Respite Care in East Grand Rapids, MI for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in East Grand Rapids, MI: the local picture

1,291

residents 65 or older (11% of East Grand Rapids)

82%

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

22%

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

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve East Grand Rapids ZIP codes

Most older adults in East Grand Rapids live with someone: 82% 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 283 East Grand Rapids residents aged 65 or older report a disability (22%) (29% in Kent County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 17 hospices serving East Grand Rapids ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

East Grand Rapids compared with Kent County and Michigan

Census figure	East Grand Rapids	Kent County	Michigan
Residents 65+ with a disability	22%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	18%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	11%	15%	19%
Residents 85 or older	0.6%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	2.7%	9.2%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	1.8%	6.2%	7.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$107,063	$56,894	—

Older residents in towns around East Grand Rapids

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Grand Rapids, MI	2.7 mi	25,584	31%
Kentwood, MI	4.3 mi	7,965	32%
Forest Hills, MI	6.0 mi	4,612	23%
Wyoming, MI	6.4 mi	9,191	32%
Northview, MI	6.4 mi	3,341	22%
Comstock Park, MI	7.6 mi	1,713	35%

Hospices serving East Grand Rapids

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Emmanuel Hospice	Grand Rapids, MI	2.7 mi	(616) 719-0919
Optimal Care Hospice	Grand Rapids, MI	3.2 mi	(616) 537-8971
Gentiva I	Grand Rapids, MI	3.2 mi	(616) 249-3043
Heartland Hospice (Grand Rapids)	Grand Rapids, MI	3.2 mi	(616) 956-0636
Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care - West Michigan	Grand Rapids, MI	4.6 mi	(616) 391-4200

Nursing homes near East Grand Rapids (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Clark Retirement Community	Grand Rapids, MI	1.2 mi	2 of 5	39	(616) 452-1568
Porter Hills Health Center	Grand Rapids, MI	1.8 mi	5 of 5	39	(616) 949-4971
Holland Home - Raybrook Manor	Grand Rapids, MI	1.8 mi	4 of 5	101	(616) 235-5702
Valley Health Center	Grand Rapids, MI	1.8 mi	5 of 5	20	(616) 301-6209

Straight-line miles from the center of East Grand Rapids. 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 East Grand 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 16% of the $8,922 monthly median income of East Grand 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 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 East Grand Rapids: common questions

Which hospices serve East Grand Rapids?

Medicare lists 17 hospices for East Grand Rapids ZIP codes, including Emmanuel Hospice, Optimal Care Hospice, Gentiva I.

How much does respite care cost in East Grand 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 16% of the $8,922 monthly median income of East Grand 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.

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 East Grand Rapids. 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 East Grand Rapids

More senior care near East Grand Rapids

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in East Grand Rapids

More for East Grand 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.

Respite Care in East Grand Rapids, MI