Kalamazoo is home to more than 76,000 people, 8,000 of whom are seniors aged 65 and over. Seniors in this southwestern Michigan city can enjoy the still-untouched wilderness around town that’s crisscrossed by miles of walking paths lined by trees and surrounded by nearly a dozen wide-open golf courses. Two nationally recognized health systems, Henry Ford and Beaumont, serve the medical needs of residents, and Kalamazoo’s nursing homes provide excellent care, though their cost is somewhat higher than the Michigan state average. A semiprivate room in a nursing care home in the Kalamazoo area averages $10,159 a month, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.
Nursing homes in Kalamazoo serve area seniors with a high level of supervision that’s only available in a residential senior care facility. Features include medication administration, health monitoring and 24-hour nursing care. The generally high quality of care nursing homes provide comes at a cost. Some may find that assisted living or home health care meet their needs at a lower monthly cost.
This guide provides details about care options in Michigan and lists free and low-cost resources that help seniors in Kalamazoo get by.
Directory of Nursing Homes in Kalamazoo, MI
1700 Bronson Way, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
The Fountains at Bronson Place is an assisted living and continuing care community west of Kalamazoo, Michigan, near Westwood. Residents can choose between studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Fami
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The Fountains at Bronson Place is an assisted living and continuing care community west of Kalamazoo, Michigan, near Westwood. Residents can choose between studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Family members say the staff is available to assist residents 24/7 and is friendly, accommodating and always attentive to their loved one’s needs. Residents appreciate the number of convenient on-site amenities, including a market, ice cream parlor, bank, exercise room, art studio, computer center and indoor whirlpool. Nature lovers can enjoy spending time outdoors on the acres of landscaped grounds and walking paths.
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The Fountains at Bronson Place is an assisted living and continuing care community west of Kalamazoo, Michigan, near Westwood. Residents can choose between studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Fami
… (read more)
The Fountains at Bronson Place is an assisted living and continuing care community west of Kalamazoo, Michigan, near Westwood. Residents can choose between studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Family members say the staff is available to assist residents 24/7 and is friendly, accommodating and always attentive to their loved one’s needs. Residents appreciate the number of convenient on-site amenities, including a market, ice cream parlor, bank, exercise room, art studio, computer center and indoor whirlpool. Nature lovers can enjoy spending time outdoors on the acres of landscaped grounds and walking paths.
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1400 N Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
Friendship Village offers residents a warm welcome and an accommodating stay at all levels of care. Nestled amid the cozy woodlands of Kalamazoo, Michigan, this facility actively promotes physical and
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Friendship Village offers residents a warm welcome and an accommodating stay at all levels of care. Nestled amid the cozy woodlands of Kalamazoo, Michigan, this facility actively promotes physical and spiritual well-being. Daily exercise instruction is provided as well as access to walking trails situated among peaceful natural areas. Guests praise the staff for being attentive, caring and professional. Residents enjoy the activities offered, including live music, a magician, trivia, bingo and movie nights. Residents enjoy the restaurant-style dining and the meals provided by the facility’s executive chef.
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Friendship Village offers residents a warm welcome and an accommodating stay at all levels of care. Nestled amid the cozy woodlands of Kalamazoo, Michigan, this facility actively promotes physical and
… (read more)
Friendship Village offers residents a warm welcome and an accommodating stay at all levels of care. Nestled amid the cozy woodlands of Kalamazoo, Michigan, this facility actively promotes physical and spiritual well-being. Daily exercise instruction is provided as well as access to walking trails situated among peaceful natural areas. Guests praise the staff for being attentive, caring and professional. Residents enjoy the activities offered, including live music, a magician, trivia, bingo and movie nights. Residents enjoy the restaurant-style dining and the meals provided by the facility’s executive chef.
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1451 BRONSON WAY, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
My dad stayed in The Springs at the Fountains for five days. I have mixed feelings about them. They care about him, but they don’t seem to have a way to handle if he has an outburst. He tried to hit a
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My dad stayed in The Springs at the Fountains for five days. I have mixed feelings about them. They care about him, but they don’t seem to have a way to handle if he has an outburst. He tried to hit a staff member a couple of times, and their response to that was to automatically send him to ER. Then, the ER referred him to a geriatric psychiatric unit. That’s where he is right now, so they can regulate his meds. I have no idea if they have normal protocol, if they’re supposed to be equipped to handle patients that aren’t perfectly behaved, or if this is exactly what they do.
