What to Expect at Your Michigan Home Help Assessment

You've applied for the Michigan Home Help Program. Now MDHHS has contacted you to schedule an in-home assessment.

Good. That means the application is moving forward.

But if you've never been through this before, you might be wondering: What actually happens at this appointment? What are they looking for? What should you say?

This guide covers everything you need to know so you're not caught off guard — and so your family gets the hours you actually need.

What Is the Michigan Home Help Assessment?

After you apply for the Michigan Home Help Program, an MDHHS caseworker will schedule an in-home visit. The caseworker's job is to evaluate the care needs of the person who will be receiving home care.

They're specifically looking at Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) — the basic tasks of daily life that the person needs help with.

The outcome of this assessment directly determines how many hours of care are authorized each month. More documented needs = more authorized hours. This is why being thorough and honest is so important.

What ADLs Will the Caseworker Assess?

The caseworker will ask about — and may observe — how the person receiving care manages the following:

Personal Hygiene and Grooming

Bathing/showering — Can they do it independently? Do they need physical assistance?
Dressing — Can they manage buttons, zippers, shoes?
Grooming — Brushing teeth, combing hair, shaving

Mobility and Transfers

Getting in and out of bed
Moving around the home
Getting in and out of chairs
Using the stairs (if applicable)
Risk of falls

Toileting

Getting to and from the bathroom
Managing clothing during toileting
Continence — any issues with bladder or bowel control

Eating

Preparing meals — can they safely use the stove, open containers, manage utensils?
Eating — do they need any assistance?

Instrumental Activities (IADLs)

The caseworker may also ask about higher-level tasks like managing medications, handling finances, using the phone, and keeping the home clean.

Here's exactly how many hours MDHHS authorizes for each type of household assistance (set by MDHHS policy):

| Service | Monthly Maximum | |---|---| | Meal preparation | Up to 25 hours/month | | Laundry | Up to 7 hours/month | | Light housework | Up to 6 hours/month | | Shopping | Up to 5 hours/month |

Note: In shared living arrangements, IADL hours are prorated by half. IADL hours are subject to your overall authorized care plan.

How to Prepare for the Assessment

The most important thing you can do is be honest and specific. This is not the time to minimize what your loved one is going through.

Many families make the mistake of putting on their best face for the caseworker — the person receiving care gets dressed up, sits up straight, and insists they're "doing fine." The result? Authorized hours that don't reflect the real situation.

Keep a Care Log Before the Assessment

For one to two weeks before the assessment, write down:

What tasks you help with each day
How long each task takes
Any safety incidents (falls, medication misses, confusion)
Times when the person struggled even if you weren't there to help

A written log gives the caseworker something concrete.

Gather Medical Documentation

Bring — or have available — any of the following:

Recent physician notes describing the person's condition and functional limitations
Relevant diagnoses (dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, COPD, diabetes, etc.)
Physical therapy or occupational therapy evaluations
Hospital discharge summaries

A note from the doctor specifically stating that the patient needs assistance with ADLs can make a significant difference.

Talk Honestly About the Bad Days

Conditions like dementia and Parkinson's have good days and bad days. The caseworker will likely see your loved one on whatever day they happen to visit — and that might be a relatively good day.

Make sure to describe what the bad days look like. If your mother can sometimes dress herself but frequently can't manage buttons and gets confused about the sequence, say that. If your father has fallen twice in the past month, say that.

Be Specific, Not General

"She needs a lot of help" is less useful than "She cannot get in and out of the shower without someone physically holding her, she has fallen twice, and she has started leaving the stove on."

Concrete, specific descriptions lead to more accurate assessments.

What Happens During the Visit

The caseworker will typically:

Introduce themselves and explain the purpose of the visit
Ask questions about the person's daily routine and care needs
May briefly observe the person receiving care
Review any documentation you provide
Complete their assessment form

The visit usually takes 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes longer.

You should be present. You know the day-to-day reality better than anyone. Don't leave the person receiving care to answer alone if they have cognitive or communication challenges.

After the Assessment: What Comes Next

The caseworker will use the assessment to determine the authorized hours of care. You'll receive a notice from MDHHS with the determination.

If the authorized hours seem lower than what your family actually needs, you have the right to request a review or appeal. This is another situation where documentation matters.

We Can Help You Prepare

At Home Help Navigators, we've guided many families through the assessment process. We know what caseworkers are looking for and how to make sure your family's real needs are accurately documented.

If you're preparing for an assessment and you're not sure you're ready, give us a call. We'll walk through it with you before the caseworker arrives.

Getting ready for your assessment? Schedule a free call — we'll help you prepare so your family gets the hours you're actually entitled to.