Terwilliger Plaza Retirement Community

September 2023

Google

Tom Greaves

Terwilliger is a community: this is its real strength. Folks here come from diverse backgrounds - education, creative arts, science, management, law, medicine, clergy, etc. and discussions are informative, respectful, and sharing. It's reflected in Terwilliger's abundant groups, activities, shows, and happy hours within an actively welcoming and caring context. Lots of other things at Terwilliger are greatly valued, but our community is the key.

July 2023

Google

Meg Merrill

Thank you so much to Terwillager Plaza administration, staff and community members. My parents have been members for three years and what a gift it has been for our whole family. They love all the Terwillager perks (self-governance, the choice of a meal plan, thoughtfully planned activities, the balance between privacy and community involvement). I love the central location, the warmth, the incredible rooftop views and the reservable rooms for our family celebrations. Most importantly I know my parents are well cared for by trustworthy, friendly staff and surrounded by a vibrant community. When I'm ready for retirement (eventually!), Terwillager will be top on my list of possibilities.

June 2023

Google

Barbara Jennings

We really enjoy living at Terwilliger Plaza. The community is very welcoming and enjoyable. The array of fitness classes and opportunities for personalized training are excellent. We appreciate the depth of creative programming and the staff is exceptional.

May 2023

Google

MJ Levine

My partner has been in assisting living at Terwilliger Plaza for seven months, and I am delighted to share what a positive experience it has been for both of us. The facilities are immaculate, the food is of fine quality and exceptional variety, and the activities are excellent, but what puts that fifth star on this review is the fine staff. I have not met a single person there I wouldn't trust with my life. From the administrators to the servers and cleaners and caregivers, everyone is perfect at his/her job, always eager and able to make the day better. The head of the nursing staff, Jona Ness, has taken personal care to meet each of my partner's challenges, as has each of her staff. The activities director, Michelle Wager, has gone out of her way to satisfy my partner's needs. Katrina Mainetti, who leads social services, does so with dedication and grace seeing that the caregivers as well as those in their care are supported, I don't know the last names and titles of all of the fine people who see to the residents' needs, but I want to call out Joseph, Yvonne, Lupe, Nikoya, Adrianna, Chelsea, Maria, Jarrod and hope that they, and those I've neglected to mention, know how they important they are to us every day. Thank you.

March 2023

Google

David Culpepper

My wife and I have lived at Terwilliger Plaza for just over 15 months now. We're both in our late-middle 70's and are relatively healthy and active. We love it here. We participate in and really appreciate the many organized exercise programs. We also enjoy exercise walks on our own up Terwilliger Drive, on the Duniway Park track, in the nearby Lair Hill and Corbett neighborhoods, and on the Willamette River walkways. There are wonderful musical and educational activities every week. We really appreciate being close to downtown and within easy walking distance to the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Museum, Portland State University, and (on the PSU campus) Lincoln Hall, an excellent venue for two chamber music groups and a small professional opera company, as well as numerous shops and restaurants. Portland has an excellent public transportation system, and several TriMet bus lines that have every day frequent schedules stop within two blocks of our door. Furthermore, it's only a 10 minute walk to the closest Max light rail station. We are very impressed with the management and government structure at Terwilliger Plaza. Unlike many other retirement communities, even other CCRCs, Terwilliger Plaza is a nonprofit corporation with the Plaza residents as the members of the corporation. Not only do the residents elect the corporation's directors, but the corporate structure guarantees that a majority of the directors must be Plaza residents. Management is controlled by residents instead of having residents at the mercy of disconnected management. However, even more important to us than these awesome advantages, what we like most about Terwilliger Plaza are the people here. We are constantly overwhelmed by both the backgrounds and the friendliness of fellow residents and members of the staff. We love having friends to meet with and chat at any time.

January 2023

Google

Marvin Dawson

Great views and ammenities.

November 2022

Google

Jackie Spurlock

We love living at Terwilliger Plaza. The residents are friendly, smart, and engaged, and the variety of activities every day is rather unbelievable. There's a great gym and swimming pool, but the neighborhood is also great for getting outside and walking. Most residents are in independent living, but as we age, there is plenty of help available from a really great staff. We moved in a year ago and never looked back!

November 2022

Google

Nancy Wilson

After visiting many retirement communities from the East Coast to Mexico, we're extremely happy we chose to become members at Terwilliger Plaza in 2020. We love connecting with so many friendly, interesting, bright and caring people here. It is stimulates our elderly brains to spend time with people who have had diverse experiences and viewpoints. We greatly appreciate that our community is self-governed. Having a CEO and administration who listen, are open to feedback, connect warmly and intensionally with members is unusual and a huge plus. Staff is great and eager to help. Love walking to the symphony, museums, farmers market, restaurants and PSU, yet enjoy biking through the woods, under a tunnel and over a bridge to kayaks we keep on the river! A very strong positive is having a choice of cooking for ourselves or using the optional meal plan in the dining room. Added benefits; encouragement for members to create groups, committees, live music, excellent movies, library, classes, book groups, volunteer opportunities, deli, salon, lectures, garden boxes, pool/ hot tub, gym/wellness center w/ a very competent staff, rooms you can reserve for family/friend parties, woodworking shop, zip car, planned outings, transportation and beautiful views from the roof top. In short, we/our kids/grandkids are overjoyed with our decision to join this warm, informal, inspiring community.

