Friendship House in West Lafayette, IN

Pros

• The facility is excellent and is considered the best place to live for seniors.
• The layout is great, and the staff and residents are very friendly.
• The security measures keep residents safe, including controlled backdoor access.
• The building is clean and well maintained, with helpful and friendly staff.
• The commons area provides dedicated spaces for bingo, cards, and games to keep residents occupied and engaged.
• It offers a safe, social environment where the elderly can mingle and have fun, while residents' personal space is respected and staff check on them regularly.

Cons

• They were told they had too much money coming in to live there, and that ended their relationship.

Review

Friendship House in West Lafayette is best suited for seniors who want a secure, active, and socially rich living environment where independence is respected and daily life is supported by attentive staff. The community shines for residents who prize a clean, well-maintained setting with thoughtful safety measures and easy access to social programming. The layout and common spaces foster informal interaction, while staff presence and resident engagement create a sense of belonging that helps seniors stay connected without feeling watched. For families seeking reassurance that their loved one can maintain autonomy while living among friendly neighbors, this community delivers a compelling combination of comfort and civility.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include families operating on tighter budgets or households anticipating a greater need for formal medical oversight. A reviewer noted a financial barrier - being told there was too much income to qualify - which signals that cost structures or eligibility criteria can constrain admission. If a resident is anticipated to require more intensive nursing support, round-the-clock medical attention, or a smaller, more intimate setting where medical needs are continually monitored, different options with lower entry costs or stronger on-site medical staffing should be explored. Similarly, if a preference exists for a more quiet, private atmosphere with fewer organized social activities, other communities may better match those expectations.

The strongest pros of Friendship House align to create a dependable daily rhythm that offsets the potential downsides of cost. Security features are explicit and reassuring: controlled entry points, back doors that require keys or internal access, and systems to alert staff if a resident hasn't been heard from. The building's cleanliness and ongoing maintenance contribute to a feeling of stability that families value when entrusting care to a community. On the human side, staff are described as helpful and friendly, and residents mingle in purpose-built spaces for bingo, cards, and games. The combination of safety, cleanliness, and proactive staff interaction gives families confidence that their loved one's independence is not compromised while still receiving dependable oversight.

In practice, the safety net and social opportunities are what most effectively balance the cost considerations. The ability to check on a resident without intruding, plus the pull cords that trigger staff response, creates a practical peace of mind for relatives who cannot be onsite around the clock. The social commons areas and structured activity options help keep seniors engaged, reducing isolation and providing purposeful daily routines. These elements make the community particularly attractive to seniors who value companionship and a lively pace, as opposed to a setting that prioritizes medical intensity over social engagement.

Affordability and admission criteria will require careful vetting during tours and negotiations. Prospective residents should request a detailed breakdown of monthly costs, what is included, and what may incur additional charges. Clarify eligibility rules and any discretionary waivers, and verify whether future increases are anticipated. It is also prudent to discuss access to on-site medical services, or a clear plan should the care needs of a loved one evolve. Understanding these financial and care-planning details early helps determine if this is a sustainable choice or if a different community could deliver similar security and social benefits at a more accessible price point.

Overall, Friendship House stands out as a practical, well-regarded option for seniors who prize safety, cleanliness, and meaningful social living without relinquishing independence. It is particularly well-suited for families who want visible safety protocols, friendly staff, and a bustling, resident-driven social life. For those with tighter budgets or expectations of broader medical support, alternatives deserve consideration. When the fit is right, this community delivers a confident, comfortable, and engaging retirement experience that can feel hard to beat in the West Lafayette area.

Hospitals

• Franciscan Sisters Of Chicago Service Co. (0.3 miles)
• Pu Student HLTH CTR T6 (2.2 miles)
• Lafayette Central (3.2 miles)
• Seton Specialty Hospital (3.2 miles)
• Wabash Valley Alliance (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Purdue Gmp Center (0.4 miles)
• Pay Less Drug Stores (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Hanau Holistic Health Services (1 miles)
• Credit Rx America (1.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Walt's Pub and Grill (0.5 miles)
• Burger King (0.6 miles)
• Applebee's (0.7 miles)
• Wendy's (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• KFC (0.7 miles)
• Dog N Suds West (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Franciscan Physician Network Pediatrics West Lafayette (0.7 miles)
• Med Express Care (0.7 miles)
• Abramovitz Internal Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Internal Medicine Department (1 miles)
• Unity Healthcare (1 miles)
• Cahoon, Jeff Iu Health Arnett Physicians Radiology (1 miles)
• Meijer Optical (1.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Calvary Baptist Church (0.7 miles)
• Blessed Sacrament Church (1.1 miles)
• Kossuth Street Baptist Church (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Trailhead Park (0.7 miles)
• Celery Bog Nature Area (1 miles)
• Happy Hollow Park (2 miles)
• Horticultural Park (2.5 miles)
• Tapawingo Park (3.1 miles)
• McCaw Park Baseball Pressbox (3.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Cosi (2.4 miles)
• Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co. (2.7 miles)
• Indie Coffee Roasters (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)

Theaters

• GQT Eastside 10 IMAX (4.7 miles)