When you or a loved one needs in-home health care, the list of questions may seem endless.

When an aging parent, spouse, or other loved one begins to need help at home, cost is naturally one of the first questions families ask.

You may be wondering:

• How much does in-home care cost?
• How does it compare with assisted living or a nursing home?
• Does Medicare or insurance help pay for it?
• How many hours of care does my loved one really need?
• How can I find a caregiver I can trust?

There is no single price that fits every family. The cost depends on the type of help needed, the number and timing of care hours, and the level of ongoing support involved. Understanding current Michigan care costs can help you compare your options and begin planning with greater confidence.

Current in-home care costs in Michigan

The latest CareScout Cost of Care Survey, conducted in 2025 and released in March 2026, reports that for Grand Rapids, Grandville, Byron Center, Kentwood and surrounding areas, the median price per hour is $38/hour for a non-medical caregiver.

Here is how Michigan’s median costs compare across several types of long-term care:

Type of care	Michigan median cost	How the survey calculates it
Non-medical caregiver at home	$38 per hour	Hourly median
Non-medical caregiver at home	$6,586 per month	Based on 40 hours per week
Non-medical caregiver at home	$79,040 per year	Based on 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Assisted living community	$5,818 per month	Private, one-bedroom unit
Nursing home, semi-private room	$11,254 per month	Based on 365 days per year
Nursing home, private room	$11,969 per month	Based on 365 days per year

These figures are medians—not Leaves Personal Care rates or a quote for a particular care plan. Actual costs can vary by community, schedule, provider availability, and the person’s needs.

Why the monthly comparison does not tell the whole story

At first glance, the survey’s estimated monthly cost for in-home care is higher than the Michigan median for assisted living. However, the in-home estimate assumes 40 hours of paid care every week. Many families begin with fewer hours and increase support as needs change.

That flexibility is one of the important differences between in-home care and residential care. With an individualized care plan, a family may pay only for the scheduled support the person needs.

Example schedule	Approximate monthly cost*
8 hours per week	$1,317
16 hours per week	$2,634
32 hours per week	$5,269
48 hours per week	$7,904

*Illustrations use $38 per hour and 52 weeks divided by 12 months. They are not Leaves Personal Care quotes and do not include possible differences for schedule, service needs, holidays, or other factors.

Cost is only one part of the decision. Families should also consider the value of being in a familiar environment, having 1:1 care vs an aide being responsible for a whole group of 15+/- individuals, as well as safety issues and facility violations, caregiver turnover, family involvement, and the individual’s preferences.

What affects the cost of in-home care?

The final cost of a personalized care plan may depend on:

• The number of care hours needed each week
• The length and frequency of visits
• Daytime, overnight, weekend, or holiday scheduling
• The type of assistance required
• Transportation or accompaniment needs
• The person’s location
• Whether needs change over time

What is included in non-medical care?

Sometimes, individuals assume their loved one needs a nurse and feel uncertain about non-medical personal caring for their elderly parents. However, with standard training, non-medical caregivers may include help with medication oversight, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, safe transfers, meal preparation, light housekeeping, companionship, outings and errands, and other therapeutic activities. One does need a nurse for certain tasks in skilled nursing care such as wound assessments, administering medications directly from a medication bottle, performing medication reviews, clinical assessments, and giving intramuscular injections, to name a few.

Does Medicare pay for in-home personal care?

In most cases, Medicare does not pay for ongoing non-medical or custodial long-term care. Medicare may cover certain limited home health services when all eligibility requirements are met, but families should not assume it will cover ongoing companionship or help with activities of daily living. Medicare’s long-term-care guidance explains that most non-medical long-term care is not covered.

Depending on eligibility and individual circumstances, families may use:

• Personal savings or income
• Long-term care insurance
• Medicaid home- and community-based programs
• Veterans Affairs benefits or authorized services
• A combination of family support and paid care

Leaves Personal Care is honored to participate in the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN). The VA offers homemaker and home health aide services to qualifying enrolled Veterans who meet clinical and community-care requirements, subject to local availability. A VA social worker can help determine eligibility and available services. Learn more through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Coverage and eligibility vary, so families should confirm benefits directly with Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, or their insurance provider.

Planning for care is about more than choosing a number

The lowest hourly rate is not always the best value. When comparing providers, ask what is included and how the agency supports both the client and caregiver.

Helpful questions include:

• Are caregivers carefully screened, qualified, and trained?
• Is there an on-call team when needs or schedules change?
• How is the care plan developed and updated?
• How does the provider communicate with the family?
• What happens if the regular caregiver is unavailable?
• Can services adjust as the person’s needs change?

At Leaves Personal Care, every client receives a customized care plan designed around the person—not a one-size-fits-all package. Our goal is to support dignity, independence, comfort, and meaningful connection while helping each person remain at home whenever possible.

Let’s talk about what your family needs

Online cost estimates are a useful starting point, but the best way to understand your options is to talk through your loved one’s needs, schedule, and priorities.

Call 616-575-8519 or contact Leaves Personal Care to schedule a free consultation. We will listen, answer your questions, and help you explore a care plan that makes sense for your family.

Cost data is drawn from the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey, conducted from July through November 2025 and released March 2, 2026. CareScout is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genworth Financial. Survey figures are medians and do not represent Leaves Personal Care pricing. This article is for general educational purposes and is not financial, legal, insurance, or benefits advice.