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Portland is a charming, vibrant city for seniors to spend their retirement years. A Place for Mom partners with 80 memory care facilities in the Portland Metropolitan Area, giving your loved one a perfect place to receive specialized care amid all that the city has to offer. If your loved one needs a dementia-trained caregiver, you’ll find all this and more at one of our partnering memory care facilities in Portland.
In this guide, we explore our in-network memory care communities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Portland. We detail what to expect in these local communities, sharing proprietary data and reviews from real residents. We go over baseline and common additional costs, along with how people might cover these expenses. We also share local and state-specific regulations for memory care facilities, senior resources in Portland, and Portland attractions favored by local seniors.
Types of care available in Portland, OR
Memory Care
We chose Brookdale Vancouver Stonebrige because they gave us a complete, open door tour. No secrets of surprises. I would tell others to make sure and read all the materials and 'admission' papers.
My mother really likes being at Clearwater Springs Assisted Living community. She has friends that she dines with and the staff are caring and friendly. However, I do think cleaning of halls could be better.
So far Cornell Estates has been great. It's a very welcoming and upbeat place. The other residents seem happy to be there and are friendly. And there is a variety of activities offered.
11552 Southwest Lesser Road, Portland, OR 97219
The staff is great..they are just a little short handed as are most facilities today...the food could be better...and more activities...the setting is nice..backed up to a forest with good outdoor spaces. I...
Exceptional Senior Living for Exceptional SeniorsTucked away in a wooded Portland suburb is Brookdale Oswego Springs, a personal care community serving seniors and their families from Portland and surrounding suburbs and towns in northwest Oregon. Residents here have traded the worries and stress...
10606 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
Best small assisted living. My mother is blind and now so many people know her in the community. She has found comfort when she needed it. At 94 she can recognize people by their voices and can get around on...
Markham House offers enhanced Assisted Living Services. At Markham House we have set colossal standards for quality and choice in guest services, amenities, and most of all care.Meet new friends and entertain family in the beautifully appointed dining room. All meals are served restaurant-style,...
20 SE 103rd Ave, Portland, OR 97216
There are a lot of activity options, the residents all seem happy, and staff is friendly. Based on the experience we have had, we would recommend Russellville Park to other families who may need a place for...
Russellville Park Retirement Community, conveniently and centrally located near the I-5 & I-84 corridor of Portland, has beautifully-appointed independent, assisted living and memory care apartments, it's true. But what really sets us apart from other retirement communities is our absolute...
1808 SE 182nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233
Overall experience 5: It was stressful when we had to move our father to the Portland metro area. We immediately felt like The Cottages was going to be a good fit.. Cleanliness 5: Every area that we've been...
Proud to be recognized by Metropolitan Senior Network, Senior Advisor, Oregon Health Care Association, & Pacifica Senior Living for being the BEST of the BEST in Oregon Senior Living! Located in quaint residential neighborhood in vibrant Portland, Oregon, this award-winning community offers...
6125 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97206
I would give them all a 4 because it's not home and that would be a 5. The only one I would down grade would be food. at would be a three because she is diabetic and needs mechanical soft food because of...
Courtyard at Mt. Tabor: Comfortable Senior LivingAssisted Living - Immediate OpeningsCourtyard at Mt. Tabor is a senior living community dedicated to providing extraordinary customer service in a luxuriously comfortable, home-like environment. Not part of a large chain, but instead privately...
9860 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97229
The people there from the top down are truly amazing. Mom has moved to memory care and boyfriend is in asstd living. They still hang out daily and everybody knows everybody. Anything we have ever asked has...
Ciel of Cedar Mill offers both memory care and assisted living services. Our memory care residents receive around-the-clock specialized care, dedicated staff, and access to our life enrichment program designed specifically around our residents’ needs and interests. Our assisted living residents...
3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
MorningStar is a beautiful facility with a capable and responsive staff. The memory care (called the "Reflections Community") rooms are extremely nice compared to those I saw in other facilities. Everything...
3102 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
I would tell them that my experience has been quite good and I would recommend it to them.
Odd Fellows Home of Oregon is a unique assisted living community located in Portland, Oregon. The best time to visit Portland is all the time. Portland is the largest city in Oregon and is known for abundant outdoor recreation, liberal values and coffee and beer enthusiasm. Home of hundreds of...
15855 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97236
Better Living Residential Care was really good about communicating the needs of my loved one to me. They had a Thanksgiving dinner for the entire community there and the residents were able to invite their...
