Overview
Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Community is located at 101 Forest Drive in Seaside, Oregon. Nestled along the Oregon coast and surrounded by wooded greenery, this secluded community offers a tranquil environment for seniors. Established in 1995, the facility features 79 rooms and is part of the Avamere Family of Companies, which has been recognized as one of Oregon’s most admired companies by the Portland Business Journal. Currently, the community is managed by Areté Living.
Types of Services Offered
Assisted Living
Suzanne Elise primarily functions as an assisted living facility, providing personalized care services for seniors who need some assistance with daily activities while maintaining as much independence 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
In addition to long-term care, Suzanne Elise offers short-term respite care services, providing temporary relief for primary caregivers. This service allows family members to take a break while ensuring their loved ones receive professional care in a safe environment.
Memory Care Services
While not a dedicated memory care facility, Suzanne Elise does provide some memory care services for residents with early-stage dementia or memory issues, though those with advanced dementia may require a specialized memory care facility like Clatsop Care Memory Community nearby.
Medical Support Services
- Medication management
- Wellness evaluations
- Incontinence care
- Diabetic care
- Non-ambulatory care
- Transportation to local medical appointments
Suzanne Elise does not offer skilled nursing care or comprehensive rehabilitation services that would be found in a nursing home setting.
Accommodations and Pricing
Suzanne Elise offers several housing options with varying 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 feature natural light and a homelike atmosphere, with safety features including 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 is pet-friendly, allowing both cats and dogs with a one-time pet fee of $1,000.
Daily Activities and Programs
Suzanne Elise offers a vibrant activities calendar designed to keep residents engaged and active:
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 present a mixed picture of resident experiences:
Positive Experiences
One resident’s grandmother stayed at Suzanne Elise for a year and a half with very positive 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 point to potential issues:
- Concerns about staffing levels, with one reviewer noting they are “completely understaffed” with “one caregiver for each floor”
- Questions about the appropriate level of care for residents with severe dementia
- Some residents reported decreased activities over time
- Staff turnover concerns
Suzanne Elise has an overall rating of 3.1 out of 5 based on 6 reviews, while it appears to have a lower rating on A Place for Mom with 2 reviews.
Comparison with Similar Facilities in the Area
When compared to other senior living communities in the Seaside area:
Neawanna by the Sea (20 N Wahanna Road, Seaside)
- Offers both independent and assisted living (broader range of care than Suzanne Elise)
- Starting price of $4,595/month for a studio (more affordable than Suzanne Elise)
- Starting price of $4,995/month for a one-bedroom (more affordable than Suzanne Elise)
- Higher rating of 4.8/5 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
- Starting price of $4,925/month for a studio
- Starting price of $6,595/month for a one-bedroom
- Higher rating of 5.0/5 on Caring.com (5 reviews)
- Very high rating of 9.7/10 on A Place for Mom (45 reviews)
Clatsop Care Memory Community (Warrenton)
- Specialized memory care (which Suzanne Elise doesn’t fully offer)
- Pricing not publicly available
- Mixed reviews with 33% 5-star and 67% 1-star ratings
Summary and Distinctive Features
Strengths
- Beautiful coastal location in a secluded, wooded setting
- Variety of apartment options from studios to two-bedrooms
- Comprehensive activities calendar with diverse offerings
- On-site transportation services
- Pet-friendly environment
- Safety features and 24-hour staffing
- Air purification system for enhanced health measures
Potential Limitations
- No dedicated memory care unit for advanced dementia
- No skilled nursing or comprehensive rehabilitation services
- Higher starting prices compared to some competitors
- Mixed reviews regarding staffing levels
- No independent living option for more active seniors
Recognition
Suzanne Elise has received recognition for:
- “Best Meals and Dining” award
- “Best of Senior Living” award
Conclusion
Suzanne Elise Assisted Living Community offers a comfortable living environment in a beautiful coastal setting with a range of amenities and activities designed to enhance residents’ quality of life. The facility is best suited for seniors who need some assistance with daily activities but do not require specialized memory care or skilled nursing.
While pricing is slightly higher than some competitors in the area, Suzanne Elise provides a comprehensive package of services and amenities. Families considering Suzanne Elise should tour the facility, speak with staff about current staffing levels, and clarify the specific services included in the monthly fee versus those that incur additional charges.
For seniors seeking assisted living in the scenic Seaside area who value a wooded, secluded environment with diverse activities and a homelike atmosphere, Suzanne Elise represents a viable option worth exploring, though careful comparison with nearby alternatives like Neawanna by the Sea and Trustwell Living is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 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, call the community’s admissions office or submit a request via their website. - Q: What levels of care and services are available?
A: The community focuses on Assisted Living and Respite Care, offering 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. - Q: How is pricing structured, and what is typically included?
A: Monthly rates start around $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. Fees cover rent, meals, utilities, weekly housekeeping, emergency call systems, basic care services, and access to amenities. - 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. - 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 stands out for its coastal, wooded setting, comprehensive respite care options, pet-friendly policy, and homelike atmosphere enhanced by an air purification system and on-site transportation.
