23 Assisted Living Communities in Brazoria County, Texas

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,863 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 23 Assisted Living Communities in Brazoria County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Brazoria County, TX

• Assisted Living: $3,863
• Nursing Home Care: $5,095
• In-home Care: $3,909
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,300

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average monthly price for assisted living in Brazoria County is $3,863, which is close to the state average of $3,795. Prices in nearby College Station ($3,995) and Beaumont ($3,900) are similar, while to the south, prices are higher in Victoria ($4,370).

Statewide, prices for assisted living in Texas start at $2,250 per month in El Paso and go up to $5,190 per month in Austin, however, prices in most areas fall within the $3,500 to $4,300 range. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Brazoria County, so data for the closest city, Houston, was used. 

Average monthly senior care costs in Brazoria County start at $1,300 for adult day health services and go up to $5,095 for semiprivate nursing home care. Assisted living costs $3,863 per month, while 44 hours per week of in-home care from a homemaker is $3,909 and home health aide is $4,099.  When comparing senior care options it’s important to know that residential services, such as nursing homes and assisted living, include room-and-board. This can make these options significantly more affordable than using in-home care, as seniors who remain in their homes must continue paying for ongoing daily living expenses, such as property maintenance, home insurance and utilities. 

Medicaid is the government-funded program that provides low-income seniors, adults with disabilities and families with children basic health care coverage. Medicaid is administered at the state level, and federal law dictates that the following Medicaid services must be provided: 

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Nursing home care
• Physician services
• X-rays and lab services
• Home health services
• Transportation to medical care

Long-term Medicaid care services may be available through waivers and special state-specific programs.  

In Texas, most Medicaid services are delivered through managed care organizations under contract with the Department of Health and Human Services. To qualify for enrollment, applicants must be permanent Texas residents, have a valid social security number and either a U.S. citizen or authorized immigrant. Seniors must also require at least 30 days of continuous care at a level normally provided in a nursing home. 

Seniors aged 65 and older can earn up to $2,313 per month ($4,626 per couple) and own up to $2,000 in assets ($3,000 per couple). Income from most sources is included, however, VA pensions are not. 

Some assets are also excluded from Medicaid asset limits, such as a home worth up to $585,000 that the applicant and/or their spouse lives in, clothing, furniture, one vehicle and prepaid burial contracts. 

Community Spouse Income and Asset Rules

Special eligibility rules apply when one spouse requires long-term Medicaid services and the other spouse doesn’t. The income of the non-applicant spouse, called the community spouse, is not a factor in determining Medicaid eligibility for their spouse.

Medicaid has a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance rule in order to prevent impoverishment of the community spouse and provide support for shelter costs. The applicant may transfer up to $3,160.50 of their income to their spouse and deduct that amount from their income on their Medicaid application. 

The community spouse can also keep up to $126,420 worth of the couples’ joint assets, and up to 50% of the value of the joint assets (excluding the marital home and one vehicle), under the community spouse resource allowance rule.

STAR+PLUS Medicaid Managed Care Program

Seniors with long-term Medicaid coverage may qualify for community-based services and supports through STAR+PLUS, a Texas Medicaid managed care nursing-home diversion program. 

STAR+PLUS lets medically-fragile seniors remain in their home or an assisted living facility by funding enhanced medical and nonmedical services and supplies, such as:

• Mobility devices and assistive aides
• Nursing care
• Occupational, physical and/or speech therapy
• Respite care
• A personal emergency response system
• Help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, getting dressed and eating
• Assisted living
• Transitional support for seniors who wish to move from a nursing facility into an assisted living setting

All STAR+PLUS plans include mandatory Medicaid benefits, such as basic health care services and hospitalization. Some STAR+PLUS plans include value-added services, such as additional vision and dental care, exercise kits, gift programs and access to a 24-hour nurse line. 

Brazoria County is in the STAR+PLUS Harris Service Area, and the plan providers are Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare of Texas, and United Healthcare Community Plan. Seniors must choose a plan within 15 days of receiving confirmation of their STAR+PLUS approval, otherwise, the Health and Human Services Commission can designate a plan provider and a primary care physician. 

For more information on Medicaid and the STAR+PLUS program, contact the nearest Health and Human Services Commission office by calling (888) 337-6377. 

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors planning to sell their home, cash out investments or await long-term care benefits to begin paying for assisted living may want to consider an assisted living bridge loan through Elderlife Financial.

This 12-month loan is available to seniors who have a good credit rating and require access to funds for assisted living move-in expenses or monthly fees. Structured as a line of credit, interest is only charged on the money drawn against the available balance and monthly payments are interest only. 

Applications can be made over the phone for free, and up to six people can be listed on the loan. In most cases, a response is provided within 24 hours, and funds can be sent directly to the assisted living facility. The interest rate is calculated on a prime-plus basis. 

For more information, contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500. 

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance

Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a regular VA pension and have a chronic illness or disability may qualify for one of two VA pension top-up programs.

Aid and Attendance Benefits and the Housebound Allowance provide extra cash benefits that can be used to pay for assisted living. Applicants don’t need to have a disability or illness that’s linked to service, and those who already receive VA disability benefits are excluded.  

For Housebound, applicants must have a permanent disability that limits them to their principal residence most of the time.

For Aid and Attendance, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Reside in a nursing facility as a result of physical and/or cognitive disabilities

• Have corrected eyesight of 5/200 or worse when wearing prescription lenses

• Need assistance from a caregiver to eat, get dressed, bathe or complete any other activity of daily living

• Have a visual field limited to 5 degrees or less

• Be bedridden due to a chronic illness except to participate in medical treatments

For more information on program criteria and free assistance with the application process, contact the Brazoria County Veteran Service Officer at (979) 864-1289. 

Seniors who have served in any branch of the military and their survivors qualify for free assistance from the Brazoria County Veterans Service Department. The VSO helps with VA benefit applications and requests for service records. 

Outpatient VA health services, such as primary care, women’s health and diagnostic radiology, are available at the Lake Jackson VA Clinic, which is affiliated with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. 

Brazoria County Veterans Services
451 N. Velasco, Suite 120, Angleton, TX 77515
(979) 864-1289

Lake Jackson VA Clinic
208 S. Oak Dr., Suite 700, Lake Jackson, TX 77566-5789
(979) 230-4852

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.