Home Away from Home

Home Away from Home, located at 1818 SE 114th Place in Portland, Oregon, is a small board and care home that's managed and owned by people who give care themselves, and what you really get there is a place where folks feel like family because the staff actually take care of the daily needs with patience and attention. The home is licensed for five residents in a house that's about 2,400 square feet on a 15,000 square foot lot with a 20 by 40 foot swimming pool and hot tub right outside, and there are three private bedrooms and one shared room, with both private and shared bathrooms, all set up so it feels comfortable rather than like an institution, which some people really appreciate as they get older and need more help. The staff stays awake 24 hours and they're used to working with all sorts of health needs-Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, diabetes, brain injuries, cancer, wound care, and hospice-so residents can stay even if their needs become advanced, and families know help is there at all hours for bathing, eating, dressing, getting to the bathroom, and even things like tube feeding or suctioning, which not every place will do. Meals are home-cooked, clean, and nutritious, always with attention to diets the doctor wants and the option for vegetarian dishes, and there are exercise programs, stay-fit classes, and activities both in the home and out in the community, with transportation for those who want devotional services, group outings, or medical appointments. The owner speaks Romanian and some staff speak Hindi, which helps if a resident's more comfortable in those languages, and the staff is careful about safety, with fenced and alarmed yards for anyone who has trouble with wandering, plus it's wheelchair accessible with roll-in showers and rooms easy to move around in with equipment. People can bring pets if the home agrees it's a good fit, and there's always some focus on helping everyone feel respected, supporting independence as much as possible, and making sure people don't feel like just a number. There's respite care for short stays and support for post-surgery recovery as well, and the home's licensed as a Level 3 Adult Care Home by Multnomah County, so they have the highest level of care for adults over 65, and the owner, Georgeta Sarbovan, has over thirty years of experience, making sure the place stays clean, cheerful, and homelike, and the residents can enjoy the courtyard, common rooms inside, or the fresh air outside. No smoking or medical marijuana is allowed, but alcohol is permitted, and there's always an effort to coordinate with doctors and hospice if that becomes necessary, so people can remain in a familiar place as they age. Housekeeping and laundry are taken care of, transportation can be arranged, and most people who've been there mention how calm and welcoming the house feels, with folks who go out of their way to make residents comfortable.