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Michigan Senior Living Statistics & Facts

Stats about Seniors in Michigan - Life Expectancy & Demographics

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Nearly 4 million residents of Michigan are over the age of 50. The senior population in the state is almost as high as the number of people of any age living in the entire state of Oklahoma. By some measures, Michigan is one of the oldest states, but is that true across the board?

Michigan’s median age is 39.8, more than a full year higher than the overall national median, and the 12th-highest median age in the country. Nearly 38 percent of the state’s residents are 50 or older, which is also No. 12 in the U.S. and a few percentage points higher than the overall U.S. rate.

But where Michigan stands out when it comes to some demographic measures, in other ways the state falls in line with national rates. For example, the median household income for those 65 and older in Michigan is almost identical to the national figure, as is the overall life expectancy.

37.8%
% of population 50+
RANK - 12th
U.S. Average 35.30%
2.10%
% Change in median age, 2010-2018
RANK - 37th
U.S. Average 2.70%
78
Life Expectancy (from birth)
RANK - 35th
U.S. Average 78.5
16.5%
% of 60+ who are poc*
RANK - 28th
U.S. Average 27.60%
$42,097
median houshold income, 65+
RANK - 27th
U.S. Average $43,735
28.9%
% of 55+ population in labor force
RANK - 45th
U.S. Average 40.80%

*Includes Black, Native American, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander or individuals of one or more other races, and Hispanic/Latinx people of any race.

Nursing in Michigan
Average annual wage for home health and personal care aides: $25,660
Average annual wage for nursing assistants: $31,220
Average annual wage for registered nurses: $73,200
Average annual nursing and in-home care wage: $43,360
Average annual entry-level nursing and in-home care wage: $33,340
Average annual experienced nursing and in-home care wage: $55,856.67
Average annual nursing and in-home care wage as percentage of typical household income: 72.26%
Nursing and home care job openings per 1,000 residents: 1.49
Annual rent costs as percentage of annual nursing and in-home care wage: 32.82%

Living Costs for Seniors in Michigan

With a housing index of 88.30, retiring in Michigan is more affordable than in other states in the country. You can get a one bedroom apartment in Michigan for about $623 a month ($825 a month is the US average), or a two bedroom apartment for an average of $802 a month (US average is $1,027 a month). Some of the more popular cities to retire in are Warren, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids.

Let’s dive into the monthly costs of living in Michigan for seniors. The average home health care costs are approximately $4,004 a month. This fee enables seniors to live comfortably in their own homes while service aides assist to keep the house clean, run day to day errands, and cook meals for the residents.

Seniors with caregivers who need to tend to their other responsibilities and errands during the day can consider staying at an adult day care to receive supervision and socialization. The cost for adult day care in Michigan is an average of $1,679 a month. Since adult day care does not include skilled nursing care, it is really ideal for elders who are mostly healthy and independent.

Assisted living facilities are available throughout Michigan for aging loved ones requiring more help with their everyday tasks. To receive personal care and health services, seniors can expect to pay an average of $3,500 a month in this state.

Elderly who need round the clock care and supervision will benefit from staying at a nursing home in Michigan. Nursing homes are the most expensive form of living, but relatives and family members would be assured that their aging loved ones receive proper care, supervision, housing conditions, and any necessary therapies and rehabilitation. Compared to the national average, nursing home care in this state is relatively affordable, with a semi-private room averaging out to $7,969 and a private room about $8,608 a month.

Senior Living Options in Michigan

Seniors in Michigan have a number of options when it comes to living. Depending on individual needs, they can pick between independent living, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home care. Read more about each option below and find out which one is best for you or your aging loved one.

Independent Living

Independent living is ideal for seniors who are active and healthy, and do not require round the clock nursing care. Michigan has more than 500 independent living facilities across the state, with costs ranging from as low as $412 a month to as high as $4,317 a month. Seniors who prefer apartment living can choose to live in a senior apartment community for people aged 55+ or 65+ as well. These communities typically offer fitness centers, walking trails, pools, and more great amenities for residents to enjoy.

Assisted Living

With more than 1,211 assisted living facilities in Michigan, seniors have plenty of options to choose from if they are looking for a place with attentive caregivers, healthcare, and access to local activities and social opportunities. For anywhere from $750 to $7,850 a month, residents can expect to receive help with housekeeping duties, laundry, transportation, meal services, and 24-hour safety surveillance. If you are looking for the cheapest assisted living options in the state, you may want to consider the Jackson area. The highest assisted living costs in Michigan are located in the Midland metropolitan area.

Memory Care

Memory care facilities in Michigan tend to seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory-related ailments. Staff and healthcare professionals at these facilities work to identify the issues of their patients and provide customized care to help them get through the day without excessive frustration brought on from memory damage. Memory care facilities are monitored all day and night to prevent patients getting lost outside or breaking down due to forgetting how to get back to their room. There are more than 617 memory care facilities in Michigan, with costs ranging from $1,087 to $11,382 a month.

Nursing Homes

14% of the population in Michigan are seniors, and 29% of these are living alone. The state has at least 2,241 senior living providers to ensure that all their senior citizens are well taken care of.

Seniors who need help to stay engaged physically, emotionally, and mentally during the day while caregivers are tending to their other responsibilities can stay at an adult day care facility in Michigan. Some activities that the elderly can expect to participate in include but are not limited to daily walks, puzzles, aquatics, art therapy, and more. Adult day care facilities in this state can cost anywhere from $900 to $3,840 a month.

Seniors approaching the end of their lives will need the extensive care to manage physical and emotional pain. Hospices in Michigan do just that, and provide counseling and medications as needed. There are more than 500 hospices in this state, with costs ranging from $3,330 to $6,000 a month. Typically, Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance will cover most, if not all of the costs associated with hospice care.

It’s only natural for a relative or family member caregiver to get exhausted from 24/7 care and supervision of a loved one. Luckily, respite care facilities are available throughout Michigan to temporarily help house and care for a senior. There are more than 600 respite care facilities in Michigan, with the monthly costs ranging from $6,612 to $13,616. The price range is large due to what the needs may be and for how long the facilities will be used.

Citations
  1. U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables (2010, 2017 and 2018)

  2. Journal of the American Medical Association

  3. Virginia Commonwealth University

  4. Annual rental cost, Zillow Rent Index, States

  5. Job openings, pulled from Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com in April 2020

  6. Employment and wages, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019 publication

  7. Household income and population figures, U.S. Census Bureau, most recent publications on all topics