Home Care in Michigan
From big cities such as Detroit and Grand Rapids to thriving communities in the state’s rural areas, Michigan has plenty to offer retirees. Seniors can enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes and experience a four-season climate and a low cost of living, and the friendly tax system can help retirement budgets. Michigan’s retirement lifestyle includes fresh produce, wineries and breweries to explore and a thriving arts scene. Michigan is home to almost 10 million people, with 17.7% aged 65 or older, and the state’s membership in the AARP shows its commitment to nurturing senior-friendly communities.
The SeniorScore collects data from 100 sources over four categories to evaluate how pleasant seniors will find a community. Michigan’s overall SeniorScore is 72, which is equal to the national average. The state’s highest scores are in the Recreation & Leisure and Health & Safety categories, with scores of 66. The high Health & Safety score reflects the state’s high number of hospitals and good access to healthcare providers. The state’s lowest score is 60 in the General Quality of Life category, which may be due to Michigan’s cold winters.
This guide provides information about the cost of home care in the state and also details financial assistance available to seniors and other resources that can help pay for home care in Michigan.
Top Home Care Agencies in Michigan
Home Instead Senior Care in Western Wayne County? offers many different types of in-home care that can be individualized to meet the needs of your family members. Call us at (734) 525-5300 for a free consultation to learn how home ...
Located at 130 Central Avenue, Suite 220 in Holland, Michigan, Holland Community Hospital Home Health is an in-home care company offering in-home personal care services along with in-home health care. They have been providing care in Holland since 1991. They ...
Located in Pigeon, Michigan at 8201 Port Austin Rd, Seasons Change Home Health Care is a senior home healthcare company offering home healthcare in addition to home care. Since 2001, they have been providing care to customers in the Pigeon ...
Located at 20853 Farmington Rd in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Excellacare Skilled Services is an in-home care provider that offers home health services along with personal care services. For almost 21 years, they have been helping seniors in the Farmington Hills ...
Located at 17197 North Laurel Park Drive, Suite 555 in Livonia, Michigan, The Medical Team is a home care company that offers in-home medical services along with personal care services. For nearly 35 years, they have been helping customers throughout ...
Located in Allen Park, Michigan at 1633 Fairlane Cir, Oakwood Home Care Services is a home care service provider that offers in-home health care and personal home care services. For almost 29 years, they have been helping clients throughout the ...
Located in Troy, MI at 5440 Corporate Dr, Suite 400, Residential Home Health is a senior in-home care service provider offering home health services as well as home care. They have been in business in the area since 2001. They ...
Located at 352 E Houghton Ave in West Branch, MI, Leelin Home Health Care, Inc West Branch is a home health care provider offering personal home care services as well as in-home health care. Since 2011, they have been providing ...
American Advantage Home Care is a senior home health care company located in Dearborn, Michigan at 4241 Maple St, Ste 200b. They provide in-home personal care services along with home healthcare for seniors. They have been serving customers in ...
Care Plus Tlc Home Health is a in-home care provider located in Rockford, Michigan at 8460 Algoma Ave Ne, Suite A. They provide home health services and also personal home care to senior clientele. They have been operating in ...
Alpena Gen Hospital Home Care is a in-home care service provider based in Alpena, Michigan at 1521 W Chisholm St. They offer in-home personal care in addition to in-home health services for senior clients. They have been serving customers ...
Located in Southfield, Michigan at 25180 Lasher Road, Suite #ll, Assured Care Home Health Services is a senior in-home care company offering in-home care as well as in-home nursing care. For nearly 20 years, they have been helping customers in ...
Located at 2569 Union Lake Rd in Commerce Township, MI, Affinity Home Care Agency is a home care company offering home healthcare along with personal care. They have been in operation in the area for nearly 12 years. They provide ...
Located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan at 1133 Long Lake Rd, Suite 150, Covenant Home Care is a senior home healthcare provider that offers home care in addition to in-home health services. Since 2007, they have been serving customers throughout the ...
Located at 550 Munson Ave in Traverse City, MI, Munson Home Health is a senior home health care provider that offers personal care and also in-home health services. They have been providing care in Michigan since 1966. They can provide ...
Located in Royal Oak, MI at 26862 Woodward Avenue, Suite 101, Tone Home Health Services Inc. is a home healthcare provider that offers personal home care services and in-home health services. They have been serving customers in Royal Oak since ...
