The Pearl at Kruse Way: Comprehensive Review

• Overview

• Types of Services Offered
  • Skilled Nursing Care
  • Memory Care
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • Respite Care
• Accommodations and Amenities
  • Facility Features
  • Dining Services
  • Safety Features
  • Services
• Daily Activities and Programs
• Resident Experience and Testimonials
  • Positive Feedback
  • Areas for Improvement
• Pricing Information
• Comparison with Similar Facilities in Lake Oswego
  • Pricing Comparison
  • Facilities Comparison
  • Distinctive Features
• Summary and Distinctive Features
  • Strengths
  • Considerations
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Overview

The Pearl at Kruse Way is a 74-bed senior living facility at 4550 Carman Drive in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Part of the Avamere Family of Companies, it specializes in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory care, and respite care for seniors who need significant medical support.

The facility has received a Bronze Commitment to Quality award from the American Health Care Association and earned a perfect score on its 2022 State Survey.

Types of Services Offered

Skilled Nursing Care

The Pearl provides 24-hour skilled nursing including medication management, pain management, post-surgical care, chronic disease management, wound care, and IV therapy.

• 24-hour skilled nursing professionals
• Medication management
• Pain management
• Post-surgical care
• Disease management for chronic conditions
• Wound care
• IV therapy

Memory Care

The 31-bed memory care unit serves residents with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other cognitive impairments. It includes 24-hour care, a weekly onsite doctor, and a dedicated nurse with 17+ years of experience at The Pearl. The unit has secure entry systems and daily programming tailored to memory care residents.

• Secure environment designed for those with Alzheimer's and dementia
• 24-hour care staff
• Doctor onsite weekly
• Dedicated nurse on site daily with over 17 years of service at The Pearl Memory Care
• Daily activity and life enrichment programming designed specifically for memory care residents
• Secure entry systems with faux bookshelf doors

Rehabilitation Services

The rehabilitation program includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, an on-site therapy gym, individualized treatment plans, and experienced therapy staff.

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• On-site therapy gym
• Individualized treatment plans
• Experienced therapy team

Respite Care

The Pearl offers short-term care for seniors, providing temporary relief for family caregivers while their loved ones receive care in a safe setting.

Accommodations and Amenities

Facility Features

The facility has a therapy gym, spa bath, courtyard with gardens, outdoor deck, lounge with fireplace, TV and WiFi, private and shared rooms with private bathrooms, and landscaped courtyards.

• On-site therapy gym
• Spa bath
• Courtyard and common areas
• Outdoor deck
• Lounge area with fireplace
• TV and WiFi
• Private and shared rooms with private bathrooms
• Landscaped courtyards with flowers, shrubs, and walkways
• Small courtyards with flowers, shrubs, and walkways

Dining Services

• 24-hour snacks available, nutritious meals, special diets accommodated, and personalized nutrition plans.
• Nutritious meals
• Special diets accommodated
• Personalized nutrition plans

Safety Features

The facility uses 24-hour nurse call systems, grab bars and emergency call buttons, enhanced cleaning protocols, pre-shift wellness checks for employees, and frequent sanitizing of high-contact areas.

• 24-hour nurse call system
• 24-hour skilled nursing professionals
• Grab bars and emergency call buttons
• Enhanced cleaning protocols
• Pre-shift wellness checks for employees
• Frequent sanitizing of high-contact areas

Services

• Transportation services
• Housekeeping
• Laundry service
• Regular health assessments
• Safety and disabled fixtures

Daily Activities and Programs

Activities include chair exercises, music programs, arts and crafts, pet therapy (the facility is pet-friendly), volunteer performances, bus outings, sensory activities like a fish tank, and social events.

• Chair exercises
• Music programs
• Arts and crafts
• Pet therapy (the facility is pet-friendly)
• Volunteer performances
• Bus outings for residents able to participate
• Colorful fish tank for sensory engagement
• Social events

The memory care unit offers programming designed for residents with cognitive impairment. Some recent reviews mention inconsistent activity director staffing.

Resident Experience and Testimonials

Reviews of The Pearl are mixed, with strong praise for nursing and therapy services but concerns about staffing consistency.

Positive Feedback

A former resident reported: "If there was a rating higher than 5 stars, I would gladly check that option! I was a resident there for only 2 weeks last month (Nov. 2017), but it was a truly great 2-week experience! I was transferred to The Pearl via ambulance after a week-long stay at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland. I was very nervous at first, having had a previous horrible stay at another facility about 10 years earlier. I was so pleasantly surprised at the entire facility; everything from the reception desk in the lobby right down to the less-visible services that are housed in the basement."

A nurse with over four decades of experience wrote: "The Pearl skilled nursing experience has exceeded all expectations. The CNAs are very well trained, incredibly compassionate, and provide patient-centered care. My therapy team were seasoned, experienced professionals who challenged me in spite of some of the barriers my disease process presented during my stay."

Areas for Improvement

Some reviews mention staffing concerns, including inconsistent activity director staffing, questions about staff-to-resident ratios, and staff turnover with some inexperienced hires. On Caring.com, The Pearl has a 3.1 out of 5-star rating based on 7 reviews. On A Place for Mom, the overall experience rating is 2.8 out of 5 based on 6 reviews.

