Hospice Support in Big Rapids, MI: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Big Rapids, MI: the local picture

8

Medicare-certified hospices serve Big Rapids ZIP codes

76

residents 85 or older (0.9% of all residents)

73%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (28% in Mecosta County)

33%

of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Mecosta County)

Medicare lists 8 hospices whose service area includes Big Rapids ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Hospice Of Mecosta County in Big Rapids (0.7 mi) and Elara Caring in Big Rapids (0.7 mi).

567 Big Rapids residents 65 or older live alone (73% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Big Rapids compared with Mecosta County and Michigan

Census figure	Big Rapids	Mecosta County	Michigan
Residents 85 or older	0.9%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	73%	28%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	33%	33%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	3.2%	4.6%	6.4%
Residents 65 or older	9.7%	20%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	19%	10%	9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$30,714	$51,827	—

Older residents in towns around Big Rapids

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Reed City, MI	12 mi	528	27%
Canadian Lakes, MI	12 mi	1,342	20%
Newaygo, MI	25 mi	418	37%
Fremont, MI	29 mi	1,078	26%
Cedar Springs, MI	33 mi	433	25%
Mount Pleasant, MI	36 mi	1,951	46%

Hospices serving Big Rapids

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Mecosta County	Big Rapids, MI	0.7 mi	(231) 796-7371
Elara Caring	Big Rapids, MI	0.7 mi	(231) 598-4071
Harmony Hospice	Newaygo, MI	24 mi	(231) 674-5162
Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care - West Michigan	Grand Rapids, MI	48 mi	(616) 391-4200
Heartland Hospice (Grand Rapids)	Grand Rapids, MI	53 mi	(616) 956-0636
Crossbridge Hospice	Kentwood, MI	57 mi	(616) 432-2050

Straight-line miles from the center of Big Rapids. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in Big Rapids

At the Michigan median aide wage of $16.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,459 a month in wages, which is 57% of the $2,560 monthly median income of Big Rapids households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026), rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Hospice Support in Big Rapids: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Big Rapids?

At the Michigan median aide wage of $16.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,459 a month in wages, which is 57% of the $2,560 monthly median income of Big Rapids households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Michigan's minimum wage is $13.73 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026), rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near Big Rapids

More senior care near Big Rapids

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Big Rapids

More for Big Rapids families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Hospice Support in Big Rapids, MI