Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

December 1, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Advice, Home Care, Long-Term Care

There aren’t many jobs as noble as being a caregiver! Indeed, it is a worthy cause, and one which society is beginning to celebrate more and more. But for the caregiver, the nobility and grace are lost in the sheer emotional and physical demands of his or her duties. It is exhausting, stressful work! Many caregivers work themselves to the point of exhaustion, and then burn out quickly. This is, appropriately, referred to as “Caregiver Burnout.”

Caregiver Burnout is not something that HAS to happen to any caregiver. It is an occupational hazard, but occupational hazards can be avoided! Here are some signs that you as a caregiver need to watch for in yourself:

  • Are you frequently exhausted
  • Do you feel helpless? Do you easily become irritated by little things?
  • Do you ever start resenting the person you’re caring?
  • Are you becoming anxious?
  • Do you find that you’re crying more than you normally do?
  • Is your health fragile?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, you need to be on your guard. Things should not continue this way. And they don’t have to.





Here are a few ideas to keep Burnout at bay:

  • Proper Diet: Don’t underestimate the importanace of eating right! If you don’t, you won’t have the physical or emotional energy to keep up with all your duties. You need energy, just like your car needs Gasoline! So put enough of the right stuff in the tank!
  • Exercise: This is another basic that is easily overlooked. Proper exercise helps helps to build and sustain your energy levels. So go out and take a walk!
  • Do things you Like: It is NOT selfish to schedule time for yourself. If you don’t, you will only feel less satisfied and more upset. Your hobbies should not end just because you are a caregiver. Your life is not over. So find a way to actively pursue the things you used to pursue.
  • Ask for Help: Contrary to the opinions of many caregivers, it is really okay to admit that you need some help. You are not responsible for the entire well being of your family circle. Let people know you need a hand, and they will likely give it. Remember there are some really helpful services like Respite Care and Adult Day Care homes that are designed especially with you in mind. Take advantage of them!
  • Find people you can talk to: You need to vent sometimes. You need someone who will hear you without judging you. A support group can be extremely helpful! Otherwise, schedule time to talk with your best friends, or a family member who knows how to listen. And when you find that person, let your guard down and be honest.
  • Learn this word: “No.” I understand it’s a difficult one for you to pronounce, but if you don’t learn to say it, you will end up taking on all kinds of thins you never wanted to take on. For some reason, people often see all that caregivers do, and think they are superheroes. So they ask the caregiver to do even more! Don’t get more stressed than you already are. Just say “No.” It doesn’t make you a jerk. Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
  • Encourage Independence: The person you care for might be relying on you a little too much. Consider encouraging him or her to do those things they still can do themselves! This not only lightens your load, it encourages a sense of well-being and dignity.

Remember not to overdo it! Stay balanced in a healthy way. You don’t have to burn out! In fact, you really can experience the fulfillment of your incredibly important job if you keep things in perspective!

Understanding Different Types of Elder Care

If you’re looking into Elder Care options for you or a loved one, chances are, you’ve already been confused by the terminology. You understand what a nursing home is, but there are so many other types of care and terms to describe them, it can be very confusing. There’s Assisted Living and Independent Living; Home Care and Care Homes, Respite Care and Adult Day Care, Continuing care and Memory Care. The list goes on and on.

In order to know what type of care you’re looking for, you need to understand your terms. Here are some helpful definitions to some of the most common terms out there to get you one step further down the road.

Assisted Living

Think of it as a half-way option for who adults who desire independence but need some assistance. When health and aging make it too hard for a senior to live alone, many people turn to Assisted Living Facilities, which allow a healthy degree of independence for their residents, while still maintaining a helpful, supportive community around them.

Adult Day Care

A community respite care service offered at staffed facilities to care for seniors who are in need of care during daytime hours. Oftentimes, these Adult Day Care facilities focus primarily on patients with Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia.

