Chelsea Retirement Community, located in Chelsea, Michigan, is part of the UMRC & Porter Hills senior living organization. This facility provides a continuum of care through its Life Plan model, accommodating independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services. Certified by Medicare and Medicaid since 1967, Chelsea Retirement Community serves 77 current occupants and is a Medicare participant offering ongoing facility upgrades, including recent renovations to its Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. The transition between care levels is supported to meet residents' evolving needs.
The community provides a range of medical and support services. Nursing home care is the primary service, supported by assisted living, independent living, and a dedicated memory care unit. On-site medical support includes nurses, physical therapy, diabetes care, therapy room facilities, medication management, optometry, dental, podiatry, ambulatory care, and RX (pharmacy) services. Memory care is delivered in a secured environment with community spaces and amenities designed specifically to accommodate memory loss. Specialized incontinence care and assistance with activities of daily living—such as full assistance with bathing, eating, dressing, and toileting—are available. The memory care section is structured as a memory care-only community with secured entries and programming oriented towards issues of cognitive impairment and dementia. Indoor and outdoor walking paths are accessible for mobility and recreational needs, with additional services such as fitness programs, a fitness center, and outpatient therapy provided. The facility also offers respite care and supports psychiatric issues.
Residents have access to a barber and beauty salon, laundry and dry cleaning services, clubs and social communities, a therapy room, and are provided opportunities for resident and family counseling. The care community maintains relationships with outside medical providers, including Saint Louis University Hospital, to ensure comprehensive support when outside medical interventions are needed.
Transportation services include complimentary transportation, transportation at cost, and scheduled transportation options. These transportation services assist residents with medical appointments and other community outings, supporting both medical and non-medical needs as required.
Reviews from residents and their families describe varied experiences at Chelsea Retirement Community. Many compliment the friendly and caring staff, plentiful amenities, and variety of campus activities, noting effective cleanliness standards and attentiveness from some nurses and therapists. The grounds are described as attractive, with management often seen prioritizing resident satisfaction and providing confidence in rehabilitation and long-term care services. However, consistent criticism is reported within the memory care unit, focusing on allegations of understaffing, insufficiently trained aides, inconsistent clinical oversight, lapses in care after injuries, and lack of personalized activities and enrichment. Some reviews highlight concerns about management and unaddressed family complaints, especially regarding care plans for dining and nutrition. Prospective residents and families are encouraged to carefully review the community, especially the operations and staffing within the memory care unit, to ensure expectations are aligned with observed standards of care and safety.
Costs at this community start at $1,400 and range up to $7,665. The average price in the community is $4,532, which is less than the average price in the area of $4,913. The cost of nursing homes in this area is essentially the same as the cost throughout the state. If the resident needs other services, additional services may increase the monthly cost.
