Assisted Living at an affordable price – designed to fit the individual choices of today’s seniors.
About Northridge Assisted Living Center
Northridge Center opened in 1994 as the first Licensed Assisted Living Facility in Southwestern Oregon. The concept for Northridge Center originated with Jacqualine Connell, a licensed nurse. She envisioned a place that was not only bright, warm, and like home, but also met the State licensing requirements for Assisted Living. She dreamed of a place where holidays and special occasions were celebrated with music, good food and fellowship. Each resident would have a private apartment furnished with their own belongings. They would enjoy the independence in their own living area in addition to the comfort of being part of an extended family.
Northridge Center is a bright place….filled with life and music.
It has the Valley’s largest indoor atrium with over four hundred plants providing nature’s pure oxygen throughout the building. Brightly flowered carpeting and paintings add vivid color everywhere.
There are two grand pianos (an eight-foot 1862 Chickering Grand made of Brazilian Rosewood, and a beautiful black Young Chang grand). There is a Krakauer studio piano handmade by the Amish in Pennsylvania, a three-manual theater organ, two other modern organs and a elegant 1896 Miller pump organ. The Connells are a musical family. Les and his daughters are accomplished singers,and Les is a wonderful pianist.
There is a paved walkway around the buildings and two exterior courtyards for residents who wish to spend time outdoors. All throughout the building are original oil paintings and elegant antiques, which have been in the Connell family for decades.
Northridge cares about the whole resident…physical, emotional and spiritual. The company’s mission statement and Statement of Core Values clearly express that truth. Our licensed nurse observes and monitors the health and physical well-being of every resident. Northridge places a high emphasis on nutritionally balanced meals with a variety of foods; including a daily salad bar offering a choice of fresh green vegetables. The Center continually strives to enhance the spiritual contentment and emotional well-being of those living there. The Center employs a full-time activity director, and every Sunday we have a morning church service in our beautiful atrium with a local ordained pastor.
About the Connell Family
Jackie was raised in the profession by her mother, Martha, a single parent of three who worked hard to raise her kids and instill within them her values of respecting and caring for the elderly. Martha owned nursing homes in the Portland area and Jackie was raised working in them. Martha still is very involved in the Senior community and today is the oldest working RN in Oregon.
Jackie and Les married in 1968 while he was serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. When Les was discharged in 1971 they joined with Jackie’s mother to purchase a small nursing home just outside of Portland. The privilege of caring for the elderly and disabled, fostered within Jackie a life-long dedication to the senior community. Jackie has been a licensed nurse since 1967, and in 1971 became Oregon’s youngest Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
During these years, Les was employed as an accountant with the U.S. Forest Service. When he was transferred to Medford, Oregon in 1974, they sold the nursing home in Portland, however, their commitment to the elderly remained.
The next five years were devoted to the births and parenting of their three daughters; Tamara, Memory, and Andrea. Finally, in 1980 the opportunity to re-enter the nursing home field came with the purchase of the Rogue Valley Care Center. For the next 14 years, Jackie Connell was the owner and administrator of this skilled nursing facility.
As an extension to Rogue Valley Care Center, Northridge Center was built and began operating as an assisted living facility. Les retired from the Forest Service in 1994 and focused his energies on opening and managing Northridge. In the year 2000, Rogue Valley Care Center was remodeled and converted to assisted living, merging with Northridge Center. Les holds a Masters of Business Administration degree and still works part time as a contact auditor with the U.S. Forest Service. Les volunteers as the State Vice-President and pianist for Gideons International .
Northridge Center truly is a family business. Tamara Fielding, the oldest daughter, is actively involved at Northridge as the Social Services Administrator. She holds a BS in business/music and is the worship leader at Shepard’s Way Church in Ashland. Her husband is Roy Fielding, and her son is Isaiah.
Memory Dent and her family moved to Medford in 2004 after her husband David retired from the U.S. Army. David is now one of the managers of the claim adjusters for Progressive Ins. Having worked in the medical field at Madigan Army Hospital, Memory was eminently qualified, and took the course work to become an Administrator. She is now the Operating Administrator and bookkeeper for the facility. David and Memory have three wonderful children; Alex, Cassie, and Gabe.
Andrea Southmayd, the youngest, is a teacher in Eagle Point. Andrea brings her students to sing Christmas carols and hand out home-made cards to the residents every year (all the holidays at Northridge are celebrated with music and good food). Andrea’s husband, Andy is the worship pastor at Living Waters Church in Medford, and also works for Rogue Creamery. They have 2 children.
All who walk through the doors of Northridge Center are immediately aware of the unmistakable impression of a caring family dedicated to providing the best nursing care with the comforts of home.
Our Mission Statement
Northridge Center exists to bring honor and glory to God by looking after and caring for the fatherless and widows in their need in accordance with James 1:27.
Our Core Values
Every decision should promote:
- The Residents’ Best Interest
- Teamwork and Respect among the staff
- Integrity (honoring commitments)
- High Quality Professional Standards of Care
- A Friendly, Family Atmosphere
- Fiscal Prudence
Northridge Center proudly ascribes to the six principles of Assisted Living:
- Choice
- Independence
- Individuality
- Dignity
- Privacy
- Home-like Atmosphere
