ElderPlace at The Marie Smith Health & Social Center in Portland, OR

Pros

• The VOA staff and the Providence staff are the most loving and caring people in the world.
• They are so good that they have a waiting list.
• The staff are awesome and the atmosphere is amazing.
• The staff are great and the culture is one of a kind.
• The Marie Smith Center employs an adequate amount of staff for the number of clients attending.
• They serve good, delicious food and are on hand to help those who need it, providing a wide variety of activities.
• The center works hard to make adult daycare affordable while maintaining quality.
• The concept is a very good one for those who are less able to afford quality interactions.

Cons

• They note that adult daycare is expensive.
• The pandemic shut it down.
• There is a waiting list, indicating access may be limited due to high demand.

Review

ElderPlace at The Marie Smith Health & Social Center is best suited for Portland-area seniors who need daytime supervision and strong social engagement, especially those with memory challenges who benefit from a structured, people-centered routine. This program operates as an adult day center, so it is not meant for 24/7 custodial care or intensive medical oversight. Families seeking a warm, community-oriented environment where participants can be active, connected, and well cared for during the day will find ElderPlace aligns with those priorities.

Alternatives deserve consideration for anyone who requires overnight care, constant medical monitoring, or living accommodations. For families confronting the need for around-the-clock support, traditional skilled nursing facilities or assisted living communities with 24-hour staff are a more appropriate fit. Budget-conscious planners might also explore other local adult day options or in-home care arrangements when the emphasis is on reducing overall cost, preserving autonomy, or avoiding a full-time facility setting.

The strongest positives from the surrounding reviews center on the human dimension: staff described as loving, attentive, and genuinely invested in participants' well-being. The atmosphere is repeatedly labeled as welcoming and unique, with a culture that emphasizes dignity and respectful assistance rather than hurried or demeaning treatment. This emotional calculus matters, because reliable, compassionate care is the backbone of a daytime program that aims to counter isolation and cognitive fatigue with steady guidance and companionship.

Staffing quality and program design also stand out. Reviewers note that there is an adequate number of staff for the number of participants, which translates into meaningful supervision without crowding. The menu earns praise for being delicious, and the range of activities - ranging from local outings to gardening and everyday chores - delivers variety that can sustain interest and cognitive engagement. The combination of nourishment, supervision, and purposeful activity helps offset the inherent limitation of a daytime-only format, delivering real value for families balancing caregiving with daily life.

Cost is the principal caveat, with adult day services commonly carrying a higher price tag than naive expectations. The center is described as working hard to maintain affordability while preserving quality, but the price remains a practical consideration for many households. That tension matters because it can influence the decision for or against enrollment, even when the care experience is strong in other dimensions. In that light, ElderPlace's appeal rests on a favorable balance of high-quality staff, enriching activities, and a culture that honors participants - yet price sensitivity will guide many families toward careful budgeting or comparison with other options.

In practical terms, families evaluating ElderPlace should prioritize clear conversations about care goals, daily schedules, transportation, and eligibility. Prospective participants benefit from arranging a visit to observe staff interactions firsthand, discuss individual care plans, and verify current staffing ratios. Asking about waitlist timelines, session availability, and how activities align with specific interests or cognitive needs will sharpen the decision. For those who prize a respectful, people-centered daytime experience, ElderPlace offers a compelling alignment; for those needing overnight care, or for households prioritizing lower-cost, 24/7 options, alternatives should be pursued without delay.

This part of Portland, Oregon offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, accessing necessary medications and healthcare services is easily manageable. The area also boasts a variety of dining options, including local favorites like Eem and Por Que No, as well as well-known chains such as McDonald's. Nearby parks such as Overlook Park and Peninsula Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. In terms of healthcare, the presence of hospitals like Legacy Emanuel Burn Center and Randall Children's Hospital ensures quality medical care within a short distance. Additionally, cafes like Starbucks and Peet's Coffee provide cozy spots to socialize or enjoy a cup of coffee. Transportation options such as Amtrak and TriMet Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center offer easy access to other parts of the city. Overall, this area combines convenience, healthcare accessibility, dining options, outdoor spaces, and transportation choices that may appeal to seniors looking for a vibrant community in which to reside.

Pharmacies

• Nectar - Mississippi (0.2 miles)
• Kaiser Interstate East Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)

Physicians

• To Summy Od Myoptic Optometry Dr Summy To Optometrist Portland (0.5 miles)
• Legacy Medical Group-Emanuel (1 miles)
• Harpers Playground (1.4 miles)
• Legacy Medical Group (2 miles)
• Good Samaritan Building 1 (2.1 miles)
• Family Medical Group, PC (2.3 miles)
• ZoomCare (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Eem (0.6 miles)
• Por Que No (0.6 miles)
• The Bye and Bye (1 miles)
• El Burrito Azteca (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Blossoming Lotus (1.9 miles)
• Paymaster Lounge (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Overlook Park (0.7 miles)
• Peninsula Park and Rose Gardens (0.7 miles)
• Irving Park (1 miles)
• Arbor Lodge Park (1.5 miles)
• Woodlawn Park (1.6 miles)
• Gammans Park (1.6 miles)
• Alberta Park (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Legacy Emanuel Burn Center (0.8 miles)
• Randall Children's Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Legacy Emanuel Childrens Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Shriners Hospitals For Children (3.8 miles)
• Doernbecher Children's Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Portland VA Medical Center (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Cyclemaster Coffee (1.7 miles)
• Peet's Coffee and Tea (1.9 miles)
• Posies Cafe (1.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.2 miles)
• King's Hookah Lounge (2.4 miles)
• Coava Coffee Roasters (3 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.9 miles)
• TriMet Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center (3.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Pioneer Place (2.6 miles)
• Hollywood Theatre (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Rose Catholic Church (3.4 miles)