Portland, Oregon, is appealing to coffee addicts, art lovers, and nature enthusiasts. The city is ideal for seniors because it offers an easygoing climate and quality health care. It also offers numerous senior care options, including nursing homes. “Nursing home” is often used as an umbrella term for a variety of senior care facilities. However, a nursing home or skilled nursing facility is where seniors with serious medical conditions receive 24-hour medical care and supervision, hospice care, and rehabilitative services.
While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone skilled nursing facilities, we do partner with an array of assisted living, memory care, and residential care facilities in Portland. These senior care facilities offer some on-site nursing services, and are more suitable for seniors who don’t require 24-hour medical care. Our partnering assisted living and memory care facilities offer personal care and supportive services, as well as daily meals, activities, and social programs to help seniors lead fulfilling lives.
This guide provides access to valuable information about senior care facilities in Portland, including exclusive proprietary data on their features, facility regulations, and financial resources to help seniors pay for care. You can also discover senior-friendly activities and transportation options available in the city. We also include some financial resources and facility regulations for Washington residents, because Portland borders the Washington state line.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
I would tell them that my experience has been quite good and I would recommend it to them.
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...
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...
My sister is in Royalton place and is very happy from the food to the other whom live here they all like the activities and each others company. It’s a beautiful home with great people who work there...
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...
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...
What we like the most about Cogir of Glenwood Place is the nursing care and we would recommend this community to other families based on the experience we have had so far.
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...
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...
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...
It was as nice as the photos/website but I feel like I was overwhelmed with the process . It has always been nice when I've been there. The staff are helpful. Some times seems to be short staffed. I...
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.
[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...
Caregivers are compassionate loving and always helpful. Food and always helpful. Food looks amazing. The activities are engaging and enjoyable. A wonderful facility.
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
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...
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...
I am so impressed with staff and management at Farmington Square Beaverton, particularly during the last few days while my mother was being transferred into transitional memory care. Mom has lived there for...
Staff friendliness was rated lower due to some staff who sat and on their phones, chewing gum (one of my pet peeves) and not interacting with the residents. I think more supervision by making rounds...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Portland community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The median cost of a private room in a Portland nursing home is about $11,777 per month.[01] Skilled nursing facilities are significantly pricier due to the high level of medical care and supervision provided within the facilities. The cost of a room in a nursing home in Portland typically includes the following services:
If your senior loved one doesn’t require 24-hour nursing services, they may benefit from more affordable senior options, such as assisted living or memory care. Here are the average monthly costs, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary data on what actual families paid in Portland:[02]
Aside from a room, these monthly costs typically include the following services and amenities, which are provided at our partnering Portland assisted living and memory care communities:
In some communities, seniors can pay extra to have their pet live with them, use transportation services, or use on-site amenities, including a salon or spa.
Seniors and their families can pay for Portland skilled nursing and senior care facilities in numerous ways. Most families use a combination of private and public funds to cover long-term care expenses. The financial options available to seniors and their families ultimately depend on their personal history and current financial situation. Some commonly used public programs include VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.
In this section, you’ll learn about various private pay options, the public programs stated above, and how you can use them to cover nursing home and senior care costs in Portland, Oregon. We even include resources and information for Washington because Portland borders the Washington state line.
Private funds are usually acquired over a lifetime and may include savings accounts, retirement pensions, investment returns, and more. Long-term care insurance is another popular payment option, but policies can vary significantly. We recommend contacting your policy provider to understand the specific costs they can cover.
Seniors and their families can also pursue some of the following payment methods:
Number of veterans who live in Portland as of 2022
About 52% of Portland veterans are age 65 or older.
How to use veterans benefits to pay for a nursing home or senior care communities
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) processes and grants veterans benefits and pensions to seniors who served the country. These benefits are also available to veterans’ surviving spouses. Aid and Attendance is especially useful for disabled senior veterans, because it’s the most generous benefit and can be added to any existing VA Pension. This additional income can pay for anything that improves a person’s quality of life — including a nursing home or senior care facility.
