Home Care in Odessa, TX
Located in west Texas and approximately an hour’s drive from the New Mexico border, Odessa is a city of over 123,000 residents. Approximately 10% of Odessa’s population are 65 years of age or older, a percentage that’s significantly below the national average of 16.5%. Odessa’s cost of living is about 12% lower than that of the United States in general, making it a strong retirement option for fiscally minded seniors. According to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Odessa-area residents pay approximately $4,576 per month for home care services, which include light personal care. Seniors who need some level of skilled nursing help at home are better served by home health care services.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Odessa 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.
8 Home Care Services for Seniors Serving Odessa, TX
Home Instead – Midland, TX
3001 W Illinois Ave, Suite 3B1, Midland, TX, 79701
BeeHive Home Care of Texas
2512 NW Mustang Drive, Andrews, TX, 79714
HomeCare.com
7925 Jones Branch Drive, Suite LL 140, Mclean, VA, 22102
Nurses Unlimited – Midland
1020-B Andrews Hwy, Midland, TX, 79701
See Pricing for
is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
Paying for Home Care in Odessa, TX
The Cost of Home Care in Odessa, TX
The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found that the cost of home care in the Odessa area is about $380 more per month than the Texas state average of $4,195. Prices are slightly lower to the north in Lubbock and to the east in San Angelo. In El Paso, about five hours west of Odessa, prices are significantly lower at $2,860. Odessa’s prices match up well against U.S. averages; at $4,481, the national average is roughly $100 below Odessa’s $4,576.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Odessa, TX
Odessa-area seniors have a variety of long-term care options, the cheapest of which is adult day health at approximately $1,517 a month. Home care runs about $4,576 a month, equal to the price of home health care. Home health care includes some skilled nursing services and physical therapy assistance. Assisted living costs a few hundred dollars more, at $4,482 a month. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at $5,019 a month.
Note: Data for Odessa was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Midland, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Odessa, 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 for paying 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 non-medical, 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 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 the 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 portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. 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 do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Odessa, TX
There are a variety of resources in the area for Odessa seniors who wish to age in place. Private nonprofits and local and federal governments all offer options for financial and physical assistance. Contact the agencies below for more information.
Resource
Contact
Service
(432) 333-6451
This nonprofit organization provides homebound and disabled Odessa residents with regular access to hot meals. With over 160 volunteers delivering food on 32 routes, the agency sends food to hundreds of seniors a day. The agency also provides a pet food program that helps seniors care for their companions.
(432) 563-1061
The benefits counseling staff of this Area Agency on Aging can help seniors better understand their options regarding health insurance and publicly available benefits. In addition to offering information about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the trained staff can assist seniors with drafting advance directives such as power of attorney and declaration of guardian. Guidance is available over the phone, in the AAA office or in seniors' homes.
(432) 563-1061
The Ombudsman program is staffed by volunteers who help seniors solve issues they face in assisted living or nursing home situations, ensuring that all residents of such facilities receive acceptable care. Ombudsmen monitor whether long-term care facilities are observing relevant laws and implementing regulations and policies that ensure the quality of life for their residents.
(512) 475-3800
The CEAP assists low-income Texas residents with paying their energy bills. CEAP funds can cover up to eight of a household's highest energy bills over the course of a year. The program can also provide emergency assistance in the event of severe weather. Income requirements apply, but seniors on SSI are automatically eligible to participate in the program.
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 – often times 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between in-home care and home health care?
There’s some overlap among these two options, and some agencies offer both types of care. In-home care is primarily focused on nonmedical assistance, with aides helping prepare meals, clean living areas and support seniors with basic tasks of living such as dressing, eating and bathing. Alternatively, home health care workers are usually medical professionals who can provide more skilled nursing elements, which may be necessary for seniors who need such things as IV treatment or specialized medical equipment.
What is a home care plan?
A home care plan is a document that clearly describes the types of care required and how often services will be provided. This document also identifies any specific medical equipment that will be used during care. In addition to setting expectations for both clients and workers, a completed home care plan is usually a requirement for setting up payment through an insurance provider.
What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in Odessa, Texas?
Genworth Financial data shows that seniors pay an average of $4,576 a month for in-home care — about $26 an hour. However, that’s based on an assumption of 44 hours of assistance per week. Seniors who need round-the-clock care or who only need a few hours of help a day may see considerably higher or lower costs.
How do you pay for senior care at home?
While some seniors choose private-pay options, many seniors turn to financial assistance programs to help defray the often high costs of in-home care. Medicare can pay for some part-time in-home care, although nonmedical care isn’t covered. The city of Odessa offers a Mortgage/Rent & Utility Assistance Program that can provide some financial support for low-income seniors.
Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?
The choice between the two comes down to a senior’s needs. Extroverted seniors may desire the additional social and entertainment options that come from the assisted living environment, while seniors who put an emphasis on remaining as independent as possible or who enjoy living in an ancestral home may prefer to age in place. Aging in place may result in higher costs, both from covering the costs of help and from making home modifications such as installing ramps or grab bars.