17309 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97230
I'm very impressed with the facility staff and services.Had to place my mother who was diagnosed with dementia a month ago.was introduced to man named [name removed] with there resource department...He has...
Pacific Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Portland, OregonEvery situation is different and this uniqueness means that the needs of the individual will also be unique. Here, at Pacific Gardens Alzheimer's Care Center, we completely understand. Because of this, we offer long term care or...
14570 SW Hart Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007
Frankly, we rate all of these categories at 5. Our experiences with Canfield Place have been great. The staff are friendly, helpful, and caring. They pay attention to the residents, even when they are not...
Live at Canfield Place Retirement Community and live the balanced life. We are located in the peaceful neighborhood of Highland Hills, close to beautiful Sexton Mountain and Cooper Mountain Nature Park. However, we are a short bus ride to Beaverton, where you can catch The Max or indulge your...
5555 Southeast King Road, Milwaukie, OR 97222
We had a few issues at the beginning moving her in. Medication was not transfered in a timely manner but i think it was her former residence fault. House keeping was an issie at the begining but improved as...
Our real value lies in the intangibles, such as a feeling of independence, peace of mind, happiness and fulfillment. Three nutritious chef-prepared meals are served each day in the elegantly appointed dining-room. It's a perfect time for socializing with friends and neighbors. Our menu variety...
7808 Northeast 51st Street, Vancouver, WA 98662
My grandparents moved into Van Mall when they could no longer take care of their home. We found Van Mall to have amazing and loving staff, fantastic food and lots of Activites. My grandparents couldn’t be...
Van Mall offers luxurious apartment homes in a fun and active retirement community. We are very proud to be managed by Leisure Care, who leads the industry in the development and management of retirement communities that are all about Five-Star Fun. At Van Mall we have set colossal standards for...
5500 NE 82nd Ave, Vancouver, WA 98662
My mom has lived in the assited living for two years and has recently moved to the memory care. We find the staff is always kind and friendly to the residents and their families
Cogir of Glenwood Place is an assisted living community located in the beautiful town of Vancouver, Clark County, Washington. Our scenic assisted living community is located in an above average safety location based on recent crime ratings. Vancouver is endowed with diversity of beauty—from sandy...
11613 SE 7th St, Vancouver, WA 98683
The staff are amazing. They take the time to form relationships with the residents and have gone above and beyond several times for my Dad. I have a lot of confidence that he is being well taken care of and...
Cascade Inn, a Koelsch Community, is nestled in a neighborhood of family homes in Vancouver, WA. with shopping and medical clinics close by. Residents here enjoy a warm, relaxed lifestyle, and extensive social opportunities while having access to gracious amenities.Cascade Inn includes...
7900 NE Vancouver Mall Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662
My MIL is losing weight. Yet when we take her out to eat, she eats almost everything on her plate. It's been a while since I've been at Brookdale, as I'm experiencing a severe back issue affecting my walking...
We Do One Thing Very WellOur southwestern Washington community specializes in memory care, catering to the unique needs and challenges of those with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses. Because we are built for just one kind of care, we’re able to specialize even more than other...
415 SE 177th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98683
What we like the most about Cogir at The Quarry is the friendliness and attentiveness from the staff. Yes, we would recommend this community to other families, but they need to improve on card games and...
Cogir at The Quarry is a locally owned community designed to continue your life experience and fulfilling your retirement. The full continuum of senior living options is available providing many choices of amenities, support, and services. From Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care,...
11700 Northeast Angelo Drive, Vancouver, WA 98684
From my initial walk through to current day we all couldn't be more pleased. With the walk through I instantly felt a feeling of home as well as compassion. Everyone from staff to residents has displayed a...
Prestige Senior Living Bridgewood is located just East of 205 and South of highway 500 in the Orchards neighborhood of Vancouver, Washington. Opening in 2002 Prestige Bridgewood has 124 apartments of both Independent and Assisted Living apartments, and we do accept Medicaid after a 2 year spend...
2610 SE 164th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98683
The best experience is getting Jon urgently admitted due to a family emergency. Much appreciated. It's an economical choice and I liked the smaller facility environment. Location is very convenient.
Trustwell Living at Evergreen Place works to meet each resident's unique needs, with quality care and an environment that offers a sense of belonging for our residents, as though they are a member of a family.Our compassionate staff works to help residents maintain their wellbeing, form...
