Shalem Cottage Assisted Living

Pros

• The staff are wonderful, caring, and professional.
• The facility is clean, well maintained, and the meals are great.
• Residents feel at home, loved, and well cared for in small-house settings with the same staff.
• The team communicates openly with families and keeps them apprised of care and changes.
• Staff go above and beyond for residents, showing knowledge, care, and genuine affection.
• The care is exemplary and dedicated to quality of life, safety, and residents' welfare.
• Families would highly recommend ElderHealth for a loved one.
• Staff remember residents by name and treat them with warmth and respect.

Cons

• One reviewer stated they would be happy with a rating of zero, calling the facility disgusting and alleging residents were being neglected.
• A reviewer described the new owner as a money-hungry drunk who has no business working in health care.
• A staff member criticized pay practices, noting a raise of only 50 cents above minimum wage and removal of medication coverage.

Review

ElderHealth & Living (EHL) emerges in these accounts as more than a care facility; it's described as a genuine community built around the well-being, dignity, and daily happiness of residents. Families repeatedly praise the philosophy that guides care there: a focus on quality of life, safety, and comprehensive welfare for every resident. The praise arrives in many voices, but the thread running through them is consistent - carefully trained staff, warmth, attentiveness, and a culture that treats residents and their families with respect. Several reviewers say the experience left them feeling grateful beyond words, with a sense that their loved ones are in a place where people truly care about their comfort and happiness.

The caregiving staff are repeatedly singled out for their character and impact. Reviewers describe caregivers as loving, kind, professional, and deeply involved in residents' lives. One account highlights the entire team across multiple houses, noting how care staff, nurses, and even maintenance personnel greet residents by name and treat them with kindness. The sentiment runs through stories of staff who become more like extended families to residents: people who listen, respond quickly to concerns, and go above and beyond to create moments of joy - such as celebrating birthdays with genuine affection, engaging residents in activities, and maintaining routines that honor residents' dignity. The staff's ability to balance firmness with compassion - especially in memory care settings - receives particular emphasis, painting a picture of a team that can manage uncertainty and behavior with calm, respectful, person-centered care.

A distinctive feature praised in several reviews is the small-house or home-like model of memory care. One reviewer who placed a loved one in a variety of settings within EHL chose the smaller-house approach precisely because it allowed staff to know residents well and foster meaningful relationships. The consistent presence of the same staff each day, and the ability to tailor care to individual histories and preferences, is repeatedly described as a major advantage over larger, single-building facilities. The atmosphere is underscored by tangible care in everyday moments - household-like living spaces, personalized attention, and staff who feel more like trusted companions than distant administrators.

Communication with families is another recurring theme. Even in the challenging times of Covid, reviewers note that EHL remained communicative and proactive about keeping families informed. FaceTime, Zoom, and other virtual visits were facilitated to maintain connections when in-person visits were limited, underscoring a commitment to keeping families involved in the care process. One particularly moving narrative recounts how the team kept family members apprised and engaged, and how the staff made extraordinary efforts to sustain meaningful contact with residents and their loved ones during lockdowns. This commitment to open lines of communication is paired with visible, regular demonstrations of care - such as staff joining in on celebrations, helping with events, and organizing activities that made residents feel cherished.

Individual success stories reinforce the gentle, life-affirming impact of EHL's care. One account centers on a spouse who found at ElderHealth a place where her husband could live with dignity and security while still maintaining activities meaningful to him, such as music, social games, and recreation in a supportive community. The narrative emphasizes how living at EHL restored a sense of partnership and normalcy for the couple, with staff supporting his independence wherever possible and ensuring he felt safe and connected. Another deeply emotional piece centers on a wife moving through several houses within the EHL system as her condition required different spaces. The caregivers' responsiveness - in conversations about placement, ongoing questions, and regular updates - was consistently described as thoughtful and reassuring. The family's gratitude for staff who made it possible for them to still feel like a couple, even as caregiving needs evolved, shines through as a core point.

