Assisted Living in Michigan

Discover what makes the Great Lakes State so great when you look for assisted living services in Michigan. From the mitten to the U.P., the state of Michigan has something for everyone. On either side of the Straights of Mackinac you’ll find small-town living or luxury accommodations and everything in between. Long known as the automotive hub of the nation, the Michigan economy has recently diversified; it’s almost as varied as the weather. Whether lakeside living or a metropolitan pad is what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find the right assisted living option in Michigan.

Cost of assisted living in Michigan vs. nearby states

Cost of assisted living in a selection of Michigan cities

We noticed people seem to be searching for assisted living in these Michigan cities more frequently than others: Ann Arbor, Bay City, Hastings, and Novi. We've provided their pricing here.

The cost of assisted living in Michigan

Seniorly 2021 data shows that the average cost of assisted living in Michigan is $3,735 per month. The national average monthly cost is $4,057. The average Michigan cost is slightly less than the national average, as well as less than its surrounding states. Keep in mind as you start your senior living search that some areas (particularly those where the cost of living is high) will be more expensive than others. Explore our assisted living listings to start comparing properties, or get in touch with one of our local advisors to get expert advice on what you can afford in the areas in which you’re interested.

Assisted living communities can provide the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about home maintenance, chores, or errands, as well as help with personal care like grooming, eating, and other activities of daily living seniors might have trouble with. However, if your loved one requires nursing care, or has diagnosed Alzheimer's or dementia that has progressed to a certain point, they might need a skilled nursing facility/home health care, or memory care community instead. These types of care providers (and for that matter, in-home care) might cost more in Michigan than assisted living facilities, but the important thing is that your loved one’s needs are cared for in order to provide them with the best quality of life.

If your loved one currently lives in a retirement community, ask whether it is a Continuing Care Retirement Community: these senior living properties are generally designed for residents to age in place. Seniors can get the different levels of care they need, from independent living to memory care, without having to move to a different community all together.

Overall cost of living in Michigan

Michigan has one of the lowest costs of living in the country. Coming in amongst the ten most-affordable states in which to live, Michigan’s cost of living index is 88.9, where the US national average is 104.63. This is largely due to lower housing and grocery costs than other areas around the country.

Financial assistance for assisted living in Michigan

Medicaid options for Michigan seniors

According to benefits.gov, to be eligible for Michigan Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Michigan, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

• Pregnant, or
• Be responsible for a child 17 years of age or younger, or
• Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability.

Michigan's Medicaid health care program is called, fittingly, the Michigan Medicaid Health Care Program. It provides medical and health-related assistance to low-income individuals and families. Generally, the program serves persons aged 65 or older, the blind or permanently disabled, members of families with dependent children, children in foster care homes, pregnant women, and individuals under age 21 in psychiatric hospitals.

Several Medi-Cal programs can help Michigan seniors get the care options they need, such as the Home Help program, which provides independent living services; the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE); and the MI Choice Waiver Program, which provides assisted living-like care in a home setting. Keep in mind that there is high demand for these care services and some may have wait lists.

Non-Medicaid State assistance programs

There are a few non-Medicaid assistance programs in Michigan, many of which are administered by the Aging & Adult Services Agency inside the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. For more ways to find assisted living help, check the “Free assisted living resources in Michigan” section below.

More ways to finance assisted living in Michigan

There are several options available to finance assisted living for yourself or a loved one. Long-term care can be financed several ways:

• Life insurance - Some life insurance policies have a provision for long-term care benefits.
• Long-term care insurance - This type of insurance is intended to cover long-term health care needs by covering costs for assisted living or long-term care communities.
• Pensions, 401K, and IRA - If you have a pension, 401k or an IRA to fall back upon this would be a great benefit in paying for assisted living costs.
• Real Estate - Having a home is a great source of income. When it is time to move into assisted living the sale proceeds from your home can cover the costs.
• Veteran’s benefits - While the VA will not directly cover the costs of assisted living, you can obtain help from the VA under the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits. The Aid & Attendance benefits helps eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to pay for assistance for assistance of daily living (ADLs) activities. Aid & Attendance benefits are often referred to by other names such as “improved pension,” “VA assisted living benefit,” or “veterans elder care benefits.”

Free assisted living resources in Michigan

Michigan residents can explore state resources that can help answer your questions about eligibility for certain types of benefits and how they might apply to assisted living.

Find your local Area Agency on Aging. There are multiple agencies per state, enter your ZIP code or city to find the one closest to you.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency may be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for VA benefits.

Find Michigan Social Security offices where you can understand your benefits and get answers to your questions about claims.

Assisted living communities by Michigan city

Top Advisors in Michigan