The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Battle Creek, MI for 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.