Debbie Tanksley, Executive Director of Bella Largo, shared: “When you have top leaders in the industry come together as we have, the extraordinary happens. Stefanie has truly helped countless families find peace of mind, and she’s ready to help yours too.”

If you’re noticing changes in Mom or Dad—such as increased forgetfulness, greater care needs, or concerns about their safety—you don’t have to navigate it alone. Bella Largo is opening in February, and now is the ideal time to explore your options and secure your apartment. Be among the select few to receive an Early Bird Incentive and save money now.

Conveniently located at 1800 West Hi-Point Drive in La Porte, just off Highway 39 near Exit 49 of the Indiana Toll Road, Bella Largo offers the perfect blend of peaceful waterfront living and wooded natural surroundings—with easy access for families traveling from South Bend, Michigan City, New Buffalo, and the greater Chicago area.

Call Stefanie at Bella Largo Senior Living at (219) 878-1141 to begin your peace of mind with a caring conversation.

Discover an Assisted Living and Memory Care community built on heart, innovation, and decades of experience in Northwest Indiana. Bella Largo, La Porte’s newest senior living community, is elevating the standard of senior care.

Leading this community in the heart of La Porte County is Executive Director Debbie Tanksley, who brings over 30 years of dedicated service, compassion, and trusted leadership in the senior care industry to residents and their families. Tanksley’s career in healthcare began with a short-term role assisting a friend in the business office of a senior living community. What was intended to last three months became three years—and the experience changed her perspective. She saw firsthand that residents deserved more: a true home where they would be valued and cherished.

Driven by her commitment to make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors, she pursued her administrator’s license and has devoted her career to senior care ever since. Decades later, when the owners of Bella Largo Senior Living of La Porte shared their own difficult family experiences with senior care, they formed an immediate connection. Their shared vision was clear: to create a community unlike any other, defined by both heart and luxury. That vision inspired the creation of Bella Largo and continues to guide every decision made each day.

Reflecting on her role, Tanksley stated, “After three decades in this industry, I finally have the privilege of leading a community where the owners think so far outside the box that it still amazes me and brings me genuine excitement. They have transformed their past disappointments into innovation focused on the well-being and joy of seniors.”

She continued, “Bella Largo was built on genuine care, not just business. This is a senior living community where residents don’t just live—they truly thrive. That is the difference I have always strived to make, and seeing it come to life at Bella Largo is what makes me most proud.”

Tanksley further explained, “Beyond our advanced technology and beautiful environment, there are aspects of Bella Largo that people may not fully appreciate until they walk through our doors. The first is the feeling you experience when you enter our community—the warmth, kindness, calmness, and genuine happiness. The welcoming atmosphere is intentional. Our team members are carefully selected not only for their skills, but also for their character and compassion. I have always believed you must have the right heart to create a community like Bella Largo.

“Our owners and leadership team are among the most gracious, resident-focused individuals I have ever known. For all of us, this is more than a job—it is deeply personal. We each have our own stories, and our shared passion for making a difference in the lives of seniors is what drives us every day. After more than 30 years as a licensed administrator, Bella Largo is the community I have always dreamed of leading. It is founded on love, experience, and a commitment to doing things differently.”

If you want your loved one to be cherished, respected, and genuinely happy, we would be honored to talk with you. We look forward to welcoming your loved one home to Bella Largo.

Opening soon—now is the time to reserve your apartment while availability remains. Call 219-878-1141 today to schedule your tour. Be among the best. Become part of the Bella Largo family.

As this videos shows, things are coming together nicely at Bella Largo. Most of the windows and doors are installed, the courtyards are being completed, concrete is being poured for the the sidewalks, and the HVAC is wrapping up. Inside, the drywall is being finished, lighting installed, and painting has begun. We should have three staged rooms to show you in the coming week.

Depression isn’t a normal part of aging, even though some older adults might sometimes feel isolated or alone. These feelings can spiral into depression, anxiety, and sadness—which are never any fun! Ongoing sadness and loneliness can even impact your health. Don’t ignore these feelings—they’re not just a part of getting older and deserve attention.

But aging brings plenty of cool perks, too! Think long-lasting friendships, close-knit family moments, and a lifetime of memories to share. Plus, some research shows older adults can be less likely to feel depressed than young folks. Still, if you’re feeling down, it can look different than it does for younger people and it might be harder to talk about—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Depression is common and treatable, so there’s always hope.

Learn more about depression and older adults and get tips for staying connected.

Bella Largo Senior Living invites YOU (yes, you!) to be a part of something truly unforgettable: a 50-year Community Time Capsule!

Get creative! What do you want the future to know? Write a letter to tomorrow’s family, pen wild predictions for La Porte in 2075, tuck in favorite family photos, share your family story, or stash away news that’ll make future jaws drop. 

We’ve even got a Slicer Jersey ready to go — but we want to add more unique pieces from our amazing community.

All of your treasures will be preserved in an airtight, Argon-filled container for the next half-century. (Yep, your mementos will be future-proofed!)

Anything you send just needs to fit in an 8-inch diameter tube. Mail your memories or email them our way — both work just fine!

Send your submissions to: Bella Largo Senior Living, 1800 West Hi-Point Drive, La Porte, Indiana 46350. Or, email: info@bellalargolife.com

Let’s make the future smile!

