Frequently Asked Questions

Independent Living at Porter Hills Village begins with a one-time entrance fee, and a portion of it is refundable when you move out. The amount depends on the size and location of the home you choose, with a range of options available.

Residents pay an all-inclusive monthly service fee based on the dwelling they choose.

Independent Living residences are not furnished. Our residents enjoy bringing their own items from home and designing spaces as they see fit.

Yes, approved cats and dogs are welcome at Porter Hills Village. We do have a Pet Policy and some restrictions may apply.

Yes, a dining allowance is included in the monthly service fee, which is replenished quarterly.

All utilities are included in the monthly service fee.

Yes, these costs are included in the monthly service fee.

As a Not-for-Profit organization, we have a Benevolent Fund if you were to outlive your resources, for those residents who qualify.

Assisted Living is the next step above Independent Living. This care level is designed for people who want to stay independent but could use a little extra help with daily activities. Residents maintain their own privacy in their own private apartment while enjoying meals, housekeeping, and a supportive team. It’s all about maintaining freedom with the comfort of knowing help is always close by.

The short answer is, before you need it! Making the move sooner gives you more control, more choices, and an easier transition. Allowing you to settle in, build friendships, and get comfortable with the community without the stress of a healthcare intervention or the rush of urgent decisions. It’s a proactive step that helps you stay independent longer, with support ready whenever you need it.

Absolutely! However, residency at Porter Hills Village offers a unique amenity of onsite providers that allow you to make routine appointments without ever leaving campus.

Yes, we are licensed through the State of Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Department.

It does not. Assisted Living is funded through private pay. Long-term care insurance and Veteran’s benefits may also help with the cost.

Yes, our Assisted Living floor plan options can be found HERE.

Assisted Living residences are not furnished. Our residents enjoy bringing their own items from home and designing spaces as they see fit.

Yes! As long as a resident is able to safely care for their cat or dog, we welcome furry friends in Assisted Living apartments. There is a Pet Policy and some restrictions may apply.

You’ll know Assisted Living may be the right choice when everyday tasks start to feel more overwhelming than they used to — things like cooking, keeping up with your home, or remembering medications. It’s also a good fit if you or your family would feel more at ease knowing help is available around the clock. The goal isn’t to give up independence, but to make life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. If you aren’t quite sure if Assisted Living is the right fit for you, get in touch with our team and we’ll help you decide on the best level of care for your lifestyle.

Assisted Living is designed for individuals who want to stay independent but need a little help with daily activities, while nursing homes provide more advanced, around-the-clock medical care. In Assisted Living, residents enjoy their own apartment, engage in social activities, and support as needed. Nursing homes are a more clinical setting and focused on ongoing medical supervision and rehabilitation.

Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. It provides a safe, supportive environment with trained caregivers, daily routines, and activities designed to support memory, comfort, and quality of life. The goal is to help residents feel secure while continuing to live with dignity and purpose.

It may be time to consider memory care when memory loss starts to affect safety, daily routines, or quality of life — things like: 

• getting lost
• forgetting to eat or take medications
• feeling anxious and confused more often

Families also notice when caregiving becomes overwhelming or when a loved one needs more supervision than can be safely provided at home. Memory care offers the structure, support, and specialized care that helps everyone feel more at ease.

It does not. Memory Care is funded through private pay. Long-term care insurance and Veteran’s benefits may also help with the cost.

In keeping with our continuum of care philosophy, Porter Hills Village offers distinct households for those living with Alzheimer’s and/or related dementias. This design helps each resident maintain a sense of individuality and engage in supportive routines assisted by dedicated team members. Porter Hills Village has been working with Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach® (PAC) to Care model since 2023 to promote team members’ care skills and promote engagement with residents and is recognized as one of only a handful of “Participating” PAC organizations nationwide.

Our team utilizes the Balanced Living program to offer a wide range of activities and events for small and large groups, of differing abilities and interests. These activities and events are based on meeting the individual needs and the 8 dimensions of wellness.

It is a residential healthcare setting that provides 24-hour medical and personal care for individuals who are unable to safely remain at home due to illness, injury, or disability. Services include around-the-clock care from a licensed medical team, skilled nursing support such as wound care, injections, medication management, and vital sign monitoring, as well as assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting.

Skilled Nursing Facilities are licensed and regularly inspected by state health departments. At Porter Hills Village, the on-campus Health Center provides skilled nursing care, and the Green House Homes at Cook Valley Estates offer an additional, home-like option for residents who need this level of support.

The Green House Homes (GHH), located on the Cook Valley Estates campus, are designed to feel like true private homes, each serving just 10 elders with their own bedroom and full bathroom. These spaces are not meant to be simply “home-like,” but to truly be a home, offering warmth, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

This innovative approach moves away from the traditional, institutional model and instead creates a close-knit household within the community, while still providing the full range of personal care and clinical services found in high-quality skilled nursing. Life in the Green House Homes centers on empowerment and honoring the individual needs of each elder, all while delivering fully licensed nursing care.

This model focuses on individual wishes and preferences of each resident, creating a personalized home environment, with a small household size, and deeply personal team member-resident relationships. Residents have the freedom to dictate their own daily routines, including when they wake up, eat meals, and engage in normal daily activities, such as helping to set the table or do laundry, reinforcing their independence and sense of belonging. Direct care is provided by team members called Shahbaz (plural: Shahbazim) who are responsible for assisting residents with their daily activities and needs, supporting a higher quality of life through their close personal connections.

The national median monthly cost for a skilled nursing facility is approximately $9,277 for a shared room and $10,646 for a private room, though costs vary significantly by state and even city. For example, monthly costs can range from less than $8,000 per month in some Michigan cities to over $10,000 in others.

They do! The training required depends on the type of role. Certified Nursing Assistance (CNAs) must complete an approved CNA program (classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice) and pass a certification exam (written and skills test). Other trained professionals include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs). Additional training is provided on an ongoing basis, i.e., CPR and First Aid, Dementia Care, Infection Control, Resident Rights, etc.

Medicare does not cover the cost of skilled long-term care.