Respite Care in Lowell, MI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lowell, MI: the local picture

694

residents 65 or older (17% of Lowell)

61%

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

32%

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

17

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lowell ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lowell live with someone: 61% 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 203 Lowell 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 17 hospices serving Lowell ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lowell compared with Kent County and Michigan

Census figure	Lowell	Kent County	Michigan
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	29%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	15%	19%
Residents 85 or older	3.6%	1.7%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	8.9%	9.2%	9.9%
Households with no vehicle	5.4%	6.2%	7.0%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$35,000	$56,894	—

Older residents in towns around Lowell

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Forest Hills, MI	7.5 mi	4,612	23%
Belding, MI	13 mi	776	42%
Kentwood, MI	13 mi	7,965	32%
East Grand Rapids, MI	13 mi	1,291	22%
Ionia, MI	14 mi	1,560	36%
Northview, MI	15 mi	3,341	22%

Hospices serving Lowell

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hospice Of Western Michigan	Ada, MI	7.0 mi	(616) 454-1426
Optimal Care Hospice	Grand Rapids, MI	10 mi	(616) 537-8971
Gentiva I	Grand Rapids, MI	10 mi	(616) 249-3043
Heartland Hospice (Grand Rapids)	Grand Rapids, MI	10 mi	(616) 956-0636
Crossbridge Hospice	Kentwood, MI	10 mi	(616) 432-2050

Nursing homes near Lowell (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
The Laurels Of Kent	Lowell, MI	0.2 mi	3 of 5	153	(616) 897-8473
Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Ce	Grand Rapids, MI	11 mi	2 of 5	58	(616) 949-7220
Valley Health Center	Grand Rapids, MI	11 mi	5 of 5	20	(616) 301-6209
Porter Hills Health Center	Grand Rapids, MI	12 mi	5 of 5	39	(616) 949-4971

Straight-line miles from the center of Lowell. 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 Lowell

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 50% of the $2,917 monthly median income of Lowell 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 Lowell: common questions

Which hospices serve Lowell?

Medicare lists 17 hospices for Lowell ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Western Michigan, Optimal Care Hospice, Gentiva I.

How much does respite care cost in Lowell?

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 50% of the $2,917 monthly median income of Lowell 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 Lowell. 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 Lowell

More senior care near Lowell

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lowell

More for Lowell 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 Lowell, MI