MINDFUL CARE TRANSFORMS INTO JOY
Both Sides
Mission
Both Sides specializes in providing compassionate expert consultation for dementia care. Our mission is to help individuals and families manage the condition and maximize the joy that can still be found on the journey. We offer informed, personalized and non-medical support for people recently diagnosed, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals, ensuring they receive the guidance they need.
Welcome
Take a breath.
You’re in a space of understanding.
Dementia is often described in clinical terms, but it is lived in deeply human ones.
Whether you are an individual recently diagnosed or a family member providing care, chances are you are carrying more than most people see. You may feel overwhelmed and isolated.
This is a place for guidance, for grounding, and for reimagining what the dementia journey can look like - not medically, but emotionally, socially, and spiritually. We partner with you for a holistic approach that helps you navigate every aspect of the illness and the care journey.
Care and wellbeing are not just about managing symptoms. They are about:
-Preserving dignity
-Connection
-Creating joy
You are doing one of the hardest things.
You don't have to do it alone.
How We Help
Assessment
We start with a comprehensive (non-clinical) assessment to understand the specific needs and challenges of the individual facing dementia. As we are not medical in our approach, we do not diagnose or prescribe. We focus instead on the social, emotional, spiritual and other aspects of care that we believe as just as vital to well-being.
Personalization
Based on the assessment, we create a personalized care plan tailored to the unique situation and requirements of the individual. Our care plan integrates and is compliant with an individual's preferences, their rights, and medical treatment. We will make suggestions and recommendations, but never go above or around. We complement the medical team.
Support
Both Sides supports the person with dementia, as well as the family and their care team.
We provide continuous guidance to ensure compassionate care throughout this journey. We advocate in medical settings, provide companionship and ease loneliness, develop support materials, and facilitate support groups and on-going involvement.
Types of Support
-Care options review
-Care team selection
-Advocacy
-Living options survey (in-home vs. facility)
-Elder Care Law selection
-Financial considerations
-Medicaid/Private Pay/LTC insurance
-Estate Planner selection
-Behavior (Unmet need) management
-Non-pharmacological interventions
-Hospice consultation
-Death Doula and end-of-Life
Feedback
The only thing constant in dementia care is change. Your feedback on our approach is crucial. We listen and adapt to make sure the guidance provided meets the evolving needs of the individual and their family.
Maintenance
Once the family achieves a sense of balance and joy, we help them maintain it for the long term with our continued support and guidance. We are available to you as much or as little as needed - either on a retainer, or a per-need basis for the entire duration of the illness through end-of-life.
Client Stories
"I've experienced compassionate and expert care from Both Sides. It has made a significant difference in our journey."
Hannah R.
"The guidance and support from Both Sides have been invaluable in navigating the challenges of dementia care."
David L.
"I highly recommend Both Sides for their compassionate and tailored approach to dementia care."
Sophie G.
FAQ
How Can Both Sides Help?
To begin, simply reach out to us through our contact form or give us a call to start the journey with Both Sides.
Is the Care Plan Personalized?
Yes, our care plans are personalized to suit the unique needs and circumstances of each individual and their family.
Is Ongoing Support Provided?
Absolutely, we offer continuous support to ensure families receive the guidance and assistance they need throughout their journey.
Can the Care Plan Be Adjusted?
Yes, we regularly review and adjust the care plan based on the evolving needs and feedback from the family.
What if There Are Specific Challenges?
Not a problem, we take all specific challenges and circumstances into account when creating the personalized care plan.
Do You Offer Remote Consultations?
Yes, we provide remote consultations to make our services accessible to all, regardless of location.
Our Story
Both Sides was founded by Amy Massingale. In 2017, Amy relocated her parents from Texas to Oregon to help support her father who had mid-stage Alzheimer's disease, and her mother, who developed Lewy Body dementia shortly thereafter.
Amy was her parents' primary caregiver until their passing in 2021. She oversaw the care they received in an assisted living/ memory care facility, as well as cared for them in her own home during the COVID pandemic lockdown in 2020, before finding an ideal care home near her house. For a year, she was forced to visit only at the window due to the visitor restrictions imposed by the state. After her parents passing, she became involved in the advocacy group, Caregivers for Compromise, after her story of this ordeal was published in a collection of stories.
From there, Amy trained to becime a Long Term Care Ombudsman for the state of Oregon, worked for the Alzheimer's Association as an educator, engaged as a senior advocate and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She then made a career transition and worked for a memory care community in the Portland area as a Community Relations Director.
Amy's unique experience has given her the perspective from "both sides" - both bedside caregiving and working in the industry. Her passion and purpose is for helping to enhance the lives of people living with dementia.
Get in Touch
Contact Both Sides
Amy Massingale, Consultant
503-885-4924
