Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the Kent County seat and is home to a growing community of older adults. Seniors aged 65 and above represent 12.1% of the city’s nearly 200,000 residents. As a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, Grand Rapids has many amenities of interest to seniors. The city can offer free transportation for older adults to and from medical and social appointments. Additionally, the city’s Senior Center has an array of events to keep residents entertained. 

For seniors who need help with some aspect of daily living but are otherwise independent, assisted living is an alternative to nursing homes as a residential care option. These communities provide tailored services to residents based on their needs. Seniors may have access to amenities such as a library, garden and beauty salons. Assisted living accommodation can range from apartments to semiprivate rooms. Grand Rapids is one of the costliest areas for assisted living in the state, at an average monthly rate of $4,828

This page looks at Grand Rapids as a retirement option and offers price comparisons for assisted living in other Michigan areas. It also provides several resources for older adults in the city. 

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Grand Rapids, MI

Cascade Trails Senior Living

The staff, and caregivers are very kind, caring and inclusive at Cascade Trails Assisted Living. Mom has a heavy European accent and is shy, and every team member goes above and beyond to ensure she i … (read more)
The staff, and caregivers are very kind, caring and inclusive at Cascade Trails Assisted Living. Mom has a heavy European accent and is shy, and every team member goes above and beyond to ensure she i … (read more)

Sunrise of Cascade

Sunrise of Cascade is conveniently located in southeast Grand Rapids, just minutes from the airport and easily accessible from I-96. Residents and their loved ones frequently note the facility’s warm, … (read more)
Sunrise of Cascade is conveniently located in southeast Grand Rapids, just minutes from the airport and easily accessible from I-96. Residents and their loved ones frequently note the facility’s warm, … (read more)


Vista Springs Northview Royal Hideaway

Our father did respite care in Vista Springs. It was was very nice, and they were very helpful. They were there to support skilled nursing, and he had physical therapy from an outside agency. His room … (read more)
Our father did respite care in Vista Springs. It was was very nice, and they were very helpful. They were there to support skilled nursing, and he had physical therapy from an outside agency. His room … (read more)


Commonwealth Senior Living at East Paris

We’re moving here in August. We liked that it had everything that we were looking for and everybody was great. The room that we chose was a 2-bedroom with 1 bath and a full kitchen. The facility itsel … (read more)
We’re moving here in August. We liked that it had everything that we were looking for and everybody was great. The room that we chose was a 2-bedroom with 1 bath and a full kitchen. The facility itsel … (read more)

Provision Living at Forest Hills

Visually, Provision Living at Forest Hills is beautiful. It was only built a couple of years ago. The staff here are wonderful. It’s a very nice place. The staff is all wonderful. I have no complaints … (read more)
Visually, Provision Living at Forest Hills is beautiful. It was only built a couple of years ago. The staff here are wonderful. It’s a very nice place. The staff is all wonderful. I have no complaints … (read more)

Commonwealth Senior Living at Grand Rapids

Everything at Commonwealth Senior Living at Grand Rapids was brand new when I walked in. Everything was redecorated and modern. Everybody was right there to help me. As I toured the place, the residen … (read more)
Everything at Commonwealth Senior Living at Grand Rapids was brand new when I walked in. Everything was redecorated and modern. Everybody was right there to help me. As I toured the place, the residen … (read more)

Care Cardinal Cascade

We toured here, and it was very good. The staff was very good and very friendly. It was clean, it was a smaller facility, and it wasn’t totally modern, but it wasn’t bad. We had a meal there, they had … (read more)
We toured here, and it was very good. The staff was very good and very friendly. It was clean, it was a smaller facility, and it wasn’t totally modern, but it wasn’t bad. We had a meal there, they had … (read more)

Care Cardinal – Alger Heights

I loved Care Cardinal – Alger Heights, and I thought it was a fantastic place. They had two professional chefs that did all the meals, so they didn’t use any food out of a box. My tour of the place wa … (read more)
I loved Care Cardinal – Alger Heights, and I thought it was a fantastic place. They had two professional chefs that did all the meals, so they didn’t use any food out of a box. My tour of the place wa … (read more)

