I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Spring, TX
Spring, Texas, had 62,559 residents as of 2020, and nearly 10% of the population was made up of adults aged 65 and older. Seniors enjoy living in Spring because it offers convenient access to a variety of services without the noise and crowds of a large city. It also has lower costs of living than Houston and other urban areas of Texas. The median home cost is 12.1% lower than Houston’s, and Spring residents also pay less for utilities and transportation.
For seniors who need medical care, St. Luke’s Health operates Springwoods Village Hospital in the community, which is known for its emergency services and ability to care for patients with a wide range of health conditions. Seniors in Spring also have easy access to Houston Methodist Hospital, which U.S. News & World Report rates as the best hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist is nationally ranked in 10 specialties, including geriatrics, cardiology and gastroenterology.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Spring, TX
Seniors living in Spring paid an average of $4,576 per month for home care and home health care in 2021, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Genworth determines average costs by using 44 hours as the base amount of care provided each week. To get a better idea of how much you can expect to pay, you can multiply the number of hours of care you need by the average hourly rate for in-home care in Spring, which is $24.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
In 2021, seniors in El Paso paid an average of $3,623 per month for both types of in-home care. In Austin, the average is $5,196 for both types of in-home care, making it one of the more expensive cities in Texas. Seniors in San Antonio paid the same amount as those in Spring—$4,576 per month—for either home care or home health care. The costs of in-home care in Spring are lower than the national medians, but they’re on par with the statewide averages.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Spring residents have access to multiple senior care options. In-home care is one of the most expensive choices at $4,576 per month, while assisted living averages $4,245. Adult day care is the most affordable option at just $1,099 per month. Nursing homes offer the most expensive type of care at an average monthly cost of $5,262.
Note: Data for Spring was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Houston, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Spring, 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 Spring, TX.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Spring, TX
Weatherization Assistance Program
What You Should Know
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) operates the Weatherization Assistance Program, which uses federal funds to help low-income homeowners reduce their energy costs. Each participant receives a home energy audit to uncover air leaks and other issues related to energy efficiency. Program funds can be used to install weatherstripping or insulation, replace inefficient heating and cooling systems, add caulking around windows and/or patch holes between the interior and exterior of the home.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the program, you must have a household income that doesn’t exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. For a single person, the annual income limit is $20,385. The limit increases to $27,465 for a two-person household.
How To Get Started
Contact your local weatherization assistance provider for more information. Texas 2-1-1 can refer you to the correct provider for your location.
Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston
What You Should Know
Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston offers the Meals on Wheels program to ensure eligible seniors have a reliable source of nutritious meals. Volunteers typically deliver meals on weekdays, but homebound seniors may be eligible for weekend meals as well. Interfaith Ministries also operates Animeals, which delivers donated pet food to Meals on Wheels participants.
Who Is Eligible?
To have meals delivered to your Spring home, you must be at least 60 years old and homebound.
How To Get Started
To sign up for meal deliveries, you can submit an enrollment request form via the Interfaith Ministries website. You can also call (713) 533-4900 for more information about the Meals on Wheels program.
Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program
What You Should Know
CEAP offers energy-related education and helps low-income residents of Texas meet their immediate energy needs. Program funds are used to pay up to eight of a participant’s highest energy bills each year. The number of payments made depends on your income and other circumstances. In some cases, CEAP also assists those who are nearly out of heating fuel or have had their utility services disconnected.
Who Is Eligible?
CEAP participation is limited to Texas residents who meet the financial eligibility requirements. Automatic eligibility is available to those who receive Supplemental Security Income, SNAP benefits or certain payments available under Title 38 of the U.S. Code or §306 of the Veterans’ and Survivors’ Pension Improvement Act of 1978. You may also qualify if you have a household income at or below 150% of the FPL.
How To Get Started
If you’re interested in obtaining assistance through CEAP, you must apply through an approved provider. For Spring, the approved providers are the Texas Information and Referral Network, Brazos Valley Community Action Programs and BakerRipley.
Senior Tax Benefits
What You Should Know
Seniors in Harris County are eligible for several tax benefits, lowering the amount owed to the Harris County Appraisal District each year. The homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a home by 20%. Homeowners who qualify for this exemption are eligible for a $25,000 exemption on their school district taxes. Additionally, some senior homeowners may qualify for the school tax ceiling, which prevents school taxes from increasing unless improvements are made to the home.
Who Is Eligible?
To receive the general homestead exemption, you must own your home and use it as your principal residence. You must also confirm that you don’t claim a homestead exemption on another property in the United States. If you qualify for the homestead exemption, you’re automatically eligible for the $25,000 school tax exemption. To qualify for the school tax ceiling, you must be at least 65 years old.
How To Get Started
For more information or to find out how to apply for relevant exemptions, contact the Harris County Appraisal District at (713) 957-7800 or email [email protected].
Harris County Area Agency on Aging
What You Should Know
The Harris County Area Agency on Aging provides information and referrals to help seniors access high-quality health care, public benefits and other needed services. Trained benefits counselors provide telephone and in-person counseling, ensuring that seniors understand their rights as they relate to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other government benefits programs. Counselors can help seniors resolve housing issues, get assistance with fraud and scams, find accurate information on long-term care and identify ways to pay for services that aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance.
Eligible seniors also have access to health promotion programs and the agency’s Caregiver Support Network, which provides temporary respite care and supplemental services to complement the regular care provided by family members.
Who Is Eligible?
To receive most services, you must be at least 60 years old and reside in Harris County. If you need benefits counseling, however, you’re eligible at a younger age if you qualify for Medicare due to a disability.
How To Get Started
Call the Harris County Area Agency on Aging at (832) 393-4301 to request a referral or access benefits counseling and other services.