The 5 Best In Home Care Service in Battle Creek, MI for 2023
Located between Detroit and Chicago in southwestern Michigan, Battle Creek sits at the mouth of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers and has around 52,000 residents. With a senior population of 15.2%, just below the national average of 16.8%, the city offers a wealth of senior-friendly cultural and social attractions and activities, a low cost of living, and affordable health care. Housing costs are over 50% lower than the national index, making Battle Creek a very economical place for seniors to retire. The city is home to several highly-rated hospitals, including Bronson Battle Creek Hospital and Battle Creek VA Medical Center.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of home care for older adults is $5,173 per month. Alternatively, home health care may be a better option for those who need light medical services.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Battle Creek– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.
Directory of Home Care Services in Battle Creek, MI
In Home Companions
5749 Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
Right at Home Kalamazoo
2990 Business One Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048
Health Care Associates
3101 Prairie St SW, Grandville, MI, 49418
Here To Help Home Care
2150 44th St. SE , Suite 204, Kentwood, MI, 49508
Nothing But Us Care
31700 W 13 Mile Rd, Ste 212, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334
Homewatch CareGivers of Kalamazoo
810 W. Kilgore Rd. Suite 4, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008
Bronson at Home
165 N Washington Ave,, Battle Creek, MI, 49037
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Paying for Home Care in Battle Creek, MI
The Cost of Home Care in Battle Creek, MI
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, home care costs in Battle Creek are affordable at $5,173 per month compared to the state average, which is about $350 higher. However, the city is $200 more than the national average. The most affordable rates in the state are in east central Saginaw, where seniors pay almost $1,000 less each month. Home care costs just east of Battle Creek in Jackson are in line with the national median. Prices in Michigan’s capital, Lansing, are over $400 more for home care and over $500 higher in Kalamazoo.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Battle Creek, MI
Home care is for seniors who need assistance with personal care and daily tasks. On the other hand, home health care is for older adults who require limited skilled nursing, such as medication administration and wound care, or therapy, including physical, occupational and speech therapies. In Battle Creek, these services both cost the same at $5,173 per month. At almost $2,000 less, assisted living may be a more cost-effective option, especially for those who have a mortgage or pay rent. Seniors can expect to pay around $3,500 more for a semiprivate room in a nursing home.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Battle Creek, MI
Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
- Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
- Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
- Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
- Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.
Battle Creek Home Care Resources
Home care services are only one of the pieces needed for seniors to gracefully age in place. There are many services and programs that are low-cost or free, that enable seniors to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their own home, such as help with home modifications, meal delivery services, and more. Below, we’ve compiled a few of the most helpful resources in Battle Creek:
CareWell Services Southwest (Region 3B Area Agency on Aging)
Address: 200 W. Michigan Ave., #102, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone Number: (269) 966-2450
CareWell Services is designated to provide services on behalf of the Region 3B Area Agency on Aging. Its goal is to help seniors maintain their independence while staying in their communities and homes. One of their educational programs, the Aging Mastery Program, teaches older adults how to thrive and plan their nutritional, physical and emotional health. Besides arranging group dining experiences, the agency makes available federal financial assistance for purchasing fresh, non-processed foods from farmers’ markets in the area.
Senior Care Partners, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
Address: 200 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone Number: (269) 441-9300
Senior Care Partners provides information to older adults, most of whom pay nothing for the resulting services. Working with PACE, a part of the federal CMS agency behind Medicare and Medicaid, Senior Care Partners is a nonprofit agency that utilizes a team approach. The team assesses each senior’s living situation, health, memory and other parameters, then develops a list of helpful resources they may need. Common resources are medical care, medication management and wellness both physical and social. The intended result is that seniors live safely in the community.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Address: 190 E. Michigan Ave., P.O. Box 490, Battle Creek, MI 49016-0490
Phone Number: (269) 966-1284
LIHEAP is a government-funded program that assists low-income households pay their heating bills. It can also assist with managing telephone and gas bills. Applicants must be 18 years old and meet specific home and income requirements. The program improves the delivery of low-income energy sources, enabling low-income seniors to spend less on their utilities.
Legal Services of S. Central Michigan
Address: 123 W. Territorial Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015
Phone Number: (269) 965-3951
This service provides no-charge advice and representation to older adults with legal needs, though it doesn’t advise or represent clients in criminal or civil proceedings that generate fees. It helps seniors acquire supplemental income for basic needs, navigates insurance and health care issues, and provides remedies to prevent homelessness in the older population. Legal Services prioritizes its services to benefit low-income older adults.
AgingCare Online Caregivers Support Group
Phone Number: (239) 594-3222
AgingCare Online Caregivers Support Group is a web-based organization that supports family caregivers. Professional in-home care can be expensive, and the responsibility often falls to family members. Having to care for someone 24/7 can take a toll on the caregiver, who may suffer from depression, anxiety and burnout. There’s often a financial toll as well. AgingCare maintains a peer-to-peer support group in a forum where caregivers can ask questions and provide feedback. The platform, which is available 24/7, is free and anonymous.
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
