Oregon Memory Care Facilities

Oregon is a beautiful state located on the west coast with a variety of things to offer for seniors. Along with high quality assisted living centers and independent living communities, Oregon also features a great selection of specialized treatment for varying levels of Alzheimer's via its dementia care facilities. When combined with the gorgeous scenery, unique culture, pleasant weather and fair housing costs, Oregon consistently ranks among the top states in the west to live in.

Oregon memory care facilities are reasonably priced, especially when compared to the other west coast states of California and Washington. California traditionally ranks the highest on the west coast, while Oregon is far more in the middle of the road. In fact, the monthly cost for Oregon dementia care homes sits right at the national average.

Detailed Cost of Memory Care Facilities in Oregon

Oregon Alzheimer's care homes are modestly priced. The average daily rate for dementia care in the state is $158 per day, compared to the national average of $160 per day. The projected monthly cost based on the median average is only $4,700. The projected yearly cost is $56,400.

The monthly rates can fluctuate considerably based on location. Per the norm of a coastal state, dementia care facilities in Oregon by the Pacific Coast tend to fair higher. For some of the most expensive Alzheimer's care homes in the state your family can potentially pay $8,000 or more per month.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the most affordable memory care facilities in Oregon can reach prices as low as $90 per day, with a fair amount ranging in price from $100 to $140 per day. The projected monthly cost for the bottom ten percent of Oregon Alzheimer's care homes is only $2,800 per month.

Portland is by far the biggest metropolitan area in the state. With over 630,000 residents, the massive city is known for its progressive politics and inventive new ways of treating patients with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Salem, Eugene, Gresham and Hillsboro all have over 100,000 residents and also provide a quality selection of dementia care homes in Oregon. Medford, Beaverton, Springfield, Bend and Corvallis are other noteworthy communities of decent size and variety for memory care.

The table below details average monthly memory care costs in Oregon based on actual prices charged by care homes:

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a broad medical term that pertains to the loss of memories, language, and ability to process and think. Although many diseases can have dementia as a symptom, Alzheimer's disease is responsible for 60% to 80% of the recorded dementia cases.

Alzheimer's disease is a notorious brain disease that damages parts of the brain. As the disease progresses, a person's ability to recall memories, communicate, and even move freely are taken from them.

According to the Alzheimer' Association, 5.8 million people have Alzheimer's in the United States alone. Out of this, 5.6 million are 65 years old and above, and about 200,000 are below 65. Although scientists have today uncovered more facets of the disease since its discovery in 1906, a cure is yet to be found. To alleviate the suffering of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's is to give them the best care as they live through the disease.

Alzheimer's has three stages, namely the early, middle, and late stages. During the early stage, a person living with Alzheimer's experiences forgetfulness that does not entirely disrupt their daily living. As the middle stage settles, a person with Alzheimer's starts to require more care as daily living activities slip their minds, and they become more incapable of living independently. The late stage of Alzheimer's, however, spells a completely different scenario. During this stage, a person diagnosed with the disease would require 24-hour monitoring as they lose their ability to eat, drink, bathe, and move alone.

Many people diagnosed with the disease continue to live alone or with family members. It is interesting to note that more and more people move to dementia care homes in Oregon and in other states in recent years. The availability of facilities, the enhancement of memory care services in these communities, or the aging of the population and the progress towards later stages in the disease may have caused this shift. But will you know if it's the right time for your loved one to relocate to a memory care facility?

When to Move to An Oregon Dementia Care Community

There is no formula or set date when it is the best time to relocate a loved one to a memory care home in Oregon. There may be three stages to the disease, but each individual moves at their own pace. Some people may stay in the early stage for years only to slip down the late stage a few months after entering the middle stage. That is why you have to play it by ear and keep an eye on your loved one.

Dr. Elaine Healy, a geriatrician and United Hebrew of New Rochelle's medical director, suggests that you look out for changes in how your loved one acts, their safety and security without the primary caregiver present, changes in their health status, and changes in the caregiver's mental, emotional, and physical health.

