Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Community: Comprehensive Review

• Overview

• Types of Services Offered
  • Assisted Living
  • Respite Care
  • Memory Care Services
  • Medical Support Services
• Accommodations and Pricing

• Amenities
  • Dining Services
  • Living Spaces and Campus Features
  • Safety and Accessibility Features
  • Services
  • Pet Policy
• Daily Activities and Programs
  • Physical Activities
  • Social and Recreational Activities
  • Educational Programs
  • Spiritual Activities
• Resident Experience and Testimonials
  • Positive Experiences
  • Areas of Concern
• Comparison with Similar Facilities in the Area
  • Neawanna by the Sea (20 N Wahanna Road, Seaside)
  • Trustwell Living at Astor Place (Astoria)
  • Clatsop Care Memory Community (Warrenton)
• Summary and Distinctive Features
  • Strengths
  • Potential Limitations
  • Recognition
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Overview

Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Community is located at 101 Forest Drive in Seaside, Oregon. The facility sits in a wooded area along the coast. It was established in 1995 and has 79 rooms. Suzanne Elise is part of the Avamere Family of Companies, which the Portland Business Journal has recognized as one of Oregon's most admired companies. Areté Living currently manages the community.

Types of Services Offered

Assisted Living

Suzanne Elise is an assisted living facility for seniors who need some help with daily activities but want to stay as independent as possible.

Key Features:

• Round-the-clock caregivers offering personalized care
• Medication management and reminders
• Regular health and wellness evaluations
• On-call staff dedicated to medical assistance
• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• 24-hour staffing for safety and security

Respite Care

Suzanne Elise offers short-term respite care for family caregivers who need a break. During a respite stay, residents receive professional care in a safe environment.

Memory Care Services

Suzanne Elise provides some memory care services for residents with early-stage dementia or memory issues. Residents with advanced dementia may need a specialized facility like Clatsop Care Memory Community in Warrenton.

Medical Support Services

• Medication management
• Wellness evaluations
• Incontinence care
• Diabetic care
• Non-ambulatory care
• Transportation to local medical appointments

The facility does not offer skilled nursing care or comprehensive rehabilitation services that are available in nursing homes.

Accommodations and Pricing

Suzanne Elise offers several housing options at different price points:

• Studio apartment: Starting at $5,180/month
• Deluxe studio apartment: Starting at $5,452/month
• One-bedroom apartment: Starting at $5,895/month
• Deluxe one-bedroom apartment: Starting at $6,203/month
• Two-bedroom apartment: Starting at $6,513/month
• Second occupant fee: $1,015/month

Additional Fees:

• Community fee: $2,000 (one-time)
• Pet fee: $1,000 (one-time)
• Care costs: $95 per point/month (based on assessed care needs)

All apartments have natural light and feel like a home. They include grab bars, emergency call systems, and accessible showers.

Amenities

Dining Services

• Restaurant-style dining
• Three meals served daily plus snacks
• Special dietary accommodations (low/no sodium options)
• Room service available
• Private dining room for special occasions or guests
• Guest meals available

Living Spaces and Campus Features

• Cable or satellite TV provided
• Wi-Fi/high-speed internet
• Kitchenettes in apartments
• Handicap accessible design
• Ground floor units available
• Air conditioning
• Garden views from select units
• Outside patio and outdoor common areas
• Library
• Meeting room
• TV lounge
• Central fireplace
• Beauty salon
• Billiards lounge
• Piano/organ

Safety and Accessibility Features

• Emergency call systems in each room
• Wheelchair accessible showers
• 24-hour staff presence
• Advanced safety features throughout the facility

• Air purification system (installed in July 2020)

Services

• Housekeeping
• Laundry service/dry cleaning
• Grocery shopping and errands assistance
• Transportation services (complimentary for scheduled outings)
• Transportation at cost for individual needs
• Beauty salon services

Pet Policy

Suzanne Elise allows cats and dogs with a one-time pet fee of $1,000.

