3 Assisted Living Communities in Rowlett, Texas

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,350 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 3 Assisted Living Communities in Rowlett and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Rowlett, TX

• Assisted Living: $4,350
• Nursing Home Care: $5,064
• In-home Care: $4,004
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,408

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average monthly price of assisted living in Rowlett is $4,350, which is higher than the state ($3,795) and national ($4,000) averages. Costs are lower in nearby cities, such as Waco ($3,695), Sherman ($3,694) and Tyler ($3,800), making price in Rowlett the highest in northeast Texas.

Statewide, costs are comparable in Victoria ($4,370) and San Angelo ($4,450). Austin has the highest assisted living prices in Texas at $5,190 per month, while some cities along the state border, such as El Paso ($2,250), Corpus Christi ($2,975) and Texarkana ($2,265), are among the most affordable. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Rowlett, so data for the closest city, Dallas, was used. 

Senior care costs in Rowlett start at $1,408 per month for adult day health services, which provide seniors with nonmedical supervision in a communal setting on weekdays only. Residential care options that include room and board start at $4,350 for assisted living and go up to $5,064 per month for semiprivate nursing home care.  In-home senior care costs between $4,004 and $4,040 per month based on 44 hours of service per week. Unlike residential care services, community-based care costs are in addition to regular daily living expenses, such as groceries, transportation, home upkeep and HOA fees. 

 

Medicaid is the federally mandated, state-administered health plan for needy seniors, children and people with permanent disabilities. It covers doctor’s visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, X-rays, some blood tests and care in a nursing facility. 

Some states also fund optional benefits, such as rehabilitation, vision and dental care, case management and personal care through state-specific Medicaid waivers. The Texas Medicaid program is administered through the Department of Health and Human Services using managed care organizations. There are at least two Medicaid plans available in every county, and in most cases, Medicaid enrollees can choose which plan they want to participate in. 

Qualifying for Medicaid 

Because Medicaid is for those who would otherwise be unable to afford basic health care, applicants must have a low income and few resources (countable assets). In Texas, seniors who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits are automatically enrolled in basic Medicaid and only need to complete additional screening if requesting Medicaid-funded long-term care. 

All other seniors must meet the following criteria: 

• Earn no more than $2,313 per month or $4,626 per couple when both spouses require care, and
• Own no more than $2,000 in cash, investments and other countable assets or $3,000 together with a spouse who is also applying for Medicaid, and
• Be a U.S. citizen or have qualified immigration status, and
• Be a permanent resident of Texas, and
• Have a valid Social Security Number, and
• Have documentation from a licensed physician that verifies the need for 30 or more days of continuous care at the level normally provided in a nursing home setting

Some assets are exempt, including prepaid burial contracts, life insurance policies valued at $1,500 or less, one vehicle and a home in which the applicant and/or their spouse live worth $585,000 or less. 

Income and Asset Exemptions for Non-Applicant Spouses 

When only one spouse requires long-term Medicaid services, special rules apply to the non-applicant, called the community spouse. The income of the community spouse is disregarded for Medicaid purposes. 

In most cases the non-applicant spouse can keep up to half of the couple’s joint assets, up to a $126,420 limit, under the community spouse resource allowance. Higher limits may be granted through a court order or an appeal hearing, and this amount doesn’t include non-countable assets, such as the couple’s home. 

If the community spouse is financially dependent on the applicant, the applicant may provide the community spouse with up to $3,160.50 per month to cover shelter costs. Any amount transferred under the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance rule is deducted from the applicant’s countable income when assessing Medicaid eligibility. 

STAR+PLUS Medicaid Nursing Home Diversion Program 

Medicaid-eligible seniors aged 65 and older who meet the criteria for placement in a nursing facility may qualify for enhanced home and community-based services through STAR+PLUS, a Texas Medicaid managed care program.

STAR+PLUS provides long-term care services necessary to allow frail seniors to age in place in an assisted living facility. Services are assigned based on medical need as determined by the senior, their primary care provider, family members and a STAR+PLUS service coordinator. 

Every STAR+PLUS plan must offer: 

• All the mandatory Medicaid benefits
• Primary home care services
• Adult day health services
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Minor home modifications to improve safety and accessibility
• Rehabilitation therapies 
• Skilled nursing
• Assisted living
• Access to a personal emergency response device
• Home delivered meals
• Emergency response services
• Respite care
• Transition support for seniors moving from a nursing facility into assisted living 

Each STAR+PLUS plan also offers value-added services that aren’t covered under Medicaid, such as extra vision and dental coverage, wellness services, gift programs and podiatry services. 

Dallas and Rockwall counties are in the STAR+PLUS service area. Participants here can choose to receive their STAR+PLUS services through either Molina Healthcare of Texas or Superior Health Plan. Upon receiving notice of approval for the STAR+PLUS program, seniors have 15 days to choose a plan provider, otherwise, they’re automatically assigned a plan and primary physician. 

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

Reverse Mortgage

Seniors aged 62 and older who own a home with a spouse and need money to pay for assisted living care may be eligible for a reverse mortgage.

This highly regulated loan allows seniors to leverage the equity they have built up in their home without needing to sell their property. When the home is sold and/or both of the homeowners move out, the amount of money owed on the reverse mortgage, plus interest, is payable to the lender. 

The application process can take up to 3 months and includes government-mandated, HUD-approved financial counselling to ensure loan applicants are fully apprised of the loan terms and impact a reverse mortgage can have on their savings. 

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

Elderlife Financial Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors who need money to finance a move into assisted living may qualify for Elderlife Financial’s assisted living bridge loan. This short-term loan is set up as a one-year line of credit, and monthly payments are interest-only based on the amount borrowed. 

Loan applications can include up to six borrowers, and approval is based on the average credit rating of all the applicants. In most cases, qualified borrowers receive loan approval within 24 hours of completing a phone application. 

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

The Rowlett Recreation Division operates a variety of fitness and social programs for seniors aged 60 and older at the Rowlett Community Center. Memberships cost $10 per year and include unlimited use of the walking track, fitness room and drop-in activities and table games. 

Rowett seniors also qualify for 5 DART transportation passes per week and up to 15 per month for use anywhere within the DART service area. 

Rowlett Community Center – Senior Programs
5300 Main St., Rowlett, TX 75088
(972) 412-6170

Veterans and survivors who have questions about local, state or VA benefits can contact their respective county veterans service office for free assistance. 

Comprehensive VA health services, including 24-hour emergency care, specialty services and palliative care, are available at the nearby Dallas VA Medical Center. 

Rockwall County Veterans Service Office
915 Whitmore Dr., Suite D., Rockwall, TX 75087
(972) 204-7280

Dallas County Veteran Services
2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 631, Dallas, TX 75207-2710
(972) 692-4939

Dallas VA Medical Center
4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216-7167
(214) 742-8387

The North Texas Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates a volunteer home visit program to help seniors learn about local resources, such as food pantries, help accessing medical care and financial supports. The Society runs a MiniLoan Program to help those experiencing financial emergencies and a free pharmacy for low-income residents without health coverage St. Vincent de Paul Society of North Texas
3826 Gilbert Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
(469) 607-0909

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