Waltonwood University

Waltonwood University is a senior living community at 3250 Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills, Michigan, where independent living and assisted living share one building and one dining program. Residents choose among private rooms, studios and one-bedroom apartments, so the setting can fit someone who wants full independence as well as someone who needs daily support with a steady, familiar routine close by.

Rooms are furnished and include a kitchenette, a private bathroom, climate control, a telephone, internet access and cable television, which lets a new resident settle in with favorite photographs and keepsakes. Housekeeping and laundry services are part of daily life, and a concierge, parking, transportation and an emergency alert system add everyday convenience and a sense of security for residents and the families who visit them.

Because the building is wheelchair accessible and the apartments are ready to move into, residents can bring a few treasured pieces and begin enjoying the community right away. Meals are served in a restaurant-style dining room, and the community also has a cafe and bistro and a grill for lighter bites and casual get-togethers over coffee or an afternoon snack. A professional chef leads the kitchen, and menus can accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian, low-sodium, diabetic and kosher diets as well as pureed meals, along with international dishes that add variety to the weekly rotation.

The dining room serves as a natural gathering point through the day, since all-day dining gives residents the freedom to eat when it suits their own schedule. The activity calendar fills the week with yoga, chair yoga, tai chi, stretching classes and a walking club, along with trivia, card and pinochle clubs, a book club and cooking classes. Evenings bring movie nights, live music, dances, wine tastings and happy hours, while a garden club, a choir, a resident band, an arts room and a quilting or sewing group give creative residents a place to spend an afternoon among friends, and many activities are led by residents themselves.

Shared spaces include a fitness room, a spa and wellness room, a library, a movie room, a business room, a game room and an activity room, so there is always a choice between a lively gathering and a quiet corner. Outside, a garden with walking paths and outdoor seating invites residents out in warm weather, and the landscaped grounds include a gazebo and a pedestrian bridge over a water feature that makes a pleasant stop on an afternoon stroll.

Day trips take residents out into the surrounding area, and faith-based gatherings such as Catholic and Christian services and Bible study help residents stay connected to their beliefs and to neighbors who share them. Volunteer programs and family support services help loved ones feel included in each stage of a move, and families are welcome to join in many of the parties and holiday celebrations.

A courtesy transportation service also helps residents reach nearby destinations without needing to drive. For residents who receive assisted living support, caregivers provide round-the-clock supervision and help with bathing, dressing, transfers and medication management, and a call system lets residents reach a caregiver at any hour of the day or night. Staff coordinate with visiting health professionals and outside providers, which helps keep routine appointments and everyday health needs organized without requiring residents to leave the community.

The community sits in a residential part of Rochester Hills, Michigan, with Henry Ford Rochester Hospital about 3 miles away, so family members can visit easily and appointments stay close to home. Local restaurants, parks, churches and shops in the Rochester Hills area give residents and visiting families plenty of places to go after a meal. Residents who enjoy the outdoors can walk the grounds, while those who prefer a movie or a concert can find both within the community itself.

Visiting families find the building easy to reach and simple to navigate, with parking close to the entrance and common rooms where a grandchild can play a board game or a couple can share a quiet afternoon over coffee.