Assisted Living in Lubbock, TX

Assisted Living Costs in Lubbock

At an average monthly cost of $3,200, assisted living prices in Lubbock are below the state ($3,795) and national ($4,000) averages. Prices are higher in neighboring areas, such as Amarillo ($3,700), Odessa ($4,605) and Midland ($4,183). 

Statewide, costs in the most expensive city, Austin ($5,190), are more than double assisted living prices in El Paso ($2,250), which has the lowest care costs in Texas. Costs in many areas are close to the state average, including Houston ($3,863), Abilene ($3,868) and College Station ($3,995). 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Nursing homes are usually the most expensive senior care service due to the level of medical care they provide, and that’s true in Lubbock where a semiprivate nursing home room is $4,958 per month. This price includes meals, accommodations and around-the-clock skilled nursing care for fragile seniors and adults with disabilities. 

Seniors who want to hire in-home help can expect to pay $3,600 per month for either a homemaker or home health aide, and $704 for adult day health services outside the home on weekdays. Assisted living costs are lower at $3,200 per month, and this price includes room and board. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Lubbock

Medicaid in Texas

Low-income seniors, children and people with disabilities may qualify for basic health care coverage through Medicaid, the nationwide government health plan. Medicaid is administered by each state, and mandatory benefits include hospital services, doctor’s visits, X-rays, transportation to care, home health services and nursing facility care. 

States may also opt to fund optional benefits that may include vision and dental care, case management, physical therapy, hospice care and community-based services. In Texas, the Medicaid program is delivered through managed care organizations. By law, every county must offer at least two Medicaid providers, and enrollees can usually pick their own plan. 

Qualifying for Medicaid 

In Texas, seniors aged 65 and older who collect Supplemental Security Income benefits automatically qualify for basic Medicaid benefits. 

To qualify for Medicaid-funded long-term care services, seniors must: 

• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less or $4,626 or less per couple when both spouses require care, and
• Have countable assets valued at $2,000 or less or $3,000 in joint assets when a spouse is also seeking Medicaid, and
• Be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number, or 
• Have qualified immigration status, and
• Be a permanent Texas resident, and
• Need 30 or more days of continuous care at the level normally provided in a nursing facility

Most, but not all, assets are counted by Medicaid. One vehicle, a life insurance policy worth $1,500 or less and a residence owned and occupied by the applicant and/or their spouse is exempt as long as that residence has an assessed value of $585,000 or less. 

STAR+PLUS Medicaid Nursing Home Diversion Program 

Seniors aged 65 and older with Medicaid coverage who need the level of care normally provided in a nursing home may qualify for STAR+PLUS, a Texas Medicaid managed care program.

STAR+PLUS funds community-based long-term care services to let frail seniors age in place in an assisted living facility rather than be placed in a nursing home. The goal of STAR+PLUS is to provide Medicaid participants with personalized services that allow them to maintain as much independence as possible without compromising on safety or wellness. 

By law, each STAR+PLUS managed care plan must include all mandatory Medicaid benefits, and also: 

• Attendant and personal care
• Adult day health programming
• Disposable medical supplies and mobility equipment
• Skilled nursing care
• An emergency medical alert system
• Home delivered meals
• Transition services for seniors who want to leave a nursing facility to participate in STAR+PLUS
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Transportation

Individual STAR+PLUS plans may also offer value-added services, such as enhanced dental care, discounts on health and wellness programs and extra vision care. 

Seniors in Lubbock can receive STAR+PLUS services through Superior Health Plan or Amerigroup. If seniors don’t select a provider within 15 days of being accepted into STAR+PLUS, they’ll be automatically enrolled in one of these two plans. 

To learn more about Texas Medicaid and the STAR+PLUS program, contact the Health and Human Services Commission office at (888) 337-6377. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly

Lubbock seniors aged 55 and older who qualify for placement in a nursing facility and would prefer to remain in a community-based setting, such as assisted living, may be candidates for the Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly. 

PACE is a managed care program that provides seniors with the medical and nonmedical services they need to avoid institutionalization. PACE is free for seniors who have full-scope Medicaid coverage, and seniors can also participate on a private-pay basis. 

PACE services are delivered through a multidisciplinary team of health professionals that include primary care physicians, registered nurses, therapists, nutritionists, social workers and home health aides. Each PACE participant completes an in-depth assessment to identify their unique needs, and services are assigned with the goal of improving the overall health and wellness of each participant. 

Most services are performed at the PACE center, an adult day health center equipped with an outpatient medical clinic, therapy rooms, recreational spaces and a cafeteria. Participants are provided with door-to-door transportation to the PACE center and community-based services. 

For more information, contact Silver Star, the Lubbock PACE program, at (806) 740-1500. 

Elderlife Financial Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors who need interim financing to cover moving costs may utilize Elderlife Financial’s assisted living bridge loan. Structured as an open line of credit with a term of 12 months, this bridge loan is designed for seniors waiting for benefit approval or the sale of their home. 

There are no application fees, and loan applications are processed over the phone in about 15 minutes. Because this loan is unsecured, applicants must have a high credit score. 

If approved, seniors can have money sent directly from the lender to their assisted living provider. Monthly payments are interest only, and the entire balance can be paid off at any time. 

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

Assisted Living Resources in Lubbock

Senior Centers

The City of Lubbock’s Parks and Recreation Department operates three community and senior centers and two adult activity centers. All five centers offer a daily low-cost hot lunch program that includes door-to-door transportation and recreational activities. 

Copper Rawlings Community and Senior Center
213 40th St., Lubbock, TX 79404
(806) 767-2704

Mae Simmons Community and Senior Centers
2004 Oak Ave., Lubbock, TX 79404
(806) 767-2708

Maggie Trejo Supercenter
3200 Amherst St., Lubbock, TX 79415
(806) 767-2705

Community Aid Agencies

Seniors aged 65 and older qualify for discounted fares on Citibus, the municipal public transit service. Seniors who cannot use the fixed routes due to disability can register for CitiAccess, an on-demand, ADA-compliant curbside service. 

Lubbock Meals on Wheels operates a pet program to help seniors feed their companion animals. MOW also delivers holiday meals, emergency meals, current reading materials and a birthday surprise to seniors who are housebound and/or isolated. 

Citibus
801 Broadway Ave., Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 712-2000

Lubbock Meals on Wheels
2304 34th St., Lubbock, TX 79411
(806) 792-7971

Veterans Services

The Lubbock VA Clinic offers outpatient primary and specialty care services to eligible vets, and comprehensive hospital services are available at the nearby Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center in Amarillo. 

Veterans and survivors can contact the Lubbock American Legion to learn about VA entitlements, connect with other vets and get help filing VA benefits claims. 

Lubbock VA Clinic
6014 Ave. Q S. Dr., Lubbock, TX 79412-3700
(806) 472-3400

American Legion Post #575
6628 66th St., Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 794-7225