Last Updated: August 2026 | Maintained by Great Lakes Home Care Services
This is a curated, regularly updated directory of senior care resources serving families across West Michigan — including Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Holland, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Rockford, Byron Center, Zeeland, Jenison, Kentwood, Allendale, Dorr, Wayland, Hudsonville, Caledonia, and Middleville.Whether you are searching for Medicaid waiver assistance, dementia support, VA benefits, or simply trying to understand your in-home care options, this guide is designed to connect you with verified local and state organizations that can help.
Great Lakes Home Care Services has provided compassionate in-home care to West Michigan families since 2002. We maintain this guide as a free public resource because we believe every family deserves access to the information they need — regardless of whether they choose to work with us.If you need help navigating any of the resources below, our care coordinators are available to assist you at no cost. Call us at 616-261-4046.
• Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
• Senior Resources of West Michigan
• Reliance Community Care Partners
• Michigan MI Choice Medicaid Waiver
• Alzheimer's Association — Michigan Chapter
• Veterans Affairs Benefits for Home Care
• Michigan 2-1-1 (Statewide Helpline)
• Medicare and Home Care
• Free Downloadable Guides from Great Lakes Home Care
• About Great Lakes Home Care Services
What It Does: The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) is a nonprofit organization serving as a central hub for senior services across nine West Michigan counties — Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola. It connects older adults and their caregivers with a wide range of programs, including in-home care, care management, MI Choice Medicaid Waiver enrollment, meal programs, and caregiver support.
Who It Serves: Adults age 60 and older, along with their family caregivers, across the nine-county service area.
Key Services:
• MI Choice Medicaid Waiver coordination
• In-home care management
• Caregiver support and training
• Meal programs
• Benefits counseling
• Long-term care options counseling
Contact Information:
Address: 3215 Eaglecrest Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 456-5664
Website: aaawm.org
Note from Great Lakes Home Care: AAAWM is often the best first call for families in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area who are just beginning to explore senior care options. Their options counselors can help assess needs, explain funding options, and connect families to services — including in-home care providers like Great Lakes Home Care Services.
What It Does: Senior Resources of West Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging serving Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties. Like AAAWM, it provides care management, MI Choice Medicaid Waiver administration, caregiver resources, and connection to local services for older adults and those with disabilities.
Who It Serves: Adults age 60 and older, and adults 18+ with qualifying disabilities, in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.
Key Services:
• MI Choice Medicaid Waiver enrollment and coordination
• In-home care options counseling
• Caregiver support programs
• Benefits and insurance counseling
• Meals on Wheels coordination
Contact Information:
Address: Tanglewood Park, 560 Seminole Road, Muskegon, MI 49444
Phone: (231) 739-5858
Toll-Free: 1-800-442-0054
Website: seniorresourceswmi.org
Note from Great Lakes Home Care: Families in Holland, Muskegon, Grand Haven, and the surrounding Ottawa County area should contact Senior Resources as their starting point for Medicaid waiver inquiries and local aging services.
What It Does: Reliance Community Care Partners is a nonprofit health care and case management organization that has served West Michigan since 1979. Reliance specializes in coordinating community health care services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, working collaboratively with health care providers, insurance companies, government agencies, and family members.
Reliance is one of the key agencies administering the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area, and Great Lakes Home Care Services works directly with Reliance to coordinate care for eligible clients.
Who It Serves: Older adults and individuals with disabilities in Western and Northern Michigan seeking coordinated long-term care services
Key Services:
• MI Choice Medicaid Waiver administration (Kent County area)
• In-home care assessment and care plan development
• Long-term care coordination
• Health insurance enrollment assistance
• Caregiver support
Contact Information:
Address: 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 203, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 956-9440
Toll-Free: 1-800-447-3007
Website: relianceccp.org
Note from Great Lakes Home Care: If your loved one may qualify for the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver in the Grand Rapids area, Reliance is the coordinating agency. We work closely with their team and can help you understand next steps.