Bella Largo (currently under construction) will be a charming boutique community where you can enjoy personalized care in a resort-style setting—because who doesn’t want a little luxury with their assisted living? We will offer 33 assisted living suites and 30 memory care suites, making it feel like home, only fancier and with more smiley faces.Imagine a luxury community where you can lounge in two courtyards, relax in a spa, get pampered at the beauty parlor, or challenge friends to a game of Bridge—while enjoying the player piano and a full bar in a sprawling great room. The library will offer quiet contemplation, and the fitness area keeps you in shape. Plus, it’s designed to fight off viruses with advanced air purification and a special anti-viral visitation room. Care services are available from kind nurses, medical assistants, and caregivers—so you never have to worry about sneezing in the wrong place!

Just your average, fun-filled community with all the comforts—and a little extra humor.

Bella Largo Senior Living now features a new landmark: an operational lighthouse. Just 10 feet shorter than the East Pier House Lighthouse in Michigan City, the Bella Largo lighthouse will have a working beacon and be visible for miles. While it won’t be used for boat navigation, the structure fits a nautical theme found throughout Bella Largo. Along with the new structure, many museum-quality artifacts will be displayed from a collection loaned by the Arnold’s of La Porte.

The lighthouse is part of a larger development called Bella Largo Senior Living. This new senior living community aims to provide advanced care to La Porte county seniors. Located in the Hi-Point Business Park near Exit 49 of Interstate 90, Bella Largo seeks to offer a new approach to assisted living, with services designed to improve residents’ quality of life while addressing modern health issues. The project, developed by John English, is scheduled to open in late this year.

The 48,000-square-foot, single-story building will contain 63 units, with 30 designated for memory care and 33 for assisted living. What makes Bella Largo unique is its COVID-resistant design, which features advanced air purification systems and UV technology to reduce airborne viruses, providing an extra layer of safety for residents

The facility’s location offers scenic waterfront views, nearby trails, and access to nature, which were key factors in its development. According to Arnold, Bella Largo’s vision was partly inspired by her family’s experiences with senior care.

Besides its emphasis on health and safety, Bella Largo will provide many amenities for residents, such as a private dining room, hair salon, exercise area, and access to on-site therapists. The facility will also have a high-quality kitchen focused on farm-to-table meals, offering nutritious, locally sourced food options for residents. The development plans include a second phase to create a senior village with duplexes, allowing residents to move through different levels of care as their needs change.

From LaPorteCounty.Life | By Caitlyn Kingery | November 7, 2024

Community leaders and partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Bella Largo Senior Living, a new senior living facility set to bring cutting-edge care to La Porte. Located in the Hi-Point Business Park near Exit 49 of Interstate 90, Bella Largo aims to offer a fresh approach to assisted living and memory care, providing services designed to enhance the quality of life for residents while addressing modern health challenges. The project, developed by John English, is expected to open in early 2026.

The 50,000-square-foot, single-story building will house 63 units, with 30 dedicated to memory care and 33 for assisted living. What sets Bella Largo apart is its Covid-resistant design, which incorporates advanced air purification technologies and UV systems to minimize airborne viruses, adding another level of precaution to resident safety.

Additionally, Bella Largo is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise, led by co-owners Deb Arnold, Linda Arnold, and Erica Arnold, making it the only women-owned senior care facility in the region.

“Bella Largo is a project we are very proud of,” said Deb Arnold, CEO. “As a women-owned business, this facility brings a nurturing touch that we believe will add extra comfort to residents. This isn’t just a place to live; it’s designed to feel like home, with thoughtful amenities and natural surroundings.”

The facility’s location provides scenic waterfront views, nearby trails, and access to nature, which were important factors in its development. According to Arnold, Bella Largo’s vision was partly inspired by her family’s own experiences with senior care.

“We both lost our parents, and we struggled to find a place that truly felt like home,” she said. “This location offers the best of both worlds—natural beauty and proximity to Chicago, making it ideal for those with elderly loved ones nearby.”

In addition to its focus on health and safety, Bella Largo will offer a host of amenities for residents, including a private dining room, hair salon, exercise area, and access to on-site therapists. The facility will also feature a top-notch kitchen focused on farm-to-fork meals, ensuring nutritious, locally sourced food options for residents. Future plans for the development include a second phase to add a senior village with duplexes, allowing residents to transition through various stages of care as their needs evolve.

“We’ve done extensive research to ensure the colors, textures, and decor create a safe, comforting environment for memory care residents,” said developer John English. “Bella Largo isn’t just a building; it’s a community that meets seniors’ unique needs.”

Mark Childress, a board member of the 39 North Conservancy District, also attended the groundbreaking and praised the collaboration that made Bella Largo possible.

“The board couldn’t be more excited about this project,” Childress said. “We reached a point where growth outpaced our ability to move forward independently, so we partnered with the City of La Porte. With infrastructure improvements and new projects underway, the potential for this area’s growth has never been more promising.”

Mayor Tom Dermody has worked consistently to attract projects that enhance the quality of life for La Porte’s residents. His leadership has played a critical role in building partnerships between the city, developers, and local organizations.

“Bella Largo is a great example of the kind of development that strengthens our community and enhances the quality of life for our residents,” said Dermody. “We’re excited to see this vision come to life and proud to support projects that align with La Porte’s future.”

The groundbreaking marked an important step forward in bringing Bella Largo to life, a project Arnold describes as a true labor of love. With support from local organizations, including the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) and the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission, Bella Largo Senior Living is poised to become a valuable addition to the community.

“Everyone involved has shown unwavering dedication,” Arnold said. “We look forward to welcoming our first residents in 2026 and to providing a safe, vibrant space where they can truly thrive.”

For more information on this development, visit https://laportepartnership.com/