9 Assisted Living Communities in Clarkston, Michigan

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,950 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 9 Assisted Living Communities in Clarkston and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Clarkston, MI

• Assisted Living: $3,950
• Nursing Home Care: $8,836
• In-home Care: $3,813
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,492

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Clarkston is just $50 less than the national average. At $3,950, assisted living in Clarkston is slightly more costly than the state average of $3,850 but significantly less expensive than more populous cities, such as Ann Arbor ($5,050), Detroit ($4,224) and Lansing ($4,500). Residents of the smaller city of Monroe face higher assisted living costs at $4,720, while seniors in Saginaw ($2,825) pay the least for that care type.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Clarkston, so data for the closest city, Flint, was used.

In Clarkston, seniors pay less than half the cost of around-the-clock skilled nursing home care ($8,836) for assisted living. Individuals requiring only day-time services may be able to receive adult day health services, the least expensive care type, averaging $2,492 per month. The up-front cost of assisted living, which typically includes room, board and an intermediate level of care, falls in between the home health care costs of $3,813 for homemaker services and $4,099 for home health aides. One should note that expenses such as rent, utilities and home maintenance are not included in the home health care costs.

 

Low-income adults and children may be eligible to receive health care coverage in Michigan through Medicaid. Benefits and services provided are defined as medically necessary and can include:

• Doctors and hospital visits
• Emergency services
• Hospice
• Physical therapy, hearing and speech services
• Mental health services
• Dental and vision care
• Private nursing
• Transportation to and from medical appointments

To be eligible for Michigan Medicaid, seniors must qualify for supplemental security income or meet specific state income and asset requirements. They may exceed income and asset requirements but pay a certain amount of medical expenses and still qualify. Annual income limits for those not eligible to receive SSI are $16,612 for an individual and $22,491 for a married couple.

Seniors may apply for Medicaid services online, complete the paper application or call (855) 276-4627 for assistance.

MI Choice Waiver Program

Senior Clarkston residents eligible for Medicaid may also be able to enroll in the MI Choice waiver program, which provides personal care services to individuals residing in their own home or in an assisted living facility. The following waiver services are not included in the traditional Medicaid program:

• Community living and transitions assistance
• Respite and nursing services
• Transportation for nonmedical purposes
• Home-delivered meals
• Private nursing

To qualify for MI Choice, Clarkston seniors must require a nursing home level of care and meet the financial requirements of $2,313 or less in monthly income and no more than $2,000 in individual assets. Federal spousal impoverishment guidelines are used if the applicant is married, where the spouse may keep up to $126,420 if their partner is receiving long-term care.

Those interested in participating in the program should call the Area Agency on Aging 1B at (248) 357-2255. It’s important to note that the waiver is not considered an entitlement, and eligible individuals may be placed on a waiting list before receiving services.

Elderlife Financial Bridge Loans
Seniors in Clarkston may be able to receive a 12-month line of credit providing financial assistance for moving fees and room and board in an assisted living facility. Elderlife Financial Services offers bridge loans with a quick and easy application process, delivering funds as soon as 24 hours from the time of a submitted application. To qualify, seniors should have a financial plan in place for after the loan expires. Elderlife Financial determines a senior’s eligibility through the combined credit scores of co-applicant family members, assets and income information.

Veterans Aid and Attendance
The federal Aid and Attendance program gives certain veterans and their surviving spouses financial assistance in addition to their monthly pension. 

To qualify, a veteran or their surviving spouse must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be bedridden

• Be legally blind

• Live in a skilled nursing facility

• Require assistance to perform regular activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and eating

To apply for this extra financial support, qualified seniors should send a written report proving their disabilities, impairments and level of mobility to the Milwaukee Pension Center at P. O. Box 5192, Janesville, WI 53547. Individuals may also visit the Detroit regional pension office in person for assistance. 

The Oakland County Area Agency on Aging provides senior and caregiver resources, offers low-cost meal programs and facilitates the enrollment process for the MI Choice waiver. Area Agency on Aging 1-B
29100 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 400, Southfield, MI 48034
(800) 852-7795

Veterans in Oakland County have access to veterans services and the Pontiac VA outpatient clinic for medical care. Benefits advisers assist veterans in filing claims, including property tax exemptions, home loans and life insurance. The Veterans Services office also provides complimentary transportation to the Ann Arbor and Detroit Veterans Medical Centers.

Oakland County Veterans Services
1200 N. Telegraph Rd., North Office Building 26 East, Pontiac, MI 48341-0468
(248) 858-0785 or (888) 350-0900 ext. 80785 

Pontiac Vet Center
44200 Woodward Ave., Ste. 108, Pontiac, MI 48341
(248) 874-1015 or (877) 927-8387 (after hours) 

Pontiac VA Outpatient Clinic
44200 Woodward Ave., Ste 208, Pontiac, MI 48341
(248) 332-4540 

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