What It Is: The MI Choice Waiver Program is a Michigan Medicaid program that provides home and community-based services for elderly and disabled individuals who would otherwise require nursing home-level care. The goal is to help people remain safely in their own homes.
What It Can Cover:
• Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming)
•.Homemaking and meal preparation
• Medication management
• Adult day health programs
• Home modifications for safety
• Personal emergency response systems
Basic Eligibility Requirements (2026):
• Age 65 or older (or age 18+ with a qualifying disability)
• Monthly income at or below approximately $2,982
• Assets below $9,950 for a single individual
• Assessed as needing nursing home-level care
• Michigan resident
How to Apply: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging — AAAWM for Kent County, or Senior Resources of West Michigan for Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties. Reliance Community Care Partners also administers the waiver in the Grand Rapids area. Wait lists may apply; starting the process early is strongly recommended.
State Resource: michigan.gov/mdhhs — MI Choice Waiver Program
What It Does: The Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter provides support, education, and resources to individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, as well as their caregivers and families. Services are available statewide, with resources specifically serving the Grand Rapids area.
Key Statistics (Michigan):
• More than 202,800 people in Michigan are currently living with Alzheimer's disease
• An estimated 422,000 Michigan caregivers provide approximately 682 million hours of unpaid care annually
Key Services:
• Free 24/7 helpline for families and caregivers
• Local support groups in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan
• Educational programs on dementia care, communication, and planning
• Care consultations for families navigating a new diagnosis
• Online and in-person workshops for caregivers
Contact Information:
Grand Rapids Local Office: 2944 Fuller Avenue NE, Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Local Phone: (616) 459-4558 - 24/7
Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
Website: alz.org/gmc
Note from Great Lakes Home Care: We assist many families navigating dementia and Alzheimer's care at home. Our caregivers are experienced in providing in-home support for those living with memory-related conditions, and we work alongside families to create a safe, familiar environment. If you're supporting a loved one with dementia, the Alzheimer's Association is an excellent first call for guidance and community connection.
What It Is: The VA's Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension is a tax-free monthly benefit available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with activities of daily living. It is one of the most underutilized benefits available — an estimated 75% of eligible veterans never apply.
Who Qualifies:
• Wartime veterans with at least 90 days of active duty, including one day during a wartime period
• Surviving spouses of qualifying wartime veterans (must have been married to the veteran at time of death)
• Those who need help with bathing, dressing, eating, or other daily living activities
• Those who meet VA net worth and income guidelines
Benefit Amounts (2026):
• Surviving spouse: approximately $6,998/year
• Single veteran: varies based on need
• Two qualifying married veterans: up to approximately $23,304/year
• Paid as a monthly, tax-free cash benefit that does not need to be repaid
What It Can Pay For: The A&A benefit can be used to cover in-home personal care, homemaking assistance, companionship care, assisted living, memory care, and more.
How to Apply: Contact the VA directly or reach out to a VA-accredited benefits counselor. The application process involves detailed medical and financial documentation and can take time — starting early is important.
Key Contacts:
VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
VA Website: va.gov
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: michigan.gov/mvaa
Note from Great Lakes Home Care: If your loved one is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, please ask us about VA benefits when you call. We work with families navigating VA-funded care and can help connect you with the right resources.
Medicare is frequently misunderstood when it comes to in-home care. Here is a straightforward breakdown:
Medicare DOES cover (in limited circumstances):
• Skilled nursing care at home following a hospitalization (short-term, medically necessary)
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy ordered by a physician
• Part-time home health aide services tied to skilled care — limited in scope and duration
Medicare does NOT cover:
• Ongoing personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming) when it is the primary need
• Companionship care
• Homemaking services (meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry)
• Long-term or custodial in-home care
What This Means for Families: Most of the day-to-day in-home support that older adults need — help with personal care, companionship, and homemaking — falls outside Medicare's coverage. Families typically turn to long-term care insurance, Medicaid waiver programs, VA benefits, or private pay to fund these services.
