Hospice Support in Forest Hills, MI: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Forest Hills, MI: the local picture

0

Medicare-certified hospices serve Forest Hills ZIP codes

428

residents 85 or older (1.5% of all residents)

14%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Kent County)

23%

of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Kent County)

644 Forest Hills residents 65 or older live alone (14% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Forest Hills compared with Kent County and Michigan

Census figure	Forest Hills	Kent County	Michigan
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	14%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	23%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	2.5%	5.3%	6.4%
Residents 65 or older	16%	15%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.0%	9.2%	9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$96,019	$56,894	—

Older residents in towns around Forest Hills

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
East Grand Rapids, MI	6.0 mi	1,291	18%
Kentwood, MI	7.4 mi	7,965	35%
Lowell, MI	7.5 mi	694	39%
Northview, MI	8.0 mi	3,341	21%
Grand Rapids, MI	8.4 mi	25,584	38%
Comstock Park, MI	11 mi	1,713	28%

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 Forest Hills

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 18% of the $8,002 monthly median income of Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Forest Hills?

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 18% of the $8,002 monthly median income of Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills

More senior care near Forest Hills

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Forest Hills

More for Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills, MI