Michigan Memory Care Licensing: AFC vs HFA Rules and How to Check LARA Reports

Michigan does not have a "memory care" license. When a facility in Michigan advertises "memory care" or "Alzheimer's care," it is operating under one of two residential care licenses: Adult Foster Care (AFC) under Act 218 or Home for the Aged (HFA) under Act 368. The marketing term is the same; the legal frameworks are completely different.

Understanding which license a facility holds tells you exactly what care they can and cannot provide, and when they are legally required to discharge your parent.

AFC (Act 218) vs HFA (Act 368)

Adult Foster Care facilities are licensed for 1 to 20 residents. Small homes (1-6 residents) operate in converted residential properties with a family-home atmosphere. Large group homes (7-20 residents) look more like small commercial facilities but still have lower resident-to-staff ratios than most institutional settings.

AFC homes can provide personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting, medication administration) and structured activities. They cannot admit or retain residents who require continuous 24-hour skilled nursing care — this is the critical limitation that triggers forced discharges.

Home for the Aged facilities serve 21 or more residents aged 55 and older. They are larger, more institutional settings with more staff and broader clinical capabilities. Some HFAs have dedicated dementia wings with secured perimeters and specialized programming.

HFAs can provide a higher level of care than AFCs but still fall below what a skilled nursing facility offers. The distinction matters when your parent's needs are escalating and you need to know whether the current facility can keep them.

The Dementia Disclosure Requirement

Under MCL 333.20178 and MCL 400.726b, any licensed AFC or HFA that markets itself as providing specialized Alzheimer's or dementia care must give prospective residents and their families a written disclosure statement. This document must cover:

• The program's care philosophy and approach to dementia
• Admission criteria and specific conditions that would trigger discharge
• Staff training practices for dementia care (Michigan sets no minimum training hours)
• Environmental design features (secured exits, wayfinding cues, lighting)
• Activity programming and therapeutic approaches
• Supplemental fees beyond the base monthly rate

Request this disclosure before scheduling a tour. Compare it across facilities. A facility that cannot produce this document or provides vague, generic answers is not meeting its legal obligation.

How to Use the LARA Database

LARA maintains a searchable online directory of every licensed AFC and HFA in the state. For each facility, you can access:

• License status — Verify the license is active and has not been revoked or suspended
• Licensing study reports — Detailed findings from scheduled inspections
• Complaint investigations — Results of investigations triggered by reports from residents, families, or staff
• Special investigation reports — Findings from investigations of serious incidents

Search the LARA database by facility name or location through the Bureau of Community and Health Systems portal. You can also call LARA directly at 1-517-241-1970.

When reading reports, focus on patterns. A single documentation finding is routine. Repeated violations related to resident supervision, medication errors, elopement incidents, or inadequate staffing signal systemic problems.

Discharge Rules and How to Protect Your Parent

AFC discharge rules require the facility to provide written notice before discharging a resident. Common discharge triggers include: the resident's care needs exceeding the facility's license capabilities, physical aggression that endangers other residents, or nonpayment.

If your parent receives a discharge notice you believe is unjustified, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-866-485-9393. The Ombudsman can advocate on your parent's behalf and may be able to delay or reverse the discharge while an alternative placement is arranged.

Choosing the Right Licensed Setting

The Michigan Dementia Care Guide includes a facility tour checklist aligned to LARA licensing requirements and a step-by-step process for evaluating AFC vs HFA options based on your parent's current and anticipated care needs.

See more Michigan guides →