Lake Michigan Senior Living

Lake Michigan Senior Living Beautiful views, activities, and exceptional care from 24/7 staff await you at Lake Michigan Senior Peace awaits at the Lake Michigan Senior Living facility.

Our homes are built directly over the shore, allowing each resident to reflect on the beauty of the shimmering water. Residents share homes and enjoy the company of their peers while still maintaining their privacy with their own personal space in the 6-bedroom homes. With a range of activities, residents can stay active and social. Our 24/7 staff of trained-care professionals pride themselves on the exceptional care they provide the residents of Lake Michigan Senior Living. Enjoy the peace of mind that accompanies our safe and supportive community by starting with a tour of the place where everyday is a vacation.

02/10/2026

🌊 "You Look Straight Ahead... and See Beautiful Lake Michigan" 🌊

Melanie Weaver-Barnett describes what it's like walking into her mother's home at Lake Michigan Senior Living - and why mealtime has become her favorite time to visit.

THE SETTING:
"You walk into one of 4 homes, and when you walk in:
Lovely kitchen to your right
Lovely dining room with a big dining table to your left
You look straight ahead into a living room
And you can see out to the beautiful Lake Michigan."

THE SURPRISE:
"I admit I didn't know what that would actually be like.
But now that my mom's been here for a few months and we come at all different times, one of our favorite times to come is during the meal or just when they're finishing up.
Everybody's still sitting around the table. We'll sit at the table with everybody and just have this great conversation - there's banter back and forth and joking.
We've gotten to know all of the other residents in this home and some of their families as well.
There's just this very - I don't know how else to describe it - but to say family-like and supportive and friendly atmosphere that means a lot."

WHAT MAKES LMSL DIFFERENT:
💙 Homes, not facilities - 4 separate houses
🍽️ Family-style dining - Big table, everyone together
🌊 Lake Michigan views - Nature's therapy
👥 Real relationships - Residents AND families connect
💬 Banter and joking - Not institutional silence
🏡 Family-like atmosphere - Melanie's exact words

📺 Watch Melanie's Full Story:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0L9u_irqsI&t=55s
See the lakeside setting and hear why families choose LMSL.

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF:
📞 (231) 843-9963
📍 South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI
🌊 4 lakeside homes | 6 residents each
🍽️ Family-style dining | Lake Michigan views
Drop by during mealtime. See the difference.

💬 What matters most in a senior living environment?



🌊 Lake views. Family atmosphere. Real community. That's LMSL. 🌊

02/06/2026

💙 "Going Home Was Not an Option" - When Everything Changes After a Fall 💙

Melanie Weaver-Barnett, an only child from Scottville, shares the moment that changed everything for her mother.

THE BEFORE:
"My mom and I are very close. She was living in her home with my dad until he died. She did fairly well - we had caregivers coming in.
She had some episodes that we thought might mean she would have to go into assisted living, but she always rallied and was able to go back home."

THE TURNING POINT:
"In June of this year, my mom fell in her home and broke her hip. Ended up in the hospital. Had to have surgery to repair the hip.
It became clear a few weeks after the surgery, after she had rehab, that going home was not an option, at least at that time."

THE REALITY:
For so many families, it's the fall that changes everything:
Hip fracture
Hospital
Surgery
Rehab
The painful realization: home is no longer safe

As an only child, Melanie had to make this decision alone.

FROM CRISIS TO CARE:
💔 June: Mom falls and breaks hip
🏥 Surgery and rehab
❓ The question: "What now?"
💙 The answer: Lake Michigan Senior Living
"I just feel so happy and content about where my mom is."

📺 Watch Melanie's Full Story:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0L9u_irqsI&t=55s
Hear how LMSL provided the answer when going home wasn't an option.

If your loved one has recently experienced:

A fall and hip fracture
Hospitalization and surgery
The realization that home care isn't enough

We understand. We're here to help.
📞 (231) 843-9963 | Ludington, MI

💬 Has a fall changed your family's care journey?


