Helpful Resources for Seniors

In Portland

Your Guide to The Creston

The Creston | Resources

Navigating senior living options can bring up many questions, and we’re here to help provide the answers.

Here, we provide helpful information, answers to common questions, and explanations of frequently used terms to support you on your journey.

We want you to feel informed and confident every step of the way.

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Have questions? We’ve got answers!

While we cover our most common questions below, we know every situation is different. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact our friendly team via the live chat.

We’re always happy to chat, provide more details, and help you find the information you need.

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The Creston - Resources

Senior Living FAQ

The Creston | Resources

Yes. Trained staff are available 24 hours a day, which gives residents and families added peace of mind. The campus also features emergency response systems that help residents get assistance quickly when needed.

The community provides access to transportation and coordination for a range of clinical services, including podiatry, dental care, audiology, optometry, psychiatry, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. On site support also includes doctor appointment scheduling, laboratory services, and pharmacy services.

Dining is designed to be both enjoyable and social. Residents can gather for meals in welcoming shared spaces, and the broader lifestyle program emphasizes balanced, nutritious options that support overall wellness while still feeling satisfying and familiar.

The Creston offers signature lifestyle programming that includes EngageLife events and activities, Flavorful dining, Vitality health and wellness, and Tranquility salon and styling. Residents can enjoy opportunities for social connection, movement, learning, creative expression, and relaxation.

The community is designed with features that support comfort and safety, including wheelchair accessible spaces, sturdy handrails, emergency response systems, and staff available day and night. These features help residents maintain confidence while enjoying as much independence as possible.

Yes. Families can contact the community to ask questions, discuss care needs, and schedule a visit to explore assisted living at The Creston in person.

Short-Term Living FAQ

The Creston | Resources

Short-term care at The Creston is designed for individuals who need a higher level of medical care and rehabilitation after a hospitalization, surgery, major illness, or injury. The program focuses on short term, intensive treatment and therapy under the supervision of licensed nurses and rehabilitation professionals.

The Creston is a strong fit for someone who is not yet ready to return home safely after a hospital stay and needs additional clinical oversight, therapy, medication support, or recovery services. It is often appropriate for people recovering from surgery, pneumonia, fractures, joint replacements, or other complex medical events.

Yes. Residents and short term patients have access to 24 hour licensed nursing care, including continuous clinical supervision and medication and treatment administration from the nursing team.

The Creston offers comfortable private and semi private suites designed to support recovery in a restful and accessible setting.

Short-term care residents benefit from individualized care planning, chef prepared meals, medication and treatment administration, access to gentle activities and social opportunities, and a care environment built to support both healing and comfort.

Yes. The short-term care program includes services such as advanced wound care, IV therapy, injections, cardiac and respiratory support, and rehabilitation tailored to each patient’s condition, goals, and pace of recovery.

Meals are chef prepared and designed to support healing and comfort. Therapeutic dietary needs can be accommodated so residents receive meals that align with their clinical and nutritional needs.

Families can connect with The Creston team to learn more about skilled nursing and rehab services, ask questions about the admission process, and schedule a visit.

General Terms & Glossary

Navigating senior living options can sometimes feel like learning a new language. Here are simple explanations for some common terms, grouped by category:

  • Assisted Living: A type of senior living experience that offers housing, meals, and support services, including help with ADLs and medication management, in a home-like setting. It balances independence with available care.
  • Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC): (New Term) A community offering multiple levels of care (like independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing) on one campus, allowing residents to transition between levels as their needs change.
  • Long-Term Care (LTC): A general term for ongoing care services needed by people who have chronic health conditions or disabilities. This can include assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing care.
  • Memory Care: Specialized care provided in a secure environment for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. It focuses on safety, engagement, and therapies tailored to cognitive needs. (See our Serenity Memory Care program!)
  • Respite Care or Short-Term Stays: Short-term stays offered by senior living communities, providing temporary care for an individual while their regular caregiver takes a break or recovers themselves. It can also be a way to try out community living.
  • Skilled Nursing Care: A higher level of medical care provided by licensed nurses (RNs or LPNs), including wound care, IV therapy, injections, and complex medical monitoring. Often provided in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or rehabilitation center.
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Everyday personal tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking (transferring), and using the restroom (toileting). Assessing ADLs helps determine the level of support a person might need.
  • Aging in Place: The ability for a senior to continue living in their chosen residence (whether their own home or a senior living apartment) even as their care needs increase, receiving additional services there rather than moving to a higher level of care setting.
  • Caregiver: Anyone who provides care and support to another person, whether it’s a family member, friend, or professional.
  • Continuum of Care: A comprehensive range of health and support services available to meet the changing needs of individuals over time, often within a single organization or community.
  • Occupational Therapy (OT): Therapy focused on helping people regain skills needed for daily living and working, such as dressing, cooking, or managing household tasks after an illness or injury.
  • Person-Centered Care: An approach to care that focuses on the individual’s preferences, values, and needs, ensuring they are actively involved in decisions about their own care and daily life.
  • Physical Therapy (PT): Therapy focused on improving movement, strength, balance, and mobility, often after surgery, illness, or injury.
  • Rehabilitation: Services like physical, occupational, or speech therapy designed to help someone recover abilities after an illness, injury, or surgery.
  • Speech Therapy: Therapy focused on helping people recover or improve communication skills (speaking, understanding) and swallowing function, often after a stroke or neurological condition.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: Private insurance designed specifically to help cover the costs of long-term care services, which are often not covered by regular health insurance or Medicare.
  • Medicaid: A joint federal and state government program that helps cover healthcare costs for people with limited income and resources. Eligibility rules vary by state.
  • Medicare: A federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older, and for some younger people with disabilities. It generally covers hospital stays (Part A), doctor visits (Part B), and prescription drugs (Part D), but typically does not cover long-term custodial care in assisted living.

Supporting Your Family Every Step of the Way

The Creston | Resources

Choosing the right care for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. At The Creston, we’re here to answer your questions and provide support as you explore options for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Contact us today to learn more or schedule a tour—we’re ready to help you find the support you and your family deserve.

Where to Find Us

The Creston | Resources