Magnolia by the Lakes

Magnolia by the Lakes sits on the shore of Cass Lake in Keego Harbor, Michigan, where the water shapes much of daily life for the independent living and assisted living residents who call it home. The building is a full-size community, and its grounds and indoor spaces are arranged so that the lake stays in view from many of the places where residents gather, including at sunrise and sunset. Inside, an indoor village square modeled on a European village serves as the central meeting spot, giving neighbors a comfortable place to cross paths, talk and head off to the day's activities.

A climate-controlled walkway overlooks Cass Lake, so residents can enjoy the view and get steady exercise in every season, including the colder months when Michigan weather keeps people indoors and the paths outside are less inviting. The walkway looks out over the water, so the view changes with the light and the season as residents pass along it. Independent living apartments come in a range of floor plans, from standard layouts to deluxe and larger executive versions, which lets residents choose the amount of space that suits how they like to live and how much they want to bring with them.

Guest suites on site give visiting family and friends a place to stay close by, which makes longer visits easier for grandchildren and out-of-town relatives who want to spend real time together. Because the suites are in the same building, guests can join a meal in the dining room or take a turn along the lakeview walkway during their stay. Assisted living at Magnolia by the Lakes supports residents who want help with everyday routines while remaining part of the same community as their independent neighbors.

Because both levels share the building, a couple or a pair of friends can often stay in the same community even when their needs differ, and residents can keep the friendships and habits they have built along the way without having to start over somewhere new. A concierge service can also help residents and families with the small requests that come up as routines change. Meals are served in an on-site dining room, with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Breakfast is continental and lunch includes soup and sandwiches, while the dining room doubles as a social space where residents sit together at the end of the morning and catch up on the news of the day over a shared table. Shared meals give the day a steady shape and a reason to leave the apartment and see familiar faces. Amenities reach beyond the dining room, with a jetted pool, a fitness center and a private mini golf course that give residents several ways to stay active at their own pace and on their own schedule.

A concierge service helps with day-to-day requests, and a monthly activities calendar keeps social events, outings and gatherings easy to follow for residents and their families who like to plan ahead. Residents who prefer quieter days can use the jetted pool or the walkway on their own, while others gather for organized events in the village square. In the warmer months the lake takes center stage, and seasonal weekly cruises on Cass Lake are part of the schedule for residents who enjoy time on the water.

Pets are welcome, so a resident who has shared a home with a dog or cat for years can often bring that companion along, which can make the move feel much more like home and keeps familiar daily routines in place. Size and number guidelines for pets come from the community directly, along with how pet care fits into daily routines. Keego Harbor is a small lakeside city in Oakland County, close to West Bloomfield, Waterford and Orchard Lake.

That location keeps medical offices, grocery stores and restaurants within a short drive while the community itself keeps the quiet, lakefront feel that appeals to many residents and their families when they come to visit.