Still Waters Community Elders

Pros

• Sherri went way beyond the call of duty in caring for Mom.
• Gardenview cared for Mom when her family could not.
• The staff at Gardenview is friendly and attentive.
• Gardenview is a great community with great people.
• Gardenview's aides respond quickly, are respectful, and engage residents.
• Gardenview has a wonderful, caring team on both nursing and administrative fronts.
• Annalise Johnson goes above and beyond to help residents and families.
• Dan Karppinen is kindness itself and the staff are compassionate and caring.
• Erin and Dan have gone above and beyond, arranging FaceTime visits and care packages.
• The facility is clean, cheerful, and offers many amenities and activities.
• The food is loved by residents and the staff make the experience enjoyable.
• Trevor is awesome at finding a space and Maggie manages medications well, leading to noticeable improvements.

Cons

• They took away a star because the twisteds bit them.
• They were chased by toons in the middle of a capsule collection.

Review

Gardenview Assisted Living in Calumet, Michigan, comes through in many voices as a place where care is more than a job - it's a personal calling. Across the comments, families and residents consistently describe a warm, welcoming atmosphere where the people who work there bring genuine care to everyday moments. The sense that the staff "do with a personal passion" shines through, turning what could be a routine care setting into a supportive community that feels like home.

One memorable thread of praise centers on a caregiver named Sherri - the person friends and family members lovingly referred to as "the one with all the hair." Sherri's dedication to keeping a resident comfortable clearly left a lasting impression on a family member who spoke with heartfelt gratitude for how she went above and beyond in caring for their mom. This kind of individual attention, the reviewer noted, is emblematic of Gardenview's approach: staff who care deeply about the people they serve and who take the extra steps to ensure comfort and dignity.

Affordability is acknowledged in a pragmatic light: as long as funds were available, Gardenview was there to help when families could not be. Several reviews also point to how costs compare favorably with other settings; for instance, one family specifically mentions that Gardenview's cost is half of what their relative paid in Ann Arbor, underscoring a perception that excellent care can come with more reasonable pricing. The overarching message is that Gardenview is a reliable option when families need to balance quality care with financial realities.

Beyond the emotional warmth, reviewers repeatedly highlight the practical strengths of the staff. The team is described as "friendly and attentive," with accommodations made to improve visits and daily life. Buzzer response times are praised as quick - often within a few minutes - demonstrating that residents' needs are prioritized. The culture at Gardenview is not just about individual kindness; it's about reliable, proactive communication, where staff greet families as friends and willingly share information about operations and care plans. The overall tone suggests a respectful, collaborative environment where residents are treated with dignity and residents' families are kept in the loop.

Specific individuals recur in the praise, painting a picture of a well-supported care team. Annelise (often spelled Annalise in the notes) is highlighted as a Memory Support Specialist who brings heartfelt dedication to the residents every day. Dan Karppinen is described as kind - "kindness itself" - with colleagues like Erin and Maggie also singled out for going above and beyond in meeting needs and arranging meaningful activities or touches (such as facilitating FaceTime visits or delivering care packages). Adam and Trevor are noted for their roles in coordinating care and finding solutions that improve residents' quality of life, including medication management and arranging spaces during challenging times. The consistency of these affirmations across multiple reviews reinforces the impression of a cohesive, caring team.

The living environment itself receives strong endorsements. Reviewers describe Gardenview as clean, cheerful, and equipped with meaningful opportunities for social interaction and engagement. Residents enjoy the meals, the daily activities, and the sense of community - neighbors who look out for one another, staff who participate in activities, and a family-like atmosphere that helps residents feel at ease. The breadth of programs and amenities supports not only safety and health but also a sense of purpose and belonging, from routine days filled with conversations to organized events and outings.

