Assisted Living in Wayne County, MI

Assisted Living Costs in Wayne County

According to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Care survey, assisted living in Wayne County is more affordable than in other areas of Michigan, including Lansing ($4,500) and Monroe ($4,720). Average monthly costs here are around $800 less than in Ann Arbor ($5,050), which is the most expensive location for assisted living, but about $1,400 more than in Saginaw, where seniors pay the least. Wayne County assisted living rates are also higher than both the national ($4,000) and state averages ($3,850).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Wayne County, so data for the nearby Detroit area was used.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Comparing the cost of senior care options is easier and more accurate when the various factors that affect price are understood. The biggest factors are usually the type of care, setting and number of service hours provided. The 24-hour supervision and availability of skilled services in nursing homes helps explain why this type of care is twice as expensive as assisted living and in-home care.

Another factor that deserves consideration is room and board, which is usually included in the price of assisted living. The average rates for homemakers and home health aides only cover the hours of service provided, so household operating costs must be added on for a fair cost comparison with assisted living.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Wayne County

Medicaid in Michigan

Medicaid was introduced by the federal government in 1965 to provide health care services to the most vulnerable among the nation’s population: low-income adults, pregnant women, families with young children, disabled and blind adults and the elderly. Today, each state administers its own Medicaid program with joint funding contributed by the federal government.

Michigan Medicaid provides approximately 2.2 million residents with essential health care coverage for primary and specialist care, emergency room and hospital services, preventive care, diagnostic tests, prescriptions and institutional nursing home care.

Seniors and disabled adults must be U.S. citizens or legal residents to qualify for Medicaid in Michigan. Those who meet the eligibility guidelines for Supplemental Security Income benefits automatically receive full Medicaid coverage. All other Wayne County residents must meet the following qualification requirements to obtain coverage for medical and long-term care services:

• Be aged 65 or older or aged 21 to 64 and blind or permanently disabled
• Be assessed as requiring a nursing facility level of care
• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less as an individual
• Own $2,000 or less in countable assets as a single person or $3,000 or less if married and applying with a spouse

Medicaid counts income from all sources when determining eligibility but not all assets. Exempt assets include a primary home, household and personal effects, one vehicle and irrevocable burial trusts.

Additional income and asset exemptions are allowed for married couples if only one is applying to prevent spousal impoverishment:

• Up to $3,160.50 of an applicant’s monthly income can be set aside as a spousal living allowance.
• Up to $126,420 in joint assets may be excluded as a spousal resource allowance.

Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria except for excess income may be approved for a Medicaid deductible to reduce their monthly income to $2,313. An applicant’s deductible is their over-limit income figure, which must be spent on health care expenses before coverage begins. Acceptable expenses can include:

• Doctor, hospital or nursing services
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Dental and chiropractic services
• Transportation costs to obtain medical care

Seniors can apply for Michigan Medicaid online or in person at the nearest Wayne County Health and Human Services office. Those who need assistance completing an application can call (844) 799-9876.

Michigan Medicaid Choice Waiver

Wayne County seniors and adults with disabilities who want to stay in their home or community instead of entering a nursing home can apply for the MI Choice waiver. To qualify, applicants must meet the eligibility guidelines for Medicaid and need the level of care normally provided in a nursing facility. Those approved for the program receive comprehensive Medicaid medical coverage along with community-based services and supports that may include:

• Transition assistance to relocate from a nursing facility
• Coordination of supports for community living
• Preventive and private-duty nursing care
• Respite care
• Necessary medical equipment and supplies excluded from Medicaid coverage
• Nonmedical transportation

The MI Choice waiver isn’t a Medicaid entitlement, and statewide enrollment is limited to about 18,000 participants, so there may be a waiting list to receive services depending on availability.

To apply for the MI Choice waiver, Wayne County seniors can contact the Detroit Area Agency on Aging at (313) 446-4444 or the Senior Alliance at (734) 722-2830.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Long-Term Care Insurance

Michigan residents who want to be proactive and plan ahead for a move to assisted living may consider purchasing a long-term care insurance policy. There are lots of factors to consider when comparing policies, including whether they’re guaranteed renewable, if in-home or assisted living care is covered, if an inflation protection rider can be added and any limitations and exclusions a policy contains. As with other types of health and life insurance, the availability of LTC coverage and its cost depend on the health history of the applicant.

For help understanding the details of an LTC insurance policy or assistance with filing a claim, Wayne County seniors can call Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors and disabled adults with little income and assets who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income also qualify for the Michigan Optional State Supplementation program. The extra cash benefit OSS provides can go toward expenses not covered by Medicaid, such as assisted living room and board charges.

To qualify for SSI and OSS benefits, Wayne County residents must have a monthly income below the current federal benefit rate, which is $771 or less for single people and $1,157 for married couples. The combined monthly benefit amount received varies depending on an applicant’s marital status and living arrangement, but it may be as high as $950.30 for an individual and $1900.60 for a married couple.

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

Assisted Living Resources in Wayne County

Senior Legal Assistance

Lakeshore Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services to low-income Michigan seniors. Help is available for a wide range of civil legal matters including consumer protection, elder abuse and neglect, income tax, public benefits, wills, estates and guardianships. Seniors can call (888) 783-8190 for more information or to schedule an appointment at one of the agency’s six Wayne County locations.

Veterans Resources

Senior veterans and their survivors can access information, assistance and support with applications for benefits and pensions at the Wayne County Veterans Services office in Detroit. A comprehensive range of health care services is available at Detroit’s John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
4646 John R. St., Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 576-1000

Wayne County Veterans Services
28 W. Adams Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-5045

Area Agencies on Aging

Wayne County’s two Area Agencies on Aging have a shared mission of empowering older residents. The agencies provide seniors with information and access to aging-related resources such as home and community-based assistance, nutrition and transportation programs and options for long-term care.

Detroit Area Agency on Aging
1333 Brewery Park Blvd., Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 446-4444

The Senior Alliance
5454 Venoy Road, Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 722-2830