Working with Elderly People

These placements include both assisted living centers, where most residents have their own apartments, and nursing homes/convalescent centers where residents receive greater care. Additionally, there are some food service placements (for example, Meals on Wheels) and one-on-one programs (such as Project Linkage).

UPDATE: DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, VISITORS ARE VERY LIMITED AT NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS. AT THIS TIME, VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOLUNTEER ON SITE. WHEN IT IS SAFE FOR STUDENT-VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE AT THESE AGENCIES AGAIN, WE WILL UPDATE THIS SITE.

Avamere Assisted Living at Newberg or Bethany

  • Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
  • Phone: 503-554-0767 (Newberg), 505-690-2402 (Bethany)
  • Time of year: All Year
  • Website: https://www.avamere.com/

An assisted living center where volunteers interact with the residents, form friendships, help them out with their everyday lives, and basically try to make their day interesting and fun. Students will also be working in the Alzheimer's unit and going on outings with residents.

Prestige Senior Living @ Beaverton Hills

Located just behind McCormick's Fish House, just down the street from Jesuit. A 60-unit assisted living facility. Great people with many activities for the older residents and volunteers, including trips. This is also a great placement for summer work. They would like to tailor volunteer opportunities to the skills and interests of the volunteer, so set a time to meet them soon!

Cedar Sinai Park

  • Contact: Cathy Zheutlin, Spiritual Life Coordinator
  • Phone: 503-535-4038
  • Email: cathy.zheutlin@cedarsinaipark.org
  • Time of year: All Year
  • Mailing Address: 6140 SW Boundary Street, Portland, OR 97221
  • Website: https://cedarsinaipark.org/volunteer/

A comprehensive program for elder care located about one mile east of Jesuit on Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. Cedar Sinai Park encompasses Robison Jewish Health Center, primarily a nursing home facility, and Rose Schnitzer Manor, an assisted living facility. Volunteers can work at either or both sites. Typical work entails one-on-one time with individuals doing crafts, reading, writing letters, taking residents on walks as well as many planned activities such as parties, playing games (bingo, etc.) and Jewish religious services. There are no activities on the Sabbath (Saturdays). Hours are somewhat flexible. Cedar Sinai Park works with the Jewish Community Center.

Hearthstone of Beaverton

Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, this Assisted Living is for seniors who prefer a smaller and more personal environment. Older adults who have challenges getting around due to lack of mobility, vision loss or some forgetfulness find it easy to move around our community.

Maybelle Center for Community (formerly called “Macdonald Center”)

The Maybelle Center for Community provides outreach and support services to the “forgotten poor" in the heart of Portland, helping the struggling poor to stay in their housing and off the street. Weekly, volunteers visit socially isolated individuals who live in single room occupancy hotels (SROs) and in our own residence in downtown Portland. At the high school level, students are exposed to immersion experiences that help introduce them to the challenges faced by our members, and also to the beliefs that guide our work such as honoring the inherent worth and dignity of every individual irrespective of their circumstances. Contact the volunteer coordinator to learn how to apply.

Marquis Autumn Hills

A residential Care Facility for adults with Alzheimers and other special needs. The facility has several different levels of care for people in various stages of Alzheimers. Very near JHS (across from Safeway on Beaverton-Hillsdale). Volunteers help residents with activities such as gardening, cooking, reading, exercise, and crafts, and a men’s/ladies’ club. A challenging, but rewarding place to work.

Maryville Nursing Home

  • Contact: Volunteer coordinator
  • Phone: 503-643-8626
  • Time of year: All Year
  • Mailing Address: 14645 SW Farmington Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007
  • Website: http://www.maryville.care/about-us/

Maryville is a skilled rehabilitative and intermediate care facility in Beaverton, Oregon, established in 1963 by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. This fine nursing home is located at Murray and Farmington Road, right next to Valley Catholic School. Volunteers get to choose from a variety of activities such as playing cards with residents, helping write letters, walking with people, doing crafts, etc. Hours can be flexible, but generally afternoon, occasionally weekends, and some early evenings are available.

*Maryville is currently only accepting new volunteers over 18 years old, with the exception of student volunteers who have served there in the past. 

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels has 32 Portland / Vancouver area dining centers where they provide hot meals to seniors in the Portland metropolitan area. They are committed to helping seniors remain independent by connecting them to available resources in the community, and by offering a variety of opportunities for socialization. Volunteers are always needed to help deliver meals (if 18 years old), serve in one of their dining rooms, or help with on-going center activities.

Neighborhood House Senior Center

  • Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
  • Phone: 503-244-5204 Ext: 102
  • Email: volunteer@nhpdx.org
  • Time of year: Vacations
  • Mailing Address: 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
  • Website: http://www.nhpdx.org/

This community center in Multnomah Village provides services to older adults, helping to find ways to live independently, actively, and with dignity. Spend time with seniors or help families in need shop in the food pantry. The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Brookdale Park Place Tigard

This assisted living residence, located near Washington Square, is not a nursing home but a special apartment complex for the elderly. Help is needed mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends for a variety of activities, such as: bingo, book reading, trivia, decorating activity room/boards, etc.

Project Linkage (Metropolitan Family Service)

Through Project Linkage, volunteers are linked with older adults and people with disabilities who need in-home support or transportation services to remain independent in their homes. Volunteers help make it possible for people to age with dignity and to feel connected to their community. Many ways to be involved include: visits, shopping help, etc.

Providence Home and Community Services

Hospice is expert, compassionate care provided to adults with terminal illnesses where cure is no longer a realistic goal. The focus of hospice is to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families. Volunteers would be thoroughly trained and would have significant opportunity to work with dying patients. This is a very challenging, but wholly rewarding experience.

Raleigh Hills Assisted Living Community

A care community located just down the street from Jesuit, near the Beaverton-Hillsdale / Scholls Ferry intersection. Raleigh Hills Assisted Living offers many activities for residents, with both semi-independent apartments and an Alzheimer's unit (for residents with special needs).

Regency Park Assisted Living

Regency Park was designed inside and out to nurture and stimulate the senses and foster a sense of independence. Volunteers will be working with older adults, some of whom have Alzheimers and other limitations, but can still interact and enjoy your company.

 

Terwilliger Plaza

  • Contact: Activity Coordinator
  • Phone: 503-299-4207
  • Time of year: All Year
  • Mailing Address: 2545 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR 97201
  • Website: www.terwilligerplaza.com
  • This is a large residential retirement community in the heart of downtown (located near OHSU). Many and varied volunteer opportunities are available, including working with the activities department and one-on-one possibilities.

Touchmark in the West Hills

  • Contact: Ms. Abi Green, Life Enrichment Coordinator
  • Email: abigail.green@Touchmark.com 
  • Phone: 503-954-1640
  • Time of year: All Year
  • Mailing Address: 840 SW Touchmark Way, Portland, OR 97225
  • Website: Touchmark.com

Touchmark in the West Hills offers independent living, assisted living, and compassionate memory care. 

Westhills Village Retirement Center

  • Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
  • Phone: 503-245-7621
  • Time of year: All Year
  • Mailing Address: 5711 SW Multnomah, Portland, OR 97219
  • Website: www.westhillssenior.com

An assisted living environment for elderly people (residents live in their own apartments). Help needed to visit one-on-one and help with planned activities such as bingo, cards, arts/crafts, poetry/literature reading, etc. Muscians and singers wanted! It is a great opportunity to meet and learn from people with much life experience! Help is also needed as "pen-pals" to send notes, cards, etc. to some residents who never get mail. Saturdays are game days!