Medicaid Home Care vs. Adult Foster Care in Wayne County: Two Different Paths

Michigan families often hear the word “Medicaid” and assume every care option works through the same program. In practice, the program, administrator, care setting, eligibility decision, and authorized services can be very different.

Debbie Waldo’s two senior-care businesses now offer two distinct Medicaid-related pathways: Elder Empowerment Services accepts eligible home-care clients through HAP CareSource and the Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program through MDHHS, while Lauren’s Greenhouse Living can accept eligible residents using authorized MI Choice Medicaid Waiver services coordinated by The Senior Alliance.

Path One: HAP CareSource and MDHHS Home Help Medicaid Home Care

Elder Empowerment Services provides non-medical home care for eligible Medicaid clients through two pathways: HAP CareSource authorizations and the Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Depending on the person’s eligibility and written authorization, support may include personal care, help with activities of daily living, meal preparation, companionship, safety supervision, medication reminders, respite, and other approved assistance.

For HAP CareSource clients, the health plan determines member eligibility, covered benefits, service authorization, and the amount or schedule of approved care. For MDHHS Home Help clients, MDHHS determines eligibility, assessment requirements, approved personal-care services, and the authorized arrangement. Elder Empowerment provides the approved care but does not determine Medicaid eligibility or guarantee authorization.

Home care may be appropriate when the home environment is safe, the person can be supported with authorized caregiver visits, and family or other resources can cover needs outside the approved services. Learn more on our Medicaid and insurance home-care page.

Path Two: MI Choice Waiver Adult Foster Care

Lauren’s Greenhouse Living offers a different setting: a small, licensed adult foster care home in Livonia. Lauren’s can now accept referrals for eligible participants whose MI Choice Waiver services are authorized and coordinated through The Senior Alliance.

The Senior Alliance serves Livonia and other western Wayne County and Downriver communities. Its staff conduct intake, evaluate medical and financial eligibility, develop person-centered service plans, and authorize appropriate waiver services. Families can call The Senior Alliance at 734-722-2830 or use its official MI Choice referral form.

The waiver may authorize long-term services and supports, but it does not mean every residential cost is paid. Room and board and other costs outside the approved service plan may remain the resident’s responsibility. Families should confirm the written authorization and residential payment arrangement before admission.

How to Decide Between Remaining Home and Moving to Adult Foster Care

The right setting depends on how much support is needed throughout the day and night. Home care can preserve familiar surroundings and routines, especially when caregiver visits, family involvement, home safety modifications, and backup plans are sufficient.

Adult foster care may be a better fit when someone needs a supportive environment around the clock, cannot safely remain alone between caregiver visits, has repeated falls or medication problems, or needs meals, supervision, and personal care organized within one residential setting.

Lauren’s Greenhouse Living is a wheelchair-accessible brick ranch with a six-bed capacity, trained caregivers present around the clock, home-cooked meals, medication support, and a calmer family-style atmosphere. Debbie lives close by and remains personally involved; she does not live on-site.

Five Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Medicaid-Supported Path

1. Which organization makes the eligibility decision? For Elder Empowerment’s Medicaid home-care pathways, confirm whether the authorization is through HAP CareSource or the MDHHS Home Help Program and obtain the applicable written approval. For Lauren’s MI Choice pathway, contact The Senior Alliance.
2. Which services are approved in writing? Do not rely on a general statement that a person “has Medicaid.” Ask which service, provider, frequency, duration, and start date are authorized.
3. What needs remain outside the authorization? Identify unpaid family caregiving time, overnight needs, transportation, supplies, room and board, and personal expenses.
4. Is the current setting safe? Consider falls, wandering, missed medications, transfers, toileting, meals, isolation, and emergency response.
5. What is the backup plan? Care needs and authorizations can change. Families should know who will respond when a caregiver is unavailable or the person’s condition worsens.

A Clear Starting Point for Wayne County Families

You do not need to understand every program rule before making the first call. Tell us where the person lives, what help is needed, whether Medicaid coverage is active, what plan or supports coordinator is involved, and whether the goal is to remain home or explore a residential setting.

Call Elder Empowerment Services and Lauren’s Greenhouse Living at (734) 414-8000. We can explain our services and direct you to the appropriate program contact. For MI Choice eligibility and authorization, The Senior Alliance remains the official source.

For residential information, visit Lauren’s Greenhouse Living’s adult foster care openings page or read the detailed MI Choice Waiver announcement.

This article is educational and does not guarantee Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, service authorization, payment, admission, or coverage. Confirm current benefits and financial responsibility with HAP CareSource, The Senior Alliance, Medicaid, and the provider before services begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Elder Empowerment Services accept Medicaid?

Elder Empowerment Services accepts eligible Medicaid home-care clients through HAP CareSource and the Michigan Medicaid Home Help Program through MDHHS. Eligibility and authorized services depend on the applicable plan or MDHHS approval.

How does Lauren's Greenhouse Living accept Medicaid waiver participants?

Lauren's Greenhouse Living can accept eligible residents using authorized MI Choice Waiver services coordinated through The Senior Alliance in Wayne County.

Are HAP CareSource home care and The Senior Alliance MI Choice the same program?

No. They are different pathways with different administrators, eligibility processes, authorizations, and care settings. Elder Empowerment's HAP CareSource pathway is for eligible home-care clients; Lauren's Greenhouse's pathway is for eligible MI Choice participants considering adult foster care.

Does Medicaid necessarily pay room and board at an adult foster care home?

No. Authorized waiver services do not automatically cover every residential expense. Room and board and other non-covered costs may remain the resident's responsibility. Confirm the financial arrangement before admission.