The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Wichita Falls, TX for 2023
Wichita Falls is one of the most affordable cities to live in Texas. It also has a strong arts and culture scene that includes the Backdoor Theatre and the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre. Seniors comprise around 13.2% of the city’s 113,300 residents, which is below the norm but doesn’t reflect the many senior-friendly facilities. These include the United Regional Health Care System – Wichita Falls, which is rated high-performing in five procedures by U.S. News and World Report. There are also many home care agencies delivering limited medical care in the home, and an array of home care agencies delivering non-medical care for approximately $4,029 per month, which is significantly below the state average.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls, TX
Visiting Angels – Wichita Falls, TX
1401 Holliday St. Suite 330, Wichita Falls, TX, 76301
CareTeam of Wichita Falls
1106 Travis, Suite #110, Wichita Falls, TX, 76301
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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 Wichita Falls, TX
The Cost of Home Care in Wichita Falls
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the typical senior in Wichita Falls pays around $4,029 per month for home care. This is a significant saving when compared to the state and national averages of $4,576 and $4,957, respectively. It’s also much less costly than the nearest Texan cities included in the survey, such as Sherman ($4,767), Dallas ($4,862) and Abilene ($4,528). Seniors in Wichita Falls looking for a lower median fee may want to consider traveling about 50 minutes north to Lawton, Oklahoma, where $3,813 is the norm.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Wichita Falls
Assisted living is the most affordable type of senior care in Wichita Falls, with a median fee of $3,505. Home health care is next, with a typical cost of $3,695, with another $334 required for home care. Nursing home care is the costliest option, at $4,715. The Genworth survey doesn’t include a median fee for adult day care in Wichita Falls, but the state average of $769 per month should give seniors an idea of costs.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Wichita Falls, 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 Wichita Falls, TX
Seniors in Wichita Falls don’t need to cope with problems alone, as there are many organizations in the city able to help for free or at a low cost. The nonprofits and government agencies listed here can help with legal matters, tax preparation, home-delivered meals and reducing home energy costs.
Resource
Contact
Service
(940) 761-7448
The Minor Repair Program covers the costs of small repairs of between $5,000 - $7,000 for residents on low incomes in owner-occupied homes. These are typically emergency repairs involving roofs, gas lines, electrical systems and water heaters, although there is scope for limited HVAC repairs and home accessibility improvements.
(877) 541-7905 — in tax season
(940) 386-2924 — out of tax season
North Texas Area United Way administers the VITA program in Wichita Falls. It provides free help for seniors on low incomes who need assistance preparing their tax returns. One-on-one and face-to-face assistance is available from trained and certified volunteers. Homebound seniors can get help via the virtual service.
(940) 322-6232
The Kitchen is a Wichita Falls nonprofit with more than 50 years of experience ensuring the city's most needy get free and nutritious meals. A typical meal includes meat or fish, vegetables, a dessert and milk. Drivers also make wellness checks on seniors at the time of the delivery.
(888) 606-8889
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps to make homes more energy-efficient for seniors on low incomes, saving them money and making their living spaces more comfortable. The type of work provided is determined by the home energy audit. Work could include attic, loft and wall insulation and weather stripping.
(888) 529-5277
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas is a nonprofit law firm that provides free services to seniors with incomes not exceeding 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Services include information, advice and representation on matters of civil law. These include health care, housing, consumer law and elder law.
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.
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 types of services can a home care agency in Wichita Falls provide?
Home care agencies specialize in non-medical care. This can be simply providing companionship to a senior who would otherwise spend their days alone or delivering personal care, such as assistance with bathing and toileting. A home care agency can also provide light housekeeping, shopping for groceries, transportation to personal and medical appointments and the preparation of meals. Not all home care agencies deliver every type of service, so you should ensure the agencies on your shortlist cover all the services you’ll need.
What should I look for in a good home care agency near me in Wichita Falls?
You should first confirm the home care agency is licensed by Texas Health and Human Services. You should also check the Caring.com site for Wichita Falls to read reviews and get a clearer picture of the quality of the agency’s work. Once you’ve created a shortlist, prepare some questions for the agencies you call. These should cover subjects such as employee background checks, staff training, procedures for dealing with emergencies and if you’ll be served by the same caregiver. This final question isn’t obvious to some, but is important because the senior/caregiver relationship is personal.
Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?
Assisted living and home care offer very similar services, so the choice often comes down to the senior’s accommodation preference. The benefits of assisted living include 24/7 care and opportunities to socialize daily with other residents. Facilities often include useful amenities as well, such as hair salons/barbershops. More luxurious ones also have spas, and sometimes a golf course. The benefits of home care include residing in your own home and not an institution, being able to choose your meals freely and enjoying family events without booking a room in the facility.
Can you write off in-home elderly care?
All medical services delivered in the home are, for tax purposes, known as nursing services. While basic home care services, such as housekeeping, aren’t tax-deductible, care by registered nurses can be. However, basic home care services may be deductible under your long-term insurance. It’s good practice to record all hours worked in your home by a registered nurse, even if the work isn’t necessarily medical, as it’s the hours worked by the person that count, not the work they provide at any given moment.
What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in Wichita Falls?
The average cost of in-home elderly care in Wichita Falls is $4,029 per month, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. This is the midpoint between the most affordable home care agencies and the costliest. Not all agencies offer the same services, so it’s wise not to assume that one with lower fees is necessarily offering better value for money. It makes sense to ensure you know precisely what you’re getting for the fee before making a financial decision.