💙 When "going home" isn't an option, Lake Michigan Senior Living is. 💙

02/01/2026

💙 "I Feel So Happy and Content About Where My Mom Is" 💙

Melanie Weaver-Barnett from Scottville, MI shares the emotional journey of transitioning her mother to Lake Michigan Senior Living.

THE STRUGGLE:
"It is painful. It's hard to imagine your parent anywhere but in that home.
My mom had lived in that home since 1967.
Thinking of her not being there was so difficult."

THE PEACE:
"I just feel so happy and content about where my mom is and the care that she's getting."

MELANIE'S STORY:
"I'm one of those people who really lucked out in the parents department. I had probably the best parents any girl could ever hope for.
And now I'm so grateful she's getting the care she deserves."

FROM PAINFUL TO PEACEFUL:
🏠 1967-2024: Mom's home in Scottville
💔 The Decision: So difficult to imagine her anywhere else
💙 The Result: Happy and content with LMSL care
When you find the RIGHT place, the peace follows.

📺 Watch Melanie's Full Story:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0L9u_irqsI&t=55s

Part of our LMSL Stories series - Real families sharing the positive impact Lake Michigan Senior Living has on their loved ones.
📞 (231) 843-9963 | Ludington, MI
🌊 4 lakeside homes | 6 residents each

💬 Have you struggled with this decision? You're not alone.



💙 From painful decision to peaceful contentment. That's the LMSL difference. 💙

02/01/2026

Stay tune for an action pack February at Lake Michigan Senior Living! In the meantime, enjoy a month in review of January 2026.

01/28/2026

🌳 "We Just Had This Vision... We Need to Share This View" 🌊

In this special 4th of July LMSL Stories feature, owners Jim and Karen Duer share the compelling origin story of Lake Michigan Senior Living - from an empty, overgrown property to a thriving ministry built on relationships.

THE VISION:
Jim: "When I first set foot out there by that big oak tree, we just had this vision - we need to settle down here. We need to share this view with others."
Karen: "You walked on this property and it was totally empty. Overgrown."

GOD'S LEADING:
Jim: "I was asking God for my next move, for the next part of ministry, whatever it was gonna be.
And I'm starting to unfold that it was actually gonna be Karen's ministry.
Because she was not part of the whole beginning of LMSL at all."

KAREN'S CALLING:
Karen: "In fact, I probably fought it most of the way.
But as Jim and I look back on my life and where God has put me, it's always been with the elderly population."
Jim: "They're just drawn to her. She has a magnetism. She knows what to say. She knows how to talk to them and love on them."
Karen: "But I didn't realize it until... 8 years into this."

FROM VISION TO REALITY:
🌳 Empty, overgrown property → 4 beautiful lakeside homes
🙏 God's leading → Karen's unexpected calling
❌ "I fought it most of the way" → God's perfect plan
💙 "Share this view" → Lives transformed
📊 Success ≠ Money → Success = Relationships

📺 Watch Jim & Karen's Full Story:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-vMf6TneMU&t=1s
Hear the complete journey from empty property to thriving ministry.

THE LMSL DIFFERENCE:
This isn't a business. It's a ministry.
Founded not on profit, but on:

God's leading
A beautiful view to share
Karen's gift with seniors
One step at a time, obedience
Relationships that matter

💬 What relationships in YOUR life can you not imagine never having?



🌊 From an overgrown property to a thriving ministry - all because they said "yes" to sharing the view. 🌊

01/26/2026

💙 LMSL Stories: "They Know My Mom" - Melanie Weaver-Barnett's Testimony 💙

In this special installment of our LMSL Stories series, we hear from Melanie Weaver-Barnett, whose mother is a current resident at Lake Michigan Senior Living. Her words capture what makes LMSL different: personalized care where every staff member knows your loved one.

MELANIE'S MOST IMPORTANT CRITERION:
"The most important thing is the kind of care your mom is going to get, or your dad, or whoever your loved one is. I had a good sense with my spontaneous visits here that this was going to be a very high level of care."