Located in Kalamazoo, MI at 6938 Elm Valley Dr, Bronson Home Health Care is a home healthcare company that offers in-home nursing care and also personal care services. Since 1995, they have been helping customers in the Kalamazoo area. ...
Located at 30600 Telegraph Rd #2370 in Bingham Farms, MI, John Paul Home Care is a home health care service provider that offers home health care and home care. They have been providing care in Bingham Farms for 11 years. ...
Located in Ann Arbor, MI at 3588 Plymouth Rd, Comfort Keepers is a home care company offering personal care services and in-home health services. They provide various personal services like help with dressing, assistance with mobility, help with errands, social ...
Located in Saginaw, Michigan at 500 S Hamilton, Covenant Visiting Nurse Association is an in-home care service provider offering personal home care services and in-home health services. They have been providing care in the area for nearly 21 years. They ...
The Cost of Home Care in Michigan
The Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average cost of home care in Michigan is slightly higher than the national average. Home care, which covers nonmedical services, costs $4,385 per month. This is almost $100 more than the national average of $4,290. Home health care provides medical-based services in the home. In Michigan, seniors pay an average of $4,481 a month for these services, $96 more than the U.S. average of $4,385.
The Cost of Home Care in Michigan Compared to Nearby States
Although its costs are only slightly higher than the national average, Michigan's home care prices are higher than most of its neighbors. Only Wisconsin has less affordable care, with both types of care there averaging $4,767 per month. Indiana’s prices are close to Michigan's, with home care prices at $4,334 and home health care costing $4,385. In Ohio, seniors pay $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care. Illinois has the most affordable care in the region, at a cost of $4,195 for both types.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Michigan | $4,385 | $4,481 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Wisconsin | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Indiana | $4,334 | $4,385 |
Illinois | $4,195 | $4,195 |
Ohio | $4,290 | $4,385 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Michigan
Older adults in Michigan may find that there are other senior care options that suit them better, including adult day care, assisted living and nursing home care. Adult day care consists of care provided in a group setting, such as a community center, to seniors who live at home or with caregivers. This is the most affordable option, with an average cost of $1,685 per month. Assisted living provides room and boards, meals and personal care services and has an average cost of $4,000. Skilled nursing provided in a nursing home is the least affordable choice. It costs an average of $8,373 per month for a semiprivate room.
- In-Home Care: $4,385
- Home Health Care: $4,481
- Adult Day Care: $1,685
- Assisted Living Facility: $4,000
- Nursing Home Care: $8,373
The Cost of Home Care in Michigan's Top Cities
Home care costs in Michigan vary widely from city to city. Grand Rapids has the least affordable care, with seniors paying $4,957 per month for home care and home health care. Seniors in Detroit pay $4,671 per month, and costs in Flint are slightly lower at $4,624. Lansing and Kalamazoo costs are more affordable, at $4,576 and $4,385 respectively. Ann Arbor has the lowest prices of the state’s big cities, with both types of care averaging just $3,527 per month.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Michigan | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Detroit | $4,671 | $4,671 |
Grand Rapids | $4,957 | $4,957 |
Ann Arbor | $3,527 | $3,527 |
Lansing | $4,576 | $4,576 |
Flint | $4,624 | $4,624 |
Kalamazoo | $4,385 | $4,385 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Michigan
Home Help Program
Home Help is a Medicaid program that aims to promote independence at home and delay entry into a nursing home. Applicants must be assessed by a Medicaid employee and be certified as needing assistance with at least one activity of daily living. They must also meet the financial eligibility requirements for Michigan Medicaid. Benefits of the program differ depending on the participant’s needs but can include assistance with bathing, dressing, housekeeping and meal preparation. Home Help has a consumer-directed option that allows participants to choose their own caregivers. This allows friends and some family members to be paid for the care they provide.
Contact Information
Interested seniors should get in contact with their county’s Department of Health office.
Michigan Choice Elderly and Disabled Waiver
Michigan Choice is a Medicaid waiver program designed for seniors and disabled people who require assistance to remain living at home or in the community. Senior applicants must be at least 65 years old, be assessed as needing a nursing home level of care and need at least two services provided by the waiver on a monthly basis. They must also meet the financial eligibility requirements. Participants can choose to have the state manage their care or to self-direct their care. Under the self-directed option, family members such as adult children can be hired as caregivers. A wide range of benefits is offered under the program, including personal care, home-delivered meals and chore services.
