The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Kalamazoo County, MI for 2023

Kalamazoo County is home to about 260,000 people and a large senior population that accounts for almost 14 percent of residents. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that 11.4 percent of seniors receiving Medicare benefits had Alzheimer's or dementia, a percentage which is on par with the national average. 

Families researching local memory care options can choose from four facilities in Kalamazoo County, including three in Portage and one in the city of Kalamazoo. Here, as in the rest of Michigan, seniors who require memory care services receive treatment in assisted living facilities that specialize in dementia care. These facilities are also called homes for the aged, and they are licensed by the Department of Human Services. 

• Seniors residing in Kalamazoo County do not pay state income tax on their Social Security benefits, and seniors aged 65 and over receive a tax deduction to minimize the tax they pay on other types of retirement income. This deduction is age-based, with taxpayers 71 and over receiving the largest deduction, which may affect how much money can be budgeted for memory care in this county.  
• Kalamazoo County was given a B for short-term particle pollution, but the region's ozone pollution levels are very high and were rated an F by the American Lung Association. This may be a concern for families whose senior loved ones have conditions like asthma or COPD.
• Kalamazoo County's summers are comfortable, with July highs around 83 degrees, which may be well-suited for memory care residents who enjoy being outdoors. Winters are very cold and snowy, with lows in the teens and an average of 48 inches of annual snowfall. 
• Compared to the nation as a whole, Kalamazoo County is a relatively affordable place to live. Housing costs and grocery expenses are low here, which may bring down the cost of memory care facilities, and healthcare expenses are about 10 percent below the national median.

Memory Care costs in Kalamazoo County start around $5,965 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Kalamazoo County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Michigan page.

Kalamazoo County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Michigan are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Michigan page for more information about these laws.