McAllen Senior AdvisorWhat do the McAllen Senior Advisor guides cover?
The guides dig into one question at a time for families in Hidalgo County: how to read a Texas facility record, why the Valley has so many adult day centers, how STAR+PLUS works, which buildings hold Alzheimer's certification, and what to do after a hospital stay.
There are 12 guides so far, each built on state or federal data and dated. The newest is listed first.
How are the guides researched?
Every figure comes from HHSC's directories and TULIP, CMS Care Compare, Census estimates or the program pages cited in the guide, and each guide ends with a short set of frequently asked questions.
Our editorial standards explain the process.
What Senior Care Costs in Texas in 2025, and How Valley Families Actually Pay
CareScout's 2025 Texas medians for every type of care, why the nursing home figure misleads, and how families in Hidalgo County combine payers.
Read the guide →November 3, 2026Hidalgo County's Older Population Grew Faster Than the County Itself, 2020 to 2025
Census estimates show the 65-and-older population rising much faster than the total. What that means for care in the Valley.
Read the guide →October 30, 2026Senior Care for Veterans in McAllen: Pension, VA Programs and the State Veterans Home
Aid and Attendance rates for 2025-26, the Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home, and VA care at home for Valley veterans.
Read the guide →October 27, 2026Home Health and Attendant Agencies in McAllen: Sorting Through Hundreds of Licenses
Hidalgo County has 177 home health agencies, 52 hospices and 257 attendant-only agencies. How to tell them apart.
Read the guide →October 23, 2026Texas Medicaid and Nursing Homes in 2026: The Numbers Valley Families Need
The 2026 income cap, asset limit, personal needs allowance and spousal standards, with how applied income works in a Hidalgo County nursing home.
Read the guide →October 20, 2026The First 72 Hours After a Valley Hospital Discharge
A practical plan for families when a parent is leaving Rio Grande Regional, DHR, South Texas Health System, Mission Regional or Knapp.
Read the guide →October 16, 2026The 16-Bed Assisted Living Home: How Most Valley Assisted Living Works
11 of Hidalgo County's 16 licensed assisted living facilities are licensed for 16 residents or fewer. What that means day to day.
Read the guide →October 13, 2026STAR+PLUS in Hidalgo County: The Three Health Plans and What They Pay For
Most Medicaid long-term care in the Valley runs through STAR+PLUS. Which plans serve Hidalgo County, who qualifies in 2026, and how services get approved.
Read the guide →October 9, 2026Hidalgo County Nursing Homes by CMS Star Rating: What the Numbers Show
22 certified nursing homes in the county, rated from one star to five. A look at ratings, staffing, turnover and who owns them.
Read the guide →October 6, 2026Which McAllen-Area Assisted Living Is Certified for Alzheimer's Care?
Only 4 licensed buildings in Hidalgo County hold HHSC's Alzheimer's certification. Here is where they are and what the certificate means.
Read the guide →October 2, 2026How to Read a Texas Assisted Living Record in TULIP Before You Tour in McAllen
Every licensed assisted living building in Hidalgo County has a public HHSC record. Here is what each field means and what to ask about it.
Read the guide →September 29, 2026Why the Rio Grande Valley Has a Third of Texas's Adult Day Centers
Hidalgo County holds 130 of the 387 licensed DAHS centers in Texas. Here is what that means for families choosing care.
Read the guide →