Most people want to follow through on the stated or unstated promise to care for a loved one, but are not prepared to do so. This often leads to a sense of guilt, anger and self doubt. A desire to educate and build confidence in family and friend caregivers led to the development of Legacy Health System's Caregiver Services in Portland Oregon 17 years ago. Our Respite program was initiated later that year. Legacy is currently collaborating on projects with the local Alzheimer's Association, state and local senior services divisions, the Oregon Health Sciences University, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, other health systems and community based organizations.
Legacy is the most comprehensive and best know caregiver resource in Oregon.
Operating in a managed healthcare environment gives us direct knowledge and opportunities to reduce the burdens faced by individuals with chronic illness and their caregivers. For example Legacy's Alzheimer's group respite programs are staffed in part by people experienced in the arts and family caregiving. More expensive healthcare personnel are only used when their level of skill is truly needed, saving consumers countless dollars. 1 - Families wait too long to seek help. In too many cases, it seems that caregivers die sooner than the people for whom they have cared.