The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Imlay City, MI for 2024

Imlay City is a very small community in Imlay County, where those aged 65 and over account for about a fifth of the population. Crime rates in this city are low and the cost of living, especially the cost of housing, makes the community a viable long-term option for many retirees. To support its aging population, the Imlay City region is served by several home care agencies. These agencies provide nonmedical services such as meal preparation and personal care assistance to help older adults remain in their homes even with changing functional abilities. On average, agencies in this city charge $5,720 per month for this type of care. Home health care is available at the same monthly rate for those who need skilled nursing.

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Imlay City area – 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 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in Imlay City, seniors pay $5,720 monthly for home care, which is about $200 higher than the Michigan norm and $760 over the national monthly average. Care costs in Ann Arbor are several hundred dollars higher at $6,101, but other cities have comparatively affordable in-home care costs. Seniors in Monroe pay about $380 less than in Imlay City, and in Flint, rates are competitive at $5,148. In Jackson, care costs are among the lowest in Michigan at $4,957.

Home care agencies in Imlay City charge $5,720 per month for nonmedical services such as companionship, personal care and meal preparation. Home health care is available for the same monthly rate despite including skilled nursing services. Obtaining care at home provides significant savings over nursing home placement, which costs $8,882 monthly, but seniors who opt for assisted living pay about $1,500 less than those who remain in their homes. Adult day health care may be a budget-friendly alternative for some seniors, with monthly fees coming in at $1,430.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.