Clark Retirement at Franklin

Clark on Franklin is a senior assisted living and memory care facility located in a quiet and secure neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Residents and loved ones praise the facility’s dining are … (read more)
Clark on Franklin is a senior assisted living and memory care facility located in a quiet and secure neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Residents and loved ones praise the facility’s dining are … (read more)

Beacon Hill Eastgate

Beacon Hill Eastgate is a stately assisted living and continuing care facility set on picturesque grounds in Grand Rapids, Michigan, not far from Cambridge Park near Boston Street East. The newly remo … (read more)
Beacon Hill Eastgate is a stately assisted living and continuing care facility set on picturesque grounds in Grand Rapids, Michigan, not far from Cambridge Park near Boston Street East. The newly remo … (read more)

2016

Waldon Woods

Excellent dining program, and fun activities for my Aunt. Very happy with the staff, and my Aunt loves the other residents. Thank you!
Excellent dining program, and fun activities for my Aunt. Very happy with the staff, and my Aunt loves the other residents. Thank you!

Porter Hills Village

The room I stayed in was excellent! It was a large private room! Very comfortable and homely. The room was neat and cleaned everyday. The house keeping staff was respectful. The nursing staff was exc … (read more)
The room I stayed in was excellent! It was a large private room! Very comfortable and homely. The room was neat and cleaned everyday. The house keeping staff was respectful. The nursing staff was exc … (read more)

Heron Manor

Heron Manor of Grand Rapids, Michigan is conveniently located near I-96. Visitors and residents praise the facility for its large apartments, which have spacious bedrooms, wheelchair-accessible full k … (read more)
Heron Manor of Grand Rapids, Michigan is conveniently located near I-96. Visitors and residents praise the facility for its large apartments, which have spacious bedrooms, wheelchair-accessible full k … (read more)

Rest Haven Home

My mother loves the homestyle cooking. The renovatuon added large, bright windows to the dining area. Joni, the activity coordinator is full of fun and loves each resident. The new apartments upstai … (read more)
My mother loves the homestyle cooking. The renovatuon added large, bright windows to the dining area. Joni, the activity coordinator is full of fun and loves each resident. The new apartments upstai … (read more)

Edison Assisted Living Center

Edison Manor, located in the quiet West Grand neighborhood of Grand River, Michigan, is close to I-96 and surrounded by parks and mature trees. Visitors to the community praise its well-kept grounds a … (read more)
Edison Manor, located in the quiet West Grand neighborhood of Grand River, Michigan, is close to I-96 and surrounded by parks and mature trees. Visitors to the community praise its well-kept grounds a … (read more)

Pilgrim Manor

I had a tour and the young lady in the admissions role is very knowledgeable, but very honest, she is very honest and upfront and able to answer all my questions without hesitation. All the staff whil … (read more)
I had a tour and the young lady in the admissions role is very knowledgeable, but very honest, she is very honest and upfront and able to answer all my questions without hesitation. All the staff whil … (read more)

Samaritas

Excellent facility! They are very up-to-date, and allow clients to be as independent as possible. It is not a case of sitting in a hallway in a wheelchair all day, as places have been in the past. It’ … (read more)
Excellent facility! They are very up-to-date, and allow clients to be as independent as possible. It is not a case of sitting in a hallway in a wheelchair all day, as places have been in the past. It’ … (read more)

Vista Springs Riverside Gardens

My mom was in Vista Springs Riverside Gardens, they seem to have friendly staff. It’s an old elementary school, so it has lots of long hallways, but nice entry windows on each unit. They have decent-s … (read more)
My mom was in Vista Springs Riverside Gardens, they seem to have friendly staff. It’s an old elementary school, so it has lots of long hallways, but nice entry windows on each unit. They have decent-s … (read more)

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Grand Rapids

Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Michigan. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Grand Rapids