8709 SE Causey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086
[name removed] and the rest of the staff were responsive, supportive, and extremely flexible. Our move in was chaotic for several reasons, and we were able to work with them on every issue we had. Our mom...
The Forum at Town Center, located in the heart of the Clackamas Town Center area, is a well-established community for seniors that has been offering both Independent and Assisted Living care in the Happy Valley area for decades.The Forum at Town Center features a fully appointed Vitality Center,...
16655 Northwest Walker Road, Beaverton, OR 97006
Caregivers are compassionate loving and always helpful. Food and always helpful. Food looks amazing. The activities are engaging and enjoyable. A wonderful facility.
Find a Life Lived WellAs one of the pioneers of true specialized memory care over 25 years ago, we’ve learned how to craft stable, predictable schedules that allow seniors with cognitive challenges to thrive. Our community provides compassionate assistance to seniors with Alzheimer's and...
201 NW 78th Street, Vancouver, WA 98665
Pricing promotion expiring soon
The communication between administration and family is lacking. Continuity of care is lacking. they are suppose to have a nurse employed and they have been without
Welcome to Clearwater Springs Assisted Living Community, the premier Retirement and Assisted Living Community in historic Vancouver, Washington. Clearwater Springs is located on a meticulously landscaped garden setting close to parks, shopping and the new Legacy Medical Center.Our goal at...
1617 SE Talton Ave, Vancouver, WA 98683
We are also lucky that The Hampton & Ashley Inn is close to our family homes. Also her area has its own dining area so that is small too which is nice. Mom is in the Assisted living area which is the Ashley...
The Hampton Vancouver Alzheimer's Community is located in the pleasant Vancouver suburb of Cascade Park. It is convenient to Southwest Washington Medical Center and physician offices. The Hampton is specially designed to help those suffering from mild to advanced stage Alzheimer's disease or...
8915 SE Monterey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086
Monterey Court were great to work with in a tough situation. Based on the experience we had with them we would recommend this community to other families, although I would caution anyone to check and see if...
Monterey Court provides a warm, inviting and familiar environment for residents with forms of dementia including Alzheimer's Disease. Our home-like community is comprised of 4 distinct neighborhoods—each designed with the preferences of our residents in mind. Our barrier-free community...
1200 Overlook Dr, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
The Stratford has beautiful facilities, full menu in dining room, lots of activities. Based on the experience we have had, we would recommend this community to other families.
Among The Best Of Retirement Communities In Lake Oswego, OROur facility ranks among the best retirement communities in Oregon, creating a relaxing, yet active environment. We have an experienced, friendly staff to suit your needs, as well as a variety of activities and amenities to keep you...
From 2022-2023, partnering memory care communities in Portland cost an average of $5,593 per month.[01] Memory care can be more expensive than assisted living due to the specialized care services. Note that the above figure represents what real families at our partner memory care communities actually paid, including additional care and service fees. These additional fees might include the following common expenses:[01]
Compared to the national average, costs of living in Portland are 24% higher. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the following is true of aged 60+ retirees in Portland:
It helps to retire into a memory care facility understanding how your state taxes Social Security and retirement income. Retired seniors benefit from the fact that neither Oregon nor Washington tax a person’s Social Security benefits.
Many seniors and their families choose to live in the Portland suburb of Vancouver, which has many memory care facilities, excellent tax benefits for retirees, and a lower cost of living by comparison. In fact, Vancouver housing is 2% lower than the national average housing cost.[04]
Tax differences for seniors in Oregon and Washington include the following:[05,06]
Below, you’ll find figures that represent average baseline costs of memory care communities in Portland. Remember that unlike our partner cost figures, these baselines do not include additional fees that real families paid. We include the figures below to offer an area overview of baseline costs, so you can compare them to the all-inclusive costs of our memory care community partner network in Portland.
13.82 miles from you
Your zip code
11.79 miles from you
Families have several options to pay for assisted living and memory care. In some situations, families can use both private and public funds to cover the cost of memory care in Portland.
Explore options below that seniors or their families might use to pay for a memory care community. We also outline several public resources, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and VA benefits, that could be available to help cover some memory care services.
Families use multiple private pay options to cover the cost of memory care in Portland, Oregon. Such options include income like Social Security benefits, pensions, savings, and investment returns. Depending on the family’s resources, the following options may also be available:
In Oregon, memory care facilities serving six or more residents are licensed and regulated by the state’s Office of Safety, Oversight, and Quality. Note that Portland also offers memory care facilities known as adult family homes, serving fewer than five seniors.
