Respite Care in Kentwood, MI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Kentwood, MI: the local picture

7,965

residents 65 or older (15% of Kentwood)

65%

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

32%

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

20

Medicare-certified hospices serve Kentwood ZIP codes

Most older adults in Kentwood live with someone: 65% 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 2,480 Kentwood residents aged 65 or older report a disability (32%) (29% in Kent County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

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

Kentwood compared with Kent County and Michigan

Census figure	Kentwood	Kent County	Michigan
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	15%	15%	19%
Residents 85 or older	2.0%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.1%	9.2%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	7.6%	6.2%	7.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$47,263	$56,894	—

Older residents in towns around Kentwood

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
East Grand Rapids, MI	4.3 mi	1,291	22%
Cutlerville, MI	5.2 mi	2,445	34%
Wyoming, MI	5.8 mi	9,191	32%
Grand Rapids, MI	6.2 mi	25,584	31%
Forest Hills, MI	7.4 mi	4,612	23%
Grandville, MI	8.1 mi	2,440	29%

Hospices serving Kentwood

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Crossbridge Hospice	Kentwood, MI	2.9 mi	(616) 432-2050
Heartland Hospice (Grand Rapids)	Grand Rapids, MI	3.7 mi	(616) 956-0636
Optimal Care Hospice	Grand Rapids, MI	3.7 mi	(616) 537-8971
Gentiva I	Grand Rapids, MI	3.7 mi	(616) 249-3043
West Michigan Hospice, LLC	Caledonia, MI	5.7 mi	(231) 246-1652

Nursing homes near Kentwood (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Holland Home Breton Rehabilitation & Living Centre	Grand Rapids, MI	0.5 mi	5 of 5	58	(616) 643-2500
Corewell Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center -	Grand Rapids, MI	1.7 mi	5 of 5	165	(616) 486-7002
Optalis Health And Rehabilitation Of Grand Rapids	Grand Rapids, MI	2.0 mi	1 of 5	120	(616) 452-5900
Optalis Health & Rehabilitation At Kent-Crossing	Grand Rapids, MI	2.6 mi	1 of 5	182	(616) 949-3000

Straight-line miles from the center of Kentwood. 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 Kentwood

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 37% of the $3,939 monthly median income of Kentwood 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 Kentwood: common questions

Which hospices serve Kentwood?

Medicare lists 20 hospices for Kentwood ZIP codes, including Crossbridge Hospice, Heartland Hospice (Grand Rapids), Optimal Care Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Kentwood?

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 37% of the $3,939 monthly median income of Kentwood 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 Kentwood. 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 Kentwood

More senior care near Kentwood

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Kentwood

More for Kentwood 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 Kentwood, MI