Page 34 - Senior Housing Directory 2022 South Central Michigan

Investing in caregiving help is often money well spent when a limited number of services or support time is needed.
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IT'S clearly understood that most of us hope to live out our
days in our home. However, if you or your loved one has been living
at home with the full support of family caregivers it is important to recognize that there may be a point in time when the caregiver reaches exhaustion. The reality is that an exhausted family caregiver is
at risk for a host of health issues if they do not get the relief they need. Being willing to allow either part- or full-time care services to come into the home or moving to a facility may be the best next step for everyone involved. The challenge is covering the cost for care.
In-home health and personal care
can be valuable to both the care receiver as well as the caregiver, it can also be expensive. According to AARP, a private duty home health aide averages $21 per hour; professional level care can cost even more but may also be covered
by insurance. Either way, investing in caregiving help is often money well spent when a limited number of services or
support time is needed. Cost for full-time, in-home care can reach over $12,000 per month and at that point a skilled nursing facility might be a better option for physi- cal, mental, and financial health.
If home health aides are not in your budget, there might be other ways to seek help. The local grocery store offers delivery services. Churches offer vol- unteer programs. Can you pay a teen neighbor to mow the lawn or do house cleaning so you can spend your time with your loved one? Services can also be paid for through county millages, the VA Aid & Attendance or Housebound program, and employer programs.
Other programs offer choices that allow individuals to live independently while receiving nursing facility level of care in their home or in a community setting in Michigan.
One program run by Michigan Med- icaid is the MI Choice Waiver Pro- gram. Through Waiver, eligible adults who meet income and asset criteria can receive Medicaid-covered services like
those provided by nursing homes but can stay in their own home or another residential setting. Each participant can receive the basic services Michigan Medicaid covers, supports coordina- tion, as well as additional services. The participant has greater choice in care they want.
Another option is PACE. The Pro- gram of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a capitated benefit that features a comprehensive service delivery system and integrated Medi- care and Medicaid financing for frail, elderly individuals that meet Long Term Care (LTC) level of care criteria. For most PACE participants (enrollees), the comprehensive service package permits them to continue living at home while receiving services rather than being institutionalized. Participants must meet certain criteria but it begins with being medically qualified and at least 55 years of age.
MI Health Link is an additional option. MI Health Link offers a broad range of
SENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 2022