6 Assisted Living Communities in Belleville, Michigan

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,050 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 6 Assisted Living Communities in Belleville and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Belleville, MI

• Assisted Living: $5,050
• Nursing Home Care: $10,220
• In-home Care: $4,719
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,773

Seniors in Belleville pay the highest assisted living prices in the state, Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study revealed. At an average of $5,050 monthly, Belleville prices are far above the national ($4,000) and state ($3,850) averages.

Other cities in southeast Michigan, including Detroit ($4,224) and Jackson ($3,873), are much more affordable than Belleville. For the state’s most affordable care, seniors may consider Saginaw; this central Michigan city costs just $2,825 per month. At $3,050 monthly, Battle Creek is another affordable location.

Note: Since senior care cost data wasn’t available for Belleville, data for the closest major city, Ann Arbor, has been used.

Many factors influence monthly senior care costs, including the type of care a senior needs. Adult day health services, which offer care during daytime hours, are the least expensive choice at $2,773 per month. Nursing home care, which provides intensive, round-the-clock care, is the most expensive choice. At $10,220 monthly, it’s more than twice the price of assisted living. Homemaker services ($4,719) and home health aides ($4,671) have lower price tags than assisted living. However, these prices don’t include homeowners insurance, property taxes, maintenance, meals and other costs of staying at home. Seniors who choose in-home care may find that it’s more expensive than assisted living.

 

President Lyndon B. Johnson established Medicaid in 1965. For over five decades, this government program has provided medical insurance to low-income Americans. Across the country, nearly 66 million people participate in Medicaid, and about 2.2 million of them live in Michigan.

Michigan Medicaid provides medical insurance to many groups of low-income people, including children, pregnant women, families and seniors. Medicaid participants may receive many medically necessary services, including:

• Ambulance services
• Doctor visits
• Emergency services
• Hospital care (inpatient and outpatient)
• Laboratory services
• Mental health services
• Nursing home care
• Podiatry care
• Private duty nursing

People in Belleville may qualify for Michigan Medicaid if they meet the following criteria:

• Live in Michigan
• Need help paying for health care
• Are U.S. nationals, U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Make less than $16,612 annually ($22,491 for couples)
• Own less than $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for couples)

In Michigan, there are three ways to apply for Medicaid coverage. To apply online, visit the MI Bridges website. To apply over the phone, call (855) 789-5610. To apply in person, visit the Michigan Department of Human Services office in Inkster. This office is located at 26355 Michigan Avenue.

To learn more about Medicaid, call the Michigan Health Care Helpline at (855) 789-5610.

MI Choice Waiver Program

Michigan has offered the MI Choice waiver program for nearly 30 years. This Medicaid waiver helps frail seniors delay or avoid moving into a nursing facility. Seniors who participate in the waiver can receive a variety of services to help them remain in their homes or in assisted living facilities. These services may include:

• Chore services
• Community living supports
• Counseling
• Nonmedical transportation
• Nursing services
• Supports coordination

To qualify for this waiver program, seniors must have a verified need for a nursing facility level of care. In addition, they must have a continuing need for supports coordination and at least one other waiver benefit. Seniors must have an income that’s less than 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate.

Local Areas on Aging manage applications for this program. Belleville seniors can call The Senior Alliance at (734) 772-2830 to apply.

Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance Allowance

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides monthly pensions to eligible veterans and survivors. VA pension recipients who are moving into an assisted living facility may qualify for the Aid and Attendance allowance. This allowance is paid in addition to the basic VA pension, and it can help make assisted living more affordable.

The maximum Aid and Attendance allowance is $9,042 per year. Seniors who have countable income, such as Social Security benefits and retirement payments, will receive less than the maximum allowance.

This allowance may be paid to seniors who are eligible for a basic VA pension and need help from another person to bathe, get dressed or perform other necessary daily tasks. Seniors who are nursing home patients, bedridden or legally blind may also receive this allowance.

There are two ways to apply:

• Visit the Detroit Regional Benefit Office

• Write to the Milwaukee VA Pension Center

Seniors who have questions about this allowance can call (844) 698-2311 to speak with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs representative.

Optional State Supplementation

The Optional State Supplementation program is a possible source of funding for low-income seniors who are moving into assisted living. This state-funded program provides additional monthly payments to seniors who receive SSI. Single seniors who live in a home for the aged can have as much as $179.30 added to their federal payment, while couples can see as much as $695.60 in additional funding.

To apply for this funding, visit the Inkster Social Security Office. To make an appointment to apply or learn more, call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance policies may help seniors pay for the costs of care in assisted living facilities. People usually buy these policies when they’re between 40 and 70 years old, and in exchange for coverage, they pay premiums. If they require long-term care, the insurance company pays some or all of the costs. The type of care that’s covered and the benefits levels vary from one policy to another.

In Michigan, many insurance companies are licensed to sell long-term care insurance. Seniors can contact these companies to learn more about their policies or to apply for coverage. Insurance companies may limit or exclude coverage based on preexisting conditions, so some seniors may not be eligible. If approved, a senior’s health conditions may affect the premiums.

Navigating long-term care insurance can be complicated. For help making a decision, seniors can call the free Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program at (800) 803-7174. Seniors who already have a policy and need help filing a claim can contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500.

The local AAA is a nonprofit organization that provides a network of services to seniors. Seniors can turn to the AAA for help navigating Medicare and Medicaid. They can also receive referrals for care management, elder abuse services, long-term care options and many other services. The Senior Alliance 
5454 Venoy Rd., Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 722-2830

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