At the MorningStar of Santa Fe senior living community, we proudly participate in a range of activities and events throughout the year to help raise funds and awareness to end Alzheimer’s disease. Along with other MorningStar communities across the Western U.S., our residents, staff, families and friends join together in honoring the memory-impaired and supporting efforts to eradicate this devastating disease.
In fact we had a team of walkers and supporters participate in Santa Fe’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” that took place on September 28th. The 5K Walk is the world’s largest event that raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. And staff, residents, and family members were enthusiastically there—as walkers, runners, exhibitors and sponsors. Moreover our efforts have paid off as in 2018; our collective MorningStar communities gave $84,909 to the Alzheimer’s Association—in eager search for a cure. We also celebrated “The Longest Day” on summer solstice this past June with a variety of fundraisers and activities in honor of our memory care residents. Our “Up and Under a Lavender Sky,” event was a success and carried the heartfelt message of: Up with Awareness; Up with Compassion; and Up with Hope. If you and your family are new to our MorningStar of Santa Fe senior living community, we invite you to learn more. Our 56 assisted living bright suites include spacious studios and one and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 820 square feet). MorningStar additionally provides 29 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood that are devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. If you are interested, we encourage you to set up a tour to get a firsthand look at the finest senior living in Santa Fe. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Please visit our website to learn more about compassionate senior living in Santa Fe, NM.
0 Comments
If you or a loved one is starting to feel less steady on your feet and at risk of falling, a walker, cane or even a wheelchair or scooter is probably advisable. However, before you start using a hand-me-down walker or buy any-old cane; experts warn that one size does not fit all. In the case of a walker, to be an effective and safe mobility aid, it is important to have an expert help you pick out the best type and size for your needs.
As AgingCure.com points out, “The wrong device can negatively affect a senior’s stability, cause posture-related problems and even result in pain. Mobility aids come in all shapes and sizes, so selecting the right equipment and achieving a proper fit usually requires a professional’s assistance and expertise.” To get started determining what your needs are, experts recommend seeing your healthcare provider to discuss any problems you are having with your activities of daily living (ADLs). If they recognize a need for a mobility aid, they may refer you to an occupational or physical therapist. The following are a couple of basic guidelines to know before you get started. A cane can help provide balance and stability and is ideal for someone who needs to support no more than 25% of their body weight. It is most useful for those minimally impaired or with weakness in one leg. Walkers are available in a variety of models but regardless of the style a “correct height of a walker is measured from the floor to the wrist, and the elbows should be flexed in a range of 15 to 20 degrees.” Experts also say the walker must be large enough to provide front and side support for the user. A motorized scooter may be the answer for someone who has lost the ability to walk any distance but still has an adequate amount of strength in their arms and upper body to stay upright as well as drive the scooter. Again there are a variety of models including indoor and outdoor ones as well. Keep in mind though that most insurance companies and Medicare Part B typically only covers scooters for in-house use. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. Source: agingcare.com/articles/expert-advice-how-to-choose-a-mobility-aid-190138.htm It is no wonder that some elderly adults get confused with their medications and often miss doses or take too much of a medication. According to 2010 statistics, “medication usage among elderly patients in the US is eye-opening: more than one-third of prescriptions drugs used in the US are taken by elderly patients; the ambulatory elderly fill between 9-13 prescriptions a year (including new prescriptions and refills).” In addition the average elderly patient takes more than five prescription medications; and the average nursing home patient takes seven medications.
If your elderly parent is on several medications, do you know if they are managing dosages appropriately? A quick look in their medicine cabinet or wherever they keep their medications should give you a good idea. If they have outdated bottles of pills mixed in with current prescriptions or un-opened bags from the pharmacy, chances are they are not doing a good job. Experts warn it can be a sensitive topic to broach with your loved one, but if you start slowly, you should be able to help them get things sorted out and organized. Begin by listing all of the current medications they take including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins. Your list should include medicine they take every day and things they use occasionally. Now take the list to their pharmacist to see if the combination of what they are taking is safe to do so. Many drugs can poorly interact with one another or be redundant. Check with their doctor to see if they still need to take a particular drug or is it just getting refilled over and over again. If it helps, get a new pillbox that better fits their need. There are many choices including color coded and multiple holders. If medication management continues to be a problem, you may need to look into getting more help for your parent. At MorningStar at Arcadia, our goal is to provide one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ has to offer. From healthy daily meals to wellness programs and activities, we have a whole range of services and resort-style amenities to ensure residents’ comfort and wellbeing. Our care services include care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication care managers. Please visit our website to learn more and while you are there inquiry about our pricing and availability. MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour of one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers. MorningStar at Arcadia’s goal is to provide one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers, which includes helping make the transition to our community a smooth one. MorningStar understands that often the move to assisted living is done because of a life changing event so not only is the person adjusting to a new home but may be mourning the loss of their old life. For some seniors, moving into assisted living can be stressful as they start to feel more and more of their independence is being taken away from them. Our job is to be ready to help smooth over any rough patches. Even before someone makes the move into assisted living there are some things families can do to help ease the coming change. We recommend that you let your parent take part in making the decision as it gives them meaning and purpose. Also while you may not want to put your loved one through taking tour after tour of assisted living communities, they can certainly help research places and narrow down the list to the most favorable ones. Once the family weighs considerations such as price, services, location, etc., and agrees on a couple of choices, your parent should take a tour as well as go back a few times to spend some time observing the community. Other ways to assist the transition include helping them get to know the staff in advance. Also future visits can be planned around an activity they would enjoy or eating a meal with the community. After a decision is made, let your parent decide what furniture they want to move with them and help them decorate their new home. Just remember your parent may go through an adjustment period so give them time and be ready to listen. Please visit our website for more information about our beautiful, loving community. MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour of one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers. If your elderly parent lives alone, you may have wondered if they have an adequate support system to ensure their safety and comfort. We encourage you to read some advice from the experts to determine if your parent needs more help to not just survive but to thrive!
