companionship and help around the house. In this guide, you’ll find information about local costs, payment options, licensing and regulations, what questions to ask home care agencies, and reviews from families who have worked with local home care agencies.
Home Care Agencies near Houston, TX
Once in a while someone makes a significant impact in your life. My bride and I grew up together since the 3rd grade and going on 55 years married. A brittle diabetic for 52 yrs (adopted), had 2 brain...
Home Helpers Home Care of Cypress, TX
13100 Wortham Center Drive – 3rd Floor Suite 359A, Houston, TX 77065We use home care services through Home Helpers Home Care for my loved one and everything has been great for us so far. The friendliness and staff are great. The quality of care is great. Our experience and...
We went with Karing and Passionate Home Care Services because of their swift response at the time, it was something we needed to get started quickly.
My family was looking for in-home care for our loved one. We were referred to Homebridge Care and to make a long story short we were skeptical of course but the sincere professionalism and care received
We used home care services through Angels Over Us for my loved one and the experience was very good. Unfortunately, my loved one has passed away. However, I will be sure to call again if the need for home...
The owner and office staff at this Synergy are very responsive to specific requests. The individual caregivers are variable in their abilities and work ethic, but over all they are a helpful group. Any...
We've appreciated the warmth and listening offered by staff, a good sense of reliability. It's frustrating that they cannot offer shifts shorter than four hours and sometimes it feels like the communication...
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Costs of home care in Houston, Texas
Average cost of home care in Houston, TX
Average monthly cost of home care vs. senior living in Houston, 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 Houston.
Paying for home care in Houston, Texas
Many seniors and families pay for home care through their personal funds. This is also known as private pay, and it can include retirement savings, personal income, a long-term care (LTC) insurance policy, health savings accounts (HSA), converting a life insurance policy, and more. While this is a starting point, it isn’t necessarily the only option. Some veterans or spouses of veterans may qualify for veterans benefits that can help with the cost of home care. Additionally, some public pay resources could be available for eligible seniors, usually through Medicare or Medicaid.
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 (LTC) insurance to cover home care costs.
Does Medicare pay for home care in Houston?
Medicare only pays for in-home care services considered medical in nature, i.e., home health care. Medicare pays for home health care services when they’re prescribed by a doctor as medically necessary. Medicare doesn’t usually pay for the cost of home care, unless it’s provided in conjunction with home health care services.[01]
Texas offers a Medicare savings program that can help eligible individuals pay for the following costs:[02]
- Medicare premiums
- Deductibles
- Coinsurance fees
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Houston?
Medicaid helps pay for in-home care services as long as they’re deemed medically necessary by a doctor. However, these care services are deemed home health care. Medicaid may only cover costs of home care services if they are offered in conjunction with home health care.
In Texas, Medicaid is known as STAR+PLUS. STAR+PLUS offers the following long-term services and supports as part of their home and community based services program for seniors living at home:[03]
- In-home help with daily tasks
- Home modifications for safety and ease of movement
- Short-term respite care
- Service coordination between family, caregivers, and medical team
Seniors can apply for STAR+PLUS online by visiting Your Texas Benefits or by calling 211. During the application process, seniors can find out if they’re eligible for the STAR+PLUS home and community based services program, also known as the STAR+PLUS Waiver.[03] This waiver helps seniors who need a high-level of care services stay in their homes rather than move to a nursing home.
Is there state assistance for home care in Houston?
Texas offers an additional state program for seniors aging at home. This can help supplement your loved one’s care. The Texas Community Care for Aged/Disabled (CCAD) offers the following:[04]
- Homemaking services, such as help with errands, laundry, and housework
- Personal care services, such as help with dressing
- Meal delivery or meal preparation assistance
- Adult day programs for social stimulation outside the home
- Respite care for family caregivers
- Adult family care for caregivers who share a home with their senior loved one
- Case management from a licensed social worker
- Personal emergency response system for emergency assistance
In Houston, seniors can apply for CCAD through the Harris County Area Agency on Aging office.
