Home Is Where the Heart Is

Pros

• Young at Heart is described as a safe, clean, and loving home.
• The staff treat residents like family, creating a warm, homey atmosphere.
• Eugene and Natela are professional, kind, and thorough in their care.
• They handle medications from start to finish and coordinate smoothly with medical teams.
• Meals are inviting, tailored to dietary needs, and prepared with care.
• The home feels like a true family home where residents are loved and respected.
• Care for dementia and Alzheimer's residents is compassionate, patient, and attentive to independence and safety.
• Families report peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe and well cared for.
• The staff provides tender, loving care and goes above and beyond.
• Families would highly recommend Young at Heart.
• End-of-life care is delivered with dignity, comfort, and family support.

Cons

• Their experience was not wonderful, and they were asked to pick up their mother after only 23 hours.
• The RN was unable to get her to take her medication, and she attempted to leave the home three times.
• They believed the facility had misrepresented itself as specializing in Alzheimer care.
• They were surprised that an RN did not have any strategies for administering medication.
• The facility might be best for hospice care or for those who do not need much attention.
• A reviewer was surprised to read that Young at Heart couldn't take care of someone.

Review

Young at Heart in Vancouver, Washington appears in these many heartfelt notes as more than a residence for aging loved ones. Families consistently describe it as a small, intimate, home-like Adult Family Home where residents are treated as if they were members of the staff's own family. The tone across the reviews is deeply relational: caregivers who grieve alongside families, staff who prioritize comfort and independence within a safe setting, and a sense that this is not just a place to live, but a place to belong.

The collective praise begins with a recognition of safe, clean, and loving care. One family notes that after years of watching their mom be well cared-for, the caregivers there were "grieving almost as much as I am" because of the genuine connections formed. They emphasize that med management, food preparation, hygiene care, and daily interactions with residents are carried out with warmth and attentiveness. The reviewers repeatedly highlight the way staff support independence while ensuring comfort, aiming to create a homey atmosphere where residents feel valued and secure.

A recurring thread centers on the professionalism and compassion shown by the caregivers who work with Young at Heart. Jim and Patti Hubbard recount a specific, multi-faceted care story for their brother, who stayed for 14 months. They describe Eugene and Natela as professional, kind, and thorough, noting that medications were managed from start to finish and that the home coordinated smoothly with visiting medical staff and Hospice. After their brother passed, the staff helped organize belongings, return rental equipment, and clear out the room efficiently. The Hubbards express a strong recommendation, underscoring that this is a place where care extends beyond daily needs to encompass respect, coordination, and support for families.

Another family arrives with a perspective born from moving from a negative setting to Young at Heart. They speak of being "blown away" by the facility's ability to listen and respond to their uncle's needs, praising the "family touch" and patient-centered approach. The sentiment is so strong that they wish they could rate the home at 10 stars, and they emphasize that they would have no hesitation recommending Young at Heart, specifically noting the kindness and attentiveness they encountered from Eugene and Natela.

Several reviews celebrate the dementia and memory care dimension of Young at Heart, describing Reg and Ema as the virtuous core of a "homey" operation. One reviewer, speaking as a daughter with power of attorney, describes the home as a place where mom felt safe, loved, and treated with dignity for the first time in years. The couple is portrayed as compassionate and capable, meeting complex needs while maintaining a sense of family and warmth. The reviewers stress that Reg and Ema foster a culture of heartfelt care, where their own family's needs feel understood and honored by caregivers who communicate openly and consistently.

There are also vivid anecdotes about how the home supports difficult conditions. One reviewer details care for a brother with a brain tumor who could not speak, was incontinent, and unable to walk, and who nonetheless showed improvement in daily life under Ema and Reg's watch. The family describes the staff as nice, attentive, and exceptionally clean, with cooks who prepare thoughtful meals - lasagna being a special favorite. The reviewer explicitly challenges a negative comment they had seen elsewhere, underscoring that Young at Heart can be a wonderful match for families seeking attentive, personalized care.

Not every review paints a flawless picture, however. One family recounts a negative experience that challenges the facility's marketing claims about Alzheimer care. They describe a situation where 23 hours after admission, they were asked to pick up their mom with Alzheimer's, and an RN reportedly struggled to administer medication, attempting three times to do so. The reviewer suggests that the facility may not be suited for residents with advanced Alzheimer's who require more intensive strategies. They caution that the home may be best for hospice-like scenarios or residents who do not need extensive daily attention. This single critique sits alongside a broad chorus of praise, underscoring the importance of fit between a family's needs and the home's capabilities.