WHAT MELANIE DISCOVERED:
"One thing I love is that no matter who's on duty that day, if I stop and say, 'How's my mom doing today?' - they're on top of it.
*They know:

WHAT MAKES LMSL DIFFERENT:
✅ Every staff member knows your loved one - Not just assigned caregivers
✅ Spontaneous visits welcomed - No need to schedule
✅ Consistent communication - Any staff member can update you
✅ Personalized techniques - Tailored to individual needs
✅ Holistic awareness - Physical therapy, diet, mood, activities
✅ Genuine care from everyone - "To a person, they all care."
✅ Family-like setting - Not institutional

WHY THIS MATTERS:
At larger facilities:
❌ Staff changes constantly
❌ Only assigned caregiver knows your loved one
❌ Visitors must schedule appointments
❌ Care feels institutional, not personal

At Lake Michigan Senior Living:
✅ 6 residents per home = Everyone knows everyone
✅ Staff continuity and consistency
✅ Drop by anytime - spontaneous visits encouraged
✅ Family atmosphere, not facility feeling
✅ Personalized care plans that ACTUALLY get implemented

📺 WATCH MELANIE'S FULL TESTIMONY:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0L9u_irqsI&t=55s
Hear her complete story about finding peace of mind through personalized, compassionate care.

ABOUT LMSL STORIES:
This is part of our ongoing series featuring testimonies from families whose loved ones have experienced the Lake Michigan Senior Living difference. These stories highlight the positive impact LMSL has on our communities, families, residents, and staff.

Real families. Real experiences. Real peace of mind.

SCHEDULE YOUR SPONTANEOUS VISIT:
Come see for yourself why families like Melanie's choose Lake Michigan Senior Living:
📞 Call: (231) 843-9963
📍 Location: South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI
🌊 Setting: Beautiful lakeside homes
🏡 Model: 4 intimate homes, 6 residents each
👥 Staff: Caregivers who know your loved one by name, mood, and need
No appointment necessary. Drop by anytime.



❌ Only the assigned caregiver knows your loved one's everything. 💙

01/24/2026

♥ARE YOU STILL LOOKING?♠

Look no further than LAKE MICHIGAN SENIOR LIVING! Contact us today to schedule a tour of our clean, well-staffed, and beautifully designed facilities.

01/22/2026

☕ Koffee With Karen: Alzheimer's Conversation - Final Part (4 of 4) 💙

"When people offer help, a lot of times at the beginning, they're like, 'No, no. I'm good. I got it.' It's personal because they're not lashing out at you.

In this final installment of our four-part series, Karen Duer, owner of Lake Michigan Senior Living, sits down with Barb Thommen, whose father was a former resident at LMSL, to discuss the realities of Alzheimer's disease - the progression, the emotions, and the critical importance of accepting help.

KAREN'S OPENING:
"It's not easy and it's a pretty evil disease. They are making headway in this disease, but probably not fast enough as we would like."

BARB'S EXPERIENCE: The Early Stages
"Dad started out where he was just forgetting a little bit. He was older, so you didn't really... it's almost like it sneaks up on you.
It's hard. All of a sudden, it's worse than just your memory loss."
The truth: Alzheimer's doesn't announce itself. It creeps in slowly until one day you realize it's progressed beyond normal aging.

THE ANGER & FRUSTRATION:
"At some points, they get really angry. The thing I would say is you gotta try really hard not to take it personally because they're not lashing out at you.
My own personal feeling - I have no clinical backup for this - but my thought is they know what's supposed to be going on, but they can't communicate that. I think that's where the frustration comes from. And the anger.
So for me, I just took a breath and just tried to remember it's not personal."

BARB'S REGRET:
"By 6 months later, he's really progressed. If people haven't been around him, they're not gonna know what to do when they're with them.
So to bring people in at the beginning to hang out with them and kind of go along with you is probably a big help.
That would have been a big help."

