I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Lewisville, TX
Santa Clara is a western suburb of San Jose and sits about an hour southeast of San Francisco. U.S. census data reports that 127,151 people live here, with seniors representing 11.1% of that population. The city is notably more expensive than most in America, with an overall cost of living that’s 150% higher than the U.S. average and housing costs that are over four times as expensive as the U.S. average.
There are many benefits which counterbalance the high costs, though. Santa Clara residents enjoy 260 sunny days a year, much higher than the national average of 205, and see little rain and no snow to speak of. Daytime temperatures are in the high 50s to low 80s all year round, and nighttime lows remain above freezing nearly all year long. The violent crime rate is also exceptionally low in the area.
Santa Clara is primarily served by Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, ranked by U.S. News and World Report as high-performing in multiple procedures relating to cardiology and lung surgery. An hour to the north in San Francisco is UCSF Medical Center, ranked by U.S. News as the top hospital in the entire nation for neurology and neurosurgery.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Lewisville, TX
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that seniors in Lewisville pay an average of $4,862 per month for either in-home care or home health care. In some markets, home health care is the slightly more expensive option because it involves a higher level of medical support.
It’s worth noting that this figure of $4,862 is extrapolated from an assumption of a 44-hour work week. If you need more or fewer hours of coverage from your caretaker, you can expect the monthly figure to change accordingly. Expressed in different terms, the average cost of home care in Lewisville is $25.50 an hour.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Lewisville’s monthly cost for home care is slightly more expensive than the Texas average of $4,576, but it’s also slightly cheaper than national averages. Elsewhere in the U.S., the average monthly cost of home care is $4,957, with home health care a bit higher at $5,148. Texas’ capital city, Austin, is in line with national averages, with both types of care costing $5,196 a month. Prices drop significantly in Amarillo, where both types cost $4,052 monthly, and fall even further in Brownsville, where both types cost $2,860 monthly.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Most options for long-term care in Lewisville fall within a relatively narrow price range. Adult day care is easily the least expensive choice at $1,517 a month, though it offers limited coverage. Assisted living costs $4,195 a month; that’s roughly $675 cheaper than in-home care, at the cost of somewhat less individualized care. A semiprivate room in a nursing home provides the highest level of medical supervision and runs $5,627 monthly, roughly $775 more expensive than in-home care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Lewisville, 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 Lewisville, TX.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Lewisville, TX
Homestead Property Tax Exemption
What You Should Know
Texas allows all homeowners to claim a $40,000 residence homestead exemption against the value of their primary home. The exemption works by lowering the taxable value of the property by $40,000. Seniors may claim an extra $10,000 residence homestead exemption in addition to the general one, meaning that they may reduce the taxable value of their home by $50,000.
Who Is Eligible?
This exemption is available for all Texas residents age 65 and up, so long as they own their home and it is their primary residence. Disabled state residents also qualify, regardless of age; however, if you’re both disabled and over 65, you may only claim the exemption once.
How to Get Started
Contact Denton County’s appraisal district by calling (940) 349-3800. You may also fill out an exemption form on its website or send one by mail to P.O. Box 2816, Denton, TX 76202. Note that you must file by April 30 of a given year to receive the exemption for that year.
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas
What You Should Know
This pro bono law firm can assist you with civil legal issues, including landlord disputes, questions about applying for public benefits and writing up documents such as wills and advance directives. LANWT can also offer emergency legal assistance with time-sensitive matters, including ongoing physical abuse, residential lockouts and imminent foreclosure, eviction or termination of benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
LANWT’s services are available for all U.S. citizens whose household income levels are no greater than 125% of federal poverty guidelines. As of 2022, that’s $16,987.50 for a household of one. Income limits rise with household size; for example, a household of four residents would have a total income limit of $34,687.50.
In certain cases, you may qualify for assistance if your income is below 200% of those guidelines. The value of your assets is also considered when determining eligibility.
How to Get Started
Call LANWT’s Denton office at (800) 955-1407 or stop by for a personal consultation. The office is located in Denton at 2220 San Jacinto Blvd, Suite 205.
REACH of Denton
What You Should Know
REACH loans medical and assistive equipment to Denton County residents. Items are intended to improve independence and include mobility devices such as wheelchairs and canes, simple medical machines such as blood pressure monitors, and safety equipment such as shower chairs. The organization also performs some minor home upgrades, such as installing handrails and grab bars in bathrooms.
Who Is Eligible?
REACH serves visually impaired people throughout the Denton County area; there is no age restriction on its services.
How to Get Started
Call the organization’s Denton office at (940) 383-1062, email at [email protected], or visit at 405 S. Elm Street, Suite 202.
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
This volunteer organization delivers hot meals to local residents five days a week. In addition to delivering noontime meals, volunteers perform wellness checks on program participants and ensure they’re not in need of other assistance. There’s no charge for the service, though the organization does accept donations, suggesting $2 per meal.
If you have a pet, you can also take advantage of the Meals on Wheels sister program, Senior Paws. Senior Paws supplements Meals on Wheels deliveries with pet food, treats and litter once a month.
Who Is Eligible?
Homebound Denton County residents who are at least 60 years old, cannot prepare food for themselves and have no other resident available who can prepare food for them may participate in the program.
How to Get Started
Call (940) 382-2224 or stop by the county office, located at 1800 Malone Street, Denton, Texas 76201.
Texas Ramp Project
What You Should Know
This nonprofit uses volunteer labor to build wheelchair ramps for older adults and disabled people throughout the state. In addition to helping you live more independently by reducing the need for your caretaker to assist you in entering and exiting, this program can also help from a safety perspective by providing an extra fire escape. Most ramps can be built and installed on a single day. All ramps are built to ADA specifications for safety, and installation is completely free for recipients.
Who Is Eligible?
While the program is available to all Texas residents who have difficulty with mobility around their homes, priority is given to fully homebound people, as well as to dialysis patients. There is no age restriction or income restriction.
How to Get Started
The Texas Ramp Project works through third-party health care providers rather than setting up projects directly with homeowners. Ask your health care provider or social work to fill out the online form or call (214) 558-0339 to speak to an organization representative. You may also email [email protected] for more information.