Devenberg Care Home in Salem, OR

Pros

• Cedar Village is an outstanding community that feels like home.
• The staff are compassionate, attentive, and go above and beyond to ensure every resident feels at home.
• The residents are engaged in meaningful activities, fostering a strong sense of community and connection.
• The facility is well-maintained, clean, and designed to provide comfort and safety.
• The environment is light, bright, and cheery, with lots of activities and highly engaged staff.
• Cedar Village sometimes brings in therapy dogs, adding joy to the community.
• The staff go above and beyond, greeting everyone with warmth and helping families navigate transitions smoothly.
• The community is beautiful and welcoming, with remodeling that enhances the experience.
• It has been described as the best among multiple facilities the reviewers have experienced.

Cons

• It is warned that placing a loved one there would be a huge mistake due to neglectful care and horrible food.
• Transportation for residents hasn't worked for almost a year and activities are frequently canceled.
• A former staff member alleges residents were lined up for medications in a manner lacking dignity, with injections given in public and pills found on the floor.
• Meals are described as overcooked, flavorless, and sometimes unacceptable, with some dishes deemed serviceable only for disposal.
• A high turnover rate among caregivers is cited, implying inconsistent care and a lack of compassion.
• Management and office staff are described as dysfunctional and not truly compassionate, allegedly saying yes to families only to move them along.
• Basic needs are reported as unmet and essential safety features, like bathroom lights, neglected for weeks.
• Housekeeping is described as pathetic with sanitation concerns, including reuse of rags between areas.
• One reviewer depicted the environment as resembling "cattle processing," suggesting a severe lack of resident dignity.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking a warm, home-like atmosphere with a genuinely engaged staff and a rich social calendar. The standout strength is visible daily: caregivers who interact with residents, structured activities that go beyond sitting in rooms, and a bright, welcoming environment. For residents who thrive on companionship, meaningful programming, and a sense of community, this setting often delivers a high quality of day-to-day life and a noticeably higher staff-to-resident engagement than in some peers.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are families prioritizing absolute consistency in basic care and flawless administrative stability. The reviews flag shifts in ownership and management, including a transition plan to Cogir SL, Oregon II, LLC in the near future, which can unsettle routines and care expectations. Other red flags include caregiver turnover, uneven follow-through on resident needs, and reports ranging from limited transportation reliability to concerns about meal quality and overall oversight. If a seamless, highly predictable operation with minimal management turnover is non-negotiable, exploring additional options is prudent.

The strongest pros - engaged, compassionate staff; a lively activity slate; and a setting that feels like home - do offset some concerns by delivering tangible daily value for many residents. Families that value social connection, frequent interaction, and meaningful engagement are likely to see benefits that counterbalance potential administrative uncertainties. However, the main cons carry real weight: inconsistent follow-through on basic needs, variability in meal quality, housekeeping and privacy issues in some accounts, and occasional criticisms of management responsiveness. For a resident who requires rigid consistency and meticulous oversight, those gaps can outweigh the positives.

Prospective families should verify several critical factors before deciding. First, obtain a clear picture of the management transition: who will lead, what changes are planned, and how continuity of care will be safeguarded. Second, request opportunities to meet front-line staff and the kitchen team to gauge morale and meal quality, and to observe how meals are served during peak times. Third, probe transportation reliability, response times for everyday requests, and the facility's communication protocols with families. Finally, review care plans, incident reporting, and how concerns are escalated; inspect the quiet realities of day-to-day operations rather than just the common areas.

From a health and safety perspective, the facility often appears well-maintained, with clean spaces and accessible layouts that support independent living where possible. The positive reports emphasize residents' happiness, engagement, and a sense of belonging. Yet there are troubling accounts regarding basic care tasks, dignity and privacy during care, and food quality. These tensions suggest that while the atmosphere and social framework can be a substantial benefit, the risk of uneven quality and lapses in fundamental caregiving cannot be ignored. Families should weigh the value of vibrant programming against the probability of service variability.

In the end, this community is a strong candidate for families who prioritize liveliness, warmth, and everyday engagement, and who are prepared to monitor management stability and care consistency closely. For those who cannot tolerate noticeable gaps in basic care, transportation reliability, or meal quality, it is wise to broaden the search and visit multiple options. Use the upcoming leadership transition as a focal point of inquiry, demanding concrete assurances about continuity of care, staffing stability, and resident dignity. With disciplined due diligence and thorough on-site evaluation, a well-matched choice can be found that preserves both safety and a meaningful, socially connected daily life.

This part of Salem, Oregon offers a convenient and bustling area for senior living. With multiple dining options including fast food restaurants like McDonald's and local eateries like Pietro's Pizza, there is a variety of choices for meals. Nearby physicians such as Northwest Medi Spa and Willamette Health Partners provide easy access to medical services. Several pharmacies are also in the vicinity for prescription needs. The presence of Salem Hospital ensures quality healthcare facilities within close proximity. Additionally, there are cafes like Starbucks and Dutch Bros Coffee for socializing with friends or enjoying a quiet moment alone. Parks like Sunset Park and Englewood Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The Regal Willamette Town Center provides entertainment options with movie theaters nearby, while transportation services like Hertz Rent A Car and Amtrak make travel convenient. Places of worship such as First Christian Church offer spiritual nourishment for those seeking it. Overall, this area in Salem combines convenience, amenities, and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• Sub Shop (1.8 miles)
• Pietro's Pizza (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Mommy & Maddi's (2 miles)

Physicians

• Northwest Medi Spa (1.6 miles)
• Willamette Occupational Health Systems (1.8 miles)
• Willamette Health Partners (1.8 miles)
• Pacific Pulmonary Service (1.8 miles)
• Salem Occupational Health Clinic (1.9 miles)
• Advanced Vascular Therapy (2 miles)
• Salem Vision Clinic (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.6 miles)
• Genoa Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Salem Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Willamette Family Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• DaVita Salem North Dialysis (2.6 miles)
• Department of Human Service (2.6 miles)
• Oregon State Hospital (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Black Rock Coffee Bar (2.2 miles)
• Ike Box (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Java Crew (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Sunset Park (2.1 miles)
• Englewood Park (2.2 miles)
• The Big Toy (3.1 miles)
• Riverfront Park (3.3 miles)
• Aldrich Park (3.4 miles)
• Orchard Heights City Park (3.6 miles)
• Pringle City Park (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Willamette Town Center (2.4 miles)
• Regal Cinebarre Movieland (3 miles)

Transportation

• Hertz Rent A Car (2.9 miles)
• Amtrak (3.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Christian Church (2.9 miles)