Besser Senior Living Community
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Alpena, MI
Besser Senior Living Community
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Alpena, MI
Overview of Besser Senior Living Community
Alpena’s Besser Senior Living Community is a 52-bed blend of assisted living and memory care which operates across 48 rooms, 20 of which are designated for dementia care and 28 for independent or early-decline residents. The building sits downtown with a Walk Score of 75; it’s ranked 53rd in Michigan for walkability.
Operating under 24-hour staffing with respite options and religious services, the community emphasizes activities and outings while permitting visitors to dine free and overnight guests at no charge. Residents furnish their own apartments. Home-cooked meals and structured engagement characterize daily operations.
The compliance record is notably strong.
A February 2020 original licensing study found the facility in substantial compliance with zero deficiencies at opening.
Three years later, the August 2023 renewal inspection identified five deficiencies; all administrative or procedural in nature. TB screening documentation was incomplete; the facility had not notified the state of an administrator change within required timeframes; employee health records lacked annual screening results; and no designated supervisor was on-site for third shift. These reflect gaps in documentation systems and staffing assignment rather than direct care failures.
No complaints have been filed, no enforcement actions taken, and no fines imposed. The facility’s 38 percent below-average deficiency rate compares favorably to Michigan’s nursing home performance baseline.
Census as of August 2023 reached 30 residents in 52 available beds.
Besser Senior Living suits residents transitioning to assisted living who value downtown walkability, community outings, and independent apartment living, or those with cognitive decline seeking memory-specific programming in a smaller, personable setting.
52-bed community Rank #262 / 431Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 262nd out of 431 homes in Michigan for Bed Count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Michigan facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Michigan that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.
Walk Score: 75 / 100 Rank #53 / 703Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 53rd out of 703 homes in Michigan for Walk Score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across Michigan facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in Michigan that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Very walkable. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and many essentials are within a short walk.
About this community
Facility TypeHomes For The Aged
StatusRegular
IssuanceAugust 1, 2026
ExpirationJuly 31, 2027
CountyAlpena
License NumberAH040394376
Owner NameBesser Senior Living Community Inc
Respite Care
Licensed Nurses/CNAs
24-Hour Staffing
Visitor PolicyGuests are welcome to dine with residents for a small fee.
Overnight GuestsOut-of-town guests can stay overnight at no additional charge.
Dining Room
Housekeeping
Activitiesexercise classes, games, outings to local attractions
Wellness Program24-hour care, assistance, supervision
Specific ProgramsResident Life, Health & Wellness
Religious Services
Inspection History
In Michigan, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) conducts unannounced inspections and investigations to ensure long-term care facilities comply with state health codes.
Since 2020 · 6 years of data
5 deficiencies
Inspection Scorecard
This scorecard compares key inspection, deficiency, and complaint metrics at this facility against the Michigan state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Since 2020 vs. Michigan state average
Overall vs. MI average
0 Worse
No metrics in this bucket.
2 Better
Metrics better than Michigan average:
• Total deficiencies (38% below)
• Deficiencies per year (38% below)
• Total deficiencies (38% below)
• Deficiencies per year (38% below)
Latest Inspection
August 31, 2023
Renewal
Deficiencies
|
This Facility | MI Average | vs. MI Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
|
5 | 8 | This facility has 38% fewer total deficiencies than a typical Michigan assisted living residence (5 vs. MI avg 8).↓ 38% better |
|
Deficiencies per year
Average deficiencies per year since 2020.
|
0.8 | 1.3 | This facility has 38% fewer deficiencies per year than a typical Michigan assisted living residence (0.8 vs. MI avg 1.3).↓ 38% better |
Inspection Reports Summary
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
- February 19, 2020 original licensing inspection found the facility in substantial compliance and recommended a temporary six-month license for 52 residents.
- August 31, 2023 renewal inspection found five deficiencies including failure to notify the department of administrator change and lack of tuberculosis screening and risk assessments for residents and staff.
- The August 31, 2023 survey also cited no designated supervisor on third shift and incomplete employee tuberculosis screening records.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed
Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Besser Senior Living Community
Studio
Studio
Studio
1 Bedroom
1 Bedroom
Places of interest near Besser Senior Living Community
0.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Alpena's city center to Besser Senior Living Community's address, calculated via Google Maps.
Calculate Travel Distance to Besser Senior Living Community
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Compare Assisted Living around the area
The information below is reported by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Retirement Community |
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
|
Chelsea | 172 | Yes | - | 13 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / Cottage |
| Bay Bluffs Emmet County Medical Care Facility |
AL
HOS
MC
NH
SNF
|
Harbor Springs | 120 | No | - | 29 | - |
| Lourdes Senior Community |
AL
HOS
IL
MC
NH
SNF
|
Waterford Twp (Watkins-Pontiac Estates) | 80 | No | - | 8 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Besser Senior Living Community |
AL
MC
|
Alpena | 52 | No | - | 75 | - |
| Independence Village Of Waterford (Inn at Cass Lake) |
AL
IL
RC
|
Waterford Twp (Waterford Township) | - | Yes | A+ | 35 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
Frequently Asked Questions about Besser Senior Living Community
Is Besser Senior Living Community in a walkable area?
Besser Senior Living Community has a walk score of 75. Very walkable. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and many essentials are within a short walk.
What is the license number of Besser Senior Living Community?
According to MI state health department records, Besser Senior Living Community's license number is AH040394376.
When does Besser Senior Living Community's license expire?
According to MI state health department records, Besser Senior Living Community's license expires on July 31, 2027.
Does Besser Senior Living Community have different floorplan options?
Yes — see the floorplan options available at Besser Senior Living Community on this page.
Are pets allowed at Besser Senior Living Community?
Yes, Besser Senior Living Community allows residents to bring their pets.
How many beds does Besser Senior Living Community have?
Besser Senior Living Community has 52 beds.
Are there photos of Besser Senior Living Community?
Yes — there are 12 photos of Besser Senior Living Community in the photo gallery on this page.
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