But the collection of reviews would be incomplete without acknowledging a handful of critical voices. One reviewer, expressing a starkly negative view, wrote that if a zero rating were possible, they would use it to describe the experience, calling the place disgusting and claiming residents were neglected. Another review brandished harsher language, alleging the new owner is a "money hungry drunk" and advising others to look elsewhere for care. There is also a note about wage and benefits tensions in the broader corporate context, with a claim that a raise was only across the minimum, and a separate mention of removing medication coverage. These viewpoints contrast sharply with the prevailing praise and remind readers that experiences can diverge, sometimes dramatically, within the same organization. Even within the otherwise glowing testimonies, there is a recognition that administrative and financial decisions can affect perceptions of the overall experience.

Among the most luminous memories are the moments when staff went above and beyond in practice and in spirit. A birthday celebration for a resident named Muriel stands out as a vivid example: multiple staff members who work with her regularly came by on their day off, bringing cards, gifts, and a warmth that made the day unforgettable. The dedication extended beyond the party itself, with staff helping with decorations, photographs, and organization, ensuring Muriel felt seen and celebrated. In another touching story, the care team's approach to memory and daily life for a husband with Parkinson's psychosis who had previously been cared for at home is described as life-changing. The residents formed their own "fraternity," shared meals, enjoyed live music, and remained engaged in meaningful activities that respected their dignity. In these stories, the staff's ability to blend professional expertise with personal warmth turns ordinary days into meaningful, joyful experiences for residents and their families alike.

In sum, the mosaic of testimonials paints ElderHealth & Living as a place where compassion, competence, and a family-like ethos come together to shape daily life for residents and their loved ones. The writing from families underscores a shared conviction that, for many, EHL represents a hopeful and trusted home - one that prioritizes resident welfare, honors personal history and preferences, and builds a community around celebration, connection, and careful, dignified care. It is clear that for numerous families, EHL has been a blessing - an environment where residents are kept safe, well cared for, and treated with the respect and warmth that matters most in the later chapters of life. At the same time, the occasional negative review serves as a reminder that experiences can vary and that perceptions of care are ultimately personal, contingent on individual expectations, circumstances, and interactions with the facility's leadership and staff.

This area of Springfield, Oregon offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and accessibility. With several pharmacies, medical clinics, and hospitals within close proximity, it provides easy access to healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are a range of dining options including cafes and restaurants, as well as parks for leisurely strolls or outdoor activities. The presence of theaters also offers entertainment options for those interested in catching a movie. Overall, this part of Springfield presents a well-rounded community with resources that can support the needs of senior residents.

Pharmacies

• Sav-on Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Cannabis (4.4 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (5.6 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (7.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (8.4 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (8.4 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (8.4 miles)

Physicians

• Thurston Medical Clinic (1.5 miles)
• Springfield Family Practice Group (4.4 miles)
• Oregon Medical Group (4.6 miles)
• Willamette Valley Dermatology (4.7 miles)
• MR Imaging Associates (4.7 miles)
• McKenzie Medical Imaging PC (4.7 miles)
• Mckenzie Medical Center (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Emeritus at Springfield - the Woodside (2.1 miles)
• McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center (4.8 miles)
• Riverbend Hospital Pediatric Unit (6.4 miles)
• Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute (6.4 miles)
• PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend (6.4 miles)
• Sacred Heart Medical Center - Children's Miracle Network (6.7 miles)
• White, Kery - Nova Health Urgent Care Coburg (8.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Gridiron Grill & Tap House (3.9 miles)
• Burrito Boy (4.5 miles)
• Cornucopia Main Street (5.6 miles)
• Denny's (6.7 miles)
• Jack In The Box (7 miles)
• Hop Valley Brewing Company (7 miles)
• Denny's (7 miles)

Cafes

• Pump Cafe (5.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.8 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (9 miles)
• Tailored Coffee Roasters (9 miles)

Parks

• Meadow Park (5.9 miles)
• Hendricks City Park (7.6 miles)
• Alton Baker Dog Park (8.1 miles)
• West University Park (8.7 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark 17 (7.1 miles)