Senior Living Guide · Central Texas
Custodial care (incl. long-term nursing home)
Help with everyday activities when there is no skilled medical need. This includes a long-term nursing home stay after rehab ends.
What this type of care includes
- Bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom
- Moving around safely
- Supervision
How families pay for it
Private pay or Medicaid
Medicare does not pay for custodial care alone. Texas Medicaid is the largest payer for long-term nursing home care.
For Texas families
Texas Medicaid nursing facility coverage has income and asset limits and a 5-year look-back on gifts and transfers. If income is over the limit, a Qualified Income Trust (Miller trust) may be needed.
Questions to ask
- Does the nursing home accept Texas Medicaid, and will my loved one keep their room?
- What is the private-pay daily rate?
- When should we apply for Medicaid?
- Who helps with the Medicaid application?
Your next step
Start Medicaid planning before savings run out. An elder law attorney can review options.
Return to the Medicare and senior-care guide
This information comes from our senior-care guide. Coverage and eligibility vary; confirm your specific benefits with the care team and your plan.