A straight, honest answer for Houston families researching in-home care. Most non-medical home care is billed by the hour — national franchises commonly charge $30–$40+ per hour. Loving Arms' private-pay rate is $25–$35 per hour: more affordable, and more personalized. Here's exactly what drives the cost and how to pay for it.
If you're comparing home care agencies in Houston, you've probably noticed that almost no one publishes a clear price. We'll be direct: most non-medical home care in the Houston area is billed by the hour, and the national home care franchises you'll recognize commonly charge somewhere around $30 to $40 or more per hour. Loving Arms' private-pay rate is $25 to $35 per hour — generally more affordable than the big franchises, while offering care that's more personalized and specialized to your family.
Where your loved one lands within that range depends on the care they need, how many hours per week, and the schedule. Around-the-clock and live-in arrangements are priced differently than standard hourly visits. The most accurate way to get a real number is a free in-home assessment — but this guide will help you understand the pieces before you ever pick up the phone.
A note on honesty: Loving Arms is a private-pay, non-medical home care agency. That means care is paid for out of pocket or through benefits like long-term care insurance and VA Aid & Attendance — not through Medicaid. We think families deserve a straight answer on cost, so we publish our rate: $25–$35/hr. Call 281-901-8279 for a quote specific to your situation.
Home care pricing in Houston generally falls into two camps: large national franchise brands and locally owned agencies. Both provide caregivers in the home, but the cost structure — and the experience — can be very different.
| Provider type | Typical hourly rate | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Loving Arms Locally owned |
$25–$35/hr | A family-owned Houston agency. Lower overhead, more personalized matching, and specialized care — with advisors who help you use insurance and VA benefits. |
| National franchises Recognizable brands |
$30–$40+/hr | Franchise fees, royalties, and corporate overhead are built into the rate. Care often follows a national template rather than being tailored locally. |
Why the difference? National franchises pay franchise fees, royalties, and carry large corporate overhead — costs that get passed along to families. Loving Arms is locally owned and family-run right here in Houston, so we keep overhead lower and pass those savings on. Being independent also means we can match a caregiver and build a care plan around your family, not a corporate playbook.
Two families can get very different quotes for what sounds like the same thing. Here's what moves the number up or down:
Most families start with hourly care — a caregiver comes for a set block of time to help with specific tasks. As needs grow, some move to 24-hour care (caregivers in shifts so someone is always awake and available) or live-in care (a caregiver who stays in the home). These fuller arrangements are priced differently than simply multiplying an hourly rate, so it's always worth a quick conversation to understand the right fit and the real cost. Call 281-901-8279 and we'll explain the options plainly.
Private pay doesn't have to mean paying entirely out of pocket. Many Houston families combine funding sources to cover care — and Loving Arms helps you find the right mix. Explore all of these on our Ways to Pay page.
Many LTC policies pay for in-home care. Loving Arms has advisors who help families understand their benefits and put the policy to work — so the insurance covers what it's meant to.
See ways to payEligible veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA Aid & Attendance pension, which can help pay for in-home care. Loving Arms helps eligible families file for the benefit.
See ways to payCareScout connects policyholders to quality-credentialed care providers. Loving Arms is a CareScout-accepted provider in the Houston area, which can help coordinate covered care.
See ways to payCost is only part of the decision — trust is the rest. At Loving Arms, the first step is always a free in-home assessment. A care coordinator visits, listens, and builds a plan around your loved one's actual needs and routines. There's no long-term contract, so you can start with the hours that make sense and adjust as things change. If your budget is tight or your situation is unusual, tell us — we'll work with you to find a plan that fits. That's the promise, and it's why families across Greater Houston choose a locally owned agency over a national brand.