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS SERIES:
💙 Alzheimer's sneaks up on you - Early signs blend with normal aging
💙 The anger isn't personal - It's frustration from inability to communicate
💙 Accept help EARLY - Don't wait until you're desperate
💙 Bring people in at the beginning - Let them learn alongside you
💙 You won't get a break - The progression is relentless
💙 It's progressive - What works today won't work in 6 months

FOR CAREGIVERS:
If someone offers to help:
❌ Don't say: "No, I'm good. I got it."
✅ Say: "Yes, thank you. Here's what would help..."
Why? Because 6 months from now:

LAKE MICHIGAN SENIOR LIVING UNDERSTANDS:
At LMSL, we've walked this journey with countless families. We know:

📞 CONTACT LAKE MICHIGAN SENIOR LIVING:
Call us: (231) 843-9963
Location: South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI
🌊 Beautiful lakeside setting | 4 intimate homes | 6 residents per home

THANK YOU, BARB:
Thank you for sharing your father's story and the lessons you learned. Your honesty will help other families navigate this difficult journey.

💬 COMMENT: Share one thing you learned from this 4-part series
📲 TAG: Someone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's
🔔 FOLLOW: Lake Michigan Senior Living for more helpful content
📢 SHARE: With families navigating memory loss



✨ "Don't ever turn down help. You're gonna need it." - Wise words for every Alzheimer's caregiver. ✨

01/20/2026

Koffee with Karen: Alzheimer’s Conversation - Part Three ☕

In this final conversation, Karen and Barb Thommen address one of the hardest lessons for Alzheimer’s caregivers: learning to accept help when it’s offered.

Karen discusses how her ongoing education through the Alzheimer’s Association—which she proudly sponsors—has transformed her approach to dementia care at Lake Michigan Senior Living.

Why Caregivers Struggle to Accept Help:
📌 35.5% of Alzheimer’s caregivers never try to get help from others, despite extreme stress
📌 66% struggle to find resources, yet many never reach out to available services
📌 Only 51% have ever asked a healthcare professional for help navigating the system
📌 Love and duty drive caregiving—but without support, even the strongest caregivers need help.

Karen’s commitment to Alzheimer’s Association training means Lake Michigan Senior Living provides evidence-based, compassionate dementia care. This education helps us understand disease progression, respond effectively to behavioral changes, and support families with proven strategies.

The truth is simple: You don’t have to do this alone.
Accepting help doesn’t diminish your love—it amplifies your ability to provide better care.

Lake Michigan Senior Living | Along the shores of Lake Michigan, just south of Ludington
Proud sponsor of Alzheimer’s Association events

01/18/2026

Coffee with Karen: Alzheimer’s Conversation - Part Two ☕

In this powerful follow-up conversation, Karen and Barb Thommen tackle a topic that every Alzheimer’s caregiver faces but few talk about openly: the critical importance of self-care.

Barb shares the emotional toll of caring for her mother—the sleepless nights, the guilt, the isolation, and the moment she realized she couldn’t pour from an empty cup.

The Research Speaks Clearly:
The latest studies reveal an urgent truth about Alzheimer’s caregiving—caring for others means nothing if we’re not caring for ourselves:

⚠️ 70% of Alzheimer’s caregivers report experiencing high to extreme levels of stress, significantly higher than caregivers of people with other conditions
⚠️ Dementia caregivers are twice as likely to be hospitalized as non-caregivers due to stress-related health complications
⚠️ A landmark study found caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s have a 63% higher mortality rate over six years compared to non-caregivers—chronic stress can literally shorten lives
⚠️ 47% of caregivers report sleeping less, while 43% feel increasingly isolated from family and friends due to caregiving demands
⚠️ 58% of participating caregivers experience extreme stress levels, with many developing their own chronic health conditions including high blood pressure, depression, and compromised immunity.

At Lake Michigan Senior Living, we understand a fundamental truth: supporting families means supporting caregivers. Whether through day respite programs, temporary stays, professional guidance, or simply being a listening ear, we’re committed to walking alongside families through every stage of the Alzheimer’s journey.

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4895 S Lakeshore Drive
Ludington, MI
49431

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