Also known as care homes, adult family homes are regulated by the same governing body. You can learn more about the stringent regulations for adult care homes in Multnomah County on their website.
Oregon has an essential layer of qualifications that any residential, assisted living, or nursing facility serving six or more residents must meet before they can offer memory care. These facilities must submit to an initial on-site inspection to become endorsed memory care communities by the Department of Human Services, Aging, and People with Disabilities Program.
To be endorsed, communities must meet design standards backed by research to improve the lives of residents with dementia. Follow-up endorsement inspections and renewals take place as the facility’s business license gets renewed.
In Washington, memory care and assisted living facilities are licensed and regulated by the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration office (ALTSA), specifically its Residential Services branch. This branch regulates care for facilities serving seven or more residents.
At minimum, facilities offering memory care in both Oregon and Washington must provide services such as the following:
Additionally, facilities in both states must adhere to outdoor and indoor regulations, such as the following:
Sample requirements from Oregon-endorsed memory care facilities include the following:
In addition to these memory care specific requirements, memory care and assisted living facilities must give residents a homelike dwelling with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Portland memory care facilities must also be equipped to coordinate a range of supportive services, including a calendar of social events and help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Staff must also be available to residents on a 24-hour basis.
Washington requires memory care facilities to assume general responsibility for the safety and proper care of their residents. They may offer the following services:
For more information on Washington memory care regulations, visit our informative guide.
Facilities providing memory care in Oregon and Washington must accommodate people with disabilities, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). By design, reasonable accommodations and modifications are to help provide equitable opportunities for people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may include the following:
In situations of disability law advocacy while a loved one is in memory care, you can contact Fair Housing Center of Washington in Clark County or the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) in Multnomah County. Additionally, you can look up reports on Portland area assisted living and memory care facilities using the following sites:
North Mall Office Building
725 Summer St. NE, Suite B
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-986-2000
Email: hcs_housing.info@hcs.oregon.gov
Phone: 360-236-4501
Find an office near you
Facilities in Oregon are required to take COVID-19 precautions, such as posting notices at entrances and exits if a staff member or memory care resident has a suspected or reported case of COVID-19. Indoor visitation is allowed in Oregon and Washington, so long as visitors and residents follow precautionary steps, such as social distancing and masking.
Portland seniors and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted.
Masks may be required in most health care facilities. Some memory care facilities may have additional requirements.
Communities should be sanitized at regular intervals to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In Washington, social distancing is recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19. To support this effort, residents can enable WA Notify, which tracks reported exposures. By enabling WA Notify, you can get notifications if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. This can help residents clarify whether they need to social distance to reduce the spread of infection.
In many cases, memory care in Portland is offered through a couple different types of facilities:
Portland is home to many memory care facilities that qualify as both an assisted living facility and a residential care facility. Should you encounter one or the other in your search for Portland memory care, the main differences between the two, while not mutually exclusive, are listed below:
A major benefit to assisted or residential care facilities is that residents in memory care have ready access to explore many more spaces. Exploration and freedom to wander is particularly helpful for people with dementia. Because of this, many of our memory care partners in Portland put an emphasis on calming colors, lots of natural light, and easily navigable walking environments, both indoors and outdoors.
For added convenience and reduced hassle, larger facilities also often have on-site amenities, such as snack shops, beauty or barber shops, and postal services. These amenities bring a sense of positive, familiar errand-running for residents but without the fuss of having to leave the assisted living environment.
In reviews of Portland facilities, residents’ loved ones consistently praise our memory care partners for how safe they make residents feel. Some communities are able to offer licensed nursing and oversight, while the vast majority of facilities offer 24-hour emergency availability from team members trained in dementia care.
Staff give family members proactive and consistent communication about how their loved one in memory care is faring; the attentive, respectful care that memory care staff give to seniors makes families feel secure in the knowledge that their loved one is in good hands.
Adult care homes make up a substantial number of Portland’s senior living facilities with memory care. These communities are good options for seniors who prefer to live in smaller, more intimate settings that remind them of home. While they generally offer the same level of care as larger memory care communities, they tend to be cheaper.
