The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Desoto, TX for 2024

Q: What should I look for in a good home care agency near me in DeSoto?

When choosing a home care agency in DeSoto, it’s helpful to consider factors such as how much an agency charges for care, whether it offers the services you need to remain safe and comfortable at home and the level of training its caregivers undergo. It’s also a good idea to research client ratings, as this can be a good indicator of the experience you may have with a given agency.

Q: What is the difference between in-home care and home health care?

<a href="https://www.caring.com/senior-care/in-home-care">In-home care</a> and <a href="https://www.caring.com/senior-care/home-health-agencies/">home health care</a> both provide services that can help you remain in your home and avoid assisted living or nursing home placement, but they have different scope of care, caregiver training and licensing requirements. In-home care agencies aren&rsquo;t licensed to provide medical services, but they can help with activities you would otherwise be able to handle yourself if not for age or impairment. These include services such as meal preparation, transportation and help with personal care and hygiene. Home health care agencies are licensed through the state and have licensed or certified caregivers who provide rehabilitative therapies, blood sugar checks and medication administration.

Q: How do you pay for senior care at home?

Aside from using monthly retirement income, there are several options for <a href="https://www.caring.com/senior-care/in-home-care/how-to-pay/">paying for in-home care</a>, depending on your assets. If you own your home and have adequate equity, you may be able to take out a reverse mortgage to receive a lump sum that can be used toward care expenses. In some cases, collective sibling agreements may be an option for adult children with adequate funds to pay for care. Qualified individuals may also pay for services through state-funded programs, such as the <a href="https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip/medicaid-chip-members/starplus">STAR+PLUS waiver program</a>.

Q: What is a home care plan?

Home care services are customized to the individual’s needs and goals, making this long-term care type a good option for those who want to remain in their own homes, even with changing care needs. To determine the services you need, agencies create home care plans. These plans outline the services an individual needs, how often the agency administers services and the individual’s goals for care. While each agency has its own process for creating and updating care plans, these documents are generally reviewed on a regular basis and updated as needed.

Q: Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?

Both <a href="https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/">assisted living</a> and home care are solutions for seniors who need help with daily activities. For many seniors, choosing the right option comes down to price and lifestyle preferences. In DeSoto, assisted living is relatively affordable at <a href="https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html">$4,195 per month</a>. This type of care includes housing, three meals daily, transportation and personal care, along with daily social and recreational activities. This may be a good option if you have financial limitations or are at risk of isolation. Home care is costlier at $4,862, but it offers unparalleled privacy and freedom.

DeSoto is a Dallas suburb with scenic parks, access to high-performing hospitals and warm weather year-round, making it a prime retirement destination for active seniors. While its senior community is a little small compared to national norms, accounting for about 14% of the 56,000 residents, the city supports its older adult population with an active senior center, numerous free and low-cost resources and long-term care solutions. Home care may be a viable option for older adults who need help with day-to-day activities and want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. This type of care, which includes services such as housekeeping, companionship and personal care, costs $4,862 per month. Home health care costs the same but includes skilled nursing services.

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Desoto area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who've actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we've compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

Home Care Agencies in Desoto, TX

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Paying for Home Care in Desoto, TX

The Cost of Home Care in Desoto, TX

Seniors in DeSoto pay approximately $4,862 per month for full-time in-home care, according to data in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. While this is several hundred dollars over the Texas norm of $4,576, it’s about $100 below the national median. Seniors in surrounding cities typically pay more affordable rates, including Sherman, where care costs come in at $4,767, and Waco, where seniors pay $4,668 for nonmedical care. In Abilene, rates are $330 less than in DeSoto, and seniors in Tyler pay just $4,376 for services.

Desoto

$4,862

Texas

$4,576

The United States

$4,957

Sherman

$4,767

Tyler

$4,376

Waco

$4,668

Abilene

$4,528

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Desoto, TX

In DeSoto, home care agencies charge $4,862 per month for full-time nonmedical care. Home health care agencies, which provide specialized skilled nursing services along with personal care, charge the same monthly rate. While home care is more affordable than nursing home placement, which costs $5,627 monthly, other local options may provide significant savings. Assisted living, which features personal care, daily meals and recreational activities in a community residential setting, costs $4,195 per month, and those who choose adult day health care instead of home care may see a monthly savings of $3,345.

Home Care

$4,862

Home Health Care

$4,862

Adult Day Care

$1,517

Assisted Living

$4,195

Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)

$5,627

Note: Data for DeSoto was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Dallas, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Desoto, TX

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help to pay for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations, typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day, and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial or nonmedical care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care services either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
Veterans' Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.

Desoto Home Care Resources

Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Desoto:

Resource	Contact	Address	Service
Desoto Senior Center	(972) 230-5826	204 Lion St., Desoto, TX 75115	At the Desoto Senior Center, the city’s older adults can socialize over congregate meals and during activities and work on their fitness goals using the senior-friendly exercise equipment. For residents living within city limits, the Desoto Senior Center can provide them with transportation from their home to their center, as well as to banks, pharmacies and grocery stores from the senior center.
Texas Weatherization Assistance Program	(512) 475-3800	221 East 11th St., Austin, TX 78701	Through the Texas Weatherization Assistance Program, Desoto residents can lower their heating and cooling bills by increasing their homes’ energy efficiency. Common upgrades and maintenance include replacing light bulbs, installing weather stripping and repairing or replacing windows. Workers can also install insulation in floors, walls and ceilings and repair inefficient heating and cooling systems.
Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program	(512) 475-3800	221 East 11th St., Austin, TX 78701	Participants in the Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program can receive assistance with paying utilities and repairing or replacing heating and cooling systems. Applicants must provide proof of income and energy bills, and priority is given to low-income households where at least one resident is elderly.
Emergency Window Air Conditioner Program	(214) 819-1848	1111 W Ledbetter Dr #400, Dallas, TX 75224	The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department manages the Emergency Window Air Conditioner Program, designed to ensure that Texans, regardless of income, can afford to keep their homes comfortable and safely cooled during the warmer months. Homes where at least one air conditioner is functional do not qualify.
Dallas Area Agency on Aging	(214) 871-5065	1341 W Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 1000W, Dallas, TX 75247	The Dallas Area Agency on Aging administers numerous programs designed to help seniors live independently at home. The transportation program helps seniors travel to grocery stores and medical appointments, while the family caregiver support program can make it easier for family members to care for their loved ones with services such as respite care, minor home repair and assistance with chores. Medicare benefits counseling and care coordination are some of the Dallas A.A.A.’s other programs.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

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Checklist for determining the need for in-home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

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Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs

The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Desoto, TX for 2024