What to Consider About Memory Care in Eugene

Eugene's comfortable year-round weather makes it an appealing option for older adults in the Pacific Northwest. Seniors make up around 14 percent of Eugene's 167,000 residents.

In Oregon, facilities that offer care to residents with Alzheimer's disease and dementia are called Memory Care Communities. Rules for these facilities emphasize person-directed care, protection for residents and specialized dementia care training for staff. Seniors in Eugene who require specialized memory care can find assistance at one of the city's six memory care communities, or in the four found in nearby communities of Springfield and Veneta.

• Social Security Income is tax-exempt in Oregon, though income from retirement funds is fully taxed. Pensions are also fully taxed, though some credits are available to seniors. Oregon has no sales tax, so all seniors can keep money in their retirement budget.
• Eugene has many world-class medical facilities available in the case of emergency. Specialized care for older adults can be found at Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District's Acute Care for Elders program.
• Eugene's overall crime rate is higher than average compared to cities of a similar size within the United States. Property crime occurs at a rate over 25 percent higher than the state average and the violent crime rate is also higher than the Oregon average. Around 91 percent of the state's other towns and cities are considered safer than Eugene, which may be concerning for some seniors and their families.
• Eugene's overall cost of living is high compared to the U.S. average although it's lower than the Oregon average. Despite this, seniors can save money on their healthcare costs, which are around eight points lower than the national average.