Home Care in Michigan

Home Care in Michigan - Cost Comparison

Michigan home care allows you or your loved one to receive care in a familiar setting tailored to one’s individual needs. Licensed medical professionals or non-medical paraprofessionals are the main classifications of caregivers in the home health care field, with many overlapping roles and duties.

Health aides, personal care attendants, homemakers, or companions provide more general caregiving services like hygiene assistance, general shopping, medication management, and transportation. Generally speaking, nurses, physician’s assistants, physical and occupational therapists among others are able to administer medical attention and services. Location, license type, and the amount of time required of your caregiver will affect the price of home care. 

There are a number of cities throughout Michigan that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from:

• Highest Cost: Ann Arbor $4,147
• Lowest Cost: Flint & Kalamazoo Area $3,718

Recreation & Attractions in Michigan

Given Michigan's unique proximity to the Great Lakes, there are many opportunities for recreation that can be found throughout the state. Places like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or Belle Isle Park give visitors and residents the chance to explore huge forests, beaches, and dune formations. These locations also offer aquariums, conservatories, museums, a yacht club, a zoo, and just a good time overall. 

Depending on your mobility, Michigan also offers numerous activities for seniors. There are senior centers throughout the state with senior-friendly activities such as board games, dancing, exercise classes, and movies. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as The Holland Harbor Light or the Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park.

Michigan's Climate, Geography & Culture

The overall climate of Michigan supports four seasons with mild summers and cold winters. During the summer, the average high temperature is 82 degrees and the average low during the winter is 14 degrees. Michigan gets more than double the United States average worth of snow during the year; averaging a total of 59 inches, with the Great Lakes region receiving the most. Generally, the state is considered to be comfortable in terms of humidity.

Michigan’s culture is built off a diverse population and hard working, modest individuals. As one of the most successful industrial states due to the automotive industry, the recession and collapse of the automobile manufacturing sector almost knocked out Detroit. Since then, residents have shown extreme resilience by trying to rebuild itself, create jobs, and restore the city. Michigan is also home to the Motown sound, a musical movement that played an important role in racial integration through popular music. 

Crime & Safety in Michigan

Michigan's Home Care Regulations & Laws

A standard 75 hours of training, along with 16 hours of supervised clinical training and an additional 12 hours of continuing education every 12 months is needed to maintain a home care certification. Each state-approved training and evaluation program has federal oversight in order to ensure the quality of each license issued and the individual’s level of competency. 

Medicare-certified home health agencies are required by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36) to only employ health aides who are trained and evaluated by programs approved by their respective states.

Payment Options for Michigan Home Care

It is possible through several methods to pay for home care in Michigan. Based on your financial situation and individual needs, some payment options will be more sound decisions than others. 

Firstly, Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care services. Mostly, it is used for its Supplemental Insurances to cover Medicare copayments and deductibles. In order to qualify for Medicare coverage for in-home care, it must be deemed medically necessary. 

For veterans of the U.S., the Improved Pension and Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension may be used to help pay for or cover the entire costs of home care. To learn whether you or a loved one qualifies for these benefits, contact your local Veterans’ Association or Area Agency on Aging. 

Besides paying with one’s own savings, seniors may choose to pay with a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit, or by converting their life insurance policies.

Finally, Medicaid is a joint federal and state insurance program for low-income seniors and their families that in most cases can be used to cover the costs of home care if it is deemed medically necessary. Each state has its own rules, requirements for eligibility, and specific benefits that will vary depending on where you go in the United States. Medicaid refers to these services as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in Michigan

Although there may be the possibility that you will lack the ability to make reasonable or informed decisions about your home health care, you can appoint a family member or legal guardian to act on your behalf. It is important to note that your Constitutional rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights are retained throughout your care. If you believe that you have experienced a violation of your rights, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer familiar with elder law or have someone advocate for you. 

Seniors receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency retain a series of guaranteed rights and protections with the intention of keeping your needs met. Before receiving home care in any form, it is required that the home health care agency provides you with information detailing your rights.

You are entitled to participate in decisions regarding your care and can choose the home health agency pending your managed care plan (if applicable). Caretakers are also to treat you and your personal property with respect at all times, minding your preferences for privacy when necessary.

Michigan Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

As a senior receiving home care in Michigan, you have the right to obtain copies of your medical records by submitting a request to your healthcare provider. It’s a common misconception that this information cannot be disclosed due to privacy laws, but the fact is that you can submit a written request to your health care provider and actually receive copies or digital versions of this information.

While some cases warrant the denial of releasing your information, your healthcare provider must respect your requests and respond within 30 days, or as many as 60 days later including a statement addressing the delay.