November 2022

Google

Richard Teutsch

We have lived at Terwilliger for nearly a year now. The experience has exceeded all expectations. There are several interest groups, book groups, a meditation group, a philosophy discussion group and more. People here come from so many backgrounds that it's easy to find new friends and new activities. We're very happy we moved in!

May 2019

Google

Anthony Ulibarri

I have worked here for almost 3 years. Great environment for people looking for a relaxing or exciting retirement. Great food if I do say so myself. The atmosphere is elegant and the workers are always helpful.

March 2019

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Laura Kincannon

They take care of my mother- n - law very well. The dining room is nice, food good. The staff is wonderful....there are weekly jaunts to the store, some field trips to the beach and other places...

September 2018

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Elan Adre

February 2018

Google

Marie Anderson

Great place to work

August 2017

Google

Alice Ronald

My husband and I moved to TP 3 years ago and we are totally happy. Moving from Idaho, our goal was the easy availability of a major airport, major public transportation and major medical. Leaving friends of 45 years was hard, but we now have dozens of new friends, wonderfully warm and interesting people. Our activities here include 5 days a week of exercise programs, involvement with the eclectic art collection, the Green Team (recycling), weekly movies, lectures and much more. The location, self governance and lack of a required meal plan and location attracted us. Moving by the time we were 75 enabled us to downsize ourselves and adjust to our new setting with ease.

July 2017

Google

David Sessions

Since we moved here in December 2010, we have found that the Members have a wide range of backgrounds and interests. This has allowed us to make friends and have intellectual stimulation. The staff is outstanding. They enjoy working here, and they enrich our lives. They are good at facilitating the transition from independent living to assisted living when that time comes. Although at this time there is no Memory Care unit, the staff is trained to work with most Members with dementia. A Memory Care unit is in the planning stage. We are close to downtown Portland with the No. 8 bus stopping at our door. I highly recommend Terwilliger Plaza.

June 2017

Google

Shirley Holland

It has been over 6 years ago since I moved to Terwilliger Plaza. Over this time frame this is what I discovered: For me, I am glad that I moved in while I was healthy, physically and mentally able. Why? Because I have seen first hand what happened to other people when they waited until they were physically unable to move themselves, mentally unprepared to make the transition and had to depend on others to help them do everything, from the paperwork, to physically doing the move. It was good that I was able to do everything for myself. It is good that I was able to take my time to find doctors and dentist, banks, beauty salon, whom I liked that I could get to conveniently by public transportation. It is good that I was able to get acquainted with this city and the public transportation system, and my surroundings while I'm still in good shape. It is good that I have made a new circle of friends that I could count on as "family" as opposed to not knowing a soul. It is good that I learned how things are run at Terwilliger, who does what and when and how to handle different situations. I learned how the self-governance aspect works. How many people can say that they actually participate in the decision making process of a corporation as a resident of the very retirement community where they live? Here at Terwilliger, each member has this privilege. I feel that I was able to actually help make this a better place to live in for myself as well as for others simply because I did move here while I am still physically and mentally healthy. I feel that taking a pro-active approach empowers each person who participates in this; we each are still a formidable entity who help in the continuing evolution of Terwilliger Plaza. This is a very important aspect of living at Terwilliger Plaza. -------------------------------- Because I am often asked about what I mean by "self-government" here at Terwilliger I have written the following paragraphs. 'Self-Governance?'" means that -- I have a voice in making some of the major decisions that are made for my community; -- that there is a system in place to allow me to make my voice heard in a democratic way where I, as a member, can trigger changes to aspects that concern all of us. This is also known as "Representative Self-Governance." I, as a member, can go to my Floor Representative to voice an issue that I want to address or change. My Floor Representative will bring it up to the Resident Council to be resolved. If the issue is not within the scope of the Resident Council, it is referred to our Board of Directors and they, in turn, will discuss, study, recommend and/or make changes that affect all members who live here. I'd say this is quite powerful if you know that MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS actually live here with us, they will fully understand any issue I raise. Our rules and regulations were proposed by people who actually live with us in our buildings here. Hopefully this explanation makes sense to you. Who made your rules and regulations where YOU live? I believe this is NOT the case with most other retirement communities.

November 2016

Google

Tika Singh

We have the best members and wonderful employees. We are a happy family.

October 2016

Google

Sue Beardwood

I give Terwilliger Plaza the very best rating....5 stars. I have lived here 5 years, and have never regretted my move from the Pearl District here in Portland. I have a lovely studio apartment with lots of light. The windows are wide, opening up fantastic views. I never looked for retirement anywhere else, as I knew of the good reputation here. The people are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, fully engaged in the many activities that are offered...all covered by your maintenance fee. Housekeeping twice a month and linen service are pluses! In my Studio Apartment, I have a BIG stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, and I do most of my own cooking. Taking and paying for your meals here is NOT required, so the cost of living is kept down. The dining room and the deli are excellent choices when I do not wish to cook. I take advantage of the grocery runs, the tours to outlying places, and the exercise classes, including pool aerobics and prime movers. I no longer have a car, so I use the #8 bus (right out in front,) the streetcar and the MAX to travel downtown, or I walk. The Sat. Market is at PSU...easy walking distance. Then, there are all the cultural activities in the downtown. Downsizing was not that hard, in fact it is a relief! I even have storage on the ground floor for the things that I don't keep in the apartment. I truly feel that I am LIVING FORWARD. I invite you to come and visit!

March 2015

Google

airiel warner