I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Detroit, MI

Dubbed Motor City, Detroit is best known for being the birthplace of the automobile as we know it today. The city is home to The Henry Ford Museum, which draws nearly 2 million visitors annually. The museum offers reduced ticket prices for those aged 62 and over, and those who aren’t able to go to the museum in person can enjoy a virtual visit. The city also offers a broad range of shopping, dining and cultural amenities, as well as a large public library that has special services for older adults and those with physical impairments.

Detroit is a large city with over 670,000 residents, about 14% of whom are aged 65 and over. It’s among the more affordable places to live in Michigan. Health care services such as hospital stays, dental services and doctor’s office visits cost about 15% less here than in the typical U.S. city. Housing costs are about a quarter of the national average, which may make home care financially feasible if you want to age in place throughout your retirement years.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Detroit, MI

The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey indicates that home care agencies in Detroit charge $4,767 per month for services such as housekeeping, errands and companionship. Home health care is specialized and also includes some skilled nursing services, and it’s typically more expensive. In Detroit, this type of care costs $4,957 per month.

Your out-of-pocket home care costs may vary depending on the amount of care you need. Detroit’s monthly rate is calculated based on 44 hours of weekly care at $25 per hour for home care and $26 for home health care. If you obtain free or low-cost services through community organizations or if you have friends and family members who help out, your monthly costs may be below the average. However, if your needs are more extensive or you require live-in assistance, your care may be more costly.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

In Michigan, seniors pay $4,576 on average for home care services and $4,767 for home health care. While Detroit’s average rates are higher at $4,767 and $4,957, respectively, it’s an affordable alternative to many cities in the state. Muskegon is the costliest surveyed city for home-based services, with residents paying $5,243 for both types of care. In Monroe, home care and home health care both cost $4,957. Ann Arbor’s home care costs are the same as Detroit’s at $4,767, but its home health care rate is lower at $4,862 per month. Lansing is among the more affordable cities in Michigan, with both levels of care costing $4,576.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

Senior care expenses in Detroit vary considerably depending on the level of care you need and where you want to live. Home care costs average $4,767 per month, and home health care is a little more expensive at $4,957. If you want to live in your own home but want to save money by obtaining care in a daytime community setting, adult day care is considerably cheaper at $1,733. Assisted living offers this level of care in a residential community for $4,750 per month. Nursing home care is for those who need around-the-clock medical monitoring and skilled nursing, and it’s the most expensive option at $8,821.

III. How to Find Home Care in Detroit, MI

Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Detroit, MI.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Detroit, MI

St. Patrick Senior Center

What You Should Know
St. Patrick Senior Center is an active gathering hub with over 2,000 members and visitors. It provides a broad range of social and recreational activities, such as age-friendly dance and fitness classes, arts and crafts, bingo, technology classes and a book club. It serves congregate meals six days per week and operates a fruit and vegetable co-op on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Through its Health and Wellness Clinic, you can get regular health screenings and blood pressure and glucose checks. The center also provides in-home care services and minor home repairs.

Who Is Eligible?
Everyone aged 55 and over is eligible for membership at the senior center, regardless of their income or where they live.

How to Get Started
For more information, you can call the center at (313) 833-7080. To become a member, you can visit the center on Monday or Friday between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. or on Wednesday from 1:30 to 2 p.m. If you’re aged 55 to 59, membership costs $36 annually, and if you’re aged 60 or older, the annual fee is $10.

Detroit Area Agency on Aging

What You Should Know
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging administers a range of programs to support your independence and safety in the community. Through this agency, you can access Senior Telehealth Connect, which features virtual healthcare appointments to help you manage chronic conditions. The agency provides home-delivered meals to those who are housebound, and it connects you to resources for long-term care services such as chore assistance, personal care and housekeeping. It also provides health insurance options counseling, which may help you find coverage to control home care costs, and it administers the statewide MI Choice Waiver Program, which helps Medicaid-eligible individuals pay for care.

Who Is Eligible?
The AAA provides services to anyone in the Detroit metro aged 60 and over. Some programs, such as Meals on Wheels and the MI Choice Waiver Program, have additional eligibility criteria based on your income or functional abilities.

How to Get Started
To speak with a representative and learn more about the programs available through the AAA, call the main office at (313) 446-4444. You can also submit an online contact form and request information on specific programs.

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency

What You Should Know
Wayne Metro administers a range of services to support members of the community who may be at risk of financial hardship. Its Housing & Food Assistance Program helps those with limited access to healthy food and can assist with rent and mortgage payments to avoid late charges, and it offers multiple forms of property tax assistance for homeowners. It also administers the Weatherization Assistance Program, Water Residential Assistance Program, Emergency Plumbing Repair Program and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program to help seniors control their utility bills and avoid shutoffs.

Who Is Eligible?
Services through Wayne Metro are available to older adults who meet income guidelines. Eligibility requirements vary by program.

How to Get Started
To get help from Wayne Metro, you can apply for specific programs online or email [email protected]. You can speak with a live agent by calling the Wayne Metro Connect Center at (313) 388-9799. The center is staffed on Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Those who are hard of hearing can call 7-1-1.

Focus: HOPE

What You Should Know
Focus: Hope is a local nonprofit organization that offers a range of programs to qualifying individuals in Detroit. Through this organization, you can obtain supplemental food through the Food for Seniors program. The agency can also connect you with health screenings, financial assistance and tax preparation help.

Who Is Eligible?
Food boxes are available to those aged 60 and over in Detroit and the surrounding region. You must provide proof of your age and residency and the number of people in your household.

How to Get Started 
To learn more about the Food for Seniors program or to apply for a food box, you can call the organization at (313) 494-4600 or email [email protected].

VA Detroit Regional Office

What You Should Know
The Detroit Regional Office is staffed with specialists who help veterans obtain the federal benefits they’re entitled to. Through this office, you can apply for veterans’ and survivors’ pensions and the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can help you cover home care costs.

Who Is Eligible?
Services through the VA are available to all U.S. veterans, although some programs have additional eligibility requirements related to your age, when and in what capacity you served, your income and your level of functional needs.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the VA’s programs and services or to get help with applying for financial benefits or assistance, call (800) 827-1000. To schedule an in-person appointment with a representative, call (313) 471-3867. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.