In-Home Care for Veterans in Grand Rapids, MI

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Grand Rapids, MI: the local picture

2,963

veterans aged 65 or older (12% of residents 65+)

25,584

residents 65 or older (13% of Grand Rapids)

31%

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

38%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (27% in Kent County)

About 2,963 Grand Rapids residents aged 65 or older are veterans (12% of that age group; 13% in Kent County), out of 6,308 veterans of all adult ages in town.

31% of all residents 65 and older report a disability (29% in Kent County); ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Grand Rapids compared with Kent County and Michigan

Census figure	Grand Rapids	Kent County	Michigan
Residents 65+ who are veterans	12%	13%	13%
Residents 65+ with a disability	31%	29%	32%
Residents 65 or older	13%	15%	19%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	38%	27%	29%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	20%	17%	19%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	9.2%	9.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$44,934	$56,894	—

Older residents in towns around Grand Rapids

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
East Grand Rapids, MI	2.7 mi	1,291	9.9%
Wyoming, MI	5.5 mi	9,191	14%
Walker, MI	5.7 mi	4,633	17%
Comstock Park, MI	5.8 mi	1,713	16%
Northview, MI	6.0 mi	3,341	15%
Kentwood, MI	6.2 mi	7,965	12%

Hospitals near Grand Rapids

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Spectrum Health	Grand Rapids, MI	0.4 mi	4 of 5	(616) 391-1774
Mercy Health Saint Mary's	Grand Rapids, MI	0.4 mi	3 of 5	(616) 685-5000
University Of Michigan Health - West	Wyoming, MI	5.4 mi	4 of 5	(616) 252-7200

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

What it covers

What a caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home care costs in 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 39% of the $3,745 monthly median income of 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 caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

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

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Grand Rapids: common questions

How much does veterans’ home care cost in 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 39% of the $3,745 monthly median income of 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 the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Grand Rapids

More senior care near Grand Rapids

Veterans’ Home Care in nearby cities

Other care in Grand Rapids

More for 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.