Assisted Living in Durand, MI

Assisted Living Costs in Durand

The average monthly price for assisted living in Durand ($3,950) is almost perfectly on par with the Michigan ($3,850) and national ($4,000) averages and similar to the rate paid in Jackson ($3,873). This isn’t the case in other cities in this area of the state, where prices range from just $2,825 in Saginaw to $5,050 in Ann Arbor. The cost of assisted living in Lansing ($4,500) and Detroit ($4,224) is also markedly higher than in Durand, while the rate in Bay City is significantly lower at just $3,200.

Note: Data for senior care costs wasn’t available for Durand, so data for Flint, the closest major city, was used instead.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Rates for senior care in Durand vary considerably depending on the skill level of services needed, number of service hours used and whether room and board are provided. Assisted living costs less than half the monthly rate charged in nursing homes ($8,836) but is comparable to in-home services from homemakers ($3,813) and home health aides ($4,099).

The availability of round-the-clock, specialized nursing care accounts for the much higher cost in nursing homes compared to assisted living. When considering the similar average rates for in-home care options, seniors should also weigh the value of assisted living room and board versus paying for food, utilities, upkeep, insurance and all the other costs related to maintaining a household in addition to the cost of care services.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Durand

Medicaid in Michigan

Medicaid provides essential health care services for Americans who don’t have sufficient income to pay for health insurance. The program is a jointly funded initiative of the federal and state governments. Each state administers its own Medicaid program under guidelines established at the federal level. Michigan Medicaid provides free or low-cost coverage for over 2 million state residents, one in five of whom are elderly, blind or disabled.

Qualifying for Medicaid

Medicaid-eligible Michigan seniors receive coverage for a wide range of services such as primary and specialist care, hospital treatment, medical transportation and nursing home care. Durand residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents can qualify for coverage if they:

• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less per person
• Have assets valued up to $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for spouses applying together
• Are aged 65 or older, or aged 64 or younger and blind or disabled

Income from all sources counts when determining Medicaid eligibility, including wages, pensions, Social Security disability benefits, investment interest and dividends. Most assets count as well, with a few exceptions such as a primary, owner-occupied home valued up to $585,000, household and personal effects, one automobile and burial trusts. Seniors and disabled adults who qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits receive Medicaid coverage automatically.

Exceptions to Medicaid’s Income and Asset Limits

Applicants who are over the asset or income limits may qualify under the following circumstances:

• Seniors who have high medical bills and meet all other Medicaid eligibility requirements except income may become eligible using a Medicaid deductible. Medicaid calculates the applicant’s required deductible based on their income, and the applicant can receive coverage once this amount is spent on approved medical bills.
• Married applicants who have income and assets above the limits but whose spouse isn’t applying may qualify after spousal allowances are calculated. Federal law mandates that a spouse remaining at home may be entitled to up to $3,160.50 of an applicant’s monthly income and up to $126,420 of the couple’s joint assets.

Applying for Michigan Medicaid 

To apply for Medicaid, Durand residents can call (855) 789-5610, complete an application online via the MI Bridges portal or visit the Shiawassee County Department of Health and Human Services office located at 1720 E. Main Street in Owosso. For more information or assistance completing an application, seniors can contact Michigan DHHS at (855) 275-6424.

MI Choice Waiver

Seniors who require a nursing home level of care but prefer to stay in their home or an assisted living setting can apply for the MI Choice waiver. This Michigan Medicaid program provides comprehensive health care coverage and one or more support services, such as:

• Transition assistance to move back to the community
• Care coordination
• Preventive nursing services
• Community living supports
• Private duty nursing care
• Allowable goods and services
• Medical equipment and supplies not available through regular Medicaid
• Counseling
• Personal emergency response systems
• Nonmedical transportation

To qualify, Durand seniors and disabled adults must meet the eligibility requirements for standard Medicaid and long-term care coverage.

Although Medicaid administers the waiver, it isn’t an entitlement program, so enrollment is capped statewide. Depending on availability, applicants who qualify may be placed on a waiting list. 

Interested seniors can call the Valley Area Agency on Aging at (810) 239-7671 to learn more about the MI Choice waiver or apply. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Long-Term Care Insurance

Seniors who want to be proactive about paying future assisted living costs may consider long-term care insurance. While the coverage for these policies vary between insurers, they generally provide a daily or monthly benefit amount for a set length of time. Various Michigan insurance companies offer LTC policies in partnership with the state that protect seniors’ assets when the need for care arises. The cost of LTC insurance depends on a senior’s age, health status and chosen coverage options.

To learn more about long-term care insurance, Durand seniors can contact the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services consumer hotline at (877) 999-6442.

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors and disabled adults in Durand applying for SSI benefits may also qualify for a monthly benefit payment through Michigan’s Optional State Supplementation program. To qualify, applicants must meet the SSI eligibility criteria of:

• $771 or less of income per month for single people or $1,157 for married couples
• $2,000 or less in total assets for individuals or $3,000 or less for married couples

The benefit amount varies based on an applicants’ income and living arrangements, but the maximum per month is $950.30 for individuals and $1,900.60 for couples.

To learn more or apply for SSI and Michigan OSS benefits, seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in Durand

Senior Center

The Durand senior center welcomes local residents aged 50 and over with life-enriching social, recreational and support programs. Seniors can enjoy morning coffee and bingo with friends, learn bridge or euchre, take a painting or crafting class and stay fit with a variety of exercise classes. The center also offers daily healthy, hot lunches, benefits counseling, support groups, wellness checks and organized quarterly day trips to interesting locations.

Durand Senior Center
8618 E. Lansing Rd., Durand, MI 48429
(989) 288-4122

Assistance for Veterans

Various veterans resources are available to Durand senior veterans and their families. The VA clinic in Flint offers primary care, case management, nutrition and laboratory services. Counseling and application assistance for state and VA benefits are available through the Shiawassee County Department of Veterans Affairs. The County VA also offers no-cost transportation for appointments at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

Flint VA Clinic 
2360 S. Linden Rd., Flint, MI 48532 
(810) 720-2913

Shiawassee County DVA
201 N. Shiawassee St., 3rd Fl., Corunna, MI 48817
(989) 743-2231

Area Agency on Aging

The Valley Area Agency on Aging coordinates a wide range of programs and services to help aging Shiawassee County residents maintain their independence and quality of life. Through the AAA, Durand seniors can receive personalized information and referrals for vital aging-related resources such as legal aid, long-term care advocacy, Medicaid/Medicare counseling, health screenings, support services and nutrition programs.

Valley Area Agency on Aging 
225 E. Fifth St., Ste. 200, Flint, MI 48502 
(810) 239-7671