El Paso Senior AdvisorHow do most El Paso families pay for assisted living?
Most pay from a combination of the parent's income, savings, the sale or rental of a home, long-term care insurance and help from family, at least until a public program becomes available.
Start by adding up the parent's monthly income and the assets that can be used for care, then divide by the expected monthly cost. If the money lasts less than three years, choose a facility that accepts STAR+PLUS, or plan for a move later. HHSC's November 5, 2026 directory lists 31 licensed assisted living facilities in El Paso and Hudspeth counties (22 Type B, 6 Type A and 3 Type C) with 964 licensed places; half are licensed for 15 residents or fewer.
How does long-term care insurance work in El Paso?
A long-term care policy pays a daily or monthly benefit once the insured person needs help with a set number of daily activities or has cognitive impairment, after an elimination period, typically paying assisted living, home care or nursing care up to the policy limits.
Find the policy, call the insurer to start a claim early, and ask the facility or agency to complete the insurer's forms. Some policies pay only licensed providers, which in Texas includes licensed personal assistance agencies.
Should we sell a parent's El Paso home to pay for care?
It depends on how long care will be needed, whether a spouse still lives there, and Medicaid planning; selling turns an exempt asset into countable cash, while renting it out keeps it but adds landlord work.
Talk to an elder law attorney before listing a home if Medicaid may be needed within a few years. Some families use a reverse mortgage when a spouse will stay in the home.
What other money sources do El Paso families overlook?
Families often overlook VA pension with Aid and Attendance for veterans and surviving spouses, life insurance policies with long-term care riders or cash value, annuities, and tax deductions for medical expenses including qualifying long-term care.
Assisted living costs tied to a care plan for a chronically ill person may be deductible as medical expenses; ask a tax professional. HICAP and the Area Agency on Aging's benefits counselors can screen for programs a family has missed.
How do we avoid a second move when private money runs out?
Choose a facility that already serves STAR+PLUS members or a nursing facility certified for Medicaid, join the STAR+PLUS interest list early, and ask in writing what happens when a resident converts from private pay to Medicaid.
The room-and-board gap is the most common reason a resident has to move. Ask the facility for its Medicaid room-and-board rate and how many residents converted in the past year.
Side by side
| Private pay gives | Private pay does not give | |
|---|---|---|
| Choice | Any licensed facility or agency with an opening | Protection from future price increases |
| Speed | Immediate admission without an interest list | A guarantee the money will last |
| Planning | Time to prepare for STAR+PLUS or Medicaid | Automatic Medicaid acceptance later |
| Help | VA pension and insurance can supplement it | A tax-free benefit in every case |
Sources: Texas Health and Safety Code chapters 142, 242 and 247; 26 Texas Administrative Code chapters 553, 554, 558 and 559; HHSC program handbooks; CareScout, CMS and VA rate tables, as cited above. See our editorial standards.
