What In-Home Care Actually Costs in West Michigan

Most home care companies will not put a number on a web page. You call, you sit through a consultation, and only then does anyone mention price. We think that wastes your time and ours, so here are our actual rates.

Our Rates

• $32 to $40 per hour for non-medical in-home care. Where you land in that range depends on the level of care and the schedule, not on how good a negotiator you are.
• 3-hour minimum per visit. Most agencies in this market require four. A shorter minimum means you can book a morning routine or an evening check without paying for hours you do not need.
• No long-term contract. You are not locked in. Increase hours, reduce them, or stop entirely as your family’s needs change.
• No hidden fees. No assessment fee, no registration fee, no minimum weekly commitment.

What Moves the Price Within That Range

• Level of care. Companionship and light housekeeping sit at the lower end. Hands-on personal care — bathing, transfers, incontinence care — sits higher because it requires more training.
• Schedule. Weekday daytime hours cost less than overnights, weekends, and holidays.
• Total weekly hours. Families booking consistent weekly schedules generally land toward the lower end of the range.
• Dementia care. Clients with significant memory loss need caregivers with specific training, which prices at the upper end.

How That Compares

Michigan’s median rate for in-home care runs around $33 per hour, and the national median is close to $34. Our range sits right around that median — we are not the cheapest option in Grand Rapids, and we are not trying to be.

For context on the alternatives: assisted living in the Grand Rapids area typically runs several thousand dollars a month whether you use every service or not, and nursing home care costs considerably more. For families needing 20 to 30 hours a week, in-home care is usually the less expensive option — and it is the one where nobody has to leave home.

A Realistic Example

A common arrangement for us looks like this: a caregiver comes four mornings a week for three hours — helping with a shower, breakfast, medication reminders, and light housekeeping before leaving the house tidy. That is 12 hours a week, which at our rates comes to roughly $384 to $480 weekly.

Your situation may look nothing like that. This is simply to show what real numbers look like rather than leaving you to guess.

What Is Included

• A caregiver who is background-checked, trained, bonded, and insured
• A free in-home assessment before care begins — no charge, no obligation
• A written care plan, and a caregiver matched to your loved one rather than assigned at random
• 24/7 on-call support, so there is always a person to reach
• Ongoing supervision and care plan adjustments as needs change

24-Hour and Live-In Care

Round-the-clock care is priced separately and depends heavily on whether the caregiver sleeps overnight and how many caregivers rotate through the week. There is no honest way to quote it on a web page. Call us at (616) 209-9151 and we will give you a real number for your situation.

You May Not Be Paying Full Price

Many West Michigan families qualify for programs that cover some or all of the cost of in-home care. Before you assume you are paying out of pocket, it is worth ten minutes to find out.

• MI Choice Medicaid Waiver — pays for in-home care instead of nursing home placement for those who qualify medically and financially.
• Long-term care insurance — if a policy exists, it very likely includes home care benefits. We handle the claims paperwork.
• VA Aid & Attendance — can help cover in-home care for veterans and surviving spouses.
• Michigan Home Help Program — state-funded personal care assistance through MDHHS.

We will tell you honestly whether you are likely to qualify, even when the answer means you are not hiring us today. See all five ways to pay for in-home care.

Common Questions About Cost

Does Medicare pay for this? Generally no. Original Medicare covers short-term skilled home health after a qualifying hospital stay, not ongoing non-medical care. Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and VA benefits are the more common routes.

Do I pay for the assessment? No. The in-home assessment is free and carries no obligation.

What if we only need help temporarily? That is fine. Many families use us for a few weeks after a hospital discharge or surgery and then stop.

Can we change hours later? Yes, in either direction, without penalty.

When do rates change? We review rates annually and give existing clients advance notice. We do not raise a rate mid-arrangement without telling you first.

Rates shown are current as of August 2026 and apply to our standard West Michigan service area. Call (616) 209-9151 for a quote specific to your situation.

Get Your Free Personalized Quote

Tell us about your situation and we will give you a clear, honest estimate — no obligation, no pressure.