ADL’s

“Activities for Daily Living.” These are daily activities that most adults do without thinking, but can be increasingly difficult for elders as their health begins to deteriorate. These include getting dressed, eating, taking showers, etc. Home Care Services and Assisted Living facilities will often use the term “ADL’s” when describing the types of activities their staff will help with.

Respite Care

A service that is offered to full-time caregivers who need a little time off, whether that means regularly or occasionally. Respite Care workers can be in-home nurses or workers at a facility such as an Adult Day Care or Assisted Living community.

Home Care

Care that is provided in the senior’s own living environment. Home Care providers can offer a wide array of services depending on the patient’s needs, from skilled registered nurses who can deal with most any medical situation to Home Care companions, who can simply offer a helping hand and a watchful eye.

Care Homes

Residences that offer different degrees medical care and and living assistance to the seniors who live there.

Independent Living

(Also called “Retirement Communities”) A living setting designed for seniors who do not need medical care and want to maximize their independent lifestyle in an active senior community. Many Independent Living communities still offer basic benefits like hospitality and meal services, and are connected with more intensive levels of Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing homes should the need arise.

Memory Care

Specialized care for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia. Short-term memory care often comes in the form of Respite Care, where an adult day care or a home companion can keep an eye out for seniors with memory impairment. Long-term memory care usually comes in an Assisted Living facility, where special care is taken to ensure the security, safety, and mental stimulation of the patients.

Continuing Care

It has been called a “one-stop-shop” for Elder Care. Continuing Care facilities are wide in scope, offering many degrees of care. Many residents will join a continuing care community while they are still healthy, living in an Independent Living segment of the community. As their daily and medical needs increase, their level of care will increase also so that they are able to easily graduate to Assisted Living and Nursing Home care if the need arises.

For Oregon Residents


To find which Elder Care facilities offer these various services in Portland, click here.
To find which Elder Care facilities offer these various services in Eugene, click here.

Home Care Providers in Portland, OR

October 16, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Home Care, Oregon Directories, Portland, Respite Care

Are you looking for elder care services for your loved one at home? There are many different options for Home Care in the Portland, Oregon area. The table below lists the names of the providers, along with the address and phone number.

Click on the name of the Home Health Care service provider for more information.

Name of FacilityAddressPhone #
Healthcare at Foster Creek6003 SE 136th Ave(503) 761-1155
Holladay Park Plaza1300 NE 16th Ave
(503) 280-2216
St. Anthony Village3560 SE 79th Ave(503) 775-4415
Addus Healthcare1827 NE 44th Av(503) 252-0724
Adventist Health Home Health5835 NE 122nd Ave # 155
(503) 251-6301
Amedisys Home Health Care16195 SW 72ND Ave
(503) 619-1020
Kaiser Permanente Home Health2850 NW Nicolai St(503) 778-2400
Providence Home Health6410 NE Halsey St # 200(503) 215-4646
Tabor Crest Residential Care7430 SE Division St(503) 771-8058

Levels of Home Health Care for Elders

October 2, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Home Care, Short-Term Care

Are you considering hiring a Home Health Care service to help take care of your aging loved one? If so, you will need to consider the different levels of home health services that are available. Specifically, does your loved one require a Home Health Nurse, an Aid, or just a Companion?

If your Elder Care needs are higher on the medical side, you might consider a Home Care Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practitioner Nurse. RNs and LPNs are able to handle pretty much anything. They can administer medication, monitor changes in health, etc, while helping with other things like bathing and putting on clothes, etc. Home Care services will generally charge between $20 and $30 per hour for the services of a nurse.

Many patients will not need that kind of intensive care, but will still require some basic help. This is where Nurses Assistants or Home Health Aides come in. These individuals can help your loved one get out of bed, wash themselves, and take care of their immediate needs. Home Health Care services will often charge $15-20 per hour for this level of care.

