I Care For Elders » Memory Care

Can a Dog Help Your Senior Loved One?

admin — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:12:47 +0000

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.

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Oregon Elder Care Services

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:30:58 +0000

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.

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How to Talk about Assisted Living

admin — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:10:10 +0000

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.

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Alzheimer’s Support Groups in Oregon

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:02:24 +0000

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.

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Memory Care in Salem

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:27:01 +0000

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

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Understanding Different Types of Elder Care

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:01:44 +0000

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.

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Memory Care Facilities in Portland, OR

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:37:56 +0000

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 Portland and many 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 Eugene, Oregon area.

Click on the facility name for more information.

Name of Facility	Address	Phone #
Gracelen Terrace Nf	10948 SE Boise St	(503) 760-1727
Mirabella Portland	3030 SW Moody Ave # 107	(503) 245-4742
Marquis Care at Autumn Hills	6630 SW Beaverton Hillsdale	(503) 292-7874
Marquis Care at Centennial	725 SE 202nd Ave	(503) 665-3118
Avamere at Bethany	16342 NW Avamere CT	(503) 645-4901
Courtyard Plaza	6125 SE Division St	(503) 788-0896
Courtyard Senior Living	6323 SE Division St	(503) 772-9795
Emerson House	3577 SE Division St	(503) 234-8585
Harvest Homes	6921 N Roberts Ave	(503) 286-2423
Hawthorne Gardens Senior Living	2828 SE Taylor St	(971) 222-0396
Pacific Gardens Alzheimer's Special Care Center	17309 NE Glisan St	(503) 253-4920
Raleigh Hills Assisted Living	4815 SW Dogwood Ln	(503) 297-3200
Regency Park Assisted Living	8300 SW Barnes Rd	(503) 292-8444
Russelville Park	20 SE 103rd	(503) 254-5900
St Anthony Village	3560 SE 79th Ave	(503) 775-4415
St. Andrews Care Center	7617 SE Main St	(503) 257-7946
Summerplace Assisted Living Community	15727 NE Russell St	(503) 252-9361
Clarendon Court Alzheimer's	5732 SE 122nd Ave	(503) 761-3434
Encore Senior Village at Portland	1808 SE 182nd Ave	(503) 492-6942

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Memory Care Facilities in Eugene, OR

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:00:51 +0000

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 the Eugene, Oregon area, and many 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 Eugene, Oregon area. The map indicates the location of these facilities. To match up a facility with a location, simply click on a marker to find the name, or put the name in the map search bar.

Name of Facility	Address	City	Zip	Phone #
Applegate Care Center	709 W Broadway	Eugene	97402	541-343-3445
Chateau Gardens Memory Care	2669 S Cloverleaf Loop	Springfield	97477	541-746-9703
Kingswood Court at Sheldon Park	2440 Willakenzie Rd	Eugene	97401	541-344-1078
Mountain View Senior Living Solutions	PO Box 7364	Eugene	97401	541-741-0449
Thurston Living Center	6452 A St.	Springfield	97478	541-746-0980
Alpine Court Memory Care & Cottages	3720 N Clarey St	Eugene	97402	541-689-3900
Bayberry Commons	2211 Laura St	Springfield	97477	541-744-7000
Elder Health & Living	382 B South 58th Street	Springfield	97478	541-747-4858
Farmington Square	2730 Baily Ln	Eugene	97401	541-344-7902
Gateway Gardens	178 Commons Dr	Eugene	97401	541-302-1283
Good Neighbor Care	78 Centennial Loop	Eugene	97401	541-747-3373
Oaktree Residential Living	5030 W Port St	Eugene	97403	541-607-0688
Southtowne Living Center	389 W 29th Ave	Eugene	97405	541-683-3618

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“Memory Walks” to End Alzheimer’s

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:17:44 +0000

Over the last twenty years, no organization has shed as much light on the plight of memory loss in America than the Alzheimer’s Association. The group’s vision is to see “a world without Alzheimer’s.”

What will it take? Dedication and lots of money. That’s where their annual “Memory Walks” come in. Since 1989, these charity events have raised more than a quarter Billion dollars for Alzheimer’s research. The Memory Walks enlist thousands of volunteer fund-raisers who gather in hundreds of locations across the country. They walk together in teams, raising millions of dollars through their privately-raised sponsors.

There were walks in every state, including Oregon. On September 27th, thousands of walkers descended on Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse for a 2 Mile Memory Walk across blocked off streets. There were prizes, speakers, and a whole lot of walking! This weekend, on October 11th, another Oregon Memory Walk will take place at Eugene’s Alton Baker Park. The event begins at 1:00, and the walk begins at 2:00.

These Memory Walks have reportedly raised more than $40 Million this year alone for Alzheimer’s research. The Eugene event is sponsored by local businesses. Many of these sponsors are local Memory Care and Elder Care facilities, including Sierra Oaks Residential and Memory Care, SouthTowne Living Center, Good Neighbor Care, Sheldon Park Assisted Living & Memory Care, and especially Gateway Residential Care.

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The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:08:56 +0000

Many people ask, “What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?” Dementia is a term used to describe a more general condition: loss of cognitive abilities and memory. Alzheimer’s is closely associated with Dementia because it is the most common type. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease. It can be severely debilitating, and often lead to death.

More than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. 96% of those are over the age of 65. Obviously, this has made Alzheimer’s a major issue in Elder Care. Not only is there no known cure for Alzheimer’s, there is no known cause, and no effective way to treat it.

The Alzheimer’s Association raises millions of dollars each year to promote Alzheimer’s education and to ultimately find a cure. The group encourages people to watch for early signs of Alzheimer’s in their loved ones. Their “10 Signs Checklist,” available for download here includes helpful tips to look out for, such as “memory changes that disrupt daily live,” “difficulty completing familiar tasks at home,” and “changes in mood and personality.” The list goes on to explain what should be normal for your loved one, and what is not.

Even though there is no known cure, doctors say that early detection of the disease is important, so if your loved one is showing signs of Alzheimer’s, it is best to see a doctor. After all, memory loss might not mean Alzheimer’s at all, and the root cause might be treatable.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s could still help your family assess treatment options and map out your future. Will your loved one’s spouse or partner be able to give adequate care? Is it safe for him or her to live alone? Would home care be better, or maybe a Memory Care Center? All of these options can be planned out well in advance if you watch for the 10 signs.

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