There were two patients to a room. It’s not a very big place. They basically can maneuver it all in a wheelchair. They just go up and down the hallways. They’re not really equipped to have someone sit with him. It was clean, and the people were nice enough and were very courteous when we were there.
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My dad stayed in The Springs at the Fountains for five days. I have mixed feelings about them. They care about him, but they don’t seem to have a way to handle if he has an outburst. He tried to hit a
… (read more)
My dad stayed in The Springs at the Fountains for five days. I have mixed feelings about them. They care about him, but they don’t seem to have a way to handle if he has an outburst. He tried to hit a staff member a couple of times, and their response to that was to automatically send him to ER. Then, the ER referred him to a geriatric psychiatric unit. That’s where he is right now, so they can regulate his meds. I have no idea if they have normal protocol, if they’re supposed to be equipped to handle patients that aren’t perfectly behaved, or if this is exactly what they do.
There were two patients to a room. It’s not a very big place. They basically can maneuver it all in a wheelchair. They just go up and down the hallways. They’re not really equipped to have someone sit with him. It was clean, and the people were nice enough and were very courteous when we were there.
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3625 W MICHIGAN AVE, Kalamazoo, MI, 49006
My mom stayed at Heartland Health Care Center. It’s very nice and the staff was very nice as well. They did everything we expected, so we were satisfied. She went to rehab — which she needed — and i
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My mom stayed at Heartland Health Care Center. It’s very nice and the staff was very nice as well. They did everything we expected, so we were satisfied. She went to rehab — which she needed — and it was very beneficial. They have exercising. Mom was only there for a week. They make your comfortable and they’re very accommodating. The place was well-kept, so we were pleased. The price was also reasonable.
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My mom stayed at Heartland Health Care Center. It’s very nice and the staff was very nice as well. They did everything we expected, so we were satisfied. She went to rehab — which she needed — and i
… (read more)
My mom stayed at Heartland Health Care Center. It’s very nice and the staff was very nice as well. They did everything we expected, so we were satisfied. She went to rehab — which she needed — and it was very beneficial. They have exercising. Mom was only there for a week. They make your comfortable and they’re very accommodating. The place was well-kept, so we were pleased. The price was also reasonable.
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2575 N. Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007
Medilodge of Westwood is very kind and did a lot of work with my mom’s PT and OT. They have worked with her even on the weekends for therapy. They were very kind when she would have a setback and get
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Medilodge of Westwood is very kind and did a lot of work with my mom’s PT and OT. They have worked with her even on the weekends for therapy. They were very kind when she would have a setback and get sent back to the hospital, they would take her back again. That happened three times. They have card games, art projects, hymns, and broadcasts. My mom thought the food was good, too. It’s just not as updated and quite as clean as the other facility they have in another area.
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Medilodge of Westwood is very kind and did a lot of work with my mom’s PT and OT. They have worked with her even on the weekends for therapy. They were very kind when she would have a setback and get
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Medilodge of Westwood is very kind and did a lot of work with my mom’s PT and OT. They have worked with her even on the weekends for therapy. They were very kind when she would have a setback and get sent back to the hospital, they would take her back again. That happened three times. They have card games, art projects, hymns, and broadcasts. My mom thought the food was good, too. It’s just not as updated and quite as clean as the other facility they have in another area.
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8290 W C AVE, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
This nursing home is good, but could do better. A majority of the staff is polite, though some act careless (for example,walking past a resident that needed help). The general smell of the nursing h
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This nursing home is good, but could do better. A majority of the staff is polite, though some act careless (for example,walking past a resident that needed help). The general smell of the nursing home is not pleasant. The rooms for the residents, however, are quite nice. They have comfortable beds, bathrooms with all the necessary handicap accessories, and even a cable TV. Blind residents even get books on tape to listen to. The nursing home has a library in which many residents read often. So, all in all, this nursing home is pretty good.
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This nursing home is good, but could do better. A majority of the staff is polite, though some act careless (for example,walking past a resident that needed help). The general smell of the nursing h
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This nursing home is good, but could do better. A majority of the staff is polite, though some act careless (for example,walking past a resident that needed help). The general smell of the nursing home is not pleasant. The rooms for the residents, however, are quite nice. They have comfortable beds, bathrooms with all the necessary handicap accessories, and even a cable TV. Blind residents even get books on tape to listen to. The nursing home has a library in which many residents read often. So, all in all, this nursing home is pretty good.