Houston seniors can also receive support and advocacy services through the following programs:
- Health Information, Counseling, and Advocacy Program (HICAP). This state health insurance assistance program is designed to help seniors over 60 or who qualify for Medicare.
- Long-term care ombudsman. Seniors can receive benefits counseling and information about how to pay for long-term care.
- Harris County Area Agency on Aging office. Seniors can find information on senior services, nutrition programs, benefits counseling, and more resources that can help them age at home.
Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Houston?
If you need help understanding which long-term care benefits your loved one may be eligible for or application assistance, the following organizations can help:
- Harris County Veterans Services Department
- Houston VA Regional Benefit Office
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8790
Many veterans or their spouses may not realize they’re eligible for benefits. The application process is often complicated, too. Benefits counseling from the VA or a vetted veterans service organization (VSO) can make this process easier, so reach out to one of the above offices in Houston for guidance.
What are people saying about home care in Houston, Texas?
What families are saying about home care in Houston
Recent reviews for home care in Houston
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How to choose the right Houston home care agency
Hiring an in-home caregiver isn’t an easy task, but knowing what to look for in a home care agency can help. As you review home care agencies, be sure to thoroughly research how an agency hires its caregivers. Check whether the agency is licensed and accredited, and how care fees are assessed. Comparing home care agencies can help you understand which agency will be best for your loved one.
Licensure and accreditation
In Texas, home care agencies and home health care agencies are licensed as home and community support services agencies (HCSSA). All HCSSAs need to be licensed, and requirements for licensing may vary depending on the care provided. If your loved one needs help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and dressing, you’d want to look for an HCSSA licensed agency to provide these personal assistance services.
To become licensed, a home care agency must complete the following steps:[05]
- Complete computer-based training
- Complete an application
- Pay the licensing fee
- Register and remain in good standing with the State Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State of Texas
- Receive approval from the licensure and certification unit
Home care agencies also need to become accredited. Accreditation is important as it signifies that a home care agency has been vetted and provides a high quality of care. Licensed HCSSA’s should be accredited by one of the following agencies:[05]
- Community Health Accreditation Partner
- The Joint Commission
- Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.
Texas maintains a list of HCSSA providers, which includes a directory and a list of HCSSA closures. When viewing the provider directory, you can see what the HCSSA is licensed to provide, as well as their current licensing status.
Hiring practices
Texas home care agencies that provide personal assistance services hold an HCSSA license. However, they aren’t required to hire caregivers that hold a specific license or certification. Caregivers can help with activities such as bathing or dressing, as long as they’ve demonstrated to the agency that they’re able to do so and have a high school diploma.[06] Some home care agencies, however, may wish to hire caregivers with proven experience or education. Check with prospective agencies on what kinds of certifications they require of their caregiving staff.
Home care agencies may differ in their hiring practices. Here are some questions you may want to ask a prospective home care agency:
- Do you conduct background checks?
- Do you require any certifications or training programs for caregivers?
- Do you offer any on-the-job training?
Fees and minimums
Outside of an hourly rate, home care agencies in Houston may have additional fees or minimum requirements. You may want to ask the following questions:
- Do you have an hourly minimum that caregivers need to work?
- How do you charge for overnight or weekend care?
- Do you charge for a care assessment or consultation?
- Do you require a deposit for care services?
- Is there a minimum age for seniors to receive care?
Other questions to ask Houston home care agencies
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Frequently asked questions about home care in Houston
Home Helpers Home Care of Memorial, TX, CareWorks and Hands with Heart Home Healthcare - Dickinson, TX are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Houston, 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 Houston 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. (2024, March 1). Appendix IX, Medicare savings program information.
Texas Health and Human Services. (2024). STAR+PLUS.
National Council on Aging. Benefits Checkup. Texas Community Care for Aged/Disabled (CCAD).
Texas Health and Human Services. How to become a licensed HCSSA provider.
Health and Human Services Commission. RULE §558.404 Standards Specific to Agencies Licensed to Provide Personal Assistance Services. Texas Administrative Code.
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