East Lansing, Michigan

Respite Care in East Lansing, MI

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in East Lansing for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A younger man supporting an older man's arm as they walk through a bright living room
Local figures

Respite Care in East Lansing, MI: the local picture

4,105
residents 65 or older (9.0% of East Lansing)
66%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
31%
of residents 65+ report a disability (33% in Ingham County)
20
Medicare-certified hospices serve East Lansing ZIP codes

Most older adults in East Lansing live with someone: 66% 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 1,173 East Lansing residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (33% in Ingham County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 20 hospices serving East Lansing ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

East Lansing compared with Ingham County and Michigan

Census figureEast LansingIngham CountyMichigan
Residents 65+ with a disability31%33%32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone34%35%29%
Residents 65 or older9.0%15%19%
Residents 85 or older1.7%1.6%2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)3.9%8.9%9.9%
Households with no vehicle13%8.9%7.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$84,127$58,213—

Older residents in towns around East Lansing

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Haslett, MI4.3 mi3,91537%
Okemos, MI4.4 mi3,75024%
Lansing, MI4.6 mi15,39635%
Bath, MI5.0 mi45130%
Edgemont Park, MI5.6 mi35829%
Waverly, MI7.7 mi5,39734%

Hospices serving East Lansing

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Heart To Heart Hospice Of Lansing, LLCEast Lansing, MI0.8 mi(517) 580-7530
Heartland Hospice (Mason)Okemos, MI4.4 mi(517) 244-0404
Sparrow Hospice ServicesLansing, MI4.5 mi(517) 364-7200
Hospice Of LansingLansing, MI4.7 mi(517) 882-4500
Compassus - LansingLansing, MI7.2 mi(517) 886-8470

Nursing homes near East Lansing (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Medilodge Of East LansingEast Lansing, MI1.1 mi2 of 599(517) 332-5061
Burcham Hills Retirement CenterEast Lansing, MI1.8 mi1 of 5133(517) 351-8377
The Willows At East LansingEast Lansing, MI1.9 mi5 of 565(517) 203-4042
Medilodge Of Campus AreaEast Lansing, MI2.1 mi3 of 5102(517) 332-0817

Straight-line miles from the center of East Lansing. 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 Lansing

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 21% of the $7,011 monthly median income of East Lansing 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 Lansing: common questions

Which hospices serve East Lansing?

Medicare lists 20 hospices for East Lansing ZIP codes, including Heart To Heart Hospice Of Lansing, LLC, Heartland Hospice (Mason), Sparrow Hospice Services.

How much does respite care cost in East Lansing?

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 21% of the $7,011 monthly median income of East Lansing 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 Lansing. 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.

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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