But what if your loved one needs supervision without medical help? For example, what if he or she is battling dementia and needs a person to keep them company and make sure they don’t wander off? A Companion can come in handy in these situations. Companions are not trained to take care of patients grooming or medical needs, but they do know how to have conversations, how to give basic housekeeping assistance such as preparing lunch, and offer peace of mind by keeping a watchful eye. Home Health Care services will charge slightly less for this level of service as they would for Home Health Aids, but still somewhere between $15 and $20 per hour.

Medicare will generally help cover the cost of Home Health Care. Check with your medicare adviser to be sure.

For a Home Health Care Directory of Eugene, OR, click here.

Home Health Care Directory for Eugene, OR

Are you looking for Home Health Care assistance or Respite Care in the Eugene are? Check out our directory. Each listing is included on the map below. Find a Home Health Nurse, a Home Health Aid, or a Home Health Companion near you.

Name of FacilityAddressCityZIPPHONE #
Addus HealthCare1142 Willagillespie RdEugeneOR97401541-342-5567
Kingswood Court at Sheldon Park2440 Willakenzie RdEugeneOR97401541-344-1078
New Horizons In-Home Care1345 Olive StEugeneOR97401541-687-8851
Sacred Heart Home Health1121 Fairfield AveEugeneOR97402541-461-7500
Willamette Community Health Solutions1621 Centennial Blvd
SpringfieldOR97477541-744-6111
West Oregon Home Health4660 main St #100-2SpringfieldOR97478541-746-0482
Signature Home Health135 Silver LnEugeneOR97404541-345-2835

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Respite Care Directory For Eugene, OR

Respite Care is an important, helpful service for full-time care givers of Elderly adults who need a break.

Below is a list of Respite Care services in the Eugene, OR area. They range from At-Home Care services to Adult Day-care facilities. Check out our map to find a Respite Care service near you.

Name of FacilityAddressPhone #
Addus HealthCare1142 Willagillespie Rd541-342-5567
Alpine Court Memory Care & Cottages3720 N Clarey St541-689-3900
Applegate Care Center709 W Broadway541-343-3445
Avamere Riverpark of Eugene425 Alexander Loop541-345-6199
Churchill Clubhouse Estates1919 Bailey Hill Rd541-485-8320
Farmington Square2730 Baily Ln541-344-7902
Fox Hollow Residential Care Community5320 Fox Hollow Rd541-343-8439
Gateway Gardens178 Commons Dr541-302-1283
Good Neighbor Care78 Centennial Loop541-747-3373
Green Valley Rehabilitation Health Center1735 Adkins St541-344-8435
Kingswood Court at Sheldon Park2440 Willakenzie Rd541-344-1078
Mountain View Senior Living SolutionsPO Box 7364541-741-0449
New Horizons In-Home Care1345 Olive St541-687-8851
Sawyer House ALC1155 Darlene Ln541-338-8780
Southtowne Living Center389 W 29th Ave541-683-3618
Sweetbriar Villa6135 East St541-726-5026
Thurston Living Center6452 A St.541-746-0980


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Would Respite Care Help You?

September 30, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Home Care, Respite Care, Short-Term Care

Are you a full-time Caregiver who needs a Break? Respite Care exists for that very purpose.

It’s difficult for many people to understand the strain of taking care of an elderly loved one twenty-four hours a day. This responsibility can weigh heavily on people. They feel like they can never catch up to their other workload, and never have any time for themselves. Sadly, many of them burn out before too long.

Respite Care is a service that is offered to full-time caregivers who need a little time off, whether that means regularly or occasionally. Respite Care workers can be in-home nurses or workers at a facility such as an Adult Day Care or Assisted Living community.

Many family caregivers would rather their loved one be cared for at home where he or she feels safer and more comfortable. But many elder care facilities are well-equipped to handle day guests. For many seniors, it’s a better option anyway, because it allows them to get out of the house and enjoy a different environment.

Some Respite Care centers will offer care for multiple days as well. This is especially convenient for families who want to go on vacation, but cannot bring their loved one along.

