Who Will Care For Those We Care For Most?
As we get older, we being to face the difficult challenge of caring for our elderly loved ones. Making the decision to place them in an assisted living facility can be filled with all kinds of emotions and can be an enormous responsibility. Once the decision has been made to make the move, the process of finding a care facility that will provide a safe and loving environment can be daunting at best. This UrbanMama hopes to find advice and referrals from our loving community. She writes:
I need to find an assisted living situation for my grandparents fast. I prefer close-in NE. Does anyone have any experience with Calaroga Terrace or Holladay Park? Any other suggestions? This is so stressful for my family, I would love any and all advice.
I was recently having this conversation with a friend who is a few years older (and thus her aging parents are a few years older). She was commenting that Holladay park (by LLoyd center?) was a very nice, good facility. That is the only reference Ihave heard but perhaps others have input?
My own father is moving out here from back east. We had a medical incident this winter that ended up not being life threatening but gave us a scare. So I am glad he will be moving closer before he does need care it wont involve cross country rushed flights or decisions made from afar.
I dont know where you could get any other recommendations- maybe from your family docotor?
Good luck!
Posted by: elizabeth | June 16, 2008 at 03:09 PM
My grandparents were at Calaroga. It seemed nice enough, and I was a CNA for 10 years I am very critical of facilities. I liked the fact they had different levels of care that my grandparents had to utilize. Good luck finding a place that is a good match for your grandparents.
Posted by: Connie | June 16, 2008 at 03:50 PM
I work for Calaroga (at the the Corporate Office) as the HR Director....I would go out there and take a tour. It is a great community, and I would put my parents/grandparents there. Contact me at heather.blackburn@encoresl.com if you want me to put you in touch with someone there.
Posted by: Heather | June 16, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Holladay Park is a Continuous Care Retirement Community, which means that you buy in when you are well and able to live independently. It is a lovely place, but has a long wait list and is problaby not the best, first choice if your are in need of Assisted Living Services asap. The other place I know if is on SE Stark--it is not NE, but very, very close-in. It is called McAuley Terrace. You should call the Multnomah Area on Agency on aging at 503-988-3646. for further help. Good luck!
Posted by: sehdor | June 16, 2008 at 08:11 PM
You should really just go and visit the different facilities (during a weekday). Policies and people change often. Ask residents if they enjoy living there. You will know 'the one' when you see it. Ask a lot of questions and remember...your grandparents are not stuck there. If they don't like it, or you don't, they can always move.
Posted by: Melissa MM | June 19, 2008 at 11:04 AM