Medicare Resource: medicare.gov
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP): 1-800-803-7174 | mmapinc.org
What It Is: 2-1-1 is a free, confidential statewide helpline that connects Michigan residents with health and human services — including senior care resources, food assistance, housing, mental health services, and more.
When to Use It: If you're not sure where to start, or if you're looking for a specific local resource not listed in this guide, 2-1-1 is an excellent starting point.
How to Reach 2-1-1:
Dial: 2-1-1- Text: ZIP code to 898-211
Website: mi211.org
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Great Lakes Home Care Services offers four free downloadable guides to help families navigate senior care:
• Daily Schedule Care Guide — Helps families and caregivers establish a supportive daily routine
• Financial Red Flags Guide — Identifies warning signs of financial exploitation or mismanagement in older adults
• Medication Guide — A practical reference for managing medications safely at home
• Weekly Care Guide — Helps track care activities and monitor day-to-day well-being
Download all four free guides at greatlakeshc.com
Great Lakes Home Care Services has provided compassionate, personalized in-home care to West Michigan families since 2002. Founded with a commitment to treating every client with dignity and respect — guided by the principle of Matthew 25:40 — we offer personal care, companionship care, and homemaking services tailored to each individual's needs.
Our Services Include:
• Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility support)
• Companionship care (conversation, activities, cognitive engagement)
• Homemaking (meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders)
• Post-surgery and hospital discharge support
• Dementia and Alzheimer's care support
• Respite care for family caregivers
• Parkinson's and stroke recovery assistance
• Chronic illness support
Why Families Choose Us:
• 97% client satisfaction rating
• Locally owned and operated since 2002
• Caregivers available 24/7
• Care can begin within 24–48 hours
• Fully customized care plans
• Multi-party billing available for private pay families
• Payment options include long-term care insurance, automobile insurance, MI Choice Medicaid Waiver, VA benefits, and private pay
Service Area: Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Holland, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Rockford, Byron Center, Zeeland, Jenison, Kentwood, Allendale, Dorr, Wayland, Hudsonville, Caledonia, and Middleville
Contact Great Lakes Home Care Services:
Phone: 616-261-4046
Website: greatlakeshc.com
Contact Form: greatlakeshc.com/contact-us
What is the difference between home care and home health care?
Home health care refers to skilled medical services provided at home by licensed nurses, therapists, or other clinical professionals — often covered by Medicare following a hospitalization. Home care (also called personal care or non-medical home care) refers to assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship, and homemaking. Great Lakes Home Care Services provides non-medical in-home care.
How quickly can in-home care begin in West Michigan?
At Great Lakes Home Care Services, care can typically be arranged within 24 to 48 hours of an initial consultation.
Does Medicaid pay for in-home care in Michigan?
Yes — through the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program, eligible individuals can receive in-home care services as an alternative to nursing home placement. Eligibility is based on age, income, assets, and level of care need. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to begin the screening process.
What areas does Great Lakes Home Care Services serve?
We serve families throughout West Michigan including Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Holland, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Rockford, Byron Center, Zeeland, Jenison, Kentwood, Allendale, Dorr, Wayland, Hudsonville, Caledonia, and Middleville.
Does Great Lakes Home Care Services work with veterans?
Yes. We work with families navigating VA Aid and Attendance benefits and can help connect veterans and surviving spouses with the right resources to explore their eligibility.
How do I know when it's time to consider in-home care for a loved one?
Common signs include missed medications, difficulty bathing or dressing, increased fall risk, loneliness or isolation, forgetting appointments, poor nutrition or weight loss, difficulty keeping up with household tasks, or family caregiver burnout.
This guide is maintained by Great Lakes Home Care Services and is intended for informational purposes only. Resource details including phone numbers, addresses, and eligibility requirements may change. We recommend contacting each organization directly to confirm current information.
Last reviewed: August 2026
Need help now?
Call Great Lakes Home Care Services at 616-261-4046 or contact us online at greatlakeshc.com/contact-us for a free consultation.