Angels on Wheels in Keego Harbor, MI

Pros

• Magnolia by the Lakes is an excellent senior citizen facility.
• Abigail is an outstanding employee.
• Abigail is dependable and outstanding in all areas.
• Abigail is respectful, polite, and thoughtful, and an asset to Magnolia by the Lakes.
• Shelley Ann is very kind, nice, and helpful.
• Wow, what a charming place; everyone at Magnolia was super friendly and helpful.
• The entire staff at Magnolia by the Lakes is absolutely wonderful.
• The staff and residents are kind, considerate, helpful, and compassionate.
• Magnolia is a wonderful, friendly facility that offers unmatched care for seniors.
• Exceptional place and staff.
• Magnolia by the Lakes is beautiful and provides a warm, caring environment.
• Custom Hospice came in and they were fabulous too.
• Dr. Bagne has set the bar high in all aspects of her staff.

Cons

• A staff member is described as a horrible lady to work for.
• Shelley Ann is described as very rude after handling the payment, failing to acknowledge the reviewers.
• The hard sell on the first visit is criticized for turning the reviewers off.
• The owner, president, and doctor are described as defensive when contract questions were raised.
• There is a claim that the five-star reviews are written by employees, casting doubt on their honesty.
• Dr. Bagne is said to not know the facility well.
• The reviewer warns that Magnolia may be beautiful, but not a good fit for their family member.

Review

Magnolia by the Lakes in Keego Harbor is best suited for active seniors who want a lakeside setting with a strong social fabric and staff who feel personally invested in residents' happiness. For couples or individuals who value an engaging calendar of activities, good dining, and a residential feel more than a clinical routine, this community often delivers a sense of belonging that many facilities strive for but few match. The memory-care capable footprint and the evident commitment of caregivers make it a credible option for families navigating dementia-related needs, provided the fit rests on daily interaction with a team that makes residents feel seen and safe. The combination of beautiful surroundings, comfortable apartments, and a cheerful atmosphere creates a distinctly home-like rhythm that resonates with families seeking a warm, low-stress transition into assisted living.

Those who may want to consider alternatives tend to be guided by a few recurring red flags in the reviews. Prospective residents who prize a completely low-pressure admissions process and crystal-clear, fully transparent pricing should look elsewhere or demand unusually detailed disclosures and references. A handful of comments point to an aggressive sales approach and to ownership-style interactions that feel defensive when questions arise about contracts. For families prioritizing strict governance, formalized policies, or a more clinical, nurse-led model, Magnolia's charm and personal touch can feel less aligned with expectations. In short, if a hard-nosed emphasis on price transparency and procedurally tight management is non-negotiable, alternatives warrant serious consideration.

The core strengths - staff warmth, resident-centric care, and a genuinely welcoming culture - tend to offset the more fraught notes about sales pressure or management style. Across the board, residents and families praise the attentiveness of the caregiving team, with particular appreciation for housekeeping and dining staff who consistently improve daily life. The busyness of the activities calendar, the quality of meals, and opportunities to socialize create tangible value for those seeking meaningful engagement. The owner and senior leadership occasionally surface in ways that reassure families, reinforcing a sense that this is a community that cares deeply about residents' day-to-day well-being. These positives often eclipse the occasional friction described in isolated reviews.

Pricing and admissions demand careful scrutiny, but they are not the sole determinant of fit. Some reviews reference a strong, consultative process that reaffirms the decision to move in, while others recount moments of pressure or questions about why certain terms exist. The practical upside is clear: three meals a day, well-maintained apartments, and a lakefront setting all come together with a culture that emphasizes respect, dignity, and comfort. Prospective residents should obtain a detailed, written contract that itemizes included services, care levels, and any extras, and confirm memory-care provisions if needed. It is also wise to gather multiple references from families with long tenure to get a balanced read on how contracts translate into everyday experience.

Environment and culture are Magnolia by the Lakes' strongest differentiators. The facility exudes a resort-like elegance paired with genuine warmth - residents speak of friendly faces, a tidy, pleasant atmosphere, and programs that feel thoughtfully curated rather than formulaic. The narrative of care ranges from daily kindness to truly memorable moments in the final chapters of residents' lives, underscoring a team that treats families as partners. Feedback about management style exists, but the prevailing tone in most experiences is that the staff are"in it together" - caring for both residents and visiting family with humor, patience, and steadiness. The result is a community where people look forward to days there, which is exactly the value many seeking assisted living are hoping to find.

Bottom line: Magnolia by the Lakes offers a compelling blend of beauty, activity, and compassionate care that makes it a strong choice for seniors who crave community, meaningful engagement, and a sense of family. It is especially well-suited for those who want an emotionally rich environment where staff consistently show up with warmth and competence. At the same time, potential residents should enter with eyes wide open about the admissions conversation and leadership style; if a no-surprises, price-transparent, or more formal governance approach is essential, alternative communities may better meet those expectations. A careful tour, direct conversations with residents and staff, and a thorough review of the contract will reveal whether Magnolia by the Lakes aligns with the precise balance of independence, care, and culture that each family seeks.

Keego Harbor, Michigan, offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living with a variety of amenities nearby. There are several pharmacies within a short distance for easy access to medications and health supplies. The area also features numerous parks where seniors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities. Additionally, there are reputable physicians and hospitals within a few miles for any medical needs. For leisure activities, Keego Harbor has cafes, restaurants, and a theater for entertainment options. Overall, Keego Harbor provides a diverse range of services and facilities that cater to the needs of senior residents in a peaceful suburban setting.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Dodge #4 State Park (1.1 miles)
• Karner Farm (5.8 miles)
• Pontiac Lake Mountain Bike Trail (6.3 miles)
• Riverside Park (6.4 miles)
• River Woods Park (6.8 miles)
• Avondale Park (8.1 miles)
• Shain Park (8.3 miles)

Physicians

• Oral & Facial Surgeons of Michigan PC (3 miles)
• Coleman, Stephanie Mclaren Oakland Waterford Medical Associates (3.8 miles)
• Beaumont Medical Center - West Bloomfield (5.5 miles)
• Lakes Urgent Care (6.1 miles)
• Millenium Diagnostic Center (6.5 miles)
• Associated Dermatologists of Commerce (6.6 miles)
• Michigan Institute For Neurological Disorders (7.5 miles)

Hospitals

• McLaren Oakland (3.3 miles)
• Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital (6.2 miles)
• Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital (7.9 miles)
• Poh Clarkston Primary Care (8.1 miles)

Cafes

• Avon Donuts (3.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.7 miles)
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan (6.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Kerby's Koney Island (4.1 miles)
• Bob E's Super Chief (4.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (5.2 miles)
• Culver's (5.2 miles)
• McDonald's (5.4 miles)
• CJ's Brewing Company (5.5 miles)
• Leo's Coney Island (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Hugo of the Hills Church (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• MJR Waterford Digital Cinema 16 (5.4 miles)