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Making sense of all terminology and types of care makes getting elder care for your family member that much more difficult.
Today, I’m starting a simple summary to sort out this nebulous bubble of terminology, and make it less of a headache for Families with caregiving responsibilities.
What are the different types of elder care available in Michigan?
LeadingAge Michigan supports Michigan’s frail seniors and adults with disabilities through post acute and long term services. I found their guide listing all sorts of Elder Care options available in Michigan, and I’m going to take a quick look at each.
The PACE Program is associated with the State of Michigan, and seems to be the move “All-Inclusive / Holistic” type of elder care available for people with Medicaid or Medicare or Both, or Just One and willing to pay out of pocket.
For my family, which is above “The Medicaid Line”, PACE might cost between $4,000 and $6,000 per month out of pocket. Still, it’s one of the elder care programs I’m most hopeful about.
It’s available in Gratiot County, with a physical building in Isabella County as part of PACE’s Central Michigan division/branch.
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The State of Michigan’s Continuing Care Communities provide for regulation of Continuing Care Communities since 2015.
Apparently, Continuing Care Communities are “is a living option for seniors who want to live independently but prefer residing in a community of their peers with the option to increase helpful services as they age” (direct quote from Findcontinuingcare.com)
Continuing Care Communities Gratiot County lists 26 CRCCs (the acronym), including cozy CRCC names like Connie’s Lakeside Elder Care and Wallace St Assisted Living Center. 6 to 16 living units seems like a comfortable space that’s not too crowded.
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End of the road care for the end of life.
Michigan Palliative and Hospice Care are services mostly intended for those terminally ill. Most commonly with cancer, but maybe for other diseases, for example at the last stages of a person with Parkinson’s.
I’d really like to ask the Gratiot County Commission on Aging about this, because it appears most quality Hospice care centers mean a trip to Mount Pleasant, Saginaw, or Lansing.
I watched a move about palliative care, and was impressed by the professionalism of the professional staff providing holistic care and support throughout such a difficult life event.
Again, for Palliative care, MyMichigan in Mount Pleasant may be the nearest location for Gratiot County residents.
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I’m still confused about what Home Health means in Michigan. Apparently, “Michigan seniors appreciate the various options for senior care, including in-home care and home health care. In-home care is non-medical care provided by an aide, whereas home health care involves clinical care from a licensed nurse or other healthcare professional. (direct quote from Caring.com)
Does “Home Health” mean the same thing as “Home Help” Program in Michigan?
In Gratiot County, you can contact the Commission on Aging to schedule In-Home Care. On their website, they call it “Personal Care” or “In-Home Assistant”. Expect to jump in the waiting line though.
Michigan’s labor shortage has hit the home health caregiving industry hard, with low wages for paid caregivers and low profit margins for paid caregiver agencies.
History to date, the frontline caregiving profession remains undervalued.
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Interesting to know The State of Michigan does not license assisted living or independent living facilities. You can learn more about what the State considers a Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged. Apparently, starting an assisted living facility in Michigan doesn’t require too much red tape. It’s a cool entrepreneurial opportunity in 2023.
You’ll find dozens of Assisted Living facilities around Gratiot Counties. Assisted Living in in Michigan is expensive.
Decades ago, an assisted living facility may have been the older generation’s preferred way to spend their later years. But today’s aging Baby Boomers typical prefer to age at home.
I wish upon a start the lack of demand for out-of-home assisted living will drive down costs, but a growing population of older people in need of care says otherwise.
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Also called a Social Day Care, but I like the term Adult Day Care.
Michigan.gov states “Most of these centers are located at churches or child day care centers, etc. When an individual takes care of a person in their own home, they should check with medicare for certain rules and regulations. The state does not regulate this type of service. Also, check with your local health department, city or county clerks office for possible permits or licenses.”
This sounds like a really good option for in-betweeners who are family caregivers who need a little support, but aren’t ready for full time Assisted Living.
I’ve yet to find an easy access adult day health storefront in Gratiot County where I could simply drop off my dad though.
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Honestly, it’s really difficult to tell the difference between a “home for the aged” and an “assisted living home”.
Furthermore, the State of Michigan classifies Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged in one category. So far, that’s 4 different names you need to keep track of, likely meaning the same thing.
The nuances of Homes for the Aged in Michigan / Adult Foster Care (AFC) include: “In general, a home for the aged provides care to persons who are over the age of 60, while an AFC home can provide care to any adult in need of AFC service. All licensed settings must comply with minimum standards (statutes and administrative rules) that establish an acceptable level of care. The term assisted living is used, but it is not recognized in the rules.”
It sounds like the State of Michigan encourages quality elder care, but has flexible rules around Homes For The Aged / AFC. Maybe it’s a straightforward business model to setup without too much licenses or registration with the State.
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I’m pretty sure “county medical care facility” is just a fancy term for “nursing home”.
According to the State of Michigan, a Nursing Home is “Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Service is when your carereceiver moves into a facility permanently” In Michigan, it’s a pretty costly endeavor for the Middle Class.
Another type to keep track of…
The mcmcfc.org (The Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council) assists with improving care, fostering relationships, and promoting communication.
They provide information about two entities that strive to make the highest quality skilled nursing facility care available to citizens of the state of Michigan. (direct quote from mcmcfc.org)
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According to the Michigan Legislature, “a Hospital long-term care unit" means a nursing care facility, owned and operated by and as part of a hospital”.
A long-term elder care unit means getting the same license as other services in Michigan like Nursing Homes, County Medical Care Facilities, or Hospital Long Term Care Units.
So it’s a nursing home associated with a hospital?
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The Michigan Association of Senior Centers offers senior center community programs for hobbies, enjoyment, work, and employment across the State of Michigan.
That’s one area my family could improve our participation in. Community Integration for Families with Caregiving is so important and super cool!
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According to SeniorLifestyle.com, affordable senior housing covers Independent and Assisted Living communities that can help residents consolidate their monthly costs into one monthly fee that includes rent, food, and utilities.
Unfortunately, when I search for affordable housing in Gratiot County, most options are simply “Low Cost Housing”, without any elderly care assistance I'd need for my dad.
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I still don’t understand this one. I think the entire Home and Community Based Services program is being phased out and transitioned to another program.
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