Avamere at Chestnut Lane deaf and deafblind senior living community in Portland, Oregon


For Immediate Release: 7/30/19

GRESHAM, Ore. – Avamere at Chestnut Lane has served the deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing residents and their families for 16 years.

The team and residents will celebrate the anniversary of opening the first deaf-managed assisted living community serving the deaf on the west coast.

Through embracing the deaf culture and immersing themselves in American Sign Language, Avamere at Chestnut Lane is uniquely prepared to enrich the lives of those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. According to the Life Enrichment Director Linke Rejholec, their community is the only senior care community in the United States that exclusively accommodates the needs of deaf and deafblind seniors.

All the staff communicate through ASL and several are deaf themselves. According to Harrison Burke, Director of Community Relations, 95 percent of their residents are deaf. They accept some hearing residents only with purposeful consideration.

The Mickey Mouse-themed anniversary celebration takes place August 3, 2019 at the community on 1219 NE 6th Street in Gresham, Oregon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees will enjoy food, a bubble machine, and games, including a dunk tank. Everyone is welcome: friends, family, local community members, and fellow deaf community members.

“We are proud to be one-of-a-kind, and we are ready to celebrate,” Rejholec noted.

About the Avamere Family of Companies

Founded in 1995 and based in Wilsonville, Oregon, the Avamere Family of Companies provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, rehabilitation, home care, transitional care, and more. Today Avamere’s diverse companies operate in 246 locations across 18 states with over 8,800 employees. Avamere is proud to be considered one of Oregon’s most admired companies as they continue to serve their valued patients and residents. For more information, please visit avamere.com.

Avamere Family of Companies

25115 SW Parkway Ave, Suite B

Wilsonville, OR 97070

For press inquiries, please email press@avamere.com.

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