5 Assisted Living Communities in Royal Oak, Michigan

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,224 per 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 5 Assisted Living Communities in Royal Oak and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Royal Oak, MI

• Assisted Living: $4,224
• Nursing Home Care: $9,095
• In-home Care: $4,433
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,517

At $4,224 per month, the cost of assisted living in Royal Oak is higher than the average rates paid nationally ($4,000) and in Michigan ($3,850). The local price is higher than some surrounding cities, including Flint ($3,950) and Battle Creek ($3,050), but more affordable than other areas, such as Lansing ($4,500) and Monroe ($4,720).

Seniors in Royal Oak pay $826 less than those in Ann Arbor, which has the highest assisted living price statewide at $5,050 per month, but Saginaw has Michigan’s lowest average cost at just $2,825.

Note: Data for senior care costs in Royal Oak wasn’t available, so data for the metropolitan Detroit area was used instead.

Senior care costs in Royal Oak span a sizable range, from a low of only $1,517 per month for adult day health services to a high of $9,095 for nursing home care. Assisted living sits about midrange with an average cost of $4,224. Seniors deciding between in-home and residential care, such as assisted living, may feel remaining at home makes paying the extra $200 to $300 shown for homemaker and home health aide services worthwhile. However, the rates for in-home care only represent direct service hours provided, so groceries, utilities, maintenance and other household bills are additional out-of-pocket expenses for seniors, and these fees are usually covered by assisted living’s room and board services. 

 

Medicaid was introduced by the federal government in 1965 to ensure low-income Americans have access to essential health care. The jointly funded program is administered by each state government according to federal guidelines. In Michigan, approximately 2.2 million residents are enrolled in Medicaid, including close to half a million blind, disabled and elderly people.

Those in Royal Oak who meet the eligibility requirements for Michigan Medicaid get wide-ranging health care benefits, including inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician and specialist services, prescription drugs, ambulance services, nonemergency medical transportation, diagnostic testing and long-term nursing home care.

Qualifying for Michigan Medicaid for Long-Term Care

To qualify for long-term care coverage, residents must be:

• U.S. citizens or legal aliens
• Aged 65 or older, or
• Blind or disabled if aged 64 or younger

Those who meet the financial and functional requirements for Supplemental Security Income benefits receive Medicaid coverage automatically. All others are allowed: A maximum monthly income of $2,313 per person. Countable assets of $2,000 or less if single or $3,000 of combined assets if married and both spouses are applying

Income from all sources counts toward the Medicaid eligibility limit, but a number of assets are exempt, including one automobile, personal effects, a principal home valued at $585,000 or less, household goods and irrevocable burial trusts.

Royal Oak residents can apply for Michigan Medicaid online or in person at the Health and Human Services office located at 30755 Montpelier Drive in Madison Heights. For assistance completing an application, seniors can call (844) 799-9876.

MI Choice Waiver

Medicaid-eligible Royal Oak residents assessed as needing a nursing home level of care have the option of applying for the MI Choice waiver program if they prefer to continue living at home or a community setting, such as assisted living.

Waiver applicants must be aged 65 or older or disabled or blind if aged 64 or younger and able to live safely outside an institutional setting with the program’s provided support.

Seniors who enroll in the MI Choice program receive Michigan Medicaid coverage for medical care and one or more waiver-covered services, such as:

• Care coordination
• Transitional aid to move back to the community
• Community living supports
• Preventive nursing care
• Private-duty nursing services
• Medical supplies and equipment not covered by regular Medicaid
• Counseling
• Nonmedical transportation
• Personal emergency response systems

The Choice waiver isn’t an entitlement program of Michigan Medicaid and enrollment is capped. Eligible applicants may spend time on a waiting list depending on current enrollment numbers.

To learn more about the MI Choice waiver or apply, Royal Oak residents can contact Area Agency on Aging 1-B at (800) 852-7795.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

The PACE program of Southeast Michigan offers elderly residents of Royal Oak an alternative to nursing home admission. The program provides comprehensive medical and long-term care in an enrollee’s home or community setting.

Seniors aged 55 and older may receive PACE services at no cost if they’re eligible for Medicaid institutional care or dually qualified for Medicare and Medicaid. Those currently enrolled in an HMO or the MI Choice waiver aren’t eligible. Applicants for PACE must also:

Live within the program’s zip code defined service area

Be evaluated to verify a need for long-term care

Be physically and cognitively capable of living at home or in the community with PACE-provided support

Based on an assessment by the PACE interdisciplinary team, seniors who enroll receive an individualized care plan that provides care coordination and a range of support services that may include:

Recreational and social programming

Occupational, physical, rehabilitative and speech therapy

Personal care assistance

Help with daily living activities

Prepared meals and snacks

Skilled nursing care

Nutritional counseling

Transportation to and from the PACE center and medical appointments

It’s important to note that PACE doesn’t reimburse an assisted living facility for provided services or pay residents’ room-and-board fees. However, the various services the program provides may help seniors lower their overall cost of care.

To learn more about the program or apply, Royal Oak residents can contact PACE Southeast Michigan at (855) 445-4554.

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors and adults with disabilities who are eligible for SSI benefits may also qualify for a monthly top-up payment from the state of Michigan.

The Optional State Supplementation benefit that applicants receive depends on their living arrangement and income, but the program may bolster a monthly SSI check by up to $179.30 for individuals and $695.60 for married couples.

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

Senior veterans can obtain help applying for state and VA benefits from the Oakland County Veterans Services’ Troy office as well as no-cost transportation to VA medical facilities in Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Primary care, blood draws, pharmacy services and referrals for specialist care at VA medical centers are available at the nearby Pontiac VA outpatient clinic.

Oakland County Veterans Services Troy Office
1151 Crooks Rd., Entrance B, Troy, MI 48084
(248) 655-1250

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.