Memory Lane Assisted Living (Merritt House) used to be a small group home for up to six residents, serving older adults and people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. This facility operated in Michigan and had a for-profit status, with homes in both Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. Its staff helped with personal care, like bathing, dressing, eating, and medication management, and they stayed available around the clock. Residents lived in private suites or shared rooms that came fully furnished, with kitchens or kitchenettes, private bathrooms, air-conditioning, cable TV, internet, telephone, laundry, and emergency alert systems. The staff at Merritt House had special dementia training and tried to tailor care plans to each person's needs, diagnosis, and preferences, working to keep everyone feeling as independent and comfortable as possible.
The home always felt calm and home-like, with landscaped gardens and secure courtyards so residents could safely relax outside, and there were walking paths too. Nutritious meals met different dietary needs-sometimes for allergies, diabetes, or just what each person liked-and everyone ate together in the dining room. Housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, and transportation services helped residents focus on daily life instead of chores, and move-in support was there for families at the start. The property had game rooms, lounges, a fitness center, salon and barbershop, movie night spaces, guest parking, and common areas that always stayed monitored for safety. Residents could join arts and crafts, group games, music, reminiscence therapy, and other programs meant to keep the mind and body active, and the staff welcomed community volunteers and nursing students to bring in fresh experiences.
The staff was known for being caring and dedicated, keeping a good staff-to-resident ratio so everyone got careful, gentle help. Merritt House also offered memory care and assisted living services, coordinating with healthcare providers when needed. Services included non-ambulatory care for people with physical challenges, and short-term respite if families needed temporary support. The focus remained on joy and connection each day, and the facility even received local awards recognizing its commitment to care. Memory Lane Assisted Living (Merritt House) closed on November 1, 2023, after being licensed since early 2022.
