Articles
3 Considerations when Contemplating Downsizing and Selling Your home
In 2003, when I started my career in the Senior Living Industry, the housing market made it easy for the seniors I was helping to sell their homes for a great price and move into a Senior Living Community fairly quickly. Following the Housing Market decline in 2008, I started seeing a shift in more […]
End-of-Life Doula 101
The word DOULA has been used for decades in the US to mean “one who serves”. Just as a birth doula supports the labor that culminates in a baby’s first breath, End-of-Life Doulas support the labor involved when dying people, and their loved ones, prepare for the final breath. The role of End-of-Life Doula is […]
The Emotional & Physical Toll of Worry
Worrying takes an emotional and physical toll and can lead to serious medical issues. Unfortunately, just telling ourselves to chill out doesn’t stop the worry. And, when a loved one is aging and needs more help than they’re willing to accept, there is a real cause for concern. Fortunately, you can increase your peace of […]
Recession and Dementia: Reasons to Plan
Financial Insecurity As of December 2019, market volatility is rocking the world and it appears that this may be the norm going into 2020 and many experts fear a recession is imminent. Whether a family member is already in long term care (LTC) or merely concerned LTC is on the horizon, a recession can severely […]
Providence Health and Services Offers SPEAK OUT!® & The LOUD Crowd® for Parkinson’s Disease
Is Parkinson’s Disease affecting you or your loved one’s ability to speak clearly? Providence Health and Services is pleased to offer a two-part speech therapy program to help individuals with Parkinson’s regain and maintain effective communication: SPEAK OUT!® followed by The LOUD Crowd®. This program is offered at various Providence locations throughout the Portland metro […]
Imagine the Right Caregiver
For most Seniors, remaining independent in their own home on their terms is at the top of the list. However, the crippling effects of aging rob seniors of their desire to complete their life’s story with dignity and quality of life. The good news is that seniors can live their best life possible to the […]
Protect Yourself Against Long-term Care Costs
If you’re fortunate, you’ll live independently and in good health throughout your retirement years. However, if you ever needed some type of long-term care, such as a stay in a nursing home, would you be financially prepared? To answer this question, you may want to evaluate two variables: your likelihood of needing long-term care and […]
The Causes of Autoimmune Disease
My Fountain of Youth: Interrupted I spent the week of Christmas of 2018 doubled over in pain, with horrible stomach cramps and diarrhea. The mold I had inadvertently ingested along with my tomatoes was wreaking havoc on my digestive system. This was not how I wanted to spend the holiday! Then when I did recover, the […]
Providence Health and Services offers SPEAK OUT!® & The LOUD Crowd® for Parkinson’s Disease
Is Parkinson’s Disease affecting your or your loved one’s ability to speak clearly? Providence Health and Services is pleased to offer a two-part speech therapy program to help individuals with Parkinson’s regain and maintain effective communication: SPEAK OUT!® followed by The LOUD Crowd®. This program is offered at various Providence locations throughout the Portland metro […]
Speciality Care Coordination
Specialty Care Coordination is a critical program at Project Access Northwest. Helping committed patients connect with compassionate volunteer health care providers is the foundation of this program. Our care coordinators work with patients to assist them in navigating a complex health care system. What is our Specialty Care Coordination Program? Project Access Northwest connects un- […]
Knowing When to Make the BIG Move
So, you just got the news from the doctor, and you walk away feeling like Wiley Coyote post-falling-grand-piano-accident. You’re shocked and crushed, but also somewhat validated. You knew something was wrong, but you’d hoped…not this. Your loved one has dementia. You instantly picture the first conversations about this after diagnosis. The arguments. The heartache. You […]
SAGE Metro Portland LGBT Resources
The Current Problem: A 2014 study by the Equal Rights Center found that 48% of LGBT-identified seniors “experienced unfavorable differential treatment in terms of availability of housing, pricing, financial incentives, amenities or application requirements.” Many LGBT older adults are forced to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to avoid mistreatment, harassment and discrimination in […]
Senior Referral Agencies
It is nearly impossible to be objective when helping a family member make the transition from their own home to a senior care situation. What makes this so difficult? We have hope for improvement. When we love someone, we never want to “give up” on them. We hold a deep-seated belief that if we keep […]
Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?
For many Americans, their house is their greatest asset. They’ve spent years working to build the equity in their home and, at a certain point, it may become time to put that equity to work. Often, savings, Social Security and pensions can’t keep up with the increasing cost of living and living longer. NRMLA President […]
Respite Care: Self-Health isn’t Selfish
Providing care for a loved one can become quite grueling for both the family caregiver and the patient. Caregivers may find themselves feeling burned out from the stress of consistent assistance, often falling into troubling sleeping patterns and neglecting their own self-care. Respite Care provides a mutually beneficial third party resource for caregiver and patient, […]
Do you have a bucket list? Not that bucket list, the one for downsizing!
Starting the downsizing process well in advance of a move or de-cluttering your home early can save time, headaches, stress, and dollars later. Do you really need that much stuff in your home? More stuff equals more stress. More clutter equals more dust. Getting rid of the excess stuff and clutter can make your house […]
Navigating Hospice: What You Need to Know
Considering and beginning hospice care are sensitive times not only for the individual but for their loved ones too. Here are answers to a few questions to help as you begin this journey. What is hospice? Those who receive hospice care are seeking comfort and compassion as they near the end of life. The goal […]
Regenerative Medicine – Stem Cell Therapy 101
What is regenerative medicine? Regenerative Medicine is the process of creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to damage, or congenital defects. This field holds the promise of regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by stimulating previously irreparable organs to heal themselves. Stem Cell Basics Stem […]
The Key to Healthy Aging Lies in the Gut
Did you know that your body is an ecosystem? Over the past several decades, scientists have discovered a whole new world. We now know our body is covered in trillions of tiny microbes, most of which live in the gut. Many people recoil at this news because we ’ve been taught for so long that […]
Spotting Elder Abuse
Perhaps you have already identified friends or neighbors who can stop in unannounced to be your eyes and ears. Sometimes, a geriatric care manager can help. You can stay in touch with your family member by phone and take note of any comments or mood changes that might indicate neglect or mistreatment. These can happen […]