Due in large part to the fact that the Baby Boomer generation is now entering retirement, the population of older Americans has increased dramatically in the recent years. Moreover, experts expect that growth to continue in the decades to come. Because of the rapid growth in the elderly population, issues that impact the elderly, and the people who care for them, have become increasingly important. Fortunately, that often means there are more resources available to help the elderly and those who care for them with those issues. To take advantage of those resources, however, you must know how and where to find them. To help you, the elder law attorneys at The Mendel Law Firm have put together some Houston, Texas elder law resources that you may find helpful. If you have specific questions or concerns about an elder law issue, please feel free to contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Local Government and Law Enforcement
As a resident of Houston, Texas, it is always a good idea to have some of the more frequently used local government resources handy. Many of those can be found on the City of Houston’s website. Need to pay your water bill? You can find the link through the city’s website. Looking for the trash pick-up schedule? That link is there as well. Do you need assistance buying a home? You can find a link to information on that too. It is equally important to be able to quickly and easily navigate to the relevant law enforcement agency online, should you need them. The Houston Police Department services residents who live within the city limits. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office services Houston residents who live in Harris County but outside of the city limits.
Hospitals and Medical Care
As we age, our bodies start to suffer the effects of the natural aging process. For many seniors, this means more frequent doctor visits and an increase in injuries and illnesses that require hospitalization. With that in mind, it helps to know what type of medical care is available in the Houston area. Houston Methodist West Hospital offers “world class primary and acute care.” Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital are also options if you need emergency medical care.
Nursing Home, Home Health Care, and Assisted Living Facilities
There may also come a time when your physical and/or mental health deteriorates to the point where an increased level of health care services becomes necessary. As a Houston resident, you have numerous options, including home health care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. If a full-time nursing care facility is needed, Houston has a number of long-term care facilities from which to choose, including:
- Vosswood Nursing Center – offering “individualized levels of care, including an orthopedic and stroke floor.”
- Woodridge Nursing and Rehabilitation – offering a “comprehensive rehabilitation team and state-of-the-art equipment.”
- Park Manor Westchase – offering “advanced technologies and specialized resources for patients needing Intravenous therapy, Physical therapy, Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, Wound care, Pulmonary Care.
Houston residents also enjoy a number of home health care options as well as assisted living alternatives. If you are looking for assisted living options, you might try Colonial Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care, Treemont Retirement Community, or Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor. Understandably, many seniors prefer to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Fortunately, for many of them, home health care is a viable alternative to assisted living or nursing home care. Elderly Home Health Care, Inc. offers “assisted living in your own home.” Transition Home Healthcare, or Interim Healthcare are other options for home health care.
Leisure Time for Seniors
If you have worked hard all of your life, you are surely looking forward to relaxing and enjoying your “Golden Years” when you reach retirement age. For seniors in Houston, there are a number of excellent opportunities to socialize and make new friends. A good place to start if you are searching for leisure time activities for the elderly is on the “Senior Activities” page of the City of Houston’s website. If you happen to be a veteran, you will undoubtedly want to check out the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts in Houston. Finally, the Houston YMCA has a number of activities specifically aimed at older adults.
State and Federal Assistance
As an older Texan, there are a wide variety of state and federal assistance programs you may be interested in, starting with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). The DADS program is a crucial resource for older adults living in assisted living or nursing home facilities. As a senior, you may also qualify for assistance from the Social Security disability or Social Security retirement program. For information, including application instructions, visit the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability website. Information about your Social Security retirement benefits can also be found on the website. If you are a veteran, or the surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran, you may also be entitled to a number of benefits through the Veteran’s Administration. Once you reach retirement age, you will likely be automatically enrolled in the Medicare program. Although basic Medicare is free to all seniors, Medicare actually has four parts and the other three parts may come with a premium. In addition, if you need long-term care at some point, you may need to qualify for Texas Medicaid benefits to help cover the high cost of that care.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about any elder law concerns, contact an experienced Texas elder law attorney at The Mendel Law Firm, L.P. by calling (281) 759-3213 to schedule your appointment today.
