Office - 231-941-1919

The most common situation is the traditional adult foster care home where a few residents (6 to 12) live together.  Generally this is run by a couple or a single owner who takes care of all the cooking and services.  Each resident has his own bedroom and shares the common areas with everyone else.  Because there are only a few people, residents can enjoy the experience of having a second family in such a place as The Toy House, north of Suttons Bay.

However, should extensive care be needed, a skilled nursing facility would be the next step.  Leelanau Memorial or Bortz Skilled Nursing facility provide intensive skilled nursing care when the resident becomes to weak to care for himself.

At the other end of the spectrum, Senior housing, such as Cedar Creek Senior Apartments or the village at Bay Ridge, offers independent living situations.  These are usually enjoyed by folks who can still do everything for themselves but are unable or don't want the problems of caring for a house.  No daily living services, medical assistance or senior activities are typically offered to those who choose this living arrangement.

Boardman Lake Glens offers a combination of a traditional adult foster care home with the independent living advantages of a senior apartment.  Each resident has his own private one or two bedroom apartment with plenty of space to store family treasures.  Laundry and housekeeping services, and social activities are available if desired.  Best of all, each of the resident homes contain only 20 apartments, making the total number of residents per building small enough to be socially manageable so everyone can enjoy a second family.
 

First of all, Shelly will tell you not to sell the family home if you don't need to.  Moving is traumatic.  Selling the family home and moving produces two separate traumas.  Both require a certain period of grieving.  Most senior housing offer one or two bedroom apartments.  There is limited space for years of family memories.  The emotions of letting go of these memories are strong and can be difficult for seniors.  "Our residents have often lived in their homes for twenty or more years."  So unless it is absolutely necessary to sell, Shelly recommends that people keep their homes so they can first deal with moving into a new environment.  Then, at a later time, they can better deal with selling their home.

The next thing you have to consider are your living expenses.  One daily expense you have when living in your own home is food.  At Boardman Lake Glens, three meals a day are included.  The grocery shopping is done and the meals are planned and prepared for you.  You even have the services of a professional chef who will prepare food for special diets if needed.

Monthly bills for any home include heating, electric, water, garbage collection, and cable TV bills.  All these charges are included in the rent at Boardman Lake Glens.  No more shoveling snow or paying someone to do it.  No more mowing the lawn either.  Your apartment will be cleaned and you laundry and linens will be washed too.  If you want to go shopping or to your doctor's appointment, our resident social director will drive you.

At last you will have enough time to attend an exercise class.  Your personal trainer not only comes to your house, but also, the exercise classes are free.  Other free perks include movies and popcorn on movie night and various entertainment, including a weekly piano social.  All you have to do is enjoy the company and the experience.

Copyright © 2002 J and D Consulting