In-Home Care in Michigan

Seniors aged 65 and older account for roughly 17.2% of Michigan’s nearly 10 million residents. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Aging and Adult Services Agency plans and implements an array of programs and resources aimed at helping Michigan’s approximately 1.7 million seniors thrive. Residents of the Great Lakes State who wish age in place at home can expect to pay $4,385 per month for in-home care services, which is less than $100 more than the median monthly rate paid nationally.

This guide provides details about the cost of home care in Michigan and various options to help pay for assistance, along with free and low-cost resources that may benefit seniors who want to age in place in their own home.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Michigan

In-Home Care Costs in Nearby States

According to data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2019, in-home care in Michigan costs an average of $4,385 per month. This is just $95 more than the national monthly average of $4,290, and it is also the average amount paid per month in neighboring Ohio. Costs are higher in the adjacent states of Illinois and Wisconsin, where the monthly averages are $4,481 and $4,767, respectively. The cost in Indiana falls in between the national and Michigan averages, at $4,334 per month.

Cost of Other Types of Care in Michigan

Home care in Michigan has a midrange cost in comparison to other types of care available in the state. It is fairly close in cost to home health care services, which average about $100 more per month, at $4,481. Residential assisted living is somewhat less costly than care services provided in a senior’s own home, at an average of $4,000 per month. Adult day care is much more affordable in comparison, at $1,685 per month, whereas nursing home care is almost double the monthly cost, at an average of $8,373.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Michigan’s Top Cities

Comparing Costs Across Michigan

Comparing the average monthly costs of in-home care in Michigan’s most populous cities reveals significant differences and surprising similarities within the state. Seniors in Grand Rapids pay an average monthly rate of $4,957, while those in Ann Arbor pay just $3,527 per month, which is a dramatic $1,430 price variance. Costs in other cities are much more consistent. In-home care in the capital city of Lansing averages $4,576 per month, and it costs about $50 more in Flint, at $4,624. The monthly median price in the state’s largest city, Detroit, is $4,671, which is an increase of only $50.

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care in Michigan

Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program

The Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program is available to seniors who need daily assistance to remain in their own home and avoid being admitted to a nursing facility. Those who qualify may receive support and assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility and eating. Help may also be provided with general household and laundry chores, meal preparation, taking medications and shopping for essentials.

Who Is Eligible?
Home Help is a Michigan Medicaid entitlement program. State residents who meet Medicaid’s financial guidelines and are assessed as needing help with at least one ADL are automatically eligible for assistance through this program.

How to Apply
Interested individuals may contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office in their county to apply for Medicaid coverage and schedule a functional assessment for the Home Help Program.

Michigan Medicaid MI Choice Waiver

The MI Choice Waiver Program offers assistance for seniors who need help on a daily basis but want to avoid nursing home admission. Those who qualify can continue to live at home and, based on an assessment of their needs, receive case management, homemaker and personal care services, home and vehicle modifications, a personal emergency response system, medical and nonmedical transportation and various other benefits.

Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for the MI Choice waiver, Michigan residents must be aged 65 or older and meet the Medicaid program’s financial qualification guidelines. They must also be assessed as needing a nursing home level of care and at least two waiver-covered services on a monthly basis.

How to Apply
To apply for the MI Choice program, seniors may contact their local Area Agency on Aging.

Michigan Health Link Program

Seniors who are enrolled in Medicare and eligible for Michigan Medicaid may qualify for in-home care through the Health Link Program. This managed care program combines the services of Medicare, Michigan Medicaid and one of seven integrated care organizations to provide comprehensive health care and support services. Enrollees receive full medical benefits, along with care coordination, home health and personal care, chores services, necessary home modifications, meal delivery, transportation and numerous other benefits.

Who Is Eligible?
Michigan residents must be enrolled in Medicare and eligible for Medicaid to qualify for the Health Link Program. An assessment must be completed to determine the level of care an applicant needs. Those who need a nursing home level of care may qualify for the Expanded Community Living Supports waiver, in addition to the program’s personal care services.

