Respite Care in Ann Arbor, MI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Ann Arbor, MI: the local picture

15,777

residents 65 or older (13% of Ann Arbor)

71%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

25%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Washtenaw County)

35

Medicare-certified hospices serve Ann Arbor ZIP codes

Most older adults in Ann Arbor live with someone: 71% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 3,820 Ann Arbor residents aged 65 or older report a disability (25%) (27% in Washtenaw County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 35 hospices serving Ann Arbor ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Ann Arbor compared with Washtenaw County and Michigan

Census figure	Ann Arbor	Washtenaw County	Michigan
Residents 65+ with a disability	25%	27%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	28%	29%
Residents 65 or older	13%	16%	19%
Residents 85 or older	1.6%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.5%	6.5%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	13%	8.2%	7.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$94,402	$77,170	—

Older residents in towns around Ann Arbor

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Ypsilanti, MI	6.0 mi	1,918	33%
Saline, MI	7.5 mi	2,576	48%
Dexter, MI	8.6 mi	980	34%
Whitmore Lake, MI	10 mi	1,161	30%
South Lyon, MI	13 mi	2,055	19%
Milan, MI	14 mi	996	19%

Hospices serving Ann Arbor

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Arbor Hospice	Ann Arbor, MI	2.7 mi	(734) 662-5999
Heartland Hospice (Ann Arbor)	Ann Arbor, MI	3.4 mi	(734) 973-1145
Beacon Hospice Of Michigan LP	Canton, MI	14 mi	(248) 480-4440
St Croix Hospice Plymouth	Livonia, MI	14 mi	(734) 822-9433
Compassionate Hospice Care, LLC	Brighton, MI	18 mi	(810) 534-7525

Nursing homes near Ann Arbor (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Regency At Bluffs Park	Ann Arbor, MI	1.8 mi	3 of 5	71	(734) 887-8700
Glacier Hills	Ann Arbor, MI	2.6 mi	5 of 5	105	(734) 769-0177
Optalis Health And Rehabilitation Of Ann Arbor	Ann Arbor, MI	3.3 mi	3 of 5	180	(734) 975-2600
The Gilbert Residence	Ypsilanti, MI	6.6 mi	3 of 5	32	(734) 482-9498

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

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Ann Arbor

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 19% of the $7,867 monthly median income of Ann Arbor 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Ann Arbor: common questions

Which hospices serve Ann Arbor?

Medicare lists 35 hospices for Ann Arbor ZIP codes, including Arbor Hospice, Heartland Hospice (Ann Arbor), Beacon Hospice Of Michigan LP.

How much does respite care cost in Ann Arbor?

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 19% of the $7,867 monthly median income of Ann Arbor 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.

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Ann Arbor. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Michigan.

More near Ann Arbor

More senior care near Ann Arbor

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Ann Arbor

More for Ann Arbor 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.

Respite Care in Ann Arbor, MI