Texas Senior Living and Elder Care Options

How to Choose a Texas Senior Living Facility

Researching retirement communities in Texas can be overwhelming if you don’t know what criteria to look for. Whether you’re looking in Houston or the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the criteria below will help you find the best facility.

A quality senior community facility in the Lone Star State meets the following criteria:

• Licensing through Texas Health and Human Services: A nursing facility that includes caregiving options such as memory care and skilled nursing must be licensed. Texas Health and Human Services licenses, surveys, and certifies these facilities.
• Accreditation through third-party organizations: Third-party accrediting bodies hold medical facilities to high standards, such as the Joint Commission.
• High client ratings: Some of the toughest evaluators are the families of loved ones in a senior housing facility. Highly reviewed facilities can assure you that they are looking out for your loved one’s well-being.
• Amenities and features: It’s important that you enjoy your golden years, so a facility should provide amenities that promote an active lifestyle. Features such as a fitness center, social activities, and enriching programs are important.
• Accessibility and ADA compliance: An age-related disability should not stand in the way of access to medical care or social opportunities. It’s important to ensure that a prospective facility is ADA-compliant.

Cost Considerations for Senior Care in Texas

One of the biggest concerns of someone looking for a senior care facility is the cost. There are many options to consider, from an in-home health aide to onsite care at a facility.

From Plano to Corpus Christi, the table below shows how average monthly costs for senior care in Texas compare to the national average:

Payment Options for Elder Care in Texas

One of the biggest stressors when considering senior living and care facilities is the cost. While there is no getting around the cost, there are ways to fund your care in Texas.

Payment options for elder care in Texas include:

• Texas life insurance: Texas seniors have the option of turning their life insurance into an accelerated death benefit to fund their care if they’re diagnosed with a serious illness. You can also sell it or combine with long-term care insurance
• Medicare/Medicaid: You can also use your Medicaid or Medicare health insurance to pay for care at a senior living facility that accepts them. Depending on your plan, these insurance programs can reduce the cost significantly.
• Personal savings: A third option is to tap into your personal savings. This could include anything from a savings account to stocks and bonds to a retirement account. Funding your long-term care in Texas would be a positive use of your investment.

Senior Living Resources in Texas

Texas offers a number of resources that help you or your loved one meet some of the challenges of aging.

The following resources help you address your health, financial, and long-term care needs in Texas:

• Texas Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): This Texas state resource helps seniors and their caregivers find the resources they need. AAA offers referrals, care coordination services, legal education, and more.
• Texas Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities: Medicaid in Texas provides benefits for people who are 65 years and older or people with disabilities. This includes regular medical care and help with long-term care as well.
• Texas Medicare Saving Program: This program helps you address out-of-pocket expenses with your Medicare insurance plan. Depending on your income level, this service could help you pay for some or all of your premiums, copays, or deductibles.

Texas Senior Living FAQs