10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Kalamazoo, MI for 2024

Seniors who need assistance with getting dressed, bathing and other activities of daily living but don’t require the extensive monitoring and care services provided at nursing homes are ideal candidates for an assisted living facility. Many of these senior care communities also have onsite therapy services. At $4,350 a month, the average cost of assisted living in Kalamazoo is higher than the statewide median but lower than what the majority of seniors in assisted living facilities across the country pay.

In addition to the cost of senior care in Kalamazoo, this guide covers resources that may help seniors choose and pay for care at an assisted living facility and maintain their health while living at home.

Assisted living facilities in Michigan aren’t required to have a license unless the community provides a level of care consistent with an Adult Foster Care Home or Home for the Aged. Those facilities are regulated by the Department of Health & Human Services.

• There are seven hospitals within Kalamazoo and another two dozen nearby. Many seniors probably won’t seek care elsewhere since the city’s own Bronson Methodist is among the state’s top 10. 
• The Shepherd’s Center, one of the local senior centers, offers transportation for seniors for medical appointments and errands. Although free, a donation to the driver is suggested.
• The cost of living in Kalamazoo is lower than the state and the country. Housing costs are especially affordable in the city at roughly half the national average.
• From reduced property taxes for financial hardship to tax deferments and renter’s tax credits, Michigan offers several programs to help seniors in Kalamazoo save money on their taxes.
• Winters are cold, and the city receives around 60 inches of snow per year. Its summers, however, are considered more pleasant than most of the country.
• Air quality and water quality are both better than national averages.
• Property crime, burglaries and auto thefts have all declined in the city over the past 20 years, but its crime rates are still well above the national average.

Seniors in Kalamazoo’s assisted living facilities spend an average of $4,350 a month on their care, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021. Across the state, most seniors spend about $100 less each month on assisted living while seniors across the country spend about $150 more.

Out of the cities closest to Kalamazoo, Battle Creek has the most affordable cost of care, $3,400 a month, and Grand Rapids is the most expensive, with its assisted living residents spending a median of $4,828 a month on their care. Compared to Kalamazoo’s average cost of care, seniors in Niles and Jackson save $150 and $350 per month, respectively.

Other long-term care options that may help meet the needs of seniors include homemaker and home health aide services, with monthly fees averaging $4,767 and $4,957, respectively. Adult day care is much more affordable, at $1,733, because it’s only available at certain hours during weekdays. Nursing home care, which offers more comprehensive medical services, has a significantly higher fee of $8,821 for semiprivate rooms and $10,646 per month for private ones.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Michigan page.