You may want to reassess your current situation using the following questions to understand better the considerations that Dr. Healy proposed.

Changes in how they act

• Can you still remain composed despite the sudden and drastic change in your loved one's behavior?
• Can you still be patient despite your loved one often lashing out because of the frustration of being unable to do simple tasks they used to enjoy?

Risks to their safety and security

• Can you still leave your family member unattended without any fear that they might unintentionally harm themselves in their attempt to do daily living activities?
• Can you still let your family member go on a jog in the neighborhood without being confused and disoriented along the way, causing them to lose their way home in an unknown place?
• Does your family member recognize people whom he can ask for help during times of need?

Changes in their health status

• Can you monitor your family member 24/7, ensuring they are eating, drinking, and taking their medication properly?
• Can you handle the incontinence and immobility your family member will experience at the late stage of the disease?
• Can you assist your loved one with their hygiene, even if you have to carry them to and from the bathroom?
• Do you feel confident with your ability to give high-level, high-quality, long-term care for your family member?
• Are you capable of consistently giving a high level of care when your loved one reaches a point of immobility and inability to respond to you or their environment?

Your mental, emotional, and physical health

• Can you still address duties and responsibilities unrelated to caregiving?
• Can you still talk to family and friends without feeling alienated?
• Are you able to take some time to cater to your physical, emotional, and mental needs?

You might feel guilty when you find yourself no longer able to rise to the occasion if the care they need is more than you can give. You are not and alone in this sentiment but know that there are people who are willing to help and care, professionals who can enhance your loved one's quality of life. You can care for them by ensuring that they get the help they need, even if you are not the one directly providing it. Maybe it is time to relocate to an Oregon memory care home.

Assisted Living Communities vs. Memory Care Communities in Oregon

Depending on where your loved one is in the course of the disease, you can look into either an assisted living home or a memory care home in Oregon. These two facilities offer comfortable housing, nutritious meals, and 24/7 support services. However, they differ in how they give care and thus cannot cater to the same residents.

An assisted living home caters to people who can move freely and just need a little help with daily living tasks. Hence, this facility is more suited for people who are in the earlier stages of Alzheimer's. But if your loved one has severe dementia symptoms due to Alzheimer’s; it is best to look into relocating them to an Oregon memory care community.

A memory care facility in Oregon caters to people in need of dementia care regardless of the stage. Their staff is trained to provide high-quality memory care, behavioral services, individual and group therapy supervision, supervisory care, directed care and personal care.

Oregon's Department of Human Services licenses, monitors, and regulates memory care institutions in the state. Every two years, facilities need to apply for license renewal. During this time, the department conducts surveys ensuring that every facility can cater to its residents' needs while treating them with respect and dignity. They also conduct surveys to check whether the facility is well-maintained and the community well-managed.

Oregon Memory Care Facility Admission Requirements

Oregon's memory care homes usually screen new resident applicants. The primary purpose of this screening is not to discriminate, but to ensure that the facility can address your loved one's specific needs.

Oregon's memory care communities welcome seniors and people living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Seniors and people with physical and developmental disabilities can also be admitted. People with AIDS and mental health conditions are allowed admission as well.

In compliance with state regulations on health and safety, applicants who cannot vacate the premises with minimal assistance may be refused admission. Additionally, anyone who is actively engaged in drug abuse, poses a hazard to themselves and others, or is proactively involved in criminal acts are barred from admission. Lastly, anyone with unpaid charges to the facility or another like it may be turned away.

However, special considerations may be given to certain cases. That is why it is ideal to get in touch with your chosen facility and schedule a visit.

Searching for the Right Oregon Dementia Care Facility

Although people living with Alzheimer's and dementia experience similar symptoms, their needs and experiences are as unique as their personalities without the disease. That makes the process of choosing a memory care home in Oregon is different for everyone.

