What Long-Term Care Actually Costs in Texas

LONG-TERM CARE

What Care Actually Costs in Texas

Ask ten Texans what long-term care costs, and most will guess low — often by half. Yet about 70% of people turning 65 will need some type of long-term care in their lives, according to the federal Administration for Community Living (ACL.gov). Knowing the real numbers is the first step in planning for them.

The numbers

Industry cost-of-care surveys (the best known is the Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey) track what providers actually charge. Based on recent survey data, typical median costs in Texas run roughly: adult day health care around $1,000–1,300 a month; assisted living communities roughly $5,000–5,500 a month; a full-time home health aide roughly $5,500–6,000 a month; and nursing homes roughly $5,500–6,500 a month for a semi-private room, with private rooms higher. Texas is actually less expensive than the national average — but at $5,500 a month, three years of care still approaches $200,000.

Why this matters

Medicare covers short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, but Medicare.gov states plainly that most long-term care — the ongoing, custodial help with bathing, dressing, and eating — is not covered. Medicaid pays only after you've spent down most of your own assets. Without a plan, the default payer is your savings, your home equity, or your children's time and income.

The takeaway

You don't need to memorize the numbers; you need a plan for them. Long-term care insurance, hybrid life policies with care benefits, and Texas's Long-Term Care Partnership Program all exist to keep a care event from consuming a retirement. The younger and healthier you are when you look into them, the more options you have. Questions? I've been helping Texas families and businesses understand their coverage in plain English since 1993 — no pressure, just education. Angela Hankins, CLTC • Hankins Insurance Services • 713-498-6800 • TxHealth.net Sources: ACL.gov; Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey (2024–2025); Medicare.gov. Cost figures are industry estimates and vary by provider and location. This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or medical advice. Coverage features and eligibility vary by policy and program.