The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Portage, MI for 2023

Portage is located adjacent to the city of Kalamazoo. It has received several notorieties, including the Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners and the Best Place to Spend the Day With Your Family. The weather is good, especially for seniors who like snow and mild summers and the state is tax-friendly for retirees, which may make it easier to hold onto income later in life. The city has a population of just over 49,000, with 16% ages 65 and older.   

There are two assisted living communities located in Portage. They are designed for seniors who want to remain as independent as possible but need help with daily living tasks, like grooming, bathing, housekeeping and meal prep. The average cost of these facilities in Portage is $3,950 per month which is slightly lower than most locations in the area and the national average. 

This guide covers the benefits for seniors who are looking for a place to retire near the city and a cost comparison with other locations. There are also prices on the other different costs of care and a list of available resources.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Portage, Michigan

16 Results

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Caring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Portage

Assisted living communities in Portage are regulated by the Michigan Department of Human Services, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing Division. This agency regulates all aspects of assisted living including home and community based services, staffing and health and safety. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Portage

  • There are several hospitals in Portage that seniors can turn to for illness, injury or chronic care. These facilities include the Ascension Burgess Hospital and the Bronson Methodist Hospital.
  • Seniors sensitive to the heat may appreciate the mild summers in Portage. July highs are around 84 degrees and there are approximately 159 sunny days per year. The city also receives around 47 inches of snow per year and January lows are around 17 degrees. 
  • Portage is a tax-friendly place for seniors to live. Social Security income is not taxed and retirement accounts are taxed depending on a senior’s age.
  • The cost of living in Portage is much lower than the national average and is slightly lower than the state average. Seniors can expect to pay less than the national average for groceries, healthcare and transportation.
  • According to the BestPlaces Air Quality Index, the air quality in Portage is better than the national average. Seniors with respiratory illness may find lower health occurrences due to air quality issues when living in the area.

Paying for Assisted Living in Portage

Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey lists the average cost of assisted living in Portage at $3,950 per month. This is $250 less than the state average and $350 less than the national average. Costs can vary greatly throughout a state or region depending on the location, the amenities offered and other factors like the level of care. In Grand Rapids, seniors pay around $5,000 per month and $5,550 in Midland. Jackson is one of the least expensive areas at $3,650.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey lists the average cost of assisted living in Portage at $3,950 per month. This is $250 less than the state average and $350 less than the national average. Costs can vary greatly throughout a state or region depending on the location, the amenities offered and other factors like the level of care. In Grand Rapids, seniors pay around $5,000 per month and $5,550 in Midland. Jackson is one of the least expensive areas at $3,650.

Portage

$3,950

Michigan

$4,200

The United States

$4,300

Grand Rapids

$5,000

Jackson

$3,650

Midland

$5,500

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Aside from assisted living, there are several other options for long-term care depending on individuals’ needs. Homemaker services at $4,481 and home health aide services at $4,576 allow seniors to get care while remaining in their own homes. A nursing home provides the most comprehensive level of care, with private rooms costing around $10,965 per month and a semiprivate room costing around $10,159.

Homemaker Services

$4,481

Home Health Aide

$4,576

Adult Day Health Care

0

Assisted Living Facility

$3,950

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$10,159

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

$10,965

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Portage

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.

Financial Assistance 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 Portage

In Portage, seniors can receive services and take part in programs offered by private and public agencies. These services are offered for free or at a low cost to those who live in the area.

ResourceContactService
Portage Senior Center(269) 329-4555The Portage Senior Center has programs and services for seniors ages 50 and older who want to make new friends, take part in activities and sign up for educational classes. Some of the activities the center offers include games, dancing, exercise classes, weekly outings and meals.
Kalamazoo County Area Agency on Aging(269) 373-5173The local Area Agency on Aging is a non-profit agency that offers community outreach, health education classes, elder abuse prevention and community meals. The agency also offers transportation to and from the local senior centers.
Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman(517) 827-8040The long-term care ombudsman serves as an advocate for seniors who live in long-term care facilities. The ombudsman investigates and works to resolve complaints against long-term care facilities and frequently visits these communities to ensure they are standing up to state and federal standards.
Southwest Michigan Senior Services(269) 382-0515Senior Services is a private, non-profit agency that provides over 20 different services that support the health and overall care of seniors in the area. These services include a telephone reassurance program, behavioral health and wellness, a pet food bank and a local farmer’s market.
Kalamazoo Veterans Service Office(269) 373-5200The Kalamazoo Veterans Service Office provides services and assistance to men and women who have served in the military. The service department can help veterans sign up for education benefits, medical treatment, emergency financial aid and provide assistance referrals. The agency can also help an individual in long-term care sign up for the Aid and Attendance benefit that pays for home and community-based services in long-term care.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Portage

Portage-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.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Michigan

Helpful Articles