Contact Information
Seniors can get further information and apply for this program through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Michigan Health Link
Michigan Health Link is a managed care program for people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. Although it’s only available in limited areas of the state, seniors with access to the program can access all the benefits of Medicaid and Medicare Parts A, B and D. The exact benefits depend on the senior’s health care plan, but can include chore services and home health care, as well as other benefits designed to improve independence such as home modifications and personal emergency response systems. In addition to living in one of the participating counties, applicants must meet the financial eligibility for both Medicaid and Medicare. A care needs assessment is also conducted.
Contact Information
People eligible for the program will automatically receive a letter with enrollment options from Michigan ENROLLS. Those looking for further information can contact Michigan ENROLLS at (800) 975-7630.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options
Michigan Home Care Rules and Regulations
Home health agencies in Michigan do not need to be licensed by the state, however if they wish to participate in Medicare or Medicaid programs they must have federal certification. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs acts on behalf of US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to certify these agencies. The following rules and regulations are based on the federal code that Michigan follows.
Scope of Care | Home health agencies are engaged in providing skilled nursing services and other therapeutic services to people in their homes. Supervision of these services must be provided by a physician or registered professional nurse. |
Care Plan Requirements | A plan of care is required prior to providing services. It details the services needed, the results expected and the frequency of visits. The care plan should be reviewed as often as necessary, but at least every 60 days. |
Medication Management Requirements | There are no specific regulations governing medication management for home health agencies in Michigan; however, federal regulations allow home health aides to help administer medications that are normally self-administered. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Michigan requires fingerprint background checks for all home health aides. Individuals convicted of certain offenses are prohibited from having regular contact with clients. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home health aides in Michigan need a minimum of 75 hours of training prior to being employed. This must include at least 16 hours of clinical training and cover topics such as infection control, personal care assistance and safe transfer techniques. Staff must also complete 12 hours of continuing education annually. |
Medicaid Coverage | Seniors participating in Home Help, Michigan Choice or Health Link may have some or all of their home care services covered. |
Reporting Abuse | Suspected and verified abuse can be reported to Adult Protective Services at (855) 444-3911. This number is staffed 24 hours a day, and reports are investigated within 24 hours of being received. |
Free Home Care Resources in Michigan
Seniors in Michigan have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Area Agencies on Aging
Michigan has 16 Area Agencies on Aging around the state. Local AAAs can connect older adults with resources and services in the area and benefits that may be available. Many also have other services available, such as health education, senior advocacy and congregate or home-delivered meals. In many cases, senior centers are also connected to the AAA.
Contact Information
Information on what each local AAA provides can be found on their individual websites, along with further contact information.
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) has certified counselors available to provide free, unbiased advice about health insurance and benefits. In addition to Medicare and Medicaid advice, MMAP can help people understand supplemental and prescription drug insurance, new health care options and how to identify and report fraud. Seniors can also get assistance to apply for benefits or enroll in programs.
Contact Information
Seniors can call (800) 803-7174 to talk to a counselor or schedule an in-person consultation.
Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly
Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly (MiCAFE) has a range of programs available that provide assistance to seniors. This includes financial assistance to purchase food or pay for utilities. The network also helps seniors apply for Medicare and Medicaid and provides benefits and pension counseling.
Contact Information
Seniors can reach MiCAFE at (877) 664-2233 to be put in touch with their local network site.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency connects Michigan residents who have served in the armed forces and their families with services and benefits in the state. Benefits counselors can help senior Michigan veterans to identify resources they're eligible for and apply for benefits. In addition, it administers the Emergency Grant Fund that can help veterans overcome temporary financial hardship and has a number of other programs that can help veterans and their families access the help they need.
Contact Information
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency can be contacted at (800) 642-4838.
Accessibility Modification Program
Seniors may be able to access funds for home modifications through the Accessibility Modification Program (AMP). This program provides grants to qualified homeowners to help them make repairs and modifications on their homes. The program is intended to make the home more accessible, so can cover modifications such as grab bars and wheelchair ramps. It’s available to people in Michigan who meet the financial eligibility requirements and have owned and occupied the home for at least six months. Generally, all household members must be aged 62 or over, but the grant is also available for older adults who are guardians to people aged 17 or younger.
Contact Information
The AMP is provided by FHLBank Indianapolis, and seniors interested in the program can contact the participating member institution in their area.
Other Cities in Michigan