Call us to schedule a visit today! 503-585-6511
Willson House - Serving Salem's Seniors Since 1910!
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Giving Opportunities
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • Willson House
    • Willson House
    • Willson House Staff
    • Willson House Life Enrichment
    • Willson House Testimonials
    • Willson House History >
      • Willson House Namesake
  • Jason Lee Manor
  • New Page
  • Support Community

What can you do to help an in-home caregiver?

11/16/2013

0 Comments

 
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Chances are that when President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983, he had no idea that in 10 more years he would be one of those living with the disease. When he made that proclamation there were fewer than 2 million Americans with Alzheimer’s; today the number of people with the disease has soared to nearly 5.4 million with nearly 80,000 million living in Oregon. 

As we enjoy the beautiful fall season with leaves changing into brilliant reds, yellows and oranges we also must remember those at-home caregivers who are struggling to care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.  It’s a difficult journey, to be sure, and one that most people are not prepared for.  They need our help!

The purpose of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is to let the general public know more about the disease and how to help their families and friends who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.  What can you do to help or support a family member or friend? You can suggest that they attend a support group.  Willson House facilitates 6 groups in Marion and Clackamas counties along with the help of Christy at Golden Life Solutions.  Get more information here on the caregiver support groups. 

You can also offer to help your friends or family members but you must first of all be very specific.  Instead of saying “call me if you need anything” you might say:

•    "I'm going to the grocery store. What can I pick up for you?"
•    "I've got a couple of hours free tomorrow afternoon. May I sit in for you while you run a few errands or take some time for yourself?"
•    "I doubled my meatloaf recipe so that I could share it with you. I brought enough to last you for several meals."
•    "Do you need some laundry done? I can pick it up today and bring it back clean tomorrow."
•    "Does your yard need to be mowed? I'd be happy to take care of it this weekend."

Sometimes sending a card or making a phone call to check in on a caregiver means a lot. Emails and text messages work, too — but often personal visits are even better. Contact with the outside world can help lift a caregiver's spirits. It might seem like a small gesture to offer a few hours of your time but to that overwhelmed caregiver it will mean the world to them.


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Alzheimers
    Anniversary Party
    Brain Health
    Brain Training
    Breast Cancer Awareness
    Can You Spare A Buck
    Caregiver
    Carnival
    Charitable Giving
    Child Development Center
    Christmas
    Cognitive Stimulation Workshop
    Craft Fair
    Dementia
    Donations
    Emergency Call System
    Emergency Call System
    Exercise
    Fundraiser
    Grandparents Day
    Health
    Hoarding
    Holidays
    Intergenerational
    Inter-generational
    Jason Lee Manor
    Memory
    New Employee
    Personnel
    Raffle
    Rummage Sale
    Scholastic Book Fair
    Secrets Of Aging Well
    Seniors
    Sleep Quality
    Special Events
    Staying Active
    Stress
    Sudoku
    Support Groups
    Tea Party
    Tree Of Life Celebration
    United Methodist Retirement Center
    United Methodist Retirement Center
    Veterans
    Willson House
    Willson House

    RSS Feed

Willson House - A Residential Care Community
1625 Center Street NE, Salem, Oregon  97301
Phone: 503-585-6511 - E-mail: info@WillsonHouse.org