Can a Dog Help Your Senior Loved One?
January 21, 2011 by admin
Filed under Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Misc., Portland, Respite Care
We all know what a big help dogs can be to the handicapped of our society. Seeing eye dogs have been used since before World War II, and guide dogs in general have been used, some believe, for the past 500 years. So I guess it should be no surprise to find that therapy pets have recently been all over Assisted Living locations and adult day care centers helping with seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
So how do they help? Do they fetch memories of yesteryear, when the senior they are visiting had a dog of their own? Maybe. But probably not. What they do is help the patient relax. People who experience pet therapy often get their stress levels reduced, along with their blood pressure. In general, they just feel better.
There is something about therapy dogs and the patients they work with. And this isn’t just some feel-good but far-fetched idea being touted by fringe scientists. Doctors and animal experts–from places like the Mayo Clinic–agree that pet therapy is extremely helpful; almost like having a drug, as elderly care article quotes.
So what does this mean for you? It means you can take advantage. Do you care for your loved one at home? Maybe you should think about getting them a dog. A friendly one, like a well trained golden retriever. Or if you have your senior in an Oregon assisted living facility, consider having pet therapy visits by bringing a pet to them.
I know, I know… it doesn’t have to be a dog. It could be a cat. Or a hamster, or a parrot for that matter. But I’ve got my money on Fido.
Oregon Elder Care Services
December 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Assisted Living, Eugene Area, Long-Term Care, Memory Care, Nursing Homes, Portland, Salem
Seniors and their families can face a difficult, up hill battle in getting the exact right kind of care they need in the exact, right location. Fortunately for Oregon residents, there is an abundance of both.
Oregon Elder Care Services are broad. Portland, in particular, offers just about any type of elder care housing that you could possibly ask for. Whether you need nursing home care, assisted living, retirement care, continuing care, alzheimer’s care… the list goes on and on… they have it.
Here are some listings for Portland
- Portland Nursing Homes
- Portland Elder Care (General)
- Portland Memory Care
The same is true for the smaller cities of Eugene and Salem. Each of these cities have around one hundred fifty thousand residents, and yet both have a good selection of senior housing. This includes a new form of senior care: residential home care. This is a type of assisted living that lets seniors live in a family setting. It also includes continuing care, which is a “continuum of care” that begins with retirement living, and lets the patient get more care as the need arises. Residents can move into an assisted living facility or a nursing home facility without signing a contract with a new company. It is an all encompassing type of elder care.
Here are some directory listings for Eugene
And Finally, somem links for Salem
To find assisted living where you are, use the box at the top right corner of this page. For more advice on elderly care, visit that link.
How to Talk about Assisted Living
October 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Advice, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care, Memory Care, Nursing Homes
The Assisted Living choice can be a difficult one for the entire family. When you have to say to your parents “I think it is time for you to move out of your home to a place where you can be taken care of,” well, it is har do to make that work without sounding condescending or harsh. But you can do it. And if you really think that their situation warrants that big of a change, it would be wrong of you to ignore that. You need to talk about it.
Talking about assisted living with your parents
Here are a few suggestion for how to introduce the subject without offending them.
1) Do some preliminary research. Elder care is not what it used to be. This does not have to be a drab situation, where they will be sitting in a sterile common room watching Jeopardy and eating yesterday’s jello. Today’s assisted living facilities offer all kinds of excellent activities and opprotunities to make new friends and have good fellowship. Plus, the facilities are far better than they used to be. The point is, do your homework. Find a few facilities that you think could work for them. Get some brochures, and some good information.
2) Shoot straight with them. This is not a time to beat around the bush. Do not offend them by sounding condescending, like you are trying to protect them from the truth. Be honest about your concerns, and about what you think could be solutions.
3) Reaffirm your commitment to them. They are your parents. No matter what happens down the road, you will love them. You will be there for them. If they go into a different housing situation, that will not change. Their biggest fear might just be that they would be left in an assisted living facility alone. Don’t let that happen.
If you are looking for an Oregon assisted living facility, or elder care in any other state, use the search box at the top of this page.
Alzheimer’s Support Groups in Oregon
January 21, 2010 by admin
Filed under Advice, Alzheimer's, Memory Care
The demands of caregivers are well known, if not well appreciated. Giving elder care at home is physically unable to care for themselves is difficult enough, and introduces a host of stresses and complications that the average person never even thinks about. When you combine those problems with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, the issue becomes even more difficult.
For these dear caregivers, support groups can be priceless.
There are many people who balk at the idea of support groups because of what they see on television. They see superficial gatherings of people who smile alot and continually say things like, “we’re here for you.” These people are often battling serious addictions or emotional brokenness.
This is an incomplete picture. Support groups are, simply about supporting people in a difficult situation. If you are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s, you know that it isn’t easy, and only those in similar situations can really relate to the frustration, the sadness, and the burdens you carry. Many people don’t share those things wiht friends and family for fear of being judged. But this is not a great concern at a support group because you are dealing with total strangers who have gone through similar things. At these groups you can find resources, tips, advice, and answers. Best of all, you can forge new, lasting relationships with people who can continue to walk with you and your loved one during a difficult season where you need people more than anybody else.
To find Alzheimer’s support groups in the state of Oregon, click here.
If you are looking for memory care, you can find Alzheimer’s focused Assisted Living in Oregon, use the “Find Senior Housing” box at the top of the sidebar.
Memory Care in Salem
October 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Long-Term Care, Memory Care, Oregon Directories, Salem
Do you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of Dementia? Are you worried about their safety and security?
There are a plethora of fine Elder Care facilities in Salem and some of those specialize in Memory Care. Their services range from Home Care to Respite Care to Adult Day Care to long-term Assisted Living. While many of them treat other ailments and situations as well, these facilities specialize in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of Dementia.
Below is a directory of Memory Care facilities in the Salem, Oregon area.
Click on the facility name for more information.
| Facility Name | Address | PHONE # |
|---|---|---|
| Harmony House | 3062 Hyacinth St NE | 503-588-0722 |
| Hawthorne House of Salem | 3042 Hyacinth St NE | 503-763-2722 |
| Rosewood Court Residential Care | 4254 Weathers Street NE | 503-585-4602 |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Salem | 4120 Kurth St S | 503-581-8667 |
| Orchard Heights | 695 Orchard Heights Rd NW | 503-566-9052 |
| Brookstone Alzheimer's Special Care Center | 5881 Woodside Dr SE | 503-316-0687 |
| Farmington Square - Salem | 960 Boone Road SE | 503-363-2273 |