Volante of Chesterfield (Formerly The Bay at Chesterfield): A Comprehensive Review

• Executive Summary

• Facility overview and care services
  • Care options
  • On-site medical support
• Amenities and living environment
  • Living accommodations
  • Common areas and recreational spaces
  • Dining experience
• Daily activities and programming
• Resident and family experiences
  • Positive testimonials
  • Areas for consideration
  • Detailed ratings breakdown
• Pricing and financial considerations
  • Cost structure at Volante of Chesterfield
  • Regional price comparison
  • Value considerations
• Management and staff quality
• Unique features and differentiators
• Recommendations for prospective residents and families
  • Schedule a comprehensive tour
  • Conduct a detailed cost comparison
  • Assess care needs alignment
  • Prepare key questions about memory care
• Conclusion

Executive summary

Volante of Chesterfield (formerly The Bay) is located at 29891 23 Mile Rd in New Baltimore, Michigan. The community offers assisted living and memory care in a residential setting, with residents and families giving it an average rating of 8.9 out of 10. Pricing is competitive at $3,895 for assisted living studios and $5,150 for memory care, and staff are consistently praised in reviews.

Facility overview and care services

Care options

Volante offers two levels of care:

Care type

Key features

Assisted living

24/7 staff, medication management, personal care, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, three chef-prepared meals daily

Memory care

Specialized dementia care, secure environment, trained staff, structured routines, activities designed for cognitive engagement

Each resident has a personalized care plan that is updated as needs change. This allows residents to stay in place as their care requirements shift, rather than moving to a different facility.

On-site medical support

The facility provides:

• Physical and occupational therapy
• Medication management
• Daily living assistance
• 24/7 care staff
• Regular wellness checks

Amenities and living environment

Living accommodations

Residents can choose from several apartment types:

Accommodation type

Assisted living

Memory care

Semi-private

$3,150/mo

–

Studio

$3,895/mo

$5,150/mo

One-bedroom

$4,450/mo

–

Two-bedroom

$5,475/mo

–

All apartments include kitchenettes, living space, ground-floor access, walk-in showers, and courtyard access.

• Kitchenettes
• Living space
• Ground-floor entry for accessibility
• Walk-in showers
• Courtyard access

Common areas and recreational spaces

The facility has several shared spaces:

• Movie theater
• Game room
• Library
• Sunroom
• Courtyard with patio
• Restaurant-style dining room
• Private dining room for events
• Beauty salon and barber shop

Dining experience

Meals at Volante are chef-prepared and served restaurant-style. The kitchen accommodates special diets, and residents can invite family members to join them. A private dining room is available for family gatherings.

• Chef-prepared meals
• Special dietary accommodations
• Private dining room for family events
• Family members welcome at meals

Daily activities and programming

The community offers a regular schedule of activities including movie showings, beauty services, reading time, games, social events, and outdoor time in the courtyard. One resident said: "The staff are very very great people. They always are trying to make sure you have a good time and be glad that you are here."

• Movie showings
• Beauty services
• Reading and quiet time
• Games and social gatherings
• Special events
• Outdoor time in the courtyard

The facility keeps "minds engaged and bodies active" through daily programming, though detailed activity calendars are not publicly listed.

Resident and family experiences

Volante has an 8.9 out of 10 average rating based on 16 reviews. Sixty-two percent of reviews are 5-star and 13% are 4-star, showing strong overall satisfaction.

Positive testimonials

Residents and families share these experiences:

"Having had 30 years experience working in Senior Communities, I went searching for the perfect place for my very independent 102-year-old Dad. They gave my Dad the independence he needed. I was given the gift of knowing my Dad was in the best place for him. Thank you!"

"It was an excellent experience! I wish that we had found it sooner! Staff to resident ratio in the Memory Care Unit. Proximity to family, stand-out staff and facility."

"Having experienced multiple facilities, moving to the Bay three years ago has been a wonderful experience! I am now getting the care I deserve and the staff and residents are my second family. There was a difficult transition period when the building was purchased, but over the past year there has been so many positive improvements and the team in place now is great and making a difference! I am happy in my home!"

Areas for consideration

When the facility changed ownership, some residents experienced a difficult transition period. Most note improvements have been made since. One resident mentioned wanting more transportation options but was otherwise satisfied.

Detailed ratings breakdown

Category

Average rating

Comments

Cleanliness

4.5+

Residents frequently mention the facility is clean

Friendliness

4.5+

Staff described as friendly and helpful

Care services

4.5

Strong positive feedback on quality of care

Staff

4.5

Rated highly for attentiveness and compassion

Meals and dining

4.5

Food quality praised in reviews

Activities

4.0

Positive but with few specific details

Value for cost

4.0

Considered worth the price

Pricing and financial considerations

Cost structure at Volante of Chesterfield

Monthly prices vary by room type and care level:

• Assisted living:
  • Semi-private: starting at $3,150/month
  • Studio: starting at $3,895/month
  • One-bedroom: starting at $4,450/month
  • Two-bedroom: starting at $5,475/month
• Memory care:
  • Studio: starting at $5,150/month

Regional price comparison

Facility

Starting price (studio)

Rating

Room types

Volante of Chesterfield

$3,895

8.9/10 (16 reviews)

Studio, 1BR, 2BR, semi-private

Meadows Assisted Living

$4,800

9.2/10 (23 reviews)

Studio

Commonwealth Senior Living

N/A

8.7/10 (65 reviews)

Various

Westwood Inn

$4,995

8.2/10 (15 reviews)

Studio, 1BR

The regional average for assisted living in the Chesterfield area is $4,022 per month. Volante's starting price of $3,895 is slightly below that average.

