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 Assisted Living
October 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under Adult Day Care, Advice, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care, Nursing Homes
If you need to find an Oregon Assisted Living facility for your loved one, let us help you think through the process. There are so many great spots in the state, and so many great care facilities. It’s not as if you can’t lose… you can… but there is no reason to lose. There are just too many great options for that. So let’s take a couple of minutes to consider some primary questions to get you into the right frame of mind before you being the journey.
- Location: Where do you want to settle down? There are several considerations here, of course. First and foremost is the proximity between your loved one and the rest of the family. Are you close? If not, then this will not matter quite as much. But for family oriented senior citizens, there is simply no substitute for being close to the grandkids. And you, too:) So make sure the city you choose isn’t too much of a hike. But even beyond family concerns, ask yourself what type of climate and setting they like. Are they active, and do they enjoy getting out to shop, go to shows or restaurants? Then Portland or Salem is probably your best bet. Do they enjoy beautiful scenery? Bend, Medford Ashland are the place for mountain lovers, and ocean dwellers should look into Newport, Florence, or Coos Bay, among others.
- Type of Care: How physically intact is your loved one? Are they fighting with diseases that require them to have a nurse around them twenty four seven? If not, then you probably do not need a full time nursing home. There are many types of care that would help them still, like a traditional assisted living facility, where they could benefit from being around peers during the day, but still maintining some privacy and independence. They would have medical help when needed, but they could keep to themselves as much as they would like to. Assisted Living also provides great outlets for fellowship and fun. If that sounds like just… too many people and too much activity, consider the residential home care option. This is assisted living on a small scale, where a senior citizen lives in house with a family (often including a nurse), who will live right there with them as if it was their own home. Or maybe you can care for them some of the time, but you can’t during the week days. Maybe an adult day care center would be just the type of part time elder care you need!
- Cost. Will medicare cover the type of housing they need? Most assisted living homes will not be covered, but most nursing homes will. Just be sure to check this right at the forefront. No sense getting half way into the process before realizing you will not be able to afford it.
So there you have it. Three easy preliminary steps to get you into the right frame of mind before choosing an Oregon Assisted Living facility. Now comes the fun part: looking into individual facilities, and checking out the amenities. You can start that right now, too, by using the “Find Senior Housing” box at the top of this page. Have fun!
Understanding Different Types of Elder Care
October 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Adult Day Care, Assisted Living, Home Care, Memory Care, Nursing Homes, Respite Care, independent living
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 Eugene, click here.
Memory Care Facilities in Eugene, OR
October 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Adult Day Care, Alzheimer's, Eugene Area, Long-Term Care, Memory Care, Oregon Directories, Respite Care, Short-Term Care
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 |
Respite Care Directory For Eugene, OR
September 30, 2009 by admin
Filed under Assisted Living, Eugene Area, Home Care, Oregon Directories, Respite Care, Short-Term Care
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 Facility | Address | Phone # |
|---|---|---|
| Addus HealthCare | 1142 Willagillespie Rd | 541-342-5567 |
| Alpine Court Memory Care & Cottages | 3720 N Clarey St | 541-689-3900 |
| Applegate Care Center | 709 W Broadway | 541-343-3445 |
| Avamere Riverpark of Eugene | 425 Alexander Loop | 541-345-6199 |
| Churchill Clubhouse Estates | 1919 Bailey Hill Rd | 541-485-8320 |
| Farmington Square | 2730 Baily Ln | 541-344-7902 |
| Fox Hollow Residential Care Community | 5320 Fox Hollow Rd | 541-343-8439 |
| Gateway Gardens | 178 Commons Dr | 541-302-1283 |
| Good Neighbor Care | 78 Centennial Loop | 541-747-3373 |
| Green Valley Rehabilitation Health Center | 1735 Adkins St | 541-344-8435 |
| Kingswood Court at Sheldon Park | 2440 Willakenzie Rd | 541-344-1078 |
| Mountain View Senior Living Solutions | PO Box 7364 | 541-741-0449 |
| New Horizons In-Home Care | 1345 Olive St | 541-687-8851 |
| Sawyer House ALC | 1155 Darlene Ln | 541-338-8780 |
| Southtowne Living Center | 389 W 29th Ave | 541-683-3618 |
| Sweetbriar Villa | 6135 East St | 541-726-5026 |
| Thurston Living Center | 6452 A St. | 541-746-0980 |