Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking one or more prescription medications on a daily basis. In fact the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.” Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interaction, an area of special concern for the elderly.
Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state approximately 350,000 people are hospitalized each year after visits to the emergency room because of adverse, or harmful, drug events. Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “is it taken with food,” and the adverse side effects. Experts say to help a parent get organized, write down the names of all of the drugs they are taking, the dosage, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them. Include any herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. The next time they see their primary care doctor, take your list and discuss the reasons for each drug, how long they will be on it, and if any of the drugs are dangerous taken together. Whenever a new drug is prescribed, ask what it is for and how it should be taken, and read through the paperwork. Now store the medications together in a cool, dry location (not the bathroom), discard old, expired medications, and find a pill organizer that makes sense to your parent’s needs. If they are forgetful, they may need a reminder system. However if a parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, they should be carefully monitored. At the MorningStar of Sparks senior living community, our residents’ wellbeing and physical health is our primary concern. This is why one of our many services is medication management that ensures residents have their medications when they need them, and as we even order meds, there is no danger of them running out. We are currently accepting new residents and offer independent living, assisted living and memory care. Visit our website to learn more. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to contact us for more information about exceptional independent and assisted living in Reno.
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Many of us are lucky to have family or friends that are well into their 90s or even a 100 + years old. They are not alone as in 2014, the CDC reported there were 72,197 Americans aged 100 or older. Also, according to 2017 projections from the Social Security Administration, it reads, “For those who are 65 today, a man has a 3% chance of living to 100, a woman a 5.9% chance, and at least one member of a couple an 8.7%.”
When we take the time to think about the many changes that has occurred over the last hundred years, it is incredible to think we know someone who has lived through much of it. During the 1920s, most Americans lived in rural settings or in small towns, and all members of the families worked in one form or another including children who had routine duties around the farm or in the house. Imagine the Ford Model T, which was considered to be the first affordable car that our grandparents may have rode in as children and the cars they drive today. In addition, they were old enough to be captivated by the first transatlantic airplane flight made by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. Our parents or grandparents have lived through world wars and world depressions, saw airline travel become an everyday convenience and men land on the moon. They saw the start of the computer age and witnessed the impact of the worldwide web. Together these are some of the reasons why MorningStar at Arcadia believes seniors are heroes—men and women who have exacted out of life all its triumphs and trials. Moreover, it is why we believe if anyone deserves honor and respect, it is our seniors. If you are looking for outstanding senior living, Phoenix’s MorningStar at Arcadia encourages you to contact us or visit our website to learn more about our assisted living and memory care community. MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia offers our residents the finest senior living Phoenix offers. MorningStar at Arcadia is a beautiful senior community that offers assisted living as well as memory care. Our outstanding team is experienced in serving seniors and understands what it needed to provide our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.
In fact, all facets of our community were designed from the ground up to compassionately and professionally serve our residents and we start with 24/7 care managers and access to licensed nurses and certified medication care managers/QMAPs. MorningStar’s care managers help our assisted living residents retain their independence by providing help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting and eating as well as other medical assistance. These dedicated individuals were hired for their big hearts and a desire to serve seniors. MorningStar’s medication care managers/QMAPs also play an important role based on statistics from a National Institute of Health study. It reports that 40% of seniors aged 65 and older take five or more prescription medications, and 90% take at least one prescription. In addition, it found that 55% of those seniors are improperly taking their medications. Our certified med managers oversee both the ordering and dispensing of medications to our residents. For residents’ safety, our entire community is handicap accessible with wide doorways, spacious common areas and hallways, and each suite is equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms. In addition, all 80 of our bright assisted living suites have a 24-hour Emergency Call System. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 30 secure suites devoted to caring for those with memory impairment and is designed to encourage our tender residents to easily and safely explore their spacious surroundings. Finally, MorningStar wants you to know that during the coronavirus outbreak, our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents and team members. We are still accepting new residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols. Please see our website for more information about our Phoenix assisted living and memory care community and a message from the CEO detailing our coronavirus (COVID-19) response. MorningStar at Arcadia proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our Phoenix assisted living and memory care community. Lots of changes are going on regarding the way we are leading our day-to-day lives including visits to our healthcare providers. Chances are good that if you have a scheduled visit to your physician, you may be told that it will be a virtual telehealth visit as many physicians have substantially cut back on in-person office visits.
While the concept may seem new, you may be surprised to learn that the Lancet medical journal first discussed the possibility of using the telephone as a way to lessen unnecessary office or home visits in 1879, three years after Alexander Graham invented the telephone. Now with the outbreak of COVID-19 and telehealth visits quickly gaining popularity, experts offer some guidance on what to expect and tips to make sure you are prepared for your “visit.” First, in order to participate in a telemedicine appointment, you need at a minimum a telephone line. Ideally, high-speed internet and video access through a smartphone, tablet or computer that allows you to connect visually. Also your provider needs to tell you what app to download before your visit. Moreover, just like a regular in-office visit, doctors recommend making a list of topics you wish to go over with your healthcare provider. Dr. Gary LeRoy, an associate professor of family medicine at Wright State University and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, advises patients to ask themselves, “‘why do you need to be seen today; and what's the biggest priority?” He suggests keeping a symptom diary of when the problem first developed and what seems to aggravate or alleviate the symptoms, etc. Also make your call in a quiet place where you will not be interrupted, and have on hand any devices you use including thermometer, blood pressure cuff, glucometer, etc. If you need a mammogram, colonoscopy, or other procedures that require in-person care, experts recommend postponing them until we are in a better place in terms of the current health crisis. However, they stress that emergencies are still emergencies including “sudden chest pains, weakness in one side of the face or body, or a sudden thunder-clap headache. These are all red-alert symptoms that could signal a heart attack or stroke,” and require immediate medical attention. MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia offers our residents the finest senior living Phoenix offers. Source: health.usnews.com/conditions/articles/a-beginners-guide-to-a-virtual-doctors-visit Right from the start of the coronavirus outbreak, MorningStar Senior Living sprang into unprecedented action to protect all those who reside beneath our roofs. To ensure we reacted quickly to any and all early warning signs, we relied on the guidance of the CDC, the American Housing Association, and the Federal government over the last three months and have stayed tuned to changing information and recommendations. Our strong line of defense was built on evolving evidence-based research and proportional to the threat.
Now as the nation is slowly coming out of quarantine and states and communities are opening back up, MorningStar of Sparks is judiciously following our state’s guidance in terms of phasing and pacing. We are sending out information to our residents and family members, and ask that you direct any questions specifically regarding the Sparks community to our Executive Director, Amanda Jenkins. Also we would be remiss if we did not take the time to thank all of our residents and their families for their overwhelming love and support during this time. In addition we want to express gratitude to our dedicated team members who have helped us every step of the way to get through this crisis with grace and courage. In other words, it was a team effort! Please visit MorningStar of Sparks to learn more about beautiful, vibrant senior living in Reno. We offer 128 bright suites for independent living and another 80 for assisted living. Our Reflections’ wing has 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We are accepting new residents and are confident in our protocols for keeping our MorningStar family safe, and look forward to hearing from you. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us for more regarding unsurpassed independent and assisted living in Reno. |
MorningStar
MorningStar Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite (short-term) care. Our communities have graciously-appointed assisted living suites, as well as beautiful and spacious private suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Morningstar Senior Living's award-winning architecture, together with amenities that foster a lifestyle of comfort and wellness, make our residents’ retirement years as carefree as possible. Our activities and programs are enriching, and our care services first-class, but what truly sets us apart from other senior living communities is the love beneath our roof. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in your area, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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