Assisted Living in West Bloomfield, MI

Assisted Living Costs in West Bloomfield

At $4,224, the average monthly cost of assisted living in West Bloomfield tops the state ($3,850) and national ($4,000) averages. Local seniors also pay more than their counterparts in Flint ($3,950), Battle Creek ($3,050) and Saginaw, where the price averages just $2,825 per month. Assisted living in West Bloomfield is a bargain compared to some other Michigan cities, such as Lansing ($4,500), Monroe ($4,720) and Ann Arbor, which has the highest rate statewide at $5,050 per month.

Note: Data for senior care costs in West Bloomfield wasn’t available, so data for the nearby Detroit area was used here.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The type of care seniors need plays a large role in how much they pay each month, and this holds true in West Bloomfield. Adult day health services provided on weekdays in a group care center average only $1,517 per month. Prices for assisted living and in-home services range from $4,224 to $4,528 per month, while skilled nursing home care is more than double these amounts at an average cost of $9,095.

When comparing care options, it’s important for seniors to keep in mind that nursing homes and assisted living community rates typically include room and board, but those receiving care services at home are responsible for household operating expenses, such as groceries, upkeep, utilities and property taxes.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in West Bloomfield

Medicaid in Michigan

As the nation’s largest health insurance program, Medicaid delivers vital primary, acute and long-term care to over 65 million people from coast to coast. The jointly funded program is regulated federally and administered by individual state governments. In Michigan, the state Medicaid program delivers health care services to approximately 2.2 million low-income residents, including children, pregnant women, disabled or blind adults and seniors.

U.S. citizens and legal residents of Michigan who qualify for Medicaid receive wide ranging health care benefits including, doctor and specialist services, emergency, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription medications, X-rays, lab work, diagnostic tests and long-term nursing facility care.

Seniors aged 65 or older and blind or disabled adults aged 64 and younger who’ve been assessed as requiring a nursing-home level of care are eligible for coverage if they:

• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less
• Have total assets of $2,000 or less per individual or $3,000 per co-applicant couple

West Bloomfield residents who receive Supplemental Security Income qualify for Medicaid coverage automatically.

All sources of income count for Medicaid eligibility purposes, including wages, pensions, stock dividends and Social Security benefits. Some assets are disregarded, including personal belongings, one vehicle, a primary, owner-occupied home with a value up to $585,000, household goods and burial trusts.

If only one spouse of a married couple applies, additional income and asset exemptions may be allowed per Medicaid rules to prevent impoverishment of a non-applicant spouse:

• Up to $3,160.50 of the applicant’s monthly income may be excluded as a living allowance for the non-applicant
• The non-applicant may retain up to $126,420 in jointly owned assets as a resource allowance

Seniors who meet the eligibility criteria but have excess income and high medical bills may be allowed to use a Medicaid deductible to qualify for month-to-month coverage. Once the applicant’s medical bills meet or exceed their deductible figure – their amount of excess income – they qualify for coverage.

West Bloomfield residents can apply for Michigan Medicaid online or in person at the Oakland County Health and Human Services office located at 51111 Woodward Avenue in Pontiac. For assistance completing an application, seniors can call (844) 799-9876.

Michigan Medicaid Choice Waiver

Michigan Medicaid offers seniors and disabled adults who meet the eligibility requirements for long-term care coverage an alternative to nursing home placement through the MI Choice waiver. The program is open to applicants assessed as able to safely live in a community setting and provides comprehensive medical coverage and a range of supportive services that may include:

• Transition assistance to move back to the community
• Support coordination for community living
• Preventive and private-duty nursing
• Counseling
• Medical supplies and equipment not covered by regular Medicaid
• Nonmedical transportation

The MI Choice waiver isn’t a Michigan Medicaid entitlement program and enrollment is capped statewide. Depending on availability, eligible seniors may be placed on a waiting list to receive services.

To apply for the Choice waiver, West Bloomfield seniors can contact Area Agency on Aging 1-B at (800) 852-7795.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

The PACE program of Southeast Michigan offers West Bloomfield seniors the option of receiving all-inclusive medical and long-term assistive services in the community as an alternative to nursing home admission. Eligible seniors can’t be enrolled in an HMO or the MI Choice waiver and must live within the program service area and be:

• Aged 55 or older
• Assessed as needing a nursing-facility level of care
• Able to live independently with the support of PACE-provided services

PACE doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living, but program enrollees can receive care coordination and various other support services that lower their overall care costs. Each participant is assessed by the program’s interdisciplinary team to determine the services they need, which may include:

• Comprehensive medical care
• Recreational and social programs
• Skilled nursing care
• Transportation to medical appointments and the PACE center
• Occupational, physical, speech and rehabilitation therapy
• Personal care and help with activities of daily living
• Nutritional counseling
• Prepared meals

To learn more or apply for the PACE program, seniors can contact PACE Southeast Michigan at (855) 445-4554.

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors who meet the financial and functional eligibility requirements to receive monthly SSI benefit payments may also qualify for an additional cash benefit from the state of Michigan. This Optional State Supplementation payment can augment a recipient’s monthly SSI benefit check by up to $179.30 for single people and $695.60 for married couples, depending on their living arrangement and income.

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

Assisted Living Resources in West Bloomfield

Veterans Assistance and Health Care

West Bloomfield veterans and their surviving spouses can obtain assistance filing for VA, state and county compensation, benefits and pensions at the Oakland County Veterans Services office. The VSO also provides barrier-free transportation to the VA Medical Centers in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Primary care, lab, pharmacy and mental health services are available nearby at the Pontiac VA clinic.

Oakland County Veterans Services
1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Bldg. 26-E, Pontiac, MI 48341
(248) 858-0785

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

Social and Recreational Services

The West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation department offers an array of programs, classes and recreational opportunities for residents aged 50 and older. There are exercise and creative writing classes, picnics with live music and DSO coffee concerts. Other events include an annual senior health and wellness expo, a formal seniors’ dance and group excursions to a variety of destinations.

The Parks department also offers SMART transportation services for seniors aged 55+ and those with disabilities for medical and other appointments. 

West Bloomfield Parks Senior Services
4640 Walnut Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48323
(248) 451-1900

Senior Legal Assistance

The nonprofit law firm Lakeshore Legal Aid provides no-cost civil legal services to low-income seniors. West Bloomfield seniors may qualify for advice or representation for various matters, such as consumer protection, elder exploitation and abuse, debt collection and public benefits, including Social Security and Medicaid.

Lakeshore Legal Aid
35 W. Huron St., Ste. 701, Pontiac, MI 48342
(248) 530-9330