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, click here for Salem, here for Eugene, or here for Portland.

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!

So, why Wii? Why now?

The Nintendo Wii is completely different than previous video games. The controls are not primarily based on pushing tiny buttons, but on motion. The player holds on to a control (sometimes one in each hand) and simulates the movement of the “virtual” player on the screen. In this way, people can “play” tennis without ever stepping out on a court, or bowl a twelve pound bowling ball even if they haven’t been inside a bowling alley in tweny years!

Kids love the Wii, of course, but seniors are maybe the ones who are most impressed.

Many therapists are starting to use the system in their practice, because it is a simple and fun way to encourage muscular motion. Some have dubbed it “Wii-hab.” The trend has stayed true in Oregon. Seniors all over the state have gotten into the game for exercise, entertainment, and even competition!

The Nintendo Wii retails for around $200, and the games range from $20 for simpler games to more than $80 for a game like Wii Fit, which includes a high-tech “Balance Board,” which is necessary for many of the activities.

The Wii makes an ideal Christmas present for grandparents, especially those who wish they could be more active. And the biggest plus of all could be this: the Wii could be an ideal place for grandpa to rub shoulders with his grandkids.

Click on the name of the facility for more information.

Facility Name	Address	PHONE #
Lancaster Village Retirement & Assisted Living	4138 Market St NE	503-364-3383
Meadow Creek Village Assisted Living	3988 12th Street SE	503-375-9732
Regency Woodland	4710 Sunnyside Rd. SE	503-364-1355
Capital Manor	1955 Salem Dallas Hwy NW STE 1200	503-362-4101
Redwood Heights Retirement	4050 12th St Cut Off SE	503-540-0822

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

Click on the name of the facility to see more information. For other kinds on Elder Care in Oregon, click here.

Facility Name	Address	PHONE #
Four Seasons Residential Care - Salem	2480 NE Coral Ave	503-362-5885
Harmony House	3062 Hyacinth St NE	503-588-0722
Hawthorne House of Salem	3042 Hyacinth St NE	503-763-2722
Lancaster Village Retirement & Assisted Living	4138 Market St NE	503-364-3383
Rosewood Court Residential Care	4254 Weathers Street NE	503-585-4602
Avamere Rehabilitation of Salem	4120 Kurth St S	503-581-8667
Meadow Creek Village Assisted Living	3988 12th Street SE	503-375-9732
Regency Woodland	4710 Sunnyside Rd. SE	503-364-1355
Capital Manor	1955 Salem Dallas Hwy NW STE 1200	503-362-4101
Gibson Creek	1615 Brush College Rd NW	503-361-8599
Orchard Heights	695 Orchard Heights Rd NW	503-566-9052
Cedar Village Assisted Living	4452 Lancaster Dr NE	503-390-9600
Brookstone Alzheimer's Special Care Center	5881 Woodside Dr SE	503-316-0687
Farmington Square - Salem	960 Boone Road SE	503-363-2273
Southern Hills	4795 Skyline Rd S	503-378-7499
Evergreen Windsor Health & Rehab Center	820 Cottage St NE	360-892-6628
First Call Home Health, LLC	565 Union St. NE, Ste 205	503-371-4567
Tierra Rose Care Center	4254 Weathers Street NE	503-585-4602
Redwood Heights Retirement	4050 12th St Cut Off SE	503-540-0822
Sunnyside Care Center	4515 Sunnyside Rd SE	503-370-8284
Salem Hospital Home Care	2455 Franzen St NE, Salem	503-561-5999

Senior computing is on the rise, but many still reject it despite the endless appeals of their younger family members. Sometimes, the problem is in the appeal itself. The younger crowd often highlights the benefits that they themselves enjoy; things like online video streaming and shopping. But to the elder generation, these benefits are less important on the forefront. What is important to the Greatest Generation? Relationships. Family. Especially Grandchildren!

With that in mind, here’s a sure-fire, step-by-step guide to finally getting Grandma to log on.

1. Get her a computer.

2. Get her signed on with a high-speed internet service.

3. Create Accounts for Her.

4. Simplify Everything.

5. Coordinate with the family.

6. Show her how.

If you can do all of this, she’s well on her way. Remember to go slow. If you do well, she will get more comfortable in the digital world and in time, she’ll learn to navigate for herself. That can only be good news.