Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Portage, MI
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Portage for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

Nursing Assistants in Portage, MI: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Portage are Medilodge Of Portage in Portage (0.5 mi), Harold And Grace Upjohn Community Care Center in Kalamazoo (4.9 mi), Medilodge Of Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo (6.3 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Michigan earn a median $16.83 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). 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.
Portage has about 1,017 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Portage compared with Kalamazoo County and Michigan
| Census figure | Portage | Kalamazoo County | Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.1% | 1.8% | 2.1% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 27% | 28% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 18% | 16% | 19% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 31% | 29% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 8.0% | 8.2% | 9.9% |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.0% | 7.3% | 7.0% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $59,925 | $58,046 | — |
Older residents in towns around Portage
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo, MI | 5.4 mi | 8,027 | 1,058 |
| Vicksburg, MI | 5.8 mi | 345 | 46 |
| Westwood, MI | 7.6 mi | 1,802 | 295 |
| Eastwood, MI | 7.7 mi | 909 | 119 |
| Comstock Northwest, MI | 9.4 mi | 1,228 | 127 |
| Mattawan, MI | 11 mi | 376 | 0 |
Nursing homes near Portage
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medilodge Of Portage | Portage, MI | 0.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 117 | (269) 323-7748 |
| Harold And Grace Upjohn Community Care Center | Kalamazoo, MI | 4.9 mi | 1 of 5 | 84 | (269) 381-4290 |
| Medilodge Of Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | 6.3 mi | 2 of 5 | 39 | (269) 375-2020 |
| Friendship Village | Kalamazoo, MI | 8.0 mi | 5 of 5 | 57 | (269) 381-0560 |
| Villa At Borgess Place | Kalamazoo, MI | 8.5 mi | 2 of 5 | 101 | (269) 552-6500 |
| Medilodge Of Westwood | Kalamazoo, MI | 8.8 mi | 1 of 5 | 97 | (269) 342-0206 |
Home health agencies serving Portage
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Portage, MI | 1.4 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (269) 381-5620 |
| Elara Caring | Niles, MI | 42 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (269) 663-2201 |
| Elara Caring | Jackson, MI | 62 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (517) 780-9500 |
| Compassus Home Health | Portage, MI | 1.4 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (269) 459-3700 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Portage. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Portage
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 29% of the $4,994 monthly median income of Portage 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Portage: common questions
What nursing homes are near Portage?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Medilodge Of Portage in Portage (0.5 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Harold And Grace Upjohn Community Care Center in Kalamazoo (4.9 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Medilodge Of Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo (6.3 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Portage?
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 29% of the $4,994 monthly median income of Portage 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.
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Portage
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Kalamazoo, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Vicksburg, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Westwood, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Eastwood, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Comstock Northwest, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Mattawan, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Paw Paw, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Plainwell, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Three Rivers, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Otsego, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Battle Creek, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Springfield, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Level Park-Oak Park, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Allegan, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Sturgis, MI
- Nursing Assistants in Dowagiac, MI
Other care in Portage
- Companion Care in Portage
- Dementia Care in Portage
- Respite Care in Portage
- Live-In Caregivers in Portage
- Post-Surgery Care in Portage
- Senior Transportation in Portage
- Home Health Aides in Portage
- Personal Care in Portage
- Overnight Caregivers in Portage
- 24-Hour Home Care in Portage
- Mobility Assistance in Portage
- Parkinson’s Care in Portage
- Stroke Recovery Support in Portage
- Disability Care for Adults in Portage
- Hospice Support in Portage
- Senior Meal Preparation in Portage
- Senior Housekeeping in Portage
- Medication Reminders in Portage
- Veterans’ Home Care in Portage
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.
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