What Affects the Cost of Non-Medical Home Care in North Texas?

Non-medical home care is usually paid for privately, and what it costs depends mainly on how many hours you need, when you need them, and what kind of help it is. Anyone who gives you one flat number before knowing your schedule is guessing.

This guide does not quote prices. It explains what moves the cost, what may help pay for care, and gives you the questions that turn a vague “it depends” into a quote you can plan around.

What moves the price

At Lilly's, rates are based on the type of care needed, how long services are needed, and any customized support requested. Most agencies price along similar lines, so these are the factors to ask about wherever you call.

Who may help pay

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says many older adults pay for long-term care “with their own money,” and that “Initially, family and friends often provide personal care and other services, such as transportation, for free. But as a person’s needs increase, paid services may be needed.”

• Medicare. Medicare's own site says it does not pay for custodial or personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing or using the bathroom, when that is the only care you need. The NIA adds that Medicare “does not cover assisted living or long-term care.”
• Medicaid. The NIA describes Medicaid as a combined federal and state program for people with limited income that covers some types of long-term care, and says that who is eligible and which services are covered vary from state to state.
• Long-term care insurance. The NIA says some long-term care insurance plans help pay for companion visits. Whether a plan does is a question for the plan itself.
• Veterans' benefits. The NIA notes that the VA provides coverage for long-term care at a facility or at home for some veterans, and recommends checking with the VA.

Help sorting out coverage in Texas

Texas Health and Human Services runs the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program. Its page says it offers enrollment help, information and counseling about Medicare options, including explaining Medigap policies, comparing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and providing information about long-term care insurance. Its phone number is 800-252-9240.

The NIA also points families to the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116, which can help you find resources in your area, including in-home help and transportation, and information about paying for care.

Questions that get you an accurate quote

A simple way to build a realistic budget

1. List the tasks that are hardest right now: meals, bathing, laundry, rides, company, or a break for you.
2. Decide which of them need someone present at specific times and which are flexible.
3. Turn that into a weekly schedule of hours, even a rough one.
4. Ask each agency to quote against that same schedule.
5. Start with the few tasks that matter most. Hours can be added later.

Where Lilly's fits

Lilly's is a private-pay agency. We offer hourly, daily and weekly options, and tailored care packages, and we give a personalized quote after learning what your family needs. How care at home gets started explains the process, and if you are still working out the type of help, our guide to non-medical home care and home health care is a good first read.