Friendship Village Kalamazoo sits in the Westwood Neighborhood and covers about 72 acres with large lawns, flowers, shaded areas, benches, and outdoor walking paths where you can enjoy the views and birds. The community first opened over 45 years ago and was known as Kalamazoo's first life-care senior living community. The whole campus offers several different types of housing for seniors, including independent living in The Village Apartments or the freestanding Garden Homes, plus assisted living, memory care for folks who need support with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, and skilled nursing for higher care needs, all on one property. There's also a planned site redevelopment project, with The Atlee coming soon, which means there'll be 76 new independent living residences and some updated amenities once construction finishes. Site plan reviews are scheduled for 3/12/25, so folks should expect some changes as the work progresses.
Residents here can cook in their own kitchens or join others for restaurant-style meals in the campus dining areas, with both indoor and outdoor tables, and there's a convenience store on site for basics. The community runs regular exercise classes in its fitness and aquatic centers, hosts social gatherings, offers arts and crafts, and encourages education for both fun and learning. For health needs, the campus provides 24-hour nursing, help with rehab and therapy like physical, speech, and occupational therapy, medication management, and wound care, with short-term rehabilitation options available too. The community has specific safety options such as handicap accessibility, sprinkler systems, and emergency services, and rooms come with cable TV, Wi-Fi, washers and dryers, and regular housekeeping.
Memory care comes in studio apartments, and assisted living has several options, from cozy studios up to two-bedroom suites. Skilled nursing units have both private and semi-private rooms. There's a clear care coordination process, with assessments and personalized plans, so people get the level of help they need, whether that's bathing, getting dressed, moving around, or more complex medical support. The campus supports pet-friendly independent living, and there's transportation for outings or appointments. There's also a caregiver community forum and resources meant to help families understand care options, plus regular education programs.
People here like the nearby parks, golf courses, places to eat, and the Kal Haven Trail for walking or biking, and Lake Michigan isn't far off, about an hour's drive. On campus, you'll find a barber and beauty shop, chapel, library, living rooms for gathering, and guest parking for visitors, with maintenance and upkeep handled by the staff. The campus was designed for building friendships and having a reliable safety net as needs change, so folks can stay put and move to more help if needed without leaving the community.