Despite that one discordant note, other stories reinforce the sense that Young at Heart excels in providing high-quality memory care and end-of-life support within a family-oriented framework. Families describe the owners as deeply involved, with Reg managing the facility and Ema, a registered nurse, contributing clinical expertise. They convey how the home's small size, clean environment, and constant attention to medication, comfort, and daily routines help families feel informed and at ease as they navigate transitions - from Assisted Living up through higher levels of care and into end-of-life phases. Numerous testimonials specifically praise how the home keeps families informed about medication and care levels, helping to ease the burden during difficult decisions and moments of grief.

The long-running relationships with families further emphasize Young at Heart's place in the community. Multiple reviewers recall many years of care: grandparents and parents, even a mother-in-law and grandmother, cared for with a consistent sense of belonging. They describe coming to visit to see the same welcoming smiles and homey smells, the continuous compassion, and the feeling that the home is truly "the PLACE." For some, the environment becomes a sanctuary where emotional, spiritual, and physical needs are attended to with integrity and thoughtfulness, often making the end-of-life years not only bearable but peaceful and meaningful.

In sum, the collective voice about Young at Heart is deeply affirmative. Families portray a setting that blends professional caregiving with genuine familial warmth: a small, clean, and safe home where residents are cherished; where medication management, dietary needs, and personal care are handled with care; where staff communicate respectfully and transparently with families; and where end-of-life care is delivered with dignity, comfort, and a sense of belonging. While not every experience is perfect, the prevailing narrative is one of gratitude and trust: Young at Heart stands out as a place many families would choose again, and many already do, when seeking a home that feels like family for their loved ones in their final years.

This area of Vancouver, Washington, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several cafes nearby such as Dutch Bros Coffee and Black Rock Coffee Bar, seniors can enjoy a variety of coffee options and socialize with friends. There are also multiple pharmacies in close proximity, including Walgreens and Safeway Pharmacy, ensuring easy access to medications and health supplies. Nearby hospitals like PeaceHealth Southwest Family Birth Center provide quality healthcare services. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants like Final Draft Taphouse and fast-food options like Taco Bell and McDonald's for dining out. For recreation, seniors can visit parks such as Douglas Carter Fisher Park or take a stroll at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Transportation is convenient with Portland International Airport just a short drive away. Places of worship like Summit View Church and St Rose Catholic Church offer spiritual support within the community. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment for senior residents to enjoy a comfortable and engaging lifestyle.

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Black Rock Coffee Bar (1.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Dutch Bros. Coffee (4 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• PeaceHealth Southwest Family Birth Center (1.2 miles)
• Firstenburg Tower (1.2 miles)
• Vancouver VA Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• HCR ManorCare (6.9 miles)
• Salmon Legacy Creek Hospital (7 miles)

Restaurants

• Final Draft Taphouse (1.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (3.6 miles)
• Henry's Tavern - Portl (3.7 miles)
• Hopworks Urban Brewery (3.8 miles)
• Beaches Restaurant & Bar (4.5 miles)

Physicians

• The Vancouver Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Sea Mar Community Health Centers (1.5 miles)
• PeaceHealth Family Medicine (3.9 miles)
• Vancouver Eye Care (5.1 miles)
• Family medicine clinic (5.2 miles)
• Sanjeev Jain (5.3 miles)
• Ideal Option (5.3 miles)

Parks

• Douglas Carter Fisher Park (3.2 miles)
• Heritage Park (4.2 miles)
• Luke Jensen Sports Park (4.4 miles)
• Clearmeadows Park (4.4 miles)
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (4.4 miles)
• Hockinson Meadows Community Park (5.3 miles)
• Esther Short Park (5.4 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse D (3.5 miles)
• Concourse E (3.5 miles)
• Concourse C (3.6 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint A/B/C - Portland International Airport (3.6 miles)
• Portland International Airport (PDX) (3.6 miles)
• Portland Airport Rental Car Center (3.6 miles)
• Alaska Airlines Lounge - PDX (3.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Summit View Church (4.9 miles)
• St Rose Catholic Church (6.9 miles)