September 29, 2026

Home Care That Feels Like Home: Meet Matthew Istifu of Trinity Home Assistance

Sometimes, a conversation about home care comes down to something as simple as how a person likes their towels folded.

That example came up when Matthew Istifu, owner of Trinity Home Assistance, joined Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN, on Care Across America®. It captured an idea that ran throughout their conversation: receiving help at home should still leave room for a person's familiar routines and preferences.

Trinity Home Assistance primarily serves Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties in Metro Detroit. During the interview, Matthew shared what drew him to home care, why he looks for caregivers who are willing to learn, and how families can explore options for paying for support—including arrangements that may allow a qualified family member to become a paid caregiver.

A Family Connection Introduced Matthew to Home Care

Matthew's introduction to the business came through an older cousin who encouraged him and became his mentor.

As he learned about home care, Matthew found purpose in helping people continue living in their own homes with the assistance they need. Familiar surroundings, established routines, and everyday choices are central to what he values about the work.

For families considering care, that goal can be reassuring. Accepting help can be a way to preserve independence and make daily life at home more manageable.

Why a Willingness to Learn Matters in a Caregiver

When Valerie asked what Trinity looks for in caregivers, Matthew highlighted one quality right away: being coachable.

“Being a caregiver who can listen and really observe what their client wants is a huge aspect of the job,” he explained.

A caregiver may assist several people, each with different needs, preferences, and household routines. What works well in one home may need to be adjusted in another. Matthew wants caregivers who can listen, accept feedback, and learn how an individual likes things done.

Valerie offered the example of folding towels a particular way. To the person receiving care, having that preference respected can make the experience more comfortable. It is a small request that acknowledges whose home it is and whose choices matter.

Matthew also recognized that a new caregiver and client need time to get acquainted. Learning each other's communication styles and routines is part of building the relationship. The rewarding moment, he said, comes when a client calls to explain that the caregiver has taken a substantial load off their hands—and that they can see the relationship continuing.

Three Payment Options Families Can Explore

Matthew discussed three main payment pathways: Michigan Medicaid Home Help, coverage through qualifying plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, and private pay.

Michigan Medicaid Home Help

Michigan's Home Help program, administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), can pay for approved assistance for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.

Eligibility includes needing hands-on help with at least one activity of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, or transferring. An MDHHS adult services worker assesses the person's needs and determines authorized services and time. Eligible individuals may also receive approved help with tasks such as laundry, meal preparation, and light housework. Needing help with household chores alone does not establish eligibility. Read the MDHHS Home Help client handbook.

MI Coordinated Health and HIDE SNP Plans

For eligible people with both Medicare and Medicaid, MI Coordinated Health is another pathway to explore. Michigan launched this Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (HIDE SNP) program on January 1, 2026, replacing MI Health Link. See the MDHHS program announcement.

Members receive their covered personal care services through their plan. They cannot receive Home Help and MI Coordinated Health services concurrently. Families should ask the plan about eligibility, assessment, service authorization, and participating providers before arranging care. See Michigan's MI Coordinated Health policy.

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Private-Pay Home Care

Matthew also explained that families can pay Trinity Home Assistance directly for care. This provides an option for people who want to arrange services using their own funds. Families can discuss the help they need, scheduling, availability, and costs with the agency before services begin.

Can a Family Member Be Paid to Provide Care?

One of the interview's most practical topics was paid family caregiving.

Matthew described situations in which an adult child, sibling, niece, or nephew may provide care to a loved one. For an eligible family, a paid caregiving arrangement can help support someone who is already devoting time and energy to that role.

There are program requirements. Under Michigan Home Help, an eligible caregiver must be at least 18 and meet applicable screening, enrollment, and other requirements. The person receiving care must also qualify, and payment depends on authorized services. A spouse cannot be the paid caregiver under Home Help, and a parent cannot be paid through Home Help to care for their minor child. Other programs and health plans have their own requirements. Review MDHHS Home Help caregiver rules.

For families interested in this option, a useful first conversation with Trinity is whether their coverage, care needs, and proposed caregiver could fit an available program.

Familiarity With a Loved One Still Leaves Room for Training

Knowing a parent's preferences is valuable. Matthew emphasized that family caregivers can also benefit from learning new skills.

He explained that Trinity provides training and maintains agency guidelines and standards for its caregivers, including relatives caring for family members.

Valerie discussed why practical instruction matters. Helping someone move between a chair, bed, or wheelchair can involve skills a family caregiver has never been taught. She used transfers and equipment training as examples of topics worth addressing with the care team, with attention to the needs of both the person receiving care and the caregiver. Matthew also said Trinity offers online training for caregivers who cannot get to the office. That flexibility gives families another way to participate in learning and preparation.

Serving Metro Detroit and Families Beyond the Tri-County Area

Trinity's primary service area includes Wayne County, Macomb County, and Oakland County, including Detroit and surrounding communities.

Matthew also mentioned serving clients in Genesee and Tuscola counties. Families elsewhere in Michigan can contact Trinity to discuss their location and whether the agency can support the proposed care arrangement.

That conversation is especially useful when a family member hopes to become the caregiver. Location, coverage, program requirements, and the agency's availability all need to be considered.

Start With the Help Your Family Needs

Matthew's approach begins with listening: to the person who wants to stay at home, to the family trying to arrange support, and to the caregiver learning how to help. If you are exploring home care in Metro Detroit, consider asking Trinity:

What help is available for the daily activities my loved one finds difficult?
Which payment pathway might apply to our situation?
Could a qualified family member provide the care?
What training and ongoing support would the caregiver receive?

To learn more, visit Trinity Home Assistance or call (248) 506-0968. Find more conversations with home care providers and resources for families at Care Across America®.

Written By

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN

Valerie VanBooven RN BSN is a registered nurse, wife, mom, and published author of several books on long-term care and elder care. She is the Founder and Co-Owner of Approved Senior Network® and the founder of Care Across America®.