Friendship Village to spend $15 million in renovations

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, October 10, 2013

As the needs of elders change, the communities that serve them also must change. Over the next two years change is coming to Friendship Village.

Construction of two new buildings and renovations to others are part of $15 million in work that is the first phase of carrying out a master plan to revamp the homes dedicated to senior living through all its phases--independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, memory care and skilled nursing.

Construction is being handled by Miller Davis and the architects Eckert Wordell helped plan the construction and renovations.

Work already is under way on a new ring road that will provide improved access to those attending Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Civic and other events at the Kiva Auditorium. Friendship Village also serves as a voting precinct and access will be improved for voters as well.

Beginning in January 2014 work begins to convert apartments now used for those living independently to assisted living spaces. More seniors are staying in their homes longer, reducing the need for independent living accommodations. The first floor of Building 1 and Building 2 will become 20 assisted living apartments, creating 83 total. Friendship Village also will have 187 apartments for independent living.

Construction of a new Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Center that will be about 16,000 square feet is slated to begin in March 2014. The new center will have 16 private rooms. There also will be an renovation of the existing Health Center to create six rooms dedicated for memory care residents.

At about the same time, a new 4,000-square-foot Wellness and Activity Center complete with exercise equipment such as weights will be built to help seniors stay fit.

Further work is planned on interior hallways. And the front entrance will be remodeled to include a screened in porch, reception area, meeting room and other amenities. "We're really excited about having a whole new look in the front," says Christa Quandt, of Friendship Village.

Though people are staying in their homes longer at some point, typically when they can no longer drive, seniors will become isolated, Quandt says.

"What keeps people healthy longer is socialization," Quandt says. "Socialization is what Friendship Village provides. Residents have all these activities at their fingertips. They have the socialization that keeps them healthy."

Friendship Village is a top-rated residential community where those who move in when they are independent can save 50 percent off the cost if they remain residents through the time they need skilled nursing care.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Christa Quandt, Friendship Village