What is memory care in Michigan?
Memory care is dementia-focused residential care. Michigan has no memory care license; LARA's file marks homes licensed to serve residents with Alzheimer's disease -- 172 in our five counties -- and homes for the aged that market dementia care must disclose their program in writing under MCL 333.20178.
Last verified: October 2026| County | HFA (Alzheimer's) | AFC (Alzheimer's) | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | 27 | 81 | 3470 |
| Ottawa | 13 | 20 | 1605 |
| Allegan | 2 | 15 | 307 |
| Montcalm | 1 | 6 | 162 |
| Ionia | 0 | 7 | 74 |
When does someone need memory care rather than assisted living?
When dementia makes ordinary assisted living unsafe: leaving the building without knowing the way back, nighttime wandering, needing cues for every step of eating or dressing, or distress in busy common areas.
Many people with early dementia do well in a regular home for the aged or AFC home. The move to a dedicated dementia setting usually follows exit-seeking or nights without sleep. Ask homes what they do when a resident's needs change -- the answer decides whether you will move twice. Assisted living vs. memory care.
What does memory care cost in Michigan?
No median exists: CareScout does not survey memory care in any state. Budget from written quotes, and use the supplemental-fee section of a home's MCL 333.20178 disclosure to compare.
Where is memory care available around Grand Rapids?
Homes with LARA's Alzheimer's designation are spread across all five counties; many are six-bed adult foster care homes in residential neighborhoods.
- Memory Care in Cascade
- Memory Care in Grand Rapids
- Memory Care in Holland
- Memory Care in Kentwood
- Memory Care in Lowell
- Memory Care in Wyoming
Every designated home: memory care directory.
How are West Michigan's dementia-serving homes split by size?
Most of them are small: 62 of the 172 homes with LARA's Alzheimer's designation have six or fewer beds, while the largest homes hold most of the beds.
| Licensed capacity | Homes | Beds |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 beds | 62 | 357 |
| 7-12 beds | 18 | 204 |
| 13-20 beds | 49 | 976 |
| 21-60 beds | 11 | 497 |
| 61+ beds | 32 | 3584 |
Size changes what memory care looks like. A six-bed house can keep a steady routine with the same two caregivers; a large home can staff a dedicated dementia neighborhood with activity staff. Ask which model your parent's temperament fits.
What should you ask a memory care home in Michigan?
Ask how exits are secured, who is awake overnight and for how many residents, what dementia training staff receive, which behaviors would lead to a discharge, and how the rate changes as dementia progresses.
For a home for the aged, ask for the written description of dementia services required by MCL 333.20178 and compare its fee section with your quote. For an AFC home, ask for the same answers in writing.