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1701 S 11TH ST, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009
My grandma is at MediLodge of Kalamazoo for rehab. There’s not much to look at. It kind of looks like a normal facility, but the staff is really nice. They actually seemed like they care. I was never
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My grandma is at MediLodge of Kalamazoo for rehab. There’s not much to look at. It kind of looks like a normal facility, but the staff is really nice. They actually seemed like they care. I was never able to go in because of COVID, but we have visited her through the window. Her room looks like a hospital room, but it was clean.
They have a common room where they can watch TV. They have arts and crafts too. The staff really don’t interact with us when we go and visit her, but they email and call us if they need to. Whenever we want to know something, they’re always available to talk to us. All nursing homes are way too expensive, but they are on the cheaper end.
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My grandma is at MediLodge of Kalamazoo for rehab. There’s not much to look at. It kind of looks like a normal facility, but the staff is really nice. They actually seemed like they care. I was never
… (read more)
My grandma is at MediLodge of Kalamazoo for rehab. There’s not much to look at. It kind of looks like a normal facility, but the staff is really nice. They actually seemed like they care. I was never able to go in because of COVID, but we have visited her through the window. Her room looks like a hospital room, but it was clean.
They have a common room where they can watch TV. They have arts and crafts too. The staff really don’t interact with us when we go and visit her, but they email and call us if they need to. Whenever we want to know something, they’re always available to talk to us. All nursing homes are way too expensive, but they are on the cheaper end.
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2400 PORTAGE ST, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
3057 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048
7855 CURRIER DR, Portage, MI, 49002
Nursing Home Costs in Kalamazoo, MI
Semiprivate rooms in Kalamazoo cost seniors an average of $10,195 a month. Private rooms cost more, at $10,965.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
Nursing home care is more expensive in Kalamazoo than in many other places in both Michigan and the United States generally. Semiprivate rooms in the city area average $10,195 a month for care, while in the rest of Michigan the average is $8,973. The national average cost is $7,756. Even the lowest costs in Michigan are above national averages, such as Battle Creek, where a semiprivate room averages $7,908 a month. Lansing and Detroit are in the upper $8,000s, while Flint and Ann Arbor are in the mid-$9,000s.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Nursing home care is not always the most appropriate option for aging citizens. Seniors who need less assistance than a nursing home provides may get by at lower costs with a different level of care. Assisted living offers less close supervision, but in Kalamazoo, it averages just $3,950 a month. Likewise, home care and home health care cost an average of $4,481 and $4,576 a month, respectively. Against this, semiprivate rooms in Kalamazoo’s nursing homes cost an average of $10,195 a month, while more private rooms cost $10,965.
Nursing home (semiprivate room)
Nursing home (private room)
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Kalamazoo, MI
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.
- Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
- Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
Free Resources for Seniors in Kalamazoo, MI
The resources below help thousands of Kalamazoo-area seniors live as independently as possible, either in their own homes or in residential care communities. Some of the services they offer can help seniors remain safely in their homes, while others are for seniors making the transition into nursing home care.
Senior Services of Southwest Michigan is a regional senior support office that offers multiple services for area seniors. Services provided at no cost include telephone reassurance, nursing facility transition support, assisted living waiver applications and referrals, medical alert systems for the home and a pet food bank. Case manager support is also available through the office, which can help seniors find and apply for all of the benefits they are eligible for.
The Kalamazoo Agency on Aging Area IIIa serves local seniors with a diverse array of free services. Benefits offered include benefits and bereavement counseling, home-delivered meals, some local transportation services and referrals to government and nonprofit agencies seniors are eligible to apply for benefits from.
Kalamazoo Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to seniors in their homes once a week. Deliveries are available on shorter notice for emergencies, and pet meals are also provided. The Kalamazoo County Meals on Wheels program also offers free instruction on nutrition and fitness for seniors aged 60 and over. Home repair and disability-related home improvement services are also available through the program.
Lakeshore Legal Aid offers telephone and in-person consultations for seniors with licensed attorneys and other legal professionals free from cost. Through the society, seniors can get advice and assistance with legal forms, estate planning, care issues and common legal matters relating to medical and residential concerns.
The Shepherd's Center uses local volunteers to help Kalamazoo seniors with personal and medically necessary transportation at no cost. The center also offers free handyman services that include home mobility upgrades and limited repair services for seniors' homes.