Daily Activities and Programs

Suzanne Elise offers a range of activities throughout the year:

Physical Activities

• Fitness classes
• Walking club adventures
• Yoga/chair yoga
• Stretching classes
• Tai Chi

Social and Recreational Activities

• Gardening club (with house plants and patio gardening)
• Trivia competitions
• Billiards
• Holiday parties
• Karaoke
• BBQs and picnics
• Live musical performances
• Live dance or theater performances
• Day trips and community outings (such as visits to the Clatsop County Fair)
• Scenic drives
• Nature activities (like the butterfly release program)

Educational Programs

• Art classes
• Community service programs
• Educational presentations

Spiritual Activities

• Religious services (Catholic, Protestant, Christian)
• Devotional activities both on-site and off-site
• Visiting chaplain or priest

Resident Experience and Testimonials

Reviews of Suzanne Elise show mixed experiences:

Positive Experiences

One family's grandmother stayed at Suzanne Elise for about a year and a half with good results:

• "My overall experience with them was really great. It is a newer facility."
• "The food was really good."
• "The price was right, the rooms were spacious."
• "They had more active people there, and they had volunteers that come and go."
• "The people were really nice. It was a beautiful area."
• "They had all kinds of transportation."
• "It was a very senior-friendly community, so it was really easy to integrate into the community."
• "This community was very clean, and they really took care of their residents."

Areas of Concern

Some reviews raised concerns:

• Concerns about staffing levels, with one reviewer noting they are "completely understaffed" with "one caregiver for each floor"
• Questions about whether the facility is appropriate for residents with severe dementia
• Some residents reported fewer activities over time
• Staff turnover concerns

Suzanne Elise has an overall rating of 3.1 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. It has received a lower rating on A Place for Mom.

Comparison with Similar Facilities in the Area

Other senior living communities in the Seaside area offer different options:

Neawanna by the Sea (20 N Wahanna Road, Seaside)

• Offers both independent and assisted living
• Studio starting at $4,595/month
• One-bedroom starting at $4,995/month
• 4.8/5 rating on Caring.com (5 reviews)
• 8.0/10 rating on A Place for Mom (7 reviews)

Trustwell Living at Astor Place (Astoria)

• Assisted living only
• Studio starting at $4,925/month
• One-bedroom starting at $6,595/month
• 5.0/5 rating on Caring.com (5 reviews)
• 9.7/10 rating on A Place for Mom (45 reviews)

Clatsop Care Memory Community (Warrenton)

• Specializes in memory care, which Suzanne Elise does not fully offer
• Pricing not publicly available
• Mixed reviews: 33% five-star and 67% one-star ratings

Summary and Distinctive Features

Strengths

• Coastal location in a wooded setting
• Variety of apartment options from studios to two-bedrooms
• Wide range of activities
• On-site transportation services
• Pet-friendly environment
• Safety features and 24-hour staffing
• Air purification system

Potential Limitations

• No dedicated memory care unit for advanced dementia
• No skilled nursing or rehabilitation services
• Higher starting prices than some competitors
• Mixed reviews regarding staffing levels
• No independent living option

Recognition

Suzanne Elise has received:

• "Best Meals and Dining" award
• "Best of Senior Living" award

Conclusion

Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Community is a comfortable option in a scenic coastal setting with a range of amenities and activities. The facility works best for seniors who need some help with daily activities but do not require specialized memory care or skilled nursing.

Pricing is higher than some nearby competitors, but Suzanne Elise provides a complete package of services and amenities. Families interested in this community should tour it, speak with staff about current staffing levels, and ask about which services are included in the monthly fee and which cost extra.

For seniors looking for assisted living in the Seaside area who want a wooded, quiet setting with activities and a homelike feeling, Suzanne Elise is worth considering. It's still a good idea to compare it with nearby options like Neawanna by the Sea and Trustwell Living.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Where is Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Community located, and how do I schedule a tour?
   A: Suzanne Elise is at 101 Forest Drive, Seaside, OR 97138. To schedule a tour, contact the community's admissions office or visit their website.
2. Q: What levels of care and services are available?
   A: The community focuses on Assisted Living and Respite Care, with 24/7 caregiver support, medication management, wellness evaluations, ADL assistance, and short-term respite stays. Basic memory care support is available for early-stage needs.
3. Q: How is pricing structured, and what is typically included?
   A: Monthly rates start at $5,180 for a studio and go up to $6,513 for a two-bedroom, plus a one-time community fee and optional pet fee. Monthly fees cover rent, meals, utilities, weekly housekeeping, emergency call systems, basic care services, and access to amenities.
4. Q: What amenities and activities can residents enjoy?
   A: Residents have access to restaurant-style dining, private dining rooms, beauty salon services, TV lounge, library, billiards lounge, outdoor patios and gardens, fitness and wellness classes (yoga, Tai Chi), social events (trivia, live music), day trips, and gardening or spiritual programs.
5. Q: What is the move-in process and what makes Suzanne Elise unique?
   A: To move in, contact admissions to check availability, tour apartments, complete a care assessment, and sign the residency agreement. Suzanne Elise is distinctive for its coastal, wooded location, respite care options, pet-friendly policy, and homelike feel, along with an air purification system and on-site transportation.