Assisted living facilities in Grand Rapids are overseen by the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Facilities must follow comprehensive rules and regulations to receive and maintain their licenses. The Department conducts regular inspections to ensure units provide care up to state standards.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Grand Rapids

  • Grand Rapids has been a member of the  AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities since 2018. This means that the city’s government is committed to making the area appealing to its senior population. 
  • Seniors aged 60 and over in Kent County enjoy access to a free transportation service. This program is offered in partnership with Kent County Senior Millage Ride Link and Interurban transit.
  • Older adults in Michigan enjoy access to several tax exemption programs, meaning they can stretch their retirement funds a little bit further than in other areas. 
  • Grand Rapids is a more affordable place to live than the average city in Michigan. Health care, in particular, costs 17% less than in the rest of the country. 
  • The city is home to many hospitals, including the Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. For every 100,000 residents, there are 260 medical professionals, which is significantly higher than the national average of 210.
  • City residents enjoy particularly pleasant summers, with highs of 82 in July. However, winters are frigid, with temperatures dropping up to 18 degrees. The city sees 36 inches more snow than the U.S. average.  
  • Crime rates in Grand Rapids are a few points above the U.S. average. However, seniors shouldn’t feel unsafe because assisted living communities are usually secure units where resident safety is a priority.

Paying for Assisted Living in Grand Rapids

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey seniors in Grand Rapids pay $4,828, on average, each month for assisted living. Rates in the city are substantially higher than both the state and national medians of  $4,250 and $4,500, respectively. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Compared with other areas in the southwestern corner of the state, assisted living rates in Grand Rapids are a lot higher. Rates in Battle Creek are $1,428 below Grand Rapids. In Muskegon, costs for assisted living are $815 below Grand Rapids. Seniors in areas such as Niles ($4,200) and Kalamazoo ($4,350) pay a lot less for assisted living than in Grand Rapids. 

$4828

Grand Rapids

$4250

Michigan

$4500

The United States

$4013

Muskegon

$4200

Niles

$4350

Kalamazoo

$3400

Battle Creek

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

At an average monthly cost of $5,529, both home care and home health providers in Grand Rapids are more expensive than assisted living. Nursing home care is the costliest form of senior care in the city at a median rate of $9,405 for a semiprivate room and $10,517 for a private room. Adult day health care centers charge more than half of the assisted living rate. However, these units don’t offer residential care. 

$5529

Homemaker Services

$5529

Home Health Aide

$2221

Adult Day Health Care

$4828

Assisted Living Facility

$9405

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$10517

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Grand Rapids

Michigan provides personal care services through the Medicaid State Plan, which covers homes for the aged. It also provides an optional state supplement for supplemental security income recipients who reside in a home for the aged that limits room and board charges.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Michigan page.

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in Michigan

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Grand Rapids

Several nonprofits provide services to help older adults in Grand Rapids. Some of these agencies can help seniors locate suitable assisted living accommodations while others can offer support to residents of these facilities. 

Resource

Contact 

Service

(616) 456-5664

For seniors in Grand Rapids, the local AAA acts as the first point of contact for available services. The agency’s information and assistance line can help connect older adults with services in the area and find out about assistance programs they may be eligible for. 

(616) 245-9451

Delivered locally by the AAA, the statewide ombudsman program advocates for the rights of residents in facilities such as assisted living communities. Volunteers and staff members with the program can mediate conflicts and investigate complaints. All services are provided free of charge to residents. 

(616) 774-0672

This not-for-profit law firm can represent low-income individuals and seniors aged 60 and above. Older adults can get advice and free or low-cost representation on matters including public benefits, living wills and family law. The firm does not assist in criminal cases. 

(800) 803-7174

MMAP is the state’s senior health insurance assistance program and was created to help older adults make informed choices about their insurance options. Trained counselors can help callers understand complicated topics related to Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care insurance. 

(616) 459-3040

The local senior center offers ample opportunity for older adults to socialize with their peers. Activities include Wii bowling, pool and Bible study groups. 

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Michigan are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Michigan page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Michigan