How to qualify for veterans benefits
Veterans benefits have specific eligibility requirements that can be difficult to navigate on your own. For instance, there’s a list of service-connected ailments that are presumed to be due to military service that qualify veterans for benefits. However, it’s not necessary for veterans to provide proof that their service caused the condition. These specific requirements can be tricky, which is why we recommend that families contact a local veterans service organization (VSO) before applying for benefits.
VSOs are nonprofit organizations — often vetted by the VA — to help senior veterans and their surviving spouses obtain benefits. VSOs can help you or a loved one successfully file benefit claims or appeal a denied claim.
Veterans benefits counseling in Portland, Oregon
There are multiple locations in Portland where veterans can receive benefits counseling. You can call the Multnomah County Veterans Services Office or use the county’s online veteran services office locator to find a VSO near you.
Below, we’ve listed the Oregon and Multnomah County veterans services websites and contact information, allowing you to get in touch with a nearby office or benefits counselor. We’ve also included some popular VSOs in the area, along with online guides to help you navigate benefits.
Resources for Portland veterans
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
VA Regional Office
100 SW Main St., Fl 2 Rm 258E
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-412-4750
National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS)
Portland Oregon Chapter #0032
100 SW Main St., Fl 2
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-412-4159
Email: admin@nabvetsportland.org
Walk-in hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Medicaid is a state and federally funded health insurance program for seniors and individuals with low income. Oregon’s Medicaid program doesn’t cover room and board at our partner senior care facilities, but it may cover a limited number of days at a Medicaid-contracted nursing facility. Medicaid can also cover in-home health care services, such as caregiver assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), at your residence of choice through Medicaid-contracted agencies.
Seniors in Oregon receive Medicaid benefits through the Oregon Health Plan. In Washington, Medicaid benefits are received through the state’s Apple Health program.
Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
Through the Oregon Health Plan, you or your loved one may be eligible for the following services:[04]
Seniors may also qualify for a number of government programs and waivers to offset health care costs. Oregon residents over the age of 65 — or individuals with a disability — may have access to home and community based services (HCBS) waivers through the Oregon Department of Human Services, which means they can remain in their residence of choice while receiving care. Be sure to contact the department by email for more information.
Navigating Medicaid and waiver eligibility may be confusing or overwhelming for some seniors and their families. To help navigate health care services, Oregon has Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs). These organizations work with OHP as an all-in-one resource for your health care questions and appointments, and they offer general guidance in Oregon. Additionally, an OHP ombudsman can help you secure Medicaid benefits and advocate for you.
Oregon also offers the following services to guide you through the process:
Apple Health
Seniors in Washington may be eligible for the following health care services through Apple Health:[05]
Additionally, senior care facilities providing Medicaid care in Washington may offer one or more of the following service packages:[06]
As a Washington resident, you may be eligible for additional programs and waivers. For instance, if a senior prefers to stay in their home or senior care community over an institutional setting, they may be eligible for home and community service (HCS) waivers through Washington’s Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). The Community Protection Waiver covers many services including the following:
For more information, check out the home and community services page on the ALTSA website. Additionally, if you have more questions about Apple Health and other health care waivers, you can reference the following resources for answers:
Portland resident Medicaid resources
500 Summer St. NE, E20
Salem, OR 97301
Phone message line: 877-642-0450
Email: oha.ombudsoffice@odhsoha.oregon.gov
Oregon Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
Multnomah County, Disability and Veterans Services (MCADVS)
