Is Ivy Nest in Grand Haven licensed by the State of Michigan?
Yes -- LARA license AF700409421 covers Ivy Nest (707 Clinton Ave., Grand Haven) as an adult foster care family home (up to 6 residents, licensee lives in the home), with a licensed capacity of 6. The current license period runs February 24, 2026 through February 23, 2028, and the state lists it as a regular license.
Source: Michigan LARA, Bureau of Community and Health Systems -- statewide AFC/HFA file and facility report index, data as of 2026-10-30.
Who holds the license for Ivy Nest?
The licensee of record is Linda Kramer Vargas. LARA's file lists 1 other home under that same licensee in Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Montcalm and Ionia counties.
The same licensee also holds Spring Lake AFC (Spring Lake).
A shared licensee usually means shared policies, training and management, so the inspection history of sister homes is worth a look too.
Does Ivy Nest accept residents with Alzheimer's or dementia?
Not according to the state file. LARA lists Ivy Nest as serving physically handicapped, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and aged, without the Alzheimer's designation.
Memory loss after move-in is common. Ask what the home does when a resident starts wandering or needs cues for daily tasks, and keep the Alzheimer's-designated homes in mind as a next step.
What did LARA's most recent inspection of Ivy Nest find?
No violations: the renewal study LARA published on June 23, 2025 recommended continuing Ivy Nest's license without establishing any rule violation.
Reports LARA has published for this license, newest first:
| Published | Report | Link |
|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2025 | Renewal Inspection | View on LARA |
| May 23, 2025 | Addendum to Original Licensing Study | View on LARA |
| September 11, 2021 | Original Licensing Study | View on LARA |
Has Ivy Nest had any special investigations since October 2023?
None since October 2023: the LARA report index for license AF700409421 lists no special investigation in that period.
Investigations follow complaints, so a quiet record can mean a well-run home or simply families who did not file. Ask Ivy Nest how it tells families about incidents.
How does Ivy Nest compare with other licensed homes in Grand Haven?
Ivy Nest is licensed for 6 residents; the 7 other LARA-licensed homes serving older adults in Grand Haven range from 12 to 177 beds (median 20), and together carry 12 special investigation reports published since October 2023.
| Nearby licensed home | License type | Beds | Alzheimer's | Special investigations since 10/2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbinswood Assisted Living Community | Home for the Aged | 110 | Yes | 0 |
| Bridgeway Park Grand Haven | Home for the Aged | 60 | No | 2 |
| Seville | AFC large group home (13-20) | 20 | Yes | 2 |
| Sorrell AFC Home | AFC medium group home (7-12) | 12 | Yes | 1 |
| Sierra AFC Home | AFC medium group home (7-12) | 12 | Yes | 1 |
See every licensed home on the Grand Haven page.
What should families ask Ivy Nest before choosing it?
Start with the state record: ask Ivy Nest about anything in its LARA reports, then about cost, staffing and what would force a move.
- If memory loss progresses, at what point would the home ask for a move, and how much notice is given?
- What is the all-in monthly cost at the current care level, and what triggers a higher rate?
- Does the licensee or a manager live in or work on site, and who covers when they are away?
| It is | It isn't | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AF700409421, AFC family home (1-6), 6 residents, through February 23, 2028 | Not a nursing home or home for the aged license |
| Residents | LARA lists physically handicapped, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and aged | Not for residents who need continuous nursing care |
| Operator | Linda Kramer Vargas | Size and operator set the rules that apply, not quality |
