Supporting our loved ones looks different for everyone. We may help them through emotional times, and financial hardships, or assume a range of caregiving responsibilities. If you are a primary caregiver, it’s natural to experience burnout or stress from time to time. You may begin exploring the options for support in your community. The decision to seek outside help is never an easy one, but in many cases your loved one’s quality of life can greatly improve if tensions are becoming too high for them to thrive. Luckily, there is a multitude of resources, including our various programs, that can protect the safety and well-being of those you hold close to your heart. There’s no shame in admitting that sometimes the best thing you can do to show your love is to ask for help! First, let’s explore a few other signs that outside support may be worth looking into.
REASONS TO CONSIDER OUTSIDE HELP
Safety
If basic mobility is a concern, an individual is prone to falls, or needs help managing medication, assisted living or additional caregiving can be beneficial. Avoiding accidents and danger is a top priority! Having extra eyes can help you stay attentive to detail and keep your loved ones safe around the clock.
Difficulty with daily tasks
Bathing, cleaning, cooking, eating, or dressing are all things we take for granted, but when caring for someone with varying abilities, they may need a helping hand performing daily tasks. If these activities are becoming increasingly difficult for both your loved one and you as a caretaker, it may be time to explore your support options.
Isolation
Social isolation is extremely detrimental to one’s health. If you’re noticing signs of isolation or loneliness, assisted living or community inclusion programs can greatly improve overall mental health and a sense of belonging for your loved one.
Health concerns
To ensure your loved ones are getting the care that they need, having trained staff and professionals readily available can be helpful and even life-saving. No one expects you to be an expert or to take unnecessary chances. If medical issues are becoming a concern, you have resources. We are here to help!
Cognitive decline
Similar to other health concerns, cognitive decline can get in the way of your loved one performing daily tasks. This can be extremely frustrating for both the individual and the caregiver. It’s important to make sure everyone is getting the support they need to succeed and live as independently as possible.
Now that we’ve gone over a few signs to look out for, we’ll brush on some of the benefits of assistance programs and ways in which they can create opportunities for individuals to live full and rich lives! This is our mission here at Central Oregon Collective: to create a community full of inclusion through our values of passion, mutual respect, and generosity.
BENEFITS OF ASSISTED LIVING
Social interaction
Community inclusion programs help create a sense of belonging by providing opportunities for social interaction, friendships, and connections. Isolation and loneliness can be extremely hurtful and harmful. Even a few hours a week around others can brighten someone’s day! We highly prioritize social interaction here at Central Oregon Collective. We consistently host events and outings for our clients to allow them to build friendships with us and with one another.
Self-esteem
Programs like ours promote the celebration and acknowledgment of achievements and personal strengths. We’ve seen a huge increase in the self-esteem of our clients just by participating in their communities. They learn to be themselves and have the freedom to express their interests.
Physical/mental health
In many assisted living or community inclusion programs, physical activities are offered. The combination of an active lifestyle and group engagement drastically increases mood and physical health. For our clients, we prioritize these two things by getting them out in the community as well as exploring nature.
Community engagement
Not only do assistant living programs provide opportunities for community engagement, but they are also a community with resources! We build connections to education, career opportunities, and civic engagement. These programs help individuals explore their interests and strive toward their personal goals.
Cultural awareness
Community inclusion programs make sure to foster a sense of diversity, shared ideas, and differing perspectives. This allows our clients to explore the acceptance of all individuals and their unique life experiences.
Accessibility/adaptive environments
Many supported living programs provide adaptive equipment for ease and comfort. This includes ramps, railings, shower chairs, or other items to support individuals in their daily life.
Personal care
Taking care of someone’s every need can be challenging. Certain programs can help with personal care items like grooming, dressing, or bathing. This helps relieve stress off of an individual.
Transportation
For those who may have trouble getting around themselves, our community offers transportation programs. This allows us to get your loved ones where they need to go, whether it be appointments or outside activities.
Safety
As mentioned, if mobility is a concern, having extra eyes and assistance around is so important when it comes to the safety of your loved ones. Supervised care ensures that someone is around to check in and provides peace of mind for both individuals and their caregivers.
We envision communities of full inclusion, personal choice, and meaningful contribution for all and our programs reflect all of these. Explore our variety of services below:
Client Residences
We are proud of our 30-year legacy of providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive living environment for our clients to thrive. We offer 24-hour residential care for individuals with different abilities in one of our four lovely homes located throughout Bend, Oregon. These homes provide our clients with a relaxed and accommodating setting while working, living, and enjoying life! Each resident has 24-hour support yet is allowed the opportunity to be as independent as possible.
We operate a growing fleet of a dozen vehicles, many ADA accessible with wheelchair lifts, and the capacity to safely transport a large number of clients. We have several minivans with lifts to better support our clients, along with a 15-passenger bus to accommodate weekend activities and excursions! Planning is underway to offer “cabulance” services, to support medical transportation for both our Collective clients, as well as the community at large.
Supported Living
As part of our many program services, we offer apartment living to our clients who are able to live independently of 24-hour supervised care, a lovely option to do just that within our Supportive Living Services (SLP). This apartment residence offers room for approximately 20 individuals to have a place to call “home”. Although there are visiting support services available, including assistance in areas such as employment, social activities, and relationship building, this community of individuals is able to experience inclusion on a daily basis, and show our community that we are all more alike than different!
Community Inclusion Program
Whether we are doing arts and crafts projects at our Community Center, going to the coast, or on a hike, allowing our clients to feel the importance of being an intricate part of the community and enjoying life is a top priority!
Summer is a busy time for our CIP program! We like to get out and enjoy the warm sunshine by going to local lakes, rivers, the safari in Winston, OR, the COCC track, and many other outdoor excursions. We’re excited to continue to grow this invaluable program and try new things for the betterment of all clients’ quality of life!
Each individual is unique and the level of care they may need depends on a variety of abilities and areas of support. If you are noticing any of the signs above or are interested in additional support, please reach out to us today! As mentioned, we have many programs aimed at improving the quality of life of your loved ones as well as giving you the support you may need to thrive together!
Phone: (541) 388-3060
Email: cocollectivehr@gmail.com