To ease your search, you may want to consult with your loved one what they want in a new home. You may also include the things you could recall that they loved in their current residents. You would also want to jot down your family member's care needs. Armed with the list, compare the items to the services and amenities that a memory care community in Oregon has on their website or brochure.

Once you narrowed down the list, set up a tour of the facility and speak with the management and the care staff. A few topics that you may want to discuss during the tour may include the services they offer, amenities available, staffing situation, community activities, family involvement, and other policies and procedures.

Services, Amenities, and Staffing

• Are there licensed medical professionals in the facility?
• If there is no available medical team in the community, when do doctors and nurses visit?
• How frequently does medical staff visit?
• Are staff members all trained in memory care?
• What is the staff to resident ratio?
• How often are living areas cleaned?
• Does the institution have the amenities that your family member requires?
• Who plans the meals, and can they accommodate your loved one's dietary needs and restrictions?
• Are the living areas and bathrooms private?
• Are the living spaces and bathrooms age-appropriate and handicap-accessible?
• Are the resident rooms and available amenities spacious and accessible?
• Do residents have ample indoor and outdoor spaces?

Community Activities

• How do residents spend their downtime?
• What are the examples of the events that the management organized for the community?
• Are community interactions encouraged?

Family Involvement

• Can families be a part of the care planning?
• Can families participate in actual care?
• Who informs families on the changes in a loved one's health conditions?
• Who coordinates the changes in a loved one's care needs?
• Who can families contact for updates and inquiries?

Policies and Procedures

• What are the community's admission procedures?
• What can new residents bring from their homes into the care facility?
• What is the procedure for hospital visits?
• What are the policies and procedures regarding visiting family members?
• What are the discharge policies and procedures?
• Does the facility have continuing care and aging in place policies?

Oregon Memory Care Home Amenities

Oregon dementia care communities do exactly that - provide an outstanding community for a loved one. The goal is to make the new residence as comfortable and convenient as possible, providing daily housekeeping and serving well-balanced meals.

Among the many aspects of Alzheimer's treatment and management, nutritional meals can go a long way. When a senior is having trouble taking care of themselves, one of the most draining things for friends and family is providing steady, well-balanced meals. The top dementia care facilities in Oregon can help with that dilemma.

Furthermore, assistance with daily tasks like getting in and out of bed, dressing, using the restroom, bathing and keeping a positive image are provided by staff to take a further burden off a family that wants to help, but simply doesn't have the time.

Support to Afford Admission to an Oregon Dementia Care Community

Oregon's memory care homes may not be the cheapest. Still, they do ensure that the staff is well-compensated, and the facilities are in top condition so that your loved one living with dementia and Alzheimer's can have the best possible care. The price tag on care may be a bit steep in the state, so state and non-state programs are very much welcome.

• Oregon Project Independence Eligibility
  • Oregon residents 60 and older or those diagnosed with dementia and other thinking-impairing conditions
  • Must be Medicaid-ineligible
  • Living at home but requires a higher level of care
  • Must be at least 150% below the federal poverty line
• Oregon Spousal Pay Program Eligibility
  • Oregon residents
  • Spouse of someone in need of nursing home-level of care
  • Must be legally married and live together
  • Spouse in need of care must require help in at least four daily living activities
  • Spouse in need of care must have a progressive and debilitating health condition
  • Must meet Medicaid financial eligibility
• Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver Eligibility
  • Oregon residents between 18 and 64 years old with physical and developmental disability
  • Oregon seniors who require higher level of care
  • Maximum monthly income must not exceed $2,349
  • Maximum countable assets must not exceed $2,000
• Oregon K Plan Eligibility
  • Oregon residents requiring an institutional level of care
  • Medicaid-eligible
  • Must not have more than $2,349 of income per month for individual applicants and $3,471 for couple applicants
  • Countable assets must be no more than $2,000 for single applicants and $3000 for couple applicants.

You can also look into reverse mortgages, long-term care insurances, life insurances, and veterans benefits for additional sources of support.