The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Wyoming, MI for 2024
Wyoming is a welcoming city in Kent County, Michigan, and is home to about 77,000 residents. It has a relatively young population, with seniors accounting for 10.5% of residents versus the national average of 16.5%. Even so, it’s an attractive option for retirees seeking a safe community with affordable housing. Seniors in the Wyoming region pay $5,529 per month for home care, which includes non-medical services, such as personal care and transportation. Home health care is similar and has the same average monthly rate but includes skilled nursing services, such as wound care and monitoring vitals. The region also has several hospitals, including University of Michigan Health-West and the Mercy Health Saint Mary’s campus.
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Wyoming 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.
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Paying for Home Care in Wyoming, MI
The Cost of Home Care in Wyoming, MI
In Wyoming, home care costs are in line with the state median at $5,529 per month. This is high compared to the national rate of $4,957 and may be a consideration for those relocating to Wyoming from other areas. In Jackson, care costs are considerably cheaper than in Wyoming at $4,957, and in Flint, rates come in at $5,148 per month. Wyoming is a budget-friendly alternative to Detroit and Muskegon, where respective home care costs average $5,720 and $6,340.
Wyoming
$5,529
Wyoming
$5,529
The United States
$4,957
Flint
$5,148
Jackson
$4,957
Muskegon
$6,340
Detroit
$5,720
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Wyoming, MI
Home-based care is a relatively costly senior care option in Wyoming, with seniors paying $5,529 for home care and specialized home health care. Older adults who receive these services in assisted living, which features housing and meals along with personal care, pay $4,828 per month. Those who want to live at home but obtain cheaper care may consider adult day health care, which averages $2,221. Nursing home care is the costliest long-term care option at $9,405.
Home Care
$5,529
Home Health Care
$5,529
Adult Day Health Care
$2,221
Assisted Living Facility
$4,828
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$9,405
Note: Data for Wyoming was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Grand Rapids, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Wyoming, 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.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Wyoming, MI
Wyoming seniors can access free and low-cost services from several agencies and programs, which may help them avoid nursing home or assisted living placement. Through the following resources, you may access services, such as transportation, home-delivered meals and chore services, and speak with information specialists who can connect you with the support you need to age in place.
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Kent County Community Action | (616) 632-7950 | Kent County Community Action provides a range of services to income-qualifying individuals in the Wyoming region. It operates the Senior Home Weatherization Program, which provides attic and wall insulation, health and safety checks and energy efficiency measures, such as sealing cracks and installing weatherstripping. The organization also provides home-delivered and congregate meals to those aged 60 and over, and it provides transportation services to medical appointments and designated areas throughout the community. |
Wyoming Senior Center | (616) 530-3190 | The Wyoming Senior Center is a nonprofit center that provides a range of health and wellness services. The center hosts social and recreational activities, such as age-friendly fitness classes and table games, and it offers discounted transportation services to those aged 60 and over. It also provides low-cost congregate meals on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as annual flu shots, health screenings, Medicare assistance and tax preparations. |
Meals on Wheels of Western Michigan | (616) 459-3111 | Meals on Wheels of Western Michigan provides healthy, freshly prepared home-delivered meals to qualifying seniors in Wyoming. Meals are prepared by a local kitchen staff and delivered to individuals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. In addition to home-delivered meals, the organization operates several dining centers and food pantries and provides liquid nutrition supplements for those who qualify. |
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan | (616) 456-5664 | The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan promotes the independence of those aged 60 and over in the Wyoming region through a broad range of free and low-cost programs and services. It has a care management team that helps older adults connect with services to meet their needs, and it administers the MI Choice Waiver Program, which pays for home care services for qualified individuals. |
Michigan 211 | 2-1-1 | Michigan 211 is a phone-based information and referral service that helps older adults find community-based services, such as chore assistance, personal care, transportation and home modifications. This service is free for all Michigan residents and available around the clock. |
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 – oftentimes 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.