How to Apply
Interested Medicare beneficiaries should contact their county MDHHS office to apply for Medicaid and the Health Link Program.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Seniors who wish to age in place in their own home but need help to do so may qualify for Michigan’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. There are 20 PACE organizations throughout the state that provide comprehensive care for eligible individuals, which includes case management, medical services through Medicaid and/or Medicare and an array of supportive services, both in-home and at dedicated PACE centers.

Who Is Eligible?
Michigan residents must be aged 55 or older and meet Medicaid’s financial criteria to enroll in a PACE program. They must also be assessed as needing a nursing home level of care, be able to safely live at home and reside within a PACE provider’s service area based on their zip code.

How to Apply
To learn more about the program and how to apply, interested individuals may call 989-798-2994 or contact the PACE provider serving their local area.

More Ways to Pay for In-Home Care

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost In-Home Care Resources in Michigan

Michigan seniors who want to retain their independence and age in place at home can take advantage of various free or low-cost resources that may help. These may include home-delivered meals, assistance accessing local independent living services, legal advice and various other beneficial resources.

	Contact	Services Provided
Home-Delivered Meals	Contact your Area Agency on Aging	Michigan’s home-delivered meals program provides healthy prepared meals to frail or disabled adults aged 60 and older. There is no cost for this service, but donations are accepted.
Independent Living Services	Contact the Adult Services unit at your local county MDHHS office.	Seniors who are ineligible for Medicaid and need in-home assistance may receive help with information and referrals for community, housing and money management resources.
Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly	877-664-2233	The MiCAFE Network assists seniors with applying and recertifying for SNAP benefits to ensure they can access fresh, nutritious food. The program also assists with applications for available medical and housing-related benefits.
Legal Assistance	Call 517-373-8230 or contact your Area Agency on Aging	Residents aged 60 and over with limited incomes may be eligible for no-cost legal assistance for civil issues. Services may include advice and counsel, preparation of documents and legal representation.
Family Caregiver Assistance	Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or call 800-677-1116	Michigan’s AAAs offer various low-cost and free programs aimed at helping family caregivers of seniors, which may include counseling, support groups, training and respite care assistance.
Senior Companion Program	Locate program services in your county	This program matches seniors living on their own with volunteers aged 55 and over, who provide companionship and help with daily activities, such as shopping and paying bills.
Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH	Contact the agency serving your county	The SPF/MF program provides eligible seniors aged 60 and over with nutrition counseling and coupons to exchange for fresh produce and healthy foods at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands in their area.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in Michigan

The state of Michigan has strict regulations and licensing requirements for home health agencies that provide medical services, including skilled nursing and rehabilitative therapy. Licensing is not required for home care providers who offer nonmedical services to private-pay clients. There are limited guidelines in place for providers who offer in-home personal care services to seniors enrolled in Michigan Medicaid programs. The following table provides an overview of the guidelines for nonmedical home care providers in Michigan.

Scope of Care	Home care providers of nonmedical services can offer clients companionship, provide personal care and complete various tasks, such as meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry, as well as accompany clients to appointments and when shopping or running errands.
Care Plan Requirements	Nonmedical home care providers are not required to develop care plans for clients. However, a senior may request a written agreement that describes the services caregivers will provide and how often, along with the cost.
Medication Management Requirements	Only nurses and certified medication aides employed by licensed home health agencies are authorized to administer medications. Caregivers working for nonmedical providers may only assist seniors with self-administration and provide reminders about taking medications.
Staff Screening Requirements	Staff of nonmedical providers who offer in-home care services to Medicaid program beneficiaries must submit to a criminal background check and a face-to-face interview.
Staff Training Requirements	There are no state-mandated training requirements for staff of nonmedical home care providers. Those who provide services to seniors through Michigan Medicaid programs must be willing to complete any training programs required by MDHHS.
Medicaid Coverage	Michigan Medicaid provides in-home care services through one of several programs. Seniors may be eligible for assistance through Home Help, the Health Link or PACE program or the MI Choice waiver.
Reporting Abuse	Concerns about abuse, exploitation or neglect of a Michigan senior, aged 60 or older, can be reported to Adult Protective Services by calling the agency’s 24-hour hotline at 855-444-3911.

Frequently Asked Questions