In Home Care
In Texas, Home & Community Support Service Agencies that provide services are required to have a State license from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). Before selecting a Home Health Provider, you are encouraged to ask for references from either doctors, hospital social workers or others who have used their services. Also make sure they are indeed licensed by the State of Texas, as required.  In general, The Senior Care Guide lists only  licensed senior care facilities - rather than services. To get a list of in-home care services for your area, click here.

In Home care can be found in various forms throughout Texas such as:

Non-Medical Personal Care Services

Non-medical services are generally intended to assist seniors with activities of daily living and/or to help maintain some degree of independence.  You will find these services referred to as personal assistance, private duty, attendant care or perhaps companionship care.  This non-medical type of care is perhaps one of the fastest growing type of care found not only in Texas, but across the country.   Reminders to take medicine, dressing help, house cleaning, help with transferring and even some companionship can often make the difference between someone being able to stay in their home or needing a different social environment.  It is not uncommon for seniors and their families to desire this type of care as a first step before considering more costly types of care.

Medical Home Care

Medical Home Health Care can range from a very complex care plan under the direction of a doctor and health care team to a simpler plan involving such services as found under the non-medical type of services.  Medical home health normally depends on a team of professionals, the senior and their family.  Together the team works to help the individual remain within their home environment.  Medical Home care involves services provided by trained professionals such as:

  • Nurses
  • Physical therapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Speech/language pathologists
  • Home health aides
  • Medical social workers
  • Dietitians 
Hospice Care

Hospice is a philosophy of care that seeks to provide comfort as well as support as one one approaches end of life. This very caring approach consists again of a team of professionals as well as involving the senior and their support group of family and friends. The home environment can often be ideal since the client can be surrounded by what is familiar and comfortable.  Each hospice patient and family has special needs; therefore each patient/family care program is unique. Hospice is responsible for the coordination of all aspects of  terminal care. 

The cost of hospice for most will be covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit Care Plan, which has specific eligibility criteria. Texas Medicaid recipients may also receive hospice care under the Medicaid Hospice Benefit. If you have private insurance, check if they offer a hospice benefit.