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.
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 ..."
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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..."
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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..."
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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..."
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9842 Oakland Dr., Portage, MI, 49024
"The staff at Hudson's Country Manor provides personalized services designed to meet the needs of every patient. The dedicated health professionals offer the assistance you need while respecting your independence. Extremely warm and wonderful famil..."
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7855 Currier Dr, Portage, MI, 49002
"Welcome to MediLodge of Portage a leading provider of long-term skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation solutions. Our center off..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
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..."
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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,..."
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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..."
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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 ..."
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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..."
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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..."
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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..."
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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 MOREAssisted 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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Portage Senior Center | (269) 329-4555 | The 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) 373-5173 | The 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) 827-8040 | The 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) 382-0515 | Senior 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) 373-5200 | The 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. |
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.
