If you're researching care for a parent or spouse, cost is probably your first question — and it's a fair one. The honest answer is that in-home care is priced by the hour, and the total depends on three things: how many hours you need, what level of care those hours require, and when the care happens.
The three cost drivers
Hours per week. A few mornings a week for bathing and breakfast is the most affordable way to start. Daily support and around-the-clock coverage scale up from there.
Level of care. Non-medical personal assistance — bathing, meals, housekeeping, companionship — is priced differently from skilled nursing such as wound care or medication management, which requires a licensed nurse and a physician's plan of care.
Schedule. Overnights, weekends, and holidays may carry different rates because of staffing.
Why agencies rarely post prices
A 'starting at' rate is rarely what a family actually pays, because every situation is different. A better approach — and the one we use — is a free in-home assessment followed by a written, itemized quote you can adjust as needs change.
How Houston families pay
- Private pay — most common and most flexible.
- Long-term care insurance — many policies cover in-home care once a waiting period is met.
- Medicaid programs — Texas Medicaid and waiver programs may cover personal assistance for eligible people.
- Medicare and health plans — may cover skilled home health for eligible patients through certified agencies.
- VA benefits — Aid & Attendance can help eligible veterans and surviving spouses.
Questions to ask any agency
- Is the rate hourly, and is there a minimum?
- Is the agency licensed by Texas HHSC? (Ask for the license number.)
- Are caregivers employees who are background-checked and supervised?
- Is there a long-term contract?
- What happens if a caregiver is sick?
See our Cost of Care page for scenarios, or request a free assessment for a written quote.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your physician about your specific situation.
Let's talk about what would help most
A warm, no-pressure conversation — and a free in-home assessment when you're ready.