Several accounts emphasize the ways Gardenview supports families during transitions. One family recounts moving a sister-in-law from a different facility to Gardenview and being impressed by how quickly aides respond to buzzers, the maturity and respect shown by younger staff, and the respectful, friendly interactions that helped everyone feel at ease. The reviewer notes not only the high standard of care but also the relief and peace of mind that comes with knowing a loved one is thriving in a setting where staff communicate openly and treat residents with kindness and consideration. Across stories, Gardenview is described as an environment where the administrative and nursing teams work together harmoniously, and where families feel their relatives are in capable, compassionate hands.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents Gardenview as a fantastic, community-centered place for assisted living. The experiences range from deeply personal connections with individual caregivers to broad endorsements of the facility's cleanliness, safety, nutrition, activities, and overall atmosphere. It's a place where the staff's commitment to residents shines day in and day out, where families feel heard and supported, and where the residents themselves can participate in meaningful activity, maintain dignity, and enjoy a sense of home. While a few quirky, unrelated notes appeared in the mix, the dominant narrative is one of admiration and gratitude for a team that treats each resident like family and makes the Gardenview community a trusted home for loved ones.

Located in Calumet, Michigan, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With cafes such as Keweenaw Coffee Works and Miners Cafe nearby, residents can enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee or a meal with friends. There are also several physicians' offices in the vicinity, including Superior Pediatrics and Aspirus Heart & Vascular Institute, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, parks like Agassiz Park and Swedetown Recreation Area provide opportunities for leisurely walks and enjoying nature. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Aspirus Keweenaw Pharmacy nearby for any medication needs. With transportation options available through U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer and Isle Royale Seaplanes, getting around the area is convenient. Overall, this part of Calumet offers a blend of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors seeking a peaceful and well-rounded community for their retirement years.

Cafes

• Keweenaw Coffee Works (0.1 miles)
• Cafe Rosetta (0.3 miles)
• Miners Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Candies Corner Cafe (5.2 miles)
• Slim's Cafe (6.2 miles)
• K.C. Bonker's (10.3 miles)
• Steep and brew (10.4 miles)

Physicians

• Superior Pediatrics (0.1 miles)
• Aspirus Heart & Vascular Institute-Upper Peninsula (0.7 miles)
• UP Health System - Portage Calumet (0.8 miles)
• Keweenaw Holistic Family Medicine (0.8 miles)
• Aspirus (0.9 miles)
• Aspirus Lake Linden Clinic (4.5 miles)
• Portage Health University Center Rehab And Sports Medicine (10.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Calumet Pizza Works (0.1 miles)
• Up Pub (0.1 miles)
• Shute's (0.1 miles)
• Luigi's (0.2 miles)
• Rocky's Bar (0.3 miles)
• Subway (0.5 miles)
• Connie's Kitchen (0.5 miles)

Parks

• Agassiz Park (0.1 miles)
• Swedetown Recreation Area (0.9 miles)
• Calumet Waterworks (3.8 miles)
• Calumet Waterworks Park (4.3 miles)
• Lake Linden Village Park (4.5 miles)
• McLain State Park (8 miles)
• Breakers (8.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Copper Country Christian Fellowship (0.2 miles)
• National Lutheran Church (0.3 miles)
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church (0.9 miles)
• Calvary Chapel Keweenaw Peninsula (0.9 miles)
• Sacred Heart Church (0.9 miles)
• Laurium Apostolic Lutheran Church (0.9 miles)
• Lake Linden Avenue Gospel Hall (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Aspirus Keweenaw Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Aspirus Keweenaw Pharmacy (4.4 miles)
• Apothecary Health Mart Pharmacy (9.8 miles)
• Apothecary Hancock (9.8 miles)
• Apothecary Houghton (10.4 miles)
• Medical Arts Pharmacy (10.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (4.4 miles)
• Priceless (9 miles)
• Isle Royale Seaplanes (9.7 miles)
• A Superior Transportation and Logistics Company LL (10.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Our Lady of Mercy Nursing Home (5.3 miles)
• Shared Diagnostics (9.7 miles)
• Portage Health (9.8 miles)

Theaters

• Rogers Cinemas - Lode Theatre (10.3 miles)