• Issues with maintaining consistent activity director staffing
• Some reviews note concerns about staff-to-resident ratios
• Mentions of staff turnover and hiring inexperienced staff

According to reviews, The Pearl at Kruse Way has a rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars on Caring.com based on 7 reviews, while A Place for Mom shows an overall experience rating of 2.8 out of 5 based on 6 reviews.

Pricing Information

The Pearl doesn't publicly list specific pricing, but third-party sources estimate monthly costs: skilled nursing around $11,314, memory care around $9,131, assisted living around $5,534, and independent living around $3,044. The average monthly cost is about $7,256—higher than the Lake Oswego average of $5,852 and the Oregon state average of $4,920. The facility accepts Medicare for qualifying short-term stays.

• Nursing Care: Approximately $11,314 per month
• Memory Care: Approximately $9,131 per month
• Assisted Living: Approximately $5,534 per month
• Independent Living: Approximately $3,044 per month

The monthly average cost of care for this provider is estimated at $7,256, which is higher than the Lake Oswego average of $5,852 and significantly above the Oregon state average of $4,920.

The Pearl accepts various payment methods including Medicare for qualifying short-term stays.

Comparison with Similar Facilities in Lake Oswego

The Pearl's costs are generally higher than local averages, reflecting its focus on skilled nursing and memory care rather than independent or assisted living.

Pricing Comparison

Canfield Place in Beaverton has studios from $4,800/month and one-bedroom units at $5,750/month, with a 9.8/10 review score on A Place for Mom. Royalton Place in Milwaukie offers studios from $3,935/month and one-bedroom units at $4,910/month, with a 9.6/10 review score. Brookdale Oswego Springs Portland is also in the area.

Facilities Comparison

• Canfield Place (Beaverton): Studios from $4,800/month, one-bedroom from $5,750/month, 9.8/10 review score
• Royalton Place (Milwaukie): Studios from $3,935/month, one-bedroom from $4,910/month, 9.6/10 review score
• Brookdale Oswego Springs Portland: Another area option with pricing not publicly available

Distinctive Features

• The Pearl operates a 31-bed memory care unit for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia. It has received the AHCA Bronze Commitment to Quality award and a perfect State Survey score. Unlike many communities focused on independent or assisted living, The Pearl emphasizes higher levels of medical care. Reviews highlight the personalized, patient-centered approach in rehabilitation.
• Quality Recognition: The facility has received the Bronze Commitment to Quality award from AHCA and perfect State Survey scores
• Skilled Nursing Focus: Unlike many communities focusing primarily on independent or assisted living, The Pearl specializes in higher levels of care
• Personalized Care Approach: Reviews highlight the facility’s commitment to patient-centered care, especially in their rehabilitation program

Summary and Distinctive Features

Strengths

• Well-maintained facility with good amenities, strong rehabilitation program with experienced therapists, specialized memory care unit, AHCA quality recognition and perfect State Survey scores, patient-centered care approach, accommodating dining services, and 24-hour skilled nursing care.
• Strong rehabilitation program with experienced therapists
• Specialized memory care unit
• Quality recognitions from industry organizations
• Personalized, patient-centered approach to care
• Accommodating dining services
• 24-hour skilled nursing care

Considerations

• Pricing is higher than other area facilities. Reviews raise concerns about staffing levels and consistency. The facility doesn't focus on independent living. Outdoor spaces are limited.
• Mixed reviews regarding staffing levels and consistency
• Not focused on independent living options
• Small outdoor spaces

Conclusion

The Pearl at Kruse Way serves seniors needing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or memory care. The facility has industry recognition and positive feedback on its therapeutic and nursing services.

Higher pricing reflects the specialized nature of care and quality of the facility. It's suited for seniors requiring significant medical support rather than those seeking primarily independent living. For those considering The Pearl, schedule a tour, discuss current staffing levels, and clarify all costs for your loved one's specific needs. The strong rehabilitation outcomes and specialized memory care services merit consideration if these are the services you need.

For families considering The Pearl at Kruse Way, it would be advisable to schedule a tour, discuss current staffing levels, and clarify all costs associated with the specific care needs of their loved one. The facility’s strong rehabilitation outcomes and specialized memory care services make it a worthy consideration for those requiring these specialized services in the Lake Oswego area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Where is The Pearl at Kruse Way located, and how do I schedule a tour?
   A: It's at 4550 Carman Drive, Lake Oswego, OR. Contact admissions by phone or their website to arrange a tour.
2. Q: What types of care are available?
   A: Skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapy, memory care, and respite care.
3. Q: How is pricing structured, and what is included?
   A: Monthly rates vary by care level. Fees typically cover room and board, 24-hour nursing, therapy sessions, meals, housekeeping, and common-area access. Contact admissions for detailed pricing.
4. Q: What amenities and activities can residents enjoy?
   A: A therapy gym, spa bath, courtyard, outdoor deck, lounge with fireplace, dining, Wi-Fi, fitness classes, arts and crafts, music and pet therapy, and bus outings.
5. Q: What makes The Pearl at Kruse Way unique?
   A: AHCA-recognized quality, perfect State Survey score, a 31-bed memory care unit with secure design and experienced staff, and a well-maintained facility.