Common Questions About Home Care Services in Oakland & Macomb Counties, MI

Private duty home care focuses on non-medical, day-to-day support like meal prep, companionship, personal care, and household tasks. It’s designed for individuals who want to remain at home but need help staying safe, comfortable, and independent. Services are typically scheduled based on the client’s preferences, and caregivers are matched not just by experience, but by personality and compatibility.

Skilled home care, on the other hand, refers to short-term, medically prescribed care. This may include nursing, wound care, or therapy provided by a licensed medical professional under the direction of a doctor.

Avalon Essential Home Care provides private duty care, including 24-hour options, personal in-home support, and transitional assistance for families across Troy and nearby areas. We work closely with families to build care plans that fill the gaps where medical services leave off.

Coverage depends on your plan and the type of care needed. While private duty home care is not typically covered by traditional health insurance or Medicare, there are still options available to help with cost:

• Michigan Medicaid Programs: May cover care through state programs like those offered by AgeWays
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Often reimburses for caregiving, depending on the policy
• Veterans Programs & Workers’ Compensation: Can apply for eligible individuals
• Out-of-Pocket (Private Pay): Still common, but we help explore every alternative

If you’re unsure what you qualify for, we’re happy to explain it to you. Our team has experience helping families apply for assistance and connect with programs that can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.

Many families assume they’ll have to pay entirely out of pocket, but that’s not always the case. While private duty care often begins as a personal expense, Avalon Essential Home Care is contracted with a wide range of payers and programs that can help ease the burden.

We regularly work with long-term care insurance, Michigan Medicaid programs, auto insurance, veterans’ benefits, and workers’ compensation to provide support. We’re also happy to help families apply for available resources. If you’re unsure what you may qualify for, our care team can walk you through the next steps and explain every option clearly.

Some clients qualify for full coverage, while others receive partial assistance or reimbursement. Either way, we’re here to ensure that finances never prevent clients from receiving quality, consistent care.

Licensing requirements depend on the type of care being provided. In Michigan:

• Non-medical private duty care (the kind Avalon provides) does not require a medical license
• Skilled or clinical care requires regulation and oversight as a medical provider
• Avalon Essential Home Care operates under non-medical guidelines but exceeds many standards voluntarily

While we are not medical providers, we maintain rigorous internal training, background checks, and documentation standards. Families deserve professionalism, transparency, and peace of mind, whether we are licensed or not.

Yes. Avalon Essential Home Care maintains full liability coverage, including general and professional liability insurance, workers’ compensation, cyber liability, and all coverage required under Medicare compliance standards. We are also fully bonded for your protection.

In addition, we comply with all Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and undergo rigorous vendor audits every three years to maintain Medicare program approvals.

Simply put, we go above and beyond to ensure client protection at every level.

We take every measure to guarantee our caregivers are thoroughly vetted—not just once, but throughout their employment. Our background check process includes:

• iCHAT (Michigan criminal history): conducted annually
• OIG (Office of Inspector General): conducted monthly
• SAM (System for Award Management): conducted monthly
• National Sex Offender Registry: conducted annually
• Additional contract-specific checks as needed

We maintain ongoing compliance with all Medicaid and state-specific background screening protocols. Every caregiver we send into a home is screened, trained, and trusted to represent our values.

Hiring privately might seem more affordable upfront, but it can come with serious risks and complications. Independent caregivers often lack the backup, training, and insurance protections that a professional agency like Avalon provides. If that person cancels or has an emergency, families are often left scrambling. With us, you have a team, not just a name on a phone.

Avalon handles payroll, tax compliance, training, liability insurance, workers’ comp, scheduling, and call-offs. We also match caregivers based on personality and follow up weekly to ensure consistent service. Our families have peace of mind because they’re never left on their own.

No, our caregivers do not live with clients, but we do prioritize consistency. Each client is matched with a dedicated caregiver (or small team if needed) who provides ongoing support based on the care schedule. We believe in building lasting caregiver relationships, which is why most clients see the same trusted face each visit.

For clients who need 24-hour care, we arrange rotating shifts with familiar, pre-introduced caregivers. We do not offer live-in arrangements where a caregiver resides full-time in the home.

However, our 24/7 phone line is always staffed by someone from our office, so there’s real support available at any hour if needs change.

Our caregivers support both daily routines and longer-term needs. That includes personal care like bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility assistance, as well as household tasks such as meal preparation, light cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, and errands. We also help with medication reminders, transportation to appointments, and companionship to ease loneliness and isolation.

Every client receives a personalized care plan developed in partnership with their family. We take time to understand what support is needed—and what makes the client feel safe, comfortable, and respected. Plans are flexible and can be adjusted anytime circumstances change or new support is required.

Avalon Essential Home Care requires a minimum of 8 hours of care per week. We generally encourage families to consider 8–12 hours each week, as this allows our caregivers to build consistent routines and stronger relationships with clients.

We start by sitting down with you and your family to learn about your goals, daily needs, and budget. From there, we recommend a personalized care plan and schedule that fits. Some families prefer a few visits each week, while others may need daily or even 24-hour support.

Whatever your situation, we stay flexible. Your care plan can be adjusted at any time—whether that means adding more hours, reducing time, or shifting schedules. And at every level of care, our priority is the same: matching you with a consistent, trusted caregiver who shows up and follows through.