Assisted Living in Michigan
Bordered by four of the five great lakes, it is no wonder that Michigan, whose official nickname is “The Wolverine State,” is often referred to as “The Great Lake State.” Michigan’s borders encompass more than 11,000 inland lakes where visitors and residents alike enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, camping and hiking.
With a population of 9,883,640, Michigan is the eighth-most populous state in the country and the birthplace of former U.S. President Gerald Ford. Whether taking a tour of the famous Henry Ford Museum or wading into the waters of a scenic freshwater lake, assisted living in Michigan has something for everybody.
Assisted Living in Michigan Defined
“Assisted living” is not a legally defined term in Michigan. As such, assisted living in Michigan is typically provided by one of two types of facilities: Homes for the Aged (HFAs) and Adult Foster Care Homes (AFCs). While not legally referred to as an assisted living facility, HFAs and AFCs are not nursing homes. Both types of facilities offer only daily assistance and supervision to residents, rather than extensive medical or skilled nursing care.
Both HFAs and AFCs offer personal care services, which include assistance or supervision with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, walking or administration of medication. The main difference between the two facilities is that HFAs require residents to be at least 60 years of age or older, whereas AFCs provide personal care services to any adult.
Another key difference is size; AFCs house 20 or less residents. This type of facility is typically divided into Family Homes (for 1-6 people), Small Group Homes (for 1-12 people) and Large Group Homes (for 13-20 people). An HFA, on the other hand, requires that there be 21 or more residents over 60 years of age.
Cost of Assisted Living in Michigan
Assisted living in Michigan costs on average $36,000 per year, or about $3,000 a month. This is the state-wide average cost for a one-bedroom/single-occupancy room with basic personal care services included. However, the cost of care varies by location, with the average cost per month being as low as $840 in some areas and as high as $6,604 in others.
Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a Michigan assisted living facility:
| City | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Ann Arbor | $2,500 | $6,270 |
| Detroit | $1,000 | $5,690 |
| Flint | $1,400 | $4,250 |
| Kalamazoo | $1,300 | $4,535 |
| Lansing / East Lansing | $1,105 | $2,675 |
| Rest of State | $1,000 | $7,320 |
*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.
The majority of residents pay for services privately or with long-term care insurance. Government funding is available in some facilities, but there are very strict requirements. Medicare does not cover assisted living costs, but in some instances Medicaid will be accepted.
Regulation of Assisted Living in Michigan
Assisted living in Michigan is regulated and licensed by the Michigan Department of Human Services, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing. Before applying for a license, every AFC and HFA must prove that it is in compliance with state fire safety laws and provide a criminal history report for all employees.
A facility must be licensed as an AFC facility if it provides personal care services and housing to 20 or fewer residents, or be licensed as a HFA if it provides personal care and housing to 21 or more residents who are all 60 years of age or older. Every facility must be inspected by the Bureau of Children and Adult licensing before being issued a license, and may inspect the facility again in the case that a complaint is filed by a resident.
Find Assisted Living in Michigan
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Written by senior housing writer Stacy Rost.