Some of the things to find out are if they have had any recent falls or driving mishaps. Do you have any reason to suspect they may be endangering their safety by forgetting to turn off the stove or other appliances? Do you see signs that they are having difficulty bathing and attending to personal daily care activities? Does their house look unusually unkempt with dirty dishes lying around and mail stacking up? Are there signs of spoiled food or an empty refrigerator? Also consider if your parent has health conditions that are making it more difficult for them to care for themselves. Poor balance and failing eyesight can increase the likelihood of a fall and not having help close at hand can be dangerous. In addition, if your parent no longer drives, they may be having a hard time getting out to the grocery store or to doctor appointments as well as becoming too socially isolated. Assisted living may offer the best option if your parent or spouse needs more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) in the home or in an independent living community, but does not require 24-hour medical care and supervision. MorningStar at Arcadia was named one of top five best luxury Phoenix assisted living communities by Seniorly.com. Our residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, and are proud to call MorningStar “home.” Please give us a call or email us with questions or to set up a tour to see our beautiful community in person. MorningStar at Arcadia’s 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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional Phoenix assisted living community. According to the U.S. News & World Report, every year there are 5 million cases of elder fraud in the U.S., resulting in as much as $27.4 billion in losses. Additionally, these crimes are often hard for law enforcement to prosecute because in many cases victims are too embarrassed to report the crimes. The FBI says con artists also know that seniors do not make good witnesses even if they do report the crime due to the effects of age on their memory and the length of time it takes to bring a case to justice.
Experts explain there are several reasons why seniors are more susceptible to fraudulent schemes starting with the fact they tend to be very trusting. Our elderly population was typically raised to be polite, to believe people are basically good, and have a hard time saying “no.” These are the traits con artists exploit. Lonely seniors can easily be preyed upon as they are willing to stay on the phone and engage in conversation with a stranger. A recent scheme that targeted a large group of seniors was a robocall that informed people they needed to return the call as there was a security issue with their social security number. When the person called back, they were asked for their full name, address and S.S. number, and told their SS# had been comprised and they would be receiving a new one. Authorities warn that if criminals obtain someone’s full name and SS#, it allows them to do all kinds of damage to the victim including trying to collect their benefits. Another scam is romance fraud, which involves a person being approached by the scammer through dating sites or other social media. A relationship ensues through online contact but never face-to-face. After a level of trust is established, the person is asked to send small amounts of money for alleged emergencies to test their willingness and gullibility. Finally as the scam plays out, the person may give the con artist large amounts of money, or even be used to receive money or goods purchased with stolen credit cards or to transport drugs. The FBI warns that there are many fraudulent schemes to be aware of including telemarketing scams, Medicare scams, tax fraud, etc. They say, “If you are age 60 or older—and especially if you are an older woman living alone—you may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone.” Remember to never give out personal or financial information over the phone or online and do not send money. MorningStar of Sparks’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Reno-Sparks offers. Sources: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/how-to-prevent-senior-fraud fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/seniors Falls are one of the most common reasons why elderly adults seek emergency care. In fact the National Institute on Aging (NIA) reports. “More than one in three people age 65 years or older falls each year.” Moreover they add that the risk of falling and fall-related problems rises with age. However, they say this is no reason to avoid being active, and there are a few things you can do to help prevent a fall.
Seniors need to try and stay physically active and to follow an appropriate exercise plan. Regular exercise can increase your strength, and improve your muscle tone (be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise). Even mild weight-bearing exercises such as climbing stairs or walking can help to slow down osteoporosis (bone loss). Another way to reduce your risk of a fall is limit the amount of alcohol you drink as even a small amount can affect your balance and reflexes. Also use a walker or cane if you are unsteady on your feet. In addition, be sure to wear the proper footwear - non-skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled or lace-up shoes. Take extra care when walking on wet or icy surfaces. Do keep in mind several health conditions including diabetes and heart disease as well as problems with your thyroid, nerves, feet, or blood vessels can affect your balance and increase your risk of a fall. The same warning applies to medications that cause you to feel dizzy or to experience periods of sleepiness. At MorningStar at Arcadia, our team considers seniors to be heroes who deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Our gorgