I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Corpus Christi, TX
Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi offers a beautiful living environment with a warm and sunny climate. With temperatures rarely dropping below 48 degrees and no snow all year, this city is a great option for older adults who prefer a warm climate without the hassles of snow. Among its more than 300,000 residents, 14% are 65 or older.
Corpus Christi scores 83.1 on the BestPlaces Cost of Living Index, compared to the Texas’ score of 93.9 and the U.S. score of 100, making it a cheaper place to live than most cities in Texas and the United States. The average home price in Corpus Christi is $188,500, $55,100 lower than the Texas average of $243,600 and $103,200 lower than the national average of $291,700.
With a score of 81 on the Air Quality Index, compared to the U.S. average of 58, Corpus Christi offers higher air quality than most cities in the nation. The city’s water quality is also good, scoring 77, higher than the national average of 55. Corpus Christi’s clean environment, low taxes and housing costs make it a good place for seniors to receive home care.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Corpus Christi, TX
According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care and home health care services have the same cost in Corpus Christi, with an average of $3,623 per month that’s lower than the Texas and national averages. While specific prices can vary based on locations and offerings, some agencies charge more for home health care than home care due to the extra services involved, including medication management, injections and wound care.
The Genworth monthly figure above is based on 44 hours of care per week. The price you pay can be substantially different if you require significantly more or fewer hours of care. The average hourly rate for home care and home health care in Corpus Christi is $19.00.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
At $3,623 per month, the cost of home care and home health care in Corpus Christi is lower than the Texas average of $4,576. The national averages are $4,957 for home care and $5,148 for home health care. In the Brownsville and McAllen areas, home care and home health care cost $2,860 per month on average. Seniors in Laredo pay an average of $2,955 per month for home care and $3,049 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
For seniors who prefer to live at home but need help with household chores or clinical care, home care or home health care can be a good option. Both types of home care cost an average of $3,623 per month in Corpus Christi. Assisted living is less expensive at $3,388 per month on average, but it requires seniors to move out of their homes. Among all senior living options in Corpus Christi, adult day care is the least expensive, costing $696 per month. If you choose nursing home care, expect to pay $5,323 on average, $1,700 more than home care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Corpus Christi, TX
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Corpus Christi, TX.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Corpus Christi, TX
Habitat for Humanity Corpus Christi
What You Should Know
The Aging in Place program, offered in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend, enables homeowners aged 65 and over to age in place by making home modifications that improve accessibility, such as converting a bathtub into a walk-in shower or building a ramp. The New Home Construction program provides volunteers to help seniors build their own homes and become homeowners at a reduced cost.
If your house needs maintenance work such as weatherization, painting or minor repairs, the Critical Repairs program can offer volunteer labor and donated materials to help you complete the repairs. The Home Preservation program keeps homes safe by making affordable loans to homeowners to pay for their home preservation work.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Aging in Place program, you must own your home and be 65 or over. Habitat for Humanity works with the Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend to identify eligible seniors. Some programs are need-based, while others determine eligibility based on income.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs, call (361) 289-1740 to speak to a Habitat representative.
Residence Homestead and Senior Property Tax Exemptions and Deferral
What You Should Know
The residence homestead property tax exemption allows any Texas resident to claim a $40,000 exemption for the property taxes on their primary residence. With the senior property tax exemption, seniors 65 or over can claim a $10,000 tax exemption on their primary residence in addition to their $40,000 residence homestead exemption. They can also defer their property taxes until their estates are settled after death.
If you qualify for the senior exemption, your property taxes won’t increase as long as you own and live in your current home. The amount of property taxes you pay the year you qualify for the senior exemption becomes your tax ceiling.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the senior property tax exemption and deferral, you must be 65 or over and have an ownership interest in a property in Texas.
How to Get Started
To learn more about these exemptions, visit the Texas Comptroller’s section on tax exemptions and the related FAQ section. For more information on the senior tax deferral, visit this page. To apply, download Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application), Form 50-311 (Tax Ceiling for Homeowner Age 65 or Older) and Form 50-126 (Tax Deferral Affidavit for Age 65 or Older.) Fill them out and return them to the Nueces County Appraisal District, or call the appraisal district at (361) 881-9978.
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi Crisis Assistance & Self-Sufficiency Services Department
What You Should Know
Seniors with urgent needs caused by illness or disasters can get help with food, rent, utilities, clothing and bus tokens. A prescription assistance program helps people find the most affordable options for their prescription drugs. Health workers offer advice on how to manage medication budgets and navigate health plans. A food pantry provides groceries, toiletries, clothes and assistance with SNAP applications.
Mental health counselors provide guidance on issues that include depression, anxiety and death. The Representative Payee Program assumes financial management responsibilities for people who can’t manage their own finances. Those who wish to improve their financial situation can enroll in the financial literacy program to learn about budgeting and debts.
Who Is Eligible?
Programs are open to anyone in need. Priorities are given to seniors, the disabled and families with children.
How to Get Started
To apply, call (361) 884-0651 to set up an appointment.
Corpus Christi Meals On Wheels Program
What You Should Know
This program helps homebound seniors in Corpus Christi live healthier and more engaged lives. More than a home delivery service of nutritious meals, it also offers companionship and looks out for the safety of the older adults it serves. Meals on Wheels focuses on seniors who find it hard to shop for food or socialize with others due to mobility problems.
This service charges a sliding-scale fee, from no cost to full price. While no one is denied a meal because of their inability to pay, seniors may be asked to make a voluntary donation based on their income levels.
Who Is Eligible?
Adults 60 or over with mobility issues confining them to home are eligible. To qualify, fill out an application before undergoing a need assessment.
How to Get Started
To apply, call the Corpus Christi Meals on Wheels office at (361) 826-3150.
Texas Weatherization Assistance Program
What You Should Know
Federally funded, this program helps low-income residents of Texas reduce their energy costs through education and weatherization services. It provides energy audits to identify leaks and other problems, as well as installations of weatherization materials to increase energy efficiency. Covered services include weather-stripping, adding wall or floor insulation, patching holes and duct work, caulking and replacing inefficient heating or cooling systems.
Assistance is offered through local providers, which in Corpus Christi are 2-1-1 Texas, Nueces County Community Action Agency and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Who Is Eligible?
This program is open to any Texas resident 60 or over who meets its income requirement. Seniors who receive payments for means-tested veteran programs or Supplemental Security Income are automatically eligible.
How to Get Started
Visit the program webpage to use the online tool to check if your income meets the requirement. If it does, call (888) 606-8889 to apply.