Alternatives to A Place for Mom in Oregon
A plain-English guide from Cherry Blossom Cottage — a small, family-owned residential care home in SE Portland serving families since 1989.
Why look beyond referral sites
Referral services like A Place for Mom are free to families because care homes pay them a fee when a resident moves in. Many families find them helpful. But it's worth knowing there are free, unbiased ways to research senior care in Oregon on your own — sometimes reaching options a referral list may skip.
Free, unbiased ways to find care in Oregon
Oregon's Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC): a publicly funded service that helps families understand options at no cost. Search for the Oregon ADRC online to find current contact information.
Hospital and rehab discharge planners: social workers who place people every week and know local homes well.
Geriatric care managers: professionals you hire directly to assess needs and recommend options in your interest.
Contact care homes directly: you can always call a home yourself, describe the situation, and ask whether they're a fit — no middle step required.
What to ask when you call a home directly
Describe your loved one's needs plainly and ask the home to confirm they can meet them: the level of daily help, transfers and mobility support, any clinical needs (catheter, ostomy, oxygen), whether a nurse is on staff, and whether they support care through end of life.
At Cherry Blossom Cottage you reach the home directly. Tell us about your loved one's care needs and we'll give you an honest read on fit before anything else.
A calmer way to decide
However you search, trust what you see in person. Tour a home, notice whether staff know residents by name, taste the food if you can, and ask hard questions. The right home will welcome them. Call us at 503-256-9777 whenever you're ready.
Wondering if we're the right fit?
Tell us a little about your loved one's care needs and we'll give you an honest answer — then, if it's a fit, we'll arrange a relaxed tour. No pressure.
Tell Us About Your Care Needs → Call 503-256-9777