Comprehensive Elder Wellness Programs

Licensed through Stanford University’s Patient Education Research Center, our Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a structured six-week workshop series designed for adults living with one or more ongoing health conditions. Each 2.5-hour session is co-facilitated by two trained peer leaders—individuals who themselves manage chronic conditions—ensuring authentic, empathetic guidance grounded in lived experience rather than exclusively clinical instruction.

The curriculum covers action planning and goal setting, exercise and physical activity integration, cognitive symptom management including pain and fatigue reduction techniques, healthy eating strategies, effective communication with healthcare providers, medication usage and adherence, and managing difficult emotions such as frustration, isolation, and depression. Participants also receive a comprehensive companion workbook, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions,” and access to our post-program alumni network for continued peer support.

Clinical outcomes across our cohorts show a mean reduction of 1.4 points in self-reported pain severity, a 22% increase in weekly physical activity minutes, and a 31% improvement in self-efficacy scores within six months of program completion. Workshops run quarterly at twelve community sites including the Multnomah County Library Central Branch, the East Portland Community Center, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Gresham.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults over 65, and one in four older Americans falls each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our Fall Prevention & Mobility Enhancement program combines structured group exercise classes with individualized home safety assessments to address both intrinsic risk factors (balance deficits, muscle weakness, medication side effects) and extrinsic hazards (loose rugs, poor lighting, bathroom accessibility).

Group classes incorporate the internationally validated Otago Exercise Programme—a series of muscle strengthening and balance retraining exercises specifically designed for fall risk reduction in older adults—alongside Tai Chi for Arthritis protocols developed by Dr. Paul Lam. Sessions meet twice weekly for twelve weeks, with ongoing maintenance classes available for graduates. Our certified exercise physiologists and occupational therapists assess each participant’s baseline Timed Up and Go score, Berg Balance Scale rating, and gait velocity to track measurable improvements.

Complementary home safety assessments are conducted by trained community health workers who evaluate more than forty environmental risk factors across six domains: flooring and rugs, bathroom safety, stairways and hallways, lighting conditions, kitchen accessibility, and outdoor walkways. Assessment reports include prioritized recommendations with links to local contractors and aging-in-place modification resources.

Navigating Medicare’s labyrinth of Part A, Part B, Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D prescription drug plans, Medigap supplemental policies, and Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy programs can overwhelm even the most organized individuals. Our certified Medicare counselors—trained through Oregon’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program—provide free one-on-one enrollment support, plan comparison consultations, and appeals assistance year-round, with extended hours during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7.

Services include initial Medicare eligibility assessment for individuals approaching 65 or qualifying through disability, detailed plan comparison across all available Medicare Advantage and Part D options in the Portland metro area, assistance with Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid dual-eligibility applications, guidance on prior authorization denials and formal appeals, and referrals to the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation for Medigap complaint resolution. In the last fiscal year, our navigators helped 1,840 individuals optimize their coverage, saving an estimated $1.2 million in aggregate out-of-pocket costs.

Family caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion worth of unpaid care annually in the United States, often at significant cost to their own physical health, emotional wellbeing, and financial stability. Legacy Health Foundation operates four monthly caregiver support groups across Multnomah County, each facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker specializing in geriatric care dynamics. Groups provide a confidential space for sharing experiences, learning practical coping strategies, and building peer connections with others navigating similar caregiving journeys.

Beyond peer support, our caregiver navigators offer individualized assistance with Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver applications, Oregon Project Independence enrollment, respite care provider referrals, long-term care insurance claim advocacy, and advance care planning documentation including Oregon POLST form completion. Quarterly respite weekends provide caregivers with a full 48-hour break while their loved ones receive supervised programming at partner adult day centers.

Our Memory Wellness Program provides early cognitive screening, brain health education, and structured engagement activities for older adults experiencing mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia, as well as their family members. Using validated tools including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Saint Louis University Mental Status exam, our team identifies cognitive changes early and connects individuals with appropriate medical specialists, legal planning resources, and community support services.

Weekly cognitive stimulation groups incorporate evidence-based activities drawn from the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy protocol developed at University College London, including themed discussions, word association exercises, categorization tasks, and creative expression sessions. Family education workshops cover communication strategies for cognitive changes, safety planning, driving cessation conversations, financial protection measures, and navigating the Alzheimer’s Association care consultation services. Our program maintains formal referral partnerships with the OHSU Layton Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Oregon chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.