The reviews of The Amber present a mixed but distinctly polarized picture that appears to track a change in leadership and staffing over time. Several reviewers describe serious problems that suggest systemic operational and safety issues under prior management: allegations of false advertising, untrustworthy or rude supervisors, forbidding communication between staff and residents, destruction of residents' arts and crafts, absence of a nurse on site, medication lapses, infrequent personal care (showers reported as only once per week), unkept rooms, and poor or horrible food. Some reviews go as far as calling the facility the worst assisted living in Clatskanie and saying it should be shut down. These negative reports also include troubling safety incidents — a resident left in a wheelchair overnight who later fell and required hospital transport — and repeated complaints about unreliable staffing and staff no-shows. Maintenance and infrastructure problems are also documented (for example a blown pump, lack of air conditioning leading to very hot rooms, and argumentative maintenance staff), which in at least one case forced residents to leave temporarily for their safety and comfort.
Counterbalancing those negative reports are numerous strong endorsements that largely appear tied to more recent management changes. Several reviewers explicitly praise "new management" and a new executive director as transformative, describing leadership as conscientious, focused, and effective at getting things done. Under this newer leadership, many reviewers report extraordinary, kind, and attentive caregivers who are engaged with residents and who provide diligent, compassionate care. Multiple reviewers note tangible improvements: healthy-tasting meals, increased engagement through activities (bingo, pedicures, piano, group-area conversations), a clean facility with a pleasant lobby and piano, and an overall safer and more comforting environment. Proximity to medical and dental care and staff who relieve families’ stress are additional positive themes. A number of comments explicitly say the facility has improved “last year” and recommend The Amber based on current conditions.
Patterns across the reviews point to variability over time and inconsistency across shifts. The dominant theme is that The Amber experienced significant operational and care quality problems in the past, but that recent leadership changes have led to apparent improvements in staff behavior, activity programming, and meal quality. However, even among positive reviewers there remain unresolved or sporadic issues raised by others — notably medication management, staffing reliability, and infrastructure problems like HVAC failures. The contrast between glowing reports of attentive caregivers and scathing comments about poor care suggests uneven performance: some residents receive excellent daily care, while other experiences were clearly inadequate and in at least one case dangerous.
For families and prospective residents, the reviews suggest careful, focused inquiry is warranted. Key areas to verify in person or by asking management include: current nursing coverage and clinical oversight, protocols for medication ordering and administration, staffing stability and back-up plans for no-shows, frequency of personal care (showers/bathing), how the facility handles maintenance and HVAC issues (and room temperature monitoring), transportation and outing availability, and examples of recent quality-improvement measures implemented by the new leadership. The documented turnaround under new management is encouraging, but the histories of safety incidents and systemic lapses described by multiple reviewers mean that confirmation of sustained changes and transparent policies will be important.
In summary, The Amber’s reviews reflect a facility that has had serious shortcomings in the past — including safety, staffing, hygiene, medication management, and facilities maintenance — but which also shows clear signs of improvement under recent leadership. Many reviewers now report a caring, engaged staff, better meals, active programming, and a cleaner, more supportive environment. The overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic: improvements are notable and praised, but persistent or past critical issues (especially around safety, medication, and infrastructure) remain important considerations for anyone evaluating The Amber. Continuous oversight and confirmation of the specific operational fixes described by management would be prudent before making placement decisions.