Most care home residents share rooms with another senior. They take three meals a day in a traditional dining room and can enjoy common areas and outdoor yards similar to a private residential home. Though activity offerings aren’t as robust as those offered at larger memory care facilities, residents in these homes gain immediate access to live-in caregivers.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Portland{{citation:19}}
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Portland population[03]
Median annual income for Portland seniors 65 and older{{citation:19}}
In Portland, seniors with memory care needs have access to a number of excellent health care options. Explore some of the best hospital systems in the Portland metro below.
Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU) Hospital
OHSU hospital is nationally recognized in several adult specialties and is ranked No. 1 in Portland. The hospital is high-performing in senior health procedures such as pulmonology, orthopedics, and heart conditions.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is high-performing in many cancer procedures and in neurology. The hospital is ranked No. 2 in the Portland metro area.
Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center
Ranked No. 3 in Portland hospitals, Kaiser Permanente earned excellent ratings in gastroenterology and procedures related to diabetes.[20]
In partnering Portland metro memory care facilities, our data indicates that 48% offer complimentary transportation around the city. Our data indicates that 45% of facilities also offer transportation at cost. As it’s unsafe for memory care patients to travel or navigate the city alone, drivers employed by these memory care communities may be charged with keeping residents safe. Caregiver escorts are commonly sent with memory care patients when errands are necessary.
For visiting friends and family, 61% of partner memory care communities are also close to Portland’s plentiful public transit options. Explore some of the best ways to navigate the city below:
Seniors in our partnering Portland memory care communities have ample opportunity to enjoy fabulous senior-friendly activities and events, both on-site and off-site. Explore some typical on-site happenings at our partner memory care communities and some favored off-site trips, from museums and gardens to dining and social events.
Memory care facilities in Portland routinely offer a full schedule of fun and sociable activities for residents. Most days include events centered on games, exercise, music, or movies. Recent activities on Portland area memory care community calendars have included the following:
On-location activities also include thorough wellness programs and brain training exercises. Many facilities offer gentle fitness, community libraries, and cooking classes to engage the mind. Classic movies are shown in community theaters, encouraging reminiscence and simple enjoyment. Some facilities even bring in local orchestras or bands and have weekly concerts for residents to enjoy.
Additionally, many facilities have dedicated transportation to shuttle seniors to off-campus events and activities. Favorite off-site activities hosted by partnering memory care communities have recently included the following:
Portland is a vibrant place with a thriving arts and culture scene, rich with downtown attractions. Nearby Pittock Mansion is a delight for history enthusiasts looking to either learn more about the area or reminisce over days past. Seniors inclined toward the dramatic arts can enjoy musical performances and classic theater performances at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall or at Roseland Theater.
Portland has plenty to do for any age, so visiting family members will always have something to do with their loved one. For example, animal lovers are sure to enjoy the nearby Oregon Zoo. Featuring numerous exhibits animals from all over the world, the Oregon Zoo brings out the inner child in us all. Conveniently, the zoo is located in Portland’s beautiful Washington Park. This park is an attraction in itself, as it houses the Hoyt Arboretum and the Portland Japanese Garden. The park is a peaceful natural retreat for local seniors.
Additionally, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) offers a fabulous afternoon that many seniors can enjoy. The museum regularly features accessible, curiosity-inspiring events for all ages, focusing on the wonders of the natural sciences.
Canfield Place, SpringRidge at Charbonneau and Brookdale Oswego Springs Portland are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Portland, OR. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Portland is 5,040 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Payscale. (2023). Cost of Living in Portland, Oregon.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Population 60 years and over in the United States: Portland city, Oregon (S0102). [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Payscale. (2023). Cost of Living in Vancouver, Washington.
SmartAsset. (2023). Oregon Retirement Tax Friendliness.
SmartAsset. (2023). Washington Retirement Tax Friendliness.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Veteran status: Portland city, Oregon (S2101). [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Oregon Health Authority. (2023). Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Benefits.
Washington State Health Care Authority. (2023). What are my basic covered services?
Department of Human Services Aging and People with Disabilities. (2022). Residential care and assisted living facilities.
Washington State Legislature. (2022). Assisted living facility licensing rules.
Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities. (2020). Endorsed Memory Care Communities.
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. (2023). Assisted living facility services packages.
Oregon Department of Human Services. (2023). Medicare Savings Programs.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2023). Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications.
Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit Aging and People with Disabilities. (2019). Compliance Framework Guide.
Oregon Department of Human Services. (2023). COVID-19 Information for Long-Term Care Facilities.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. (2023). COVID-19 Information for Providers and Long-Term Care Professionals.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Population 65 years and over in the United States: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Oregon.
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