Resource and Helpful Links for Patients and Caregivers

    Virginia Tech University’s Center for Gerontology in Blackburg, VA has prepared and made available valuable information on MCI that can help you recognize signs and symptoms offering suggestions on what to do in case of a diagnosis. This pdf file relates the experience of those affected by the disease as well as those of their family and friends, offering strategies and providing support and encouragement. The National Institute on Aging at the NIH website, provides information on forgetfulness so that you can you can decide whether to ask for help as well as a booklet titled Understanding Memory Loss to help you differentiate between mild forgetfulness and more serious memory problems. Click here to access the booklet.

    The NIA web page also offers Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life. Motivating older adults to become physically active for the first time, return to exercise after a break in their routines, or build more exercise and physical activity into weekly routines.  You can also order free publications on subjects of interest to the aging population, that can be shipped to any U.S. address.

  • Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Guide to Maximizing Brain Health and Reducing Risk of Dementia by Nicole D Anderson, Kelly J Murphy & Angela K Troyer
  • Still Alice by Lisa Genova
  • Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers by David Perlmutter, MD
  • For more information about mild cognitive impairment and for tips to help you with the changes you are experiencing go to https://www.caregiver.org/mild-cognitive-impairment-mci 
  • Elder Law Attorneys are a helpful resource. They specialize in the legal needs of elderly individuals.  The local Alzheimer Association has a list of contacts, call:  1-800-272-3900 or you can find a list of elder law attorneys at https://www.naela.org/. They may assist you with: 
    • Disability planning: durable powers of attorney, living trusts, living wills, advance directives
    • Conservatorships & guardianships
    • Probate & estate planning
  • Driver evaluations for safety can be done independent of the DMV. Occupational therapists typically perform these evaluations.  The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists can be found at:   http://www.aded.net/.   AARP also offers driver safety classes:  http://www.aarpdriversafety.org.

Making the decision to move a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia into a memory care facility can be incredibly challenging, and finding the right facility is even harder. Luckily, the team at MemoryCare.com have created a site outlining the general regulations and fees for Memory Care in Oregon to help patients and caregivers make more informed decisions. They also compiled a list of the best care facilities in Portland, factoring in location-based resources, availability of certified experts in memory care/gerontology, safety features, amenities, and much more, and read over 135 reviews from residents and loved ones so if you or someone you love is seeking memory care but you don’t have the time to research the very best facilities, look no further than Portland Memory Care Facilities on MemoryCare.com!

To learn more about long term care options and assisted living facilities using your Medicare benefits, click the links below:

The Alzheimer’s Association is a great resource for caregivers and patients alike. To help plan ahead for your loved one, click the link below:

Care Planning

  • If you do not use it, you will lose it.
    • Continue to perform as many skills as you are able to do safely.  Stay active by participating in:
      • Social activities: Social interaction is very important to help maintain language skills.  Try participating in small group activities.  Consider informing guests of the diagnosis and how they can help.
      • Exercise: Walking, dancing, gardening, housework are great ideas.
      • Meaningful activities/hobbies:Participate in hobbies that you enjoy or type of work you like to do.
      • Keeping your mind active by doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, reading, &remembering the past.
  • Keeping a schedule of the day and activities may be helpful. Notes and journaling may also be useful in reminding.
  • Avoid multi-tasking. Focus on one activity at a time.
  • Consider joining a support group through the Alzheimer’s Association for early stage Alzheimer’s or MCI.

Multnomah County Caregiver Resources

This web page provides details regarding FREE Caregiver Trainings, Support Groups, and Caregiver Resources.

Oregon Alliance of Clinical Researchers (OACR) consists of numerous clinical research facilities throughout Oregon, including Center for Cognitive Health. The goal of this alliance is to educate and reduce stigmas surrounding clinical research. Click Here for OACR Website

Tuck Sleep 

Tuck promotes sleep health awareness and wellness. You can visit their website here , or use the following links to access information on sleep related topics specific to seniors’ sleep needs:               

Safe Sleeping Guide for Seniors

Dementia and Sleep Disorders 

Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors of 2018 

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones. Assistive technologies can help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life. Caring.com has created a free resource that provides a full review of the best companies offering these technologies and an in-depth guide to help seniors and their family pick the one that best fit their needs, lifestyle and medical needs. 

The following links may be helpful for guidance regarding paying for senior care. 

Paying for Senior Care

Financial Options for Long Term Care

Check out the Caring.com full website here.

Oregon Care Partners offers in-person and online classes for caregivers and family members living or working in the state of Oregon. 

Classes are designed to provide consistent, standardized, evidence-based caregiver training to help caregivers understand how to best manage the care, services, and support for the people they care for.

To see available classes click here.

Reflections and Connections is a community engagement program run by the Alzheimer’s Association for individuals with early-onset or early-stage dementia and their care partners, offered seasonally throughout the year. Teamed with the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Eugene, this program consists of a live virtual showing of the art gallery through Zoom and group conversations about the art, allowing caregivers and patients to develop social connections with others in a safe and friendly environment and to stimulate the mind through artistic interpretation. Pre-registration is required, contact details are included in the PDF below.

2021-Reflections-and-Connections_save-the-date_general

In Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid may start building up in the brain years before symptoms arise. Click here to learn more!

*Check back often as new resources may be added or existing resources may be updated.