Oswego Springs Community Testimonials

As a geriatric care manager, I have had a couple clients there and I have a very favorable impression of the place.

The location is excellent, because it’s right off the I-5 exit, the main highway that goes through Portland. It’s also at the gateway to Portland Community College, so you get a nice stream of younger people walking by. The facility itself is off the main thoroughfare, so it’s private--and the back faces trees, so it looks like wild forest.

Oswego Springs was built to be an assisted living facility, which helps make the architecture make sense—and it has some nice touches, such as high ceilings and many windows. It’s not brand new, but just a few years old.

The administration prefers to have a person live there for a year on private pay, but then will take Medicaid. But there may be exceptions as to when Medicaid can start.

One thing that’s really good about the staff is that everybody in all positions is friendly in an intelligent way. Everyone from the administration and nursing staff, to the aides, to the lunch servers, and house cleaners form a team which provides a protective feeling around new people moving in, and they all seem informed and welcoming.

When you first walk in, the whole back part is a high-ceilinged dining room where residents are really encouraged to eat as Oswego Springs is very community-oriented. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served—with two options for lunch and dinner. Or you can always get a sandwich or salad or a dish of applesauce or cottage cheese and fruit. There are also snacks offered outside of mealtimes.

The residents span quite a range in age—from 56 to 104. The older people in particular seem really engaged and interested—and also relaxed and comfortable with the staff. It has the feeling of a dignified place to wind down in—not contrived care and conversation.

The rooms are really beautiful. The small ones, generally for residents on Medicaid, do not seem so small because one whole side of the building is glass and there are tall window and high ceilings. All are freshly painted, with kitchenettes even in the small rooms.

Two levels of care are offered within the facility — independent living and assisted living. People suffering from dementia can live at Oswego Springs as long as they are not a flight risk. There is no separate locked area for memory care. There is a full time nurse on duty and on call at night. The cost is low for care in such a dignified and lovely place. But again the price depends on the amount of service needed.

At night, there is both a medical aide and caregiver—more personnel than the facility is required to have. But Sundays, when there is reduced staff, it may seem a little too quiet for some.

The food needs improvement. If they could do that, they would deserve 5 stars.