Golden Acres Retirement Center

Though Golden Acres is not one of my facilities that I visit regularly, I stopped by to get some information for a friend of mine's mother. I wasn't planning on taking a tour, but there was something about the friendliness on the staff that made me decide to check it out. This facility is considered an assisted living facility but the care goes beyond that as the residents are people who live with some type of mental illness, so while it is assisted living, the staff are trained differently and they are faced with different types of situations then the staff of a regular assisted living facility. When I first heard that this facility cared for mentally ill residents I was so afraid that I would walk in to a asylum/hospital type setting that was cold and sterile and where all of the residents were lethargic and overmedicated. I have been to facilities similar to this one where I have seen that exact situation, it was awful. It was as if the staff would rather heavily-medicate a resident instead of having to work with them and care for them. Walking in to Golden Acres I had my fingers crossed and I was really relieved to see the residents all over the facility socializing, participating in activities, walking the halls, watching TV. I saw the staff members really interacting with them, they were playing games, reading to them, sitting and talking with them. Every one seemed to enjoy being around one another and all of the residents seemed really happy. I spoke with a few of the residents who had wonderful things to say about the facility and the staff. I met a niece of one of the residents who told me that her until they found Golden Acres that they had a horrible time in caring for her uncle. She said that he wouldn't take his meds, he would wander off - she said he was escorted home by the police multiple times, she said he was always depressed, that he refused to eat, and that her entire family feared for his safety because his particular disorder made him believe he could do things that a human being isn't physically able to do and the longer he went without his meds, the stronger the urges became. She told me that he has been in Golden Acres for a little over a year now and that he seems like the uncle she remembers. She said he now happily takes his medication daily, that he eats now and has gained weight. She said that he is now social, has made friends, and loves participating in the activities and events offered in the facility. She said that just when she thought they were about to lose him, they found him, and she credits the staff members at Golden Acres to saving her uncles life. She also said that many of the residents families have similar stories. She said that she will never be able to repay the staff for what they have done for her uncle and her entire family.

The facility itself is very "homey", very cozy and comfortable. There are many areas for the residents to explore and the facility itself is as secure as can be without feeling or looking like a prison. There are some maintenance issues throughout but nothing severe, it's just issues that happen with age. I kind of like that the facility is smaller, I am sure that helps the residents feel more secure, the way a hug feels secure. I don't like that there are shared bathrooms in the rooms, that could pose issues, but I would deal just because the quality of care is so good. I was very impressed with my tour of Golden Acres. I had originally gone in just to pick up an information packet and ended up scheduling a second appointment to come back with my friend and her mom. Golden Acres is available for any assisted living residents who needs a little or a lot of extra care, but particularly those who are mentally ill. I don't know if a resident without a mental illness would feel as if they could fit in or if they would be able to easily adapt and make friends. So while the option is there, I wouldn't recommend it for those without a mental illness. They will accommodate your loved one care needs and provide for them a home that is safe, happy, and comfortable.

I visited this facility

Golden Acres is what’s called a residential care facility in Oregon. I had a client there and visited many times. It’s basically assisted living but with more closely supervised 24-hour care. It’s mainly for mentally ill seniors—those with schizophrenia, for example—and the care is phenomenal. They know what the residents need and they adapt to them. They’re also extremely caring, warm, and well trained.

It’s an older facility and a bit run down. The rooms are small—just 1 bedroom with shared bath----with a bed, dresser, and closet. It’s not luxurious. The building is one story in the shape of a horseshoe, and there’s a locked gate for safety reasons.

I’ve never eaten there, but my client actually gained, and the food always looks good. It’s appetizing.

There’s also a full activities program: Bingo, gardening, music, arts and crafts, church services.

It’s in East Portland, centrally located—close to shops, restaurants, and easily accessible.

Residents don’t have to be mentally ill to live there, but anyone who isn’t would likely feel out of place.