The 10 Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in San Antonio, TX for 2023

Q: How many home care agencies are there near San Antonio?

Seniors may choose from <a href="https://www.caring.com/local/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;type=in-home-care&amp;location=san+antonio%2C+tx">41 home care agencies</a> located in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Each agency may offer slightly different in-home services with varying costs, so it’s important to compare what you’re getting for the price. It’s also essential to look into an agency’s background and satisfaction rating to ensure the organization provides safe, high-quality care to its clients.

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

Seniors with higher incomes may pay for home care through private pay arrangements, while others may seek alternate ways to pay for care. Traditional Medicare doesn’t cover nonmedical personal care, but Medicare Advantage has extended coverage that may include personal care. Medicaid covers personal care in certain areas, including San Antonio, through the <a href="https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip/medicaid-chip-members/starplus">STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program</a> for adults aged 65 or older who chose to receive care in their homes instead of an institution. Seniors may also qualify for the <a href="https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/insurance-financial-help/starplus-home-and-community-based-services-hcbs">STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services waiver</a>, which covers home-based services previously covered under other programs.

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

Although there’s some overlap between the services provided through in-home care and home health care, there are also distinct differences. Home care provides companionship and a range of personal and household services, including assistance with activities of daily living and various household chores, such as cooking and cleaning. Home health care provides medical assistance by licensed medical professionals such as registered nurses and therapists. Home health care is usually prescribed by a doctor and may include health status monitoring, medication administration, wound care and physical therapy.

Q: Who is eligible for the veterans’ home care program?

The Veteran Administration’s <a href="https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/Homemaker_and_Home_Health_Aide_Care.asp">Homemaker Home Health Aide Care program</a> provides services in veterans’ homes to help them with their daily needs. Home care providers help veterans take care of themselves by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, personal grooming, getting dressed, preparing meals, eating and grocery shopping. Services are based on assessed needs and intended to help veterans remain living in their own homes.

Q: What to expect with hospice care at home?

Hospice care often occurs in a person’s home and may be provided by some home care agencies. When entering <a href="https://www.cancer.org/treatment/end-of-life-care/hospice-care/who-provides-hospice-care.html">hospice care</a>, patients choose a primary caregiver, usually a family member or close friend. The rest of their hospice team includes health care professionals who develop a care plan and work with the senior’s caregiver to provide care and support 24/7. Hospice nurses visit regularly and are always available by phone. Hospice volunteers may stay with patients to provide respite for primary caregivers or when they need to run errands, work or otherwise be out of the home.

San Antonio may appeal to seniors in part because there is no state income tax, meaning Social Security and other retirement income aren’t taxed. The city also has a lower cost of living than the state and national averages, and it is ranked 17th out of more than 1,200 incorporated cities statewide on Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report. Seniors benefit from access to top health facilities such as Methodist Hospital and Baptist Medical Center. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, San Antonio’s home care cost mirrors the state average and home health care costs at $4,576. Home care provides personal care but not skilled nursing services, which are included in home health care.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the San Antonio 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.

Directory of Home Care Services in San Antonio, TX

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Paying for Home Care in San Antonio, TX

The Cost of Home Care in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio’s average cost of home care is $4,576, per the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This rate matches the state average, but it’s lower than the national average by nearly $400 per month. Average home care costs vary widely throughout the state, with San Antonio’s average much higher than Laredo’s $2,995 but only slightly more than Victoria’s $4,338. Conversely, its cost is almost $300 less than Dallas’ average of $4,862 and just over $600 lower than Austin’s price of $5,196.

Tucson

$5,434

Arizona

$5,339

The United States

$4,957

Yuma

$4,290

Phoenix

$5,958

Prescott Valley

$5,053

Flagstaff

$6,673

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

San Antonio’s least costly senior care option is adult day health care at only $856 per month. However, it requires attending programs with other participants. Home care and home health care cost the same, at $4,576. While both offer in-home care, home health care includes medical services provided by a registered nurse or therapist. Assisted living is less expensive than home care by more than $1,000, but seniors must join a residential community. Nursing home care costs the most at $5,232, but provides round-the-clock nursing care.

Home Care

$5,434

Home Health Care

$5,482

Adult Day Health Care

$2,058

Assisted Living

$4,050

Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)

$6,601

Financial Assistance for Home Care in San Antonio, 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 San Antonio, TX

Seniors in San Antonio can find numerous programs to help them save money, improve their homes and remain independent as they age in place. These programs are offered through government entities and nonprofit agencies and include everything from home-delivered meals to property tax exemptions.

Resource	Contact	Service
Bexar Area Agency on Aging	(866) 231-4922	BAAA provides various services to seniors throughout San Antonio and Bexar County, including care coordination for those aged 60 or older, plus nutrition and transportation services. It also offers caregiver support for those caring for senior relatives.
Alamo Area Council of Governments’ Weatherization Assistance	(210) 362-5282	AACOG’s Weatherization Assistance program helps low-income seniors and other individuals struggling with high energy costs by installing energy conservation measures. Assistance may include installing additional insulation, weather-stripping and caulking. It may also encompass window glass repair and replacement of HVAC, space heaters, window air conditioners and gas water heaters that aren’t operating efficiently.
Texas Comptroller	(210) 342-2300	Homeowners aged 65 or older qualify for several property tax exemptions in San Antonio. Senior residents may apply for a $40,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes available to all homeowners, plus an additional $10,000 specifically for seniors and disabled individuals. They may also claim a $3,000 exemption for a county special tax on flood control and farm-to-market roads.
Meals on Wheel San Antonio	(210) 735-5115	Through a public/private partnership, MOW San Antonio provides home-delivered meals to homebound seniors. Volunteers deliver meals for breakfast, lunch and the weekend, including hot lunches and breakfast food items and/or specialty-made frozen meals. MOW also delivers pet food the third weekend of every month through its AniMeals add-on program.
Blueprint Ministries	(210) 533-2761	Blueprint Ministries repairs and renovates homes for seniors on low incomes, people with disabilities and veterans in San Antonio at no cost. Applicants must live within the service areas, live in the home being repaired and meet income eligibility.

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.

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Checklist for determining the need for 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 In-Home Care Services for Seniors in San Antonio, TX for 2023