Happily, Respite Care is generally less expensive than most other elder care services. So if you need a break from Caregiving, check out your local elder care resources for Respite Care. It’s worth it!

For Oregon residents, click here to find Respite Care facilities.

Networks for Helping Seniors

September 24, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Advice, Assisted Living, Home Care, Volunteer Services

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in their handy “Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home,” recommends that people explore different options BEFORE deciding to put their loved ones in a nursing home. In many cases, those loved ones do not need intensive, 24-hour assistance, but their needs are just a little more than any one person can handle. The Guide lists many different kinds of services that can help out based on the individual’s needs, so that the Nursing Home option doesn’t have to be the first and only option. I’m posting those options below, along with a brief definition and explanation.

■ Adult day care : This is a unique service offered to seniors who live with loved ones but need care during the day while their loved ones are at work. Most adult day cares are designed for seniors who have dimentia or alzheimers and cannot care for themselves.

■ Meal programs (like Meals-on-Wheels) Meals on Wheels is a national program that offers home delivery of lunches to seniors who are not able to get out. Delivery Drivers are volunteers

Senior centers are gathering places for seniors and their caregivers where they can find limitless information on senior services, and also find friendship, recreation, employment, and volunteer opportunities.

Friendly visitor programs: Offer much needed fellowship and friendly assistance for seniors who are stuck at home without friends and family. The volunteer network of is dedicated to making those they help realize that they are not alone.

Be sure to check with any of these networks to inquire about further assistance in transportation, shopping, or any other questions regarding elder services in your area.

Caring for your Parent at Home?

September 23, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Home Care, Our Philosophy, Stories

When the family conversation of “what to do with grandma” comes up, one irritating question will inevitably raised by one of the children: “Why can’t Grandma come live with us?” The question bounces off the ceiling, all four walls, and finally lays to rest on the kitchen table before someone works up the warrior courage to say, “Sweetheart, I don’t think that would work.”

The home care invitation option is intensely personal. It often comes up when an elder is suddenly left alone following the death of a spouse. Suddenly there are new concerns: How will Dad cook his meals? How will Grandma go to town without Grandpa to drive? What if something happens to her?

This type of non-medical home care is often dismissed right away, even though it is far less expensive and less complicated than any Assisted Living facility. So why do people turn it down so quickly? Because of the relational problems.

Family relationships are complicated and full of baggage. Throw in general personality conflicts and limited space issues, and you might have a recipe for disaster. This is NOT an option for everyone.

But too many people dismiss the idea without considering the positives. Bringing your elderly loved one into your home has many potential benefits. They would be cared for, for starters. With the help of you and your family, there’s no need to worry about them living alone and barely being able to manage. You could keep them out of the driver seat, and make sure they remembered to take their medication. And while they’re around, they could help with some housework, and with the kids’ homework. Plus, they would give you company: someone to go shopping or watch baseball with.

But the biggest benefit to having your parents/grandparents at home is the experience it can give to your own kids. Most children today never take the time to really get to know their grandparents. They have no concept of how difficult life was not so long ago, or of how dramatically this world has changed in such a short time. They don’t understand that some wisdom only comes through experience. And they NEED to know. They need to be linked with the elder generations. We all do.

I say this out of experience. Ten years ago, my aged grandparents came to my wedding. He was ninety one, and she was eighty-four. We sat outside the church talking about “the old days.” They didn’t walk to school up hill both ways, but they DID live in an empty grain silo for the first years of their marriage. They had nothing. Nothing at all. She delivered my uncle in that structure.

“Oh, but we had FUN in those days,” they said. “Kids today have everything, but they are all miserable. We had eachother, and that was enough.”

That was the last time I saw my grandfather. He died two months later. But I will never forget that conversation, or the wisdom they imparted that morning. As a young man about to start my own family, I needed it.

Having your aging loved one at home would give maximum opportunity for that kind of effect. It is risky and inconvenient, but the potential benefits should not be overlooked.