Senior Living Blog

Senior Living in Southeast Michigan

Written by Kristin Ganton | Jan 24, 2022 4:29:10 PM

When living alone no longer works for you, it’s time to make a change. But deciding on a senior living situation can be daunting, especially if you don’t know your options. Luckily, Jackson, MI, isn’t just a great place to live and raise a family — it’s a great place to grow older, as well. 

Whether you’re looking for the best retirement communities Jackson, MI, has to offer, or you’re researching the highest-rated nursing homes near Ann Arbor, MI, rest assured Southeast Michigan has something for you. Even with more specific arrangements like semi-assisted living, Jackson, MI, has options. Keep reading to find out more. 

At John Ganton’s Countryside, residents enjoy their golden years in a spirited, single-campus community that prioritizes health, enjoyment and quality of life. Ready to join us? Give us a call at (517) 787-4150 today.

About Southeast Michigan

There’s a lot to love about Pure Michigan, especially Southeast Michigan. With snowy landscapes, proximity to the Great Lakes and a smattering of idyllic midwestern towns and large cities, it’s a wonderful place to plan your future. 

Southeast Michigan is home to the majority of the state’s industries, as well as more than half of the state’s population. The region’s largest city is Detroit, and notable smaller cities include Mount Clemens, Pontiac, Dearborn, Livonia and Troy. The larger southeast region also contains Ann Arbor, a popular tourist destination and home to the University of Michigan. 

Southeast Michiganders participate in plenty of outdoor activities and enjoy easy access to the shores of Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. However, unlike the often sparsely populated regions of the Upper Peninsula, residents of Southeast Michigan are never far from the amenities of a  Metropolitan area. 

Your Senior Living Options in the Southeast Michigan Area

Older residents in Southeast Michigan have lots of living options that make transitioning to senior life easier. If you’re researching retirement communities in this region, there’s a lot you need to know. The ideal living situation for you will depend on several factors, including your health needs and desired lifestyle. 

Retirement Communities

Retirement communities are housing complexes designed for seniors who have limited personal care needs but could benefit from a built-in social network. If you’re able to care for yourself most of the time and would enjoy being around more people your age, this is a great option. Many of these communities have clubhouses, scheduled activities and social events. 

Some retirement communities have options for medication services, transportation arrangements and limited assistance with daily care activities. They may also include housekeeping and linen services. Additionally, these communities generally provide all home and yard maintenance to their residents to ensure a safe, relaxing living style. 

Assisted Living

Seniors who require a moderate to high level of assistance with daily care may benefit from an assisted living arrangement. Assisted living communities offer a somewhat autonomous lifestyle to their residents in the form of private apartments or hotel-style suites. Many have public dining rooms in which seniors can meet for all their meals.

In contrast to retirement communities, assisted living communities have 24-hour staff to help with whatever daily living activities residents are unable to perform alone. Residents can request help with the following activities:

  • Bathing and grooming
  • Personal care
  • Dressing
  • Medication assistance
  • Mobility, walking
  • Incontinence

For older people who feel isolated living at home or struggle to secure support from friends and family, assisted living can take away the stress. Researching assisted living for a parent? Learn when it’s time to consider assisted living

Semi-Assisted Living

Within assisted living arrangements, there are various levels of care. While traditional assisted living is ideal for seniors who require a moderate to high level of help with daily activities, a semi-assisted residence is better for individuals who only need a low to moderate level of help. 

For seniors who occasionally need a hand with grooming or getting in and out of the bathtub, semi-assisted living is a good fit. It allows residents to live in their own apartments while still having access to optional care. They can simply enjoy life without worrying about the hassles of cooking, arranging transportation and housekeeping. 

Nursing Homes

As we grow older, we all have distinct needs. Some seniors experience health or memory issues that require around-the-clock care. In those situations, nursing care is the most practical, safest option. In additional to a 24-hour highly trained staff, some nursing care residences include the following: 

  • On-site physical, speech and occupational therapists 
  • Registered dieticians to evaluate nutritional needs
  • Innovative activities and programs
  • Resident pets for comfort and companionship

Transitioning to comprehensive care isn’t always easy, which is something that the compassionate staff at these residences understand. However, when you can no longer care for yourself or your parents safely, it’s important to ask for help. The best nursing care homes will create a vibrant environment wherein safety, comfort and quality of life are highly valued. 

Independent Living

Independent living is just what it sounds like — a living arrangement that supports highly independent seniors. Essentially, independent living communities are retirement communities in which fully autonomous residents have their own homes (generally single-family homes or townhomes) and no assistance with daily activities. 

The only way in which this living style differs from living alone is that residents don’t have to worry about home maintenance, are surrounded by peers and live in a safe, secure environment. There are few scheduled activities, but lots of opportunities to socialize. These communities typically include dine-in venues, clubhouses and similar amenities. 

How to Choose the Right Senior Living Community

When it comes to choosing the right senior living arrangement for you, there are several things to consider. Here’s what you can expect from the following arrangements: 

  • Retirement communities, Jackson, MI: home and yard maintenance, optional medication services, scheduled social activities, transportation arrangements and limited assistance with daily living activities. 
  • Semi-assisted living, Jackson, MI: 24-hour staff, assistance with daily care activities, individual apartments or hotel-style suites, housekeeping, linen services, dining halls and scheduled social events. 
  • Nursing homes near Ann Arbor, MI:  around-the-clock care, trained medical staff, a range of on-site therapies, individualized meals, assistance with all daily care and living activities and scheduled group activities. 

Not sure which type of senior living is best for you? In that case, it’s important to pick a community that allows you to change your living style depending on your evolving needs. 

Southeast Michigan: Where Seniors Can Live Well

No matter what type of senior living arrangement you choose, there’s one community that stands head-and-shoulders above the rest: John Ganton’s Countryside. What makes this planned retirement community so special is its unique design. A large, multi-use campus allows seniors to seamlessly transition from one living style to another according to their changing health needs. This allows seniors at Ganton’s the benefit of aging in place. 

Senior care is about more than safety; it’s about quality of life. That’s something that the professionals at Ganton’s understand. Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted living, nursing care or retirement communities, Jackson, MI, can be your forever town when you choose to live at Ganton’s. Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us online or give us a call at (517) 787-4150.