Our Michigan non-medical in-home care offers clients the opportunity to remain in the comfort of their home and maintain independence. Not limited by regulations that restrict frequency of care, care can be provided daily, weekly or around the clock. Non-medical care services may include:

• Homemaker services (meals, light housekeeping, etc.)
• Companionship
• Medication reminders
• Bathing assistance
• Respite and live-in care
• Wake-up, Tuck-in

Non-medical home care is typically paid for out-of-pocket or through some long term care insurance plans. Medicare does not cover non-medical home care (custodial care). Since it doesn’t usually involve skilled nursing care, non-medical home care may be less costly than skilled home health care.

Non-medical home care remains unregulated in many states, including Michigan, and unfortunately this means that the quality of care between providers can vary greatly. It is important to know that within non-medical home care there are two types of providers:

• Home Care Agencies: Caregivers are employees of the agency and are bonded and insured. The agency assumes all responsibilities for payroll taxes, and all employees are covered with worker’s compensation insurance.
• Registries or Matchmaker Services: Caregivers are independent contractors and are employed by the client. As the employer, the client assumes responsibility for background and reference checks and liabilities for taxes and worker’s compensation. Some registries may offer payroll services, scheduling, limited screening and match caregivers with clients, but there is no employee/employer relationships.

Before hiring non-medical care, you’ll want to understand the differences between agencies and registries and what it can mean in terms of the quality of care and client responsibilities. Refer to our Choices in Home Care brochure to help you differentiate between the types of providers and what these differences might mean for you.