38 Assisted Living Communities in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,200 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 38 Assisted Living Communities in Grand Rapids and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $4,200
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $9,095
• In-home care: $4,290
• Adult day health services: $2,058

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average cost of assisted living care in Grand Rapids is $4,200 per month. This is slightly higher than the U.S. average of $4,000 and more expensive than the Michigan average of $3,850. Some of Michigan’s major metropolitan areas are significantly more expensive than Grand Rapids, including Ann Arbor ($5,050) and Monroe ($4,750). However, in some smaller cities in the state, such as Saginaw and Battle Creek, care costs more than $1000 less per month than in Grand Rapids.

In Grand Rapids, as in the rest of Michigan, the biggest factor influencing the cost of senior care is the type of care required. At an average of $9,095 per month, nursing home care costs more than twice as much as assisted living care. The average costs of homemaker services ($4,290) and home health aides ($4,385) are similar to assisted living care. However, seniors who choose to receive in-home senior care services must also consider the other costs involved with remaining at home, such as rent, utilities and groceries. The lowest-cost type of care in Grand Rapids, adult day health care, costs about half as much as assisted living care. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,200

• Homemaker services: $4,290

• Home health aide: $4,385

• Adult day health: $2,058

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $9,095

 

Medicaid is a government-run health insurance program that provides health coverage to low-income adults, people with disabilities, elderly adults and other groups of eligible Americans. Each state operates its own Medicaid program, so the benefits available to Medicaid recipients vary from one state to another. Michigan Medicaid covers a variety of necessary services, such as doctor visits, emergency services, home health care, nursing home care and physical therapy.

To qualify for Michigan Medicaid, seniors must be U.S. nationals, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who live in Michigan. They must also meet certain financial requirements. Single seniors need to have a pretax annual household income of less than $16,146 to be eligible. The maximum annual income for a couple is $21,892.

Seniors who are interested in Michigan Medicaid can apply through the state’s online portal, MI Bridges. The state also offers a paper application for seniors who can’t apply online. The completed application needs to be mailed to:

Michigan Department of Human and Health Services
Health Insurance Affordability Program
PO Box 8123
Royal Oak, MI 48068

Seniors who have questions about Michigan Medicaid or the application process can call the Beneficiary Help Line at 1 (800) 642-3195.

Seniors in Grand Rapids may be eligible to receive long-term care services through the MI Choice Waiver program. This program is for low-income seniors who meet the medical criteria for nursing home care but choose to receive care in their own home or in an assisted living facility. Participants in this program can access all of Michigan Medicaid’s basic services as well as certain long-term care services. These additional services are unique to the waiver and include private duty nursing, nonmedical transportation, medical supplies, chore services and community living supports.

While the MI Choice Waiver program is part of the state’s Medicaid plan, it’s not an entitlement program. There is a waiting list, so interested seniors should apply as soon as possible by calling the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Inc. at (616) 456-5664. This agency can also provide more information about the program and answer questions.

PACE

Seniors in Grand Rapids may be eligible to receive assistance from the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. This program finances all services covered by Medicaid and Medicare, such as hospital services and nursing facility services, but it does not include room and board in assisted living facilities.

To be eligible for assistance through PACE, seniors must meet Medicaid’s long-term care eligibility criteria, which is determined based on a medical assessment. They must also be able to safely live at home, in an assisted living facility or elsewhere in the community. Seniors who are already enrolled in a Health Maintenance Organization or the MI Choice waiver aren’t eligible for PACE.

To apply for this program, seniors can contact the PACE organization that serves Grand Rapids:

Care Resources 
1471 Grace St., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 913-2006

Optional State Supplement

Seniors who receive federal Supplemental Security Income benefits and live in an assisted living facility qualify to receive additional financial assistance from the state of Michigan. This optional state supplement can help cover the costs of assisted living care. The maximum OSS for a single senior is $179.30 per month, while couples are eligible to receive up to $743.60. Seniors may also receive a monthly allowance of $44, which can be used to pay for clothing and other personal needs.

To qualify for OSS, seniors must live in an assisted living facility and be eligible for SSI benefits. Limited income and limited resources are the main eligibility criteria for SSI. Seniors need to have a countable income of less than $750 to receive SSI benefits, and their benefit amount is calculated by deducting their countable income from the maximum benefit amount ($750). Countable income covers many types of income, including wages, Social Security benefits or cash from relatives. Resources, which include assets such as cash and personal property, are limited to $2,000 for single seniors and $3,000 for couples.

Seniors can make an appointment to apply for SSI benefits by calling the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213. This appointment may be over the phone or in person. Seniors can also visit their local Social Security office to apply for these benefits.

Veterans Aid and Assistance Program

The Veterans Aid and Assistance program may help senior veterans in Grand Rapids pay for the cost of assisting living care. Seniors who qualify for the Aid and Assistance program can receive an additional monthly payment on top of their VA pension amount. 

This program is available to veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension. They must also need help from another person to perform certain daily functions, such as bathing, dressing or toileting. Seniors may also be eligible if they are legally blind or have a disability that requires them to stay in bed. Seniors who reside in nursing homes may also qualify.

Seniors in Grand Rapids can apply for the Veterans Aid and Assistance program by writing to the Milwaukee VA Pension Center:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention:  Milwaukee Pension Center
P.O. Box 5192 
Janesville, WI 53547
Fax: 1 (844) 655-1604

When applying, seniors are advised to submit copies of any evidence that supports their need for the monthly payment. The VA recommends including a detailed report from the senior’s doctor. Seniors who have questions about VA pensions, including the Aid and Assistance program, can call the Veterans Benefits Administration at 1 (800) 827-1000.

Several agencies in Grand Rapids provide information and support to local seniors. Seniors can visit the AAA for help navigating the services and programs available to them. Seniors with questions or concerns about SSI can visit the Grand Rapids Social Security Office. Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan 
3215 Eaglecrest Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 456-5664 Grand Rapids Social Security Office 
3045 Knapp St Ne, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
1 (877) 319-5710

Several resources in Grand Rapids may provide support to veterans and survivors. Seniors can visit Kent County Veterans Services to apply for VA pensions or to receive referrals to applicable social services. Seniors who require medical care can visit the city’s VA clinic. 

Kent County Veterans Services 
836 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 632-5722

Grand Rapids Vet Center 
2050 Breton Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 285-5795

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.