209 SW 4th St.
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-988-3646
Email: adrc@multco.us
Clark County Area Agency on Aging for Washington residents
201 NE 73rd St., Suite 201
Vancouver, WA, 98665
Phone: 360-735-5720
Home and community-based services in Oregon
Email: HCBS.Oregon@odhsoha.oregon.gov
Medicare is a federal health insurance that provides coverage to seniors 65+ and individuals with disabilities. It doesn’t cover rent for a senior care facility in Portland, but it can cover medically necessary care costs for seniors. It also helps pay for some skilled nursing or home health rehabilitation services after a hospital stay.[07]
Here’s a breakdown of Medicare parts and what each covers:
Save on Medicare
To further save on Medicare, low-income seniors can apply for one of Oregon’s Medicare Savings Programs. These programs can help cover Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Both Oregon and Washington also offer Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) services. A Medicare program with a Medicaid service option, PACE bridges some of the gaps in Medicare Parts A-D. You can explore details on the state websites in the resources below. PACE coverage might include the following:
To see which Medicare Savings Programs and PACE services you qualify for, you can reach out to a Senior Health Insurance Benefits counselor. SHIBA counselors can help identify the right program for you and help you apply for Medicare and a savings program.
In the resources section below, you’ll find Medicare applications for Oregon and Washington residents. For additional assistance with your eligible benefits and enrollment, you can contact your local long-term care (LTC) ombudsman. Their role is to advocate for the health care rights of assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facility residents. They also help families learn about local senior care options and payment methods.
Portland resident Medicare resources
Portland Social Security Office
1538 SW Yamhill St.
Portland, OR, 97205
Phone: 888-632-6990
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In Oregon, all long-term care facilities — including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and adult foster homes — must be licensed and regulated by the Office of Safety, Oversight, and Quality (SOQ) at the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
The state of Oregon breaks down long-term care communities into four categories:[08]
General senior care regulations in Oregon and Washington
At minimum, assisted living and memory care facilities in both states must provide services such as the following:[09,10]
Additionally, assisted living facilities in both states must adhere to outdoor and indoor regulations, such as the following:[09,10]
Nursing home and senior care facility inspections in Oregon
In Portland, skilled nursing and senior care facilities must meet the regulations listed above and undergo inspections in the following time increments to remain licensed:
You can look up Portland-area assisted living facility reports using the following sites:
Oregon and Washington health departments’ contact information
500 Summer St., NE, E-20
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-947-2340
Email: OHA.DirectorsOffice@oha.oregon.gov
Hours: Everyday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Washington State Department of Health
Phone: 800-525-0127
Portland is in Multnomah County, which requires all long-term care facilities — including nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care — to implement infection control policies for COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.[11] For general updates regarding COVID-19 protocols, testing, and vaccines in Portland, you can visit the COVID-19 informational page on the county website.
You can also take a look at some measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Portland long-term care facilities below.
Vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccine isn’t required for residents or staff members, but it’s highly recommended to prevent infection and serious illness.
Masking. Visitors, residents, and staff are not required to wear masks at all times. However, it’s required for anyone who has COVID-19 or individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Facility cleanliness. Facilities are required to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in common areas at least twice a day.
Social distancing. Visitors, residents, and staff don’t have to social distance unless they’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Portland is known for offering seniors the best of both worlds: gorgeous mountainscapes and stunning waterfront areas. It’s also known for its variety of senior care options, including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and residential care facilities.
Learn about nursing homes in Portland and see how they compare to senior care facilities within the city.
Skilled nursing for seniors with serious medical conditions
Portland residents can find skilled nursing services within traditional nursing homes or in a skilled nursing unit in a senior care facility. Stand-alone skilled nursing facilities are the best option for seniors who require 24-hour medical supervision and care for seniors with chronic and serious medical conditions. Oregon doesn’t have many nursing home facilities, but the quality of care provided in nursing homes is among the best in the United States. Nursing homes in Oregon also offer a few social activities in common spaces.
Skilled nursing units within a senior care facility may be a better option for seniors who need a place to recover after a hospital stay. Seniors usually stay in these units for a short period of time — a couple of weeks at most. These units provide more comfort to seniors who already reside in senior care facilities, as they can easily transition without traveling and receive care from trusted caregiving individuals. Although most of our partner network of senior care facilities in Portland don’t have a skilled nursing unit on-site, a select few do.