For comparison, traditional nursing home care typically costs $7,900 to $9,000 per month.

Value considerations

The facility offers several cost options including room discounts, rate locks, and fee reductions. Residents have noted satisfaction with the value, with one saying "I am happy with my home!" and another noting that issues from the ownership transition "have been resolved."

• Room discounts
• Rate lock options
• Fee discounts

Management and staff quality

Staff at Volante receive consistent praise in reviews. Residents describe them as "very very great people" who "always are trying to make sure you have a good time." The team is trained in specialized care approaches, especially for memory care, and focuses on building relationships while supporting independence.

Staff features:

• Available 24/7
• Trained in specialized care approaches, particularly dementia care
• Focus on building relationships with residents
• Support independence while providing necessary help

One resident shared: "The staff and residents are my second family… the team in place now is great and making a difference!"

Unique features and differentiators

Several things distinguish Volante from other facilities in the region:

1. Personalized care approach: Care plans are developed individually for each resident and updated as needs change.
2. Home-like environment: The single-story layout with ground-floor units and courtyard feels residential rather than institutional.
3. Focus on quality of life: Social activities, outdoor space, and a pet-friendly environment are built into the community.
4. Staff-resident relationships: Multiple reviews mention genuine connections between staff and residents.

Recommendations for prospective residents and families

These steps can help you evaluate whether Volante is right for you or your loved one:

Schedule a comprehensive tour

Use this checklist during your visit:

Area to evaluate

Questions to ask

Notes

Care services

What is the staff-to-resident ratio? How often are care plans reviewed? What training do memory care staff receive? How are medications managed?

Living spaces

Can residents bring furniture from home? How often is housekeeping provided? Are all apartments ground-level? What safety features are in each unit?

Dining experience

Can you sample a meal? How are special diets handled? What are meal times and is there flexibility? Can family join for meals? What does that cost?

Activities

Request current and past activity calendars. How are activities tailored to different ability levels? Is there transportation for outside activities? What are popular resident favorites?

Staff interaction

Observe how staff interact with current residents. Ask about staff turnover. How do they communicate with families? Can you meet key department heads?

Conduct a detailed cost comparison

Create a side-by-side cost sheet comparing Volante to at least two other facilities. Make sure you include all fees—room, care level, medication management, personal assistance, services, and administrative fees—for a true total monthly cost.

Expense category

Volante of Chesterfield

Competitor 1

Competitor 2

Notes

Base room cost

$_______

$_______

$_______

Compare similar room types

Level of care fee

$_______

$_______

$_______

Ask about assessment and fee tiers

Medication management

$_______

$_______

$_______

Some facilities charge for this separately

Personal care assistance

$_______

$_______

$_______

Varies based on amount of help needed

Additional services

$_______

$_______

$_______

Salon, transportation, special activities

Community or administrative fee

$_______

$_______

$_______

One-time or annual fees

Total monthly cost

$_______

$_______

$_______

Add all applicable fees

Assess care needs alignment

Use this chart to see whether Volante can meet your loved one's current and future care needs:

Care need

Current requirement

Available at Volante?

Notes

Medication management

□ Independent □ Reminders only □ Full assistance

Yes – all levels

Staff provides medication management

Mobility support

□ Fully mobile □ Uses walker/cane □ Wheelchair □ Transfer assistance

Yes – ground-floor units with accessibility

Ground-floor entry and walk-in showers

Personal care

□ Independent □ Minimal assistance □ Moderate assistance □ Extensive assistance

Yes – customizable care plans

Personalized care plans based on needs

Memory support

□ No concerns □ Mild forgetfulness □ Moderate impairment □ Advanced needs

Yes – dedicated memory care program

Specialized memory care with trained staff

Social engagement

□ Highly social □ Moderately social □ Prefers solitude

Yes – various activity levels

Multiple common areas and activities

Prepare key questions about memory care

If your loved one may need memory care now or in the future, ask these questions:

1. Staff training: "What specialized training do your memory care staff receive, and how often is training updated?"
2. Environmental design: "How is the memory care environment designed to reduce confusion and help with orientation?"
3. Activity programming: "What types of cognitive activities do you offer specifically for memory care residents?"
4. Behavioral support: "How do staff handle challenging behaviors that might emerge as dementia progresses?"
5. Family involvement: "How do you involve families in care planning for memory care residents, and what communication systems are in place?"

Conclusion

Volante of Chesterfield (formerly The Bay at Chesterfield) offers assisted living and memory care in a residential setting. With starting prices of $3,895 for assisted living and $5,150 for memory care, it is competitively priced for the region and has strong resident satisfaction ratings.

The community's main strengths are its personalized care plans, quality meals, variety of amenities, and staff who consistently earn praise from residents. With an 8.9 out of 10 average rating from 16 reviews, the facility shows strong resident and family satisfaction.

Using the practical steps and tools provided above, you can evaluate whether Volante meets your specific needs. A thorough assessment will help you make a confident decision about whether it is the right choice for you or your loved one.