McAllen Senior AdvisorWhich laws govern senior care facilities in McAllen?
Texas law governs them: Health and Safety Code chapters 247 (assisted living) and 242 (nursing facilities), and HHSC's rules in 26 TAC chapters 553 for assisted living, 554 for nursing facilities, 559 for adult day (DAHS) centers and 558 for home care agencies, with federal CMS requirements added for certified nursing homes.
Last verified: November 2026One state agency licenses, inspects and penalizes all of them. The City of McAllen and Hidalgo County apply building and zoning codes but do not license care settings.
What sets Texas's approach apart?
Texas splits assisted living into Type A and Type B by residents' ability to evacuate, lets only certified Type B buildings advertise Alzheimer's care, publishes inspection citations and penalties in its TULIP search, and pays for much home and day care through STAR+PLUS managed care plans.
In Hidalgo County that means 16 licensed assisted living facilities, 4 with Alzheimer's certification, 23 nursing homes, and 130 licensed adult day centers.
Where do Valley families report a problem?
Problems in licensed facilities and agencies go to HHSC Complaint and Incident Intake at 1-800-458-9858; abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older adult at home goes to Adult Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400; and residents can get free advocacy from the Lower Rio Grande Valley ombudsman program at (956) 682-3481.
Each guide below explains one part of the system in detail.
Texas Rules: every guide
How Texas licenses assisted living in McAllen and the Valley
McAllen assisted living is licensed by Texas HHSC as Type A or Type B under 26 TAC Chapter 553. What each license allows, three-year license terms and inspection timing.
Read the guide →How Texas certifies memory care in assisted living
Texas memory care rules for McAllen families: 26 TAC 553.27 Alzheimer's certification, the Type B requirement, the inspection behind it, and which Hidalgo County buildings hold it.
Read the guide →Who an assisted living facility in Texas can admit and keep
Admission and retention limits for Texas assisted living in McAllen: evacuation ability, bedfast residents, home health and hospice in assisted living, and when a move is required.
Read the guide →How nursing homes are licensed and inspected in the Valley
Hidalgo County nursing homes are licensed by Texas HHSC and, if certified, inspected for CMS. How the two systems fit together, what the star ratings mean and where to read the reports.
Read the guide →How Texas licenses adult day centers (DAHS)
How Texas HHSC licenses day activity and health services (DAHS) centers under 26 TAC Chapter 559, what they must provide, Medicaid eligibility, and why Hidalgo County has so many.
Read the guide →Home health, hospice and attendant agency licenses in Texas
Texas home and community support services agency (HCSSA) licenses for McAllen families: home health, certified home health, hospice and personal assistance services, and how to check an agency.
Read the guide →How to check a Valley facility's state record
Step-by-step: checking a McAllen or Hidalgo County assisted living facility, nursing home or agency in HHSC's directory, TULIP and CMS Care Compare before you tour or sign.
Read the guide →Where McAllen families report a problem
Who to call in Hidalgo County: HHSC Complaint and Incident Intake for licensed facilities and agencies, Adult Protective Services for abuse at home, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley ombudsman.
Read the guide →Side by side
| Texas rules do | Texas rules do not | |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | License buildings as Type A or Type B for three years | Give assisted living a star rating |
| Memory care | Require HHSC certification to advertise Alzheimer's care | Allow Type A buildings to be certified |
| Inspections | Publish citations and penalties in TULIP | Post a single quality score |
| Payment | Let STAR+PLUS pay care in contracted assisted living | Pay assisted living rent and meals |
