Veterans' Home Care in Athens, TX: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Athens, TX: the local picture

305

veterans aged 65 or older (12% of residents 65+)

2,563

residents 65 or older (19% of Athens)

47%

of residents 65+ report a disability (38% in Henderson County)

34%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (26% in Henderson County)

About 305 Athens residents aged 65 or older are veterans (12% of that age group; 17% in Henderson County), out of 637 veterans of all adult ages in town.

47% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (38% in Henderson County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Athens compared with Henderson County and Texas

Census figure	Athens	Henderson County	Texas
Residents 65+ who are veterans	12%	17%	14%
Residents 65+ with a disability	47%	38%	35%
Residents 65 or older	19%	23%	13%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	34%	26%	25%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	36%	25%	23%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%	12%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$42,845	$50,292	—

Older residents in towns around Athens

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Gun Barrel City, TX	20 mi	1,740	18%
Mabank, TX	20 mi	621	14%
Chandler, TX	22 mi	1,368	16%
Shadybrook, TX	24 mi	540	15%
Canton, TX	24 mi	819	26%
Van, TX	25 mi	361	6.9%

Hospitals near Athens

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
UT Health East Texas Athens Hospital	Athens, TX	1.0 mi	2 of 5	(903) 676-1000
UT Health East Texas Tyler Regional Hospital	Tyler, TX	33 mi	2 of 5	(903) 597-0351
Christus Mother Frances Hospital	Tyler, TX	33 mi	4 of 5	(903) 593-8441

Straight-line miles from the center of Athens. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in Athens

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $3,570 monthly median income of Athens households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see STAR+PLUS in Texas: using consumer directed services to pay a family caregiver.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Athens: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in Athens?

At the Texas median aide wage of $11.65 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,010 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $3,570 monthly median income of Athens households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Texas's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Athens

More senior care near Athens

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Athens

More for Athens families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Care for Veterans in Athens, TX