Assisted living and memory care for seniors without 24-hour medical needs
For seniors who need daily assistance with activities of daily living, but don’t require round-the-clock medical care, assisted living or memory care may be a better option. Some of our partnering senior care facilities in Portland offer a variety of care and nursing services including:
Our partnering senior care facilities also offer an impressive, rotating calendar of events and activities along with some enticing amenities:
Our memory care partners in Portland offer all of the above and more. These memory care communities offer specialized activities and common spaces to accommodate individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Activities enable residents to reminisce and create new, meaningful memories.
Residential care homes for seniors who seek familiarity and comfort
In Oregon, most of our partnering senior care communities are residential care homes. These homes are referred to as “adult foster homes” in Oregon. They offer most of the care services found in senior care facilities to a maximum of five seniors at a time within a homelike environment. Care homes are often located in residential neighborhoods and are more comfortable for seniors who are reluctant to live in larger community settings.
Care homes mimic a family home and don’t offer many of the luxuries found in typical assisted living and memory care facilities. However, they still offer some group activities and shared spaces or activities, like trivia nights, holiday celebrations, fitness classes, living spaces, and outdoor yard areas. These homes are also built with safety and accessibility features like grab bars in showers, widened doorways, and emergency help buttons.
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In Portland, seniors have access to a range of quality health care options. Explore some of the top-rated hospital systems in the Portland metro area below.
Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU) Hospital
OHSU hospital ranks No. 1 in Portland and Oregon, and is nationally recognized in six specialties. The hospital is high performing in senior health procedures such as heart conditions, pulmonology, and orthopedics.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center ranks No. 2 in Portland and Oregon. It’s rated highly in geriatrics, orthopedics, cancer procedures, heart conditions, and pulmonology.
Providence Portland Medical Center
Providence Portland Medical Center ranks No. 3 in Portland and Oregon. It’s rated highly for cancer procedures, gastroenterology, and diabetes care.
Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center
Kaiser Permanente ranks No. 4 in Portland and No. 6 in Oregon. It’s rated highly for procedures like stroke care, diabetes care, and heart conditions.
It’s not recommended for seniors in skilled nursing facilities to use public transportation or leave without a caregiver, so most nursing homes don’t provide transportation services. However, seniors can leave under supervision when their medical care team allows.
Seniors in assisted living and memory care can get around safely using on-site transportation services. Nearly 65% of our partnering Portland senior care communities offer complimentary transportation services to residents around the city.[02] Some communities limit rides to medical appointments, while others allow personal rides. Some assisted living communities also offer resident parking for licensed residents who own a car and drive.
Seniors without access to transportation services in their senior care community can use Ride Connection. This transportation service offers bus routes and door-to-door rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Portland metro area and Washington County.
Public transportation for visiting loved ones
For visiting friends and family, most of our partner communities are also close to stops across Portland’s fantastic public transit system. Explore some of the main ways to get around town below:
With a local mantra like “Keep Portland Weird,” the city is bound to have a world of activities and sights for seniors to enjoy. The city offers incredible mountain views and water activities. There’s also a handful of senior-friendly excursions and attractions that provide senior discounts and disability accommodations.
Check out some of Portland’s senior-favored activities below.
Immerse yourself in the culture
Explore the outdoors
Shop and dine
Trustwell Living at Kent Place, Royalton Place and Canfield Place are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Portland, OR. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Portland is $5,111 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Portland city, Oregon.
Oregon Health Authority. (2023). Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits.
Washington State Health Care Authority. (2023). What are my basic covered services?
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. (2023). Assisted living facility services packages.
Oregon Department of Human Services. (2023). Long-term care options.
Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit Aging and People with Disabilities. (2019). Compliance framework guide.
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.
Multnomah County. (2023, June 5). Long-term care facilities COVID-19 guidance.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Portland, OR.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2022). Portland city, Oregon.
Oregon Health Authority. (2023). Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits.
Washington State Health Care Authority. (2023). What are my basic covered services?
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. (2023). Assisted living facility services packages.
Oregon Department of Human Services. (2023). Long-term care options.
Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit Aging and People with Disabilities. (2019). Compliance framework guide.
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.
Multnomah County. (2023, June 5). Long-term care facilities COVID-19 guidance.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Portland, OR.