Often considered a college town, Kalamazoo, Michigan, is home to over 7,650 seniors over the age of 65. Its cost of living is lower than both the state and national averages, and the city also has more physicians per capita than the majority of the country. Bronson Methodist, one of the local hospitals, is among the top 10 in the state. The city also offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation at its many lakes and parks.
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.
1400 North Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI, 49006
4.6
(9)
"We have been very pleased with the care that mom has been getting at Woodside at Friendship Village. I noticed there were turnovers of different caregivers and nurses and that's understandable, but the ones that had been caring for her has been ve..."
READ MORE
1700 Bronson Way, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
4.8
(5)
"Caring, compassionate, caregivers. Excellent PT, OT, SLP therapists. "
READ MORE
210 N. 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
5.0
(2)
"Provision Living at Oshtemo is a brand-new facility. They had courtyards where the residents can wander in and out of. I just thought it had a very friendly atmosphere to it. The staff who showed us around was very knowledgeable and very experienc..."
READ MORE
3700 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49006
4.7
(3)
"It is exceptional. They’re very good, and they keep the residents active and hydrated. The staff that toured us knew everybody in the building. The rooms are great. They have private rooms too, and they’re very nice. They have a beautiful library,..."
READ MORE
5364 Green Meadow Drive, Ste 145, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
4.3
(3)
"My mother lived here for about 3 years. I toured several places over the years in the Kalamazoo area and since they were all for profit, as expected they were pleasant while recruiting me. This is a small facility. The staff greets you by name..."
READ MORE
2300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
4.3
(18)
"The decision to have our loved one move from our family home into a facility that could better meet the needs of the family was not a decision that we thought we would ever have to make., Yet, we did. We had reached the point where all that ..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
620 PHILLIPS STREET, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
4.6
(5)
"The people and care are the reasons we picked Wyndham West and Directors Hall for my parents. They interacted with Mom, brought her coffee every day, helped her with daily routines and genuinely enjoyed talking with her. You could tell they care..."
READ MORE
2920 Crystal Lane, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
3.9
(12)
"We put my father-in-law at Park Village Pines and the only reason we picked it was because it's closer to our house. The care is very good. His room is an adequate size, clean, and very nice. The food seems to be fairly nice. The staff is very car..."
READ MORE
600 Golden Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
4.7
(3)
"Wonderful warm community filled with caring staff. Supportive and always there for residents . "
READ MORE1400 N Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
3.9
(8)
"Great place! My mother was a resident in independent living abd then in memory care until her passing in 2019. My father resides in their comfortable apartment in independent living. The staff is great, his fellow residents are friendly and int..."
READ MORE
4222 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008
3.2
(10)
"Park Place Assisted Living is wonderful. I have nothing negative to say. The staff is wonderful. The majority of my father's caretakers have been there at that particular place of employment for over 15 years. He has no complaints about the food. ..."
READ MORE
3951 W Milham Rd, Portage, MI, 49024
4.3
(44)
"We have had a great experience with Story Point of Portage. I feel so fortunate that my mother can live in such a welcoming community. My mom is in the assisted living with enhanced care. The staff is friendly, helpful, and compassionate. I visit ..."
READ MORE
3100 Old Centre Avenue, Portage, MI, 49024
4.0
(25)
"I have been to Brookdale Portage twice to look at the place and I'm actually going back there with my son. It was a very nice place. I liked that they had larger bedrooms. The facility looked lovely. It was very nice, clean, and very neat. The s..."
READ MORE
4707 W. Milham Ave., Portage, MI, 49024
4.4
(9)
"Bickford of Portage was a smaller place, so they have fewer people, but they have a lot of entertainment. However, they charge you if you need a nurse or you need someone to help you dress or shower. They keep charging for everything you need; tha..."
READ MORE
7818 Kenmure Drive, Portage, MI, 49024
3.6
(7)
"My mother-in law is a resident at Fountain view, she is very happy and really loves the staff. Ms. White is very professional as well as her staff. They keep us informed on everything that is going on with my mother. We can call and ask them any..."
READ MOREAssisted 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.
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.
Kalamazoo
$4,350
Michigan
$4,250
The United States
$4,500
Niles
$4,200
Grand Rapids
$4,828
Battle Creek
$3,400
Jackson
$4,000
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.
Homemaker Services
$5,720
Home Health Aide
$5,720
Assisted Living Facility
$4,350
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$10,235
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
$10,828
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.
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:
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Michigan page.
Kalamazoo residents in assisted living facilities have access to multiple low-cost and free services that can help connect them with socialization opportunities, protect their rights and plan for long-term care.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo County Veterans Service Office | (269) 373-5361 | At the Kalamazoo County Veterans Service Office, former members of the armed forces can receive assistance learning about their pension benefits and filing claims with the VA. The office also offers veterans a variety of healthcare services and financial aid for emergencies. |
| Ecumenical Senior Center | (269) 381-9750 | The Ecumenical Senior Center is a conveniently located gathering place where Kalamazoo's older adults can join other seniors to play games, participate in classes and dine together during congregate meals. The senior center also has spiritual activities such as Bible studies and it regularly organizes outings around town. |
| Retired and Senior Volunteer Program | (269) 382-0515 | Through the R.S.V.P., Kalamazoo's older adults can use some of the skills they've learned over their careers or learn new ones to improve their community. The program has volunteer opportunities for a variety of organizations, ensuring seniors of all backgrounds can contribute. |
| Long Term Care Ombudsman Program | (866) 485-9393 | The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program exists to ensure residents of assisted living and other senior care facilities receive quality care with the freedom to exercise their rights. Volunteers and workers in the program assist families in researching senior care facilities by pulling up communities' inspection records and past citations, and when seniors become residents, the same volunteers can investigate and resolve issues that may arise. |
| Kalamazoo County Older Adult Services Division | (269) 373-5173 | Serving as the Area Agency on Aging, the Kalamazoo County Older Adult Services Division manages several programs that can make living at home easier for seniors. Home delivered meals, caregiver assistance, transportation and insurance counseling are just a few of the programs seniors can connect with through the agency. |
Kalamazoo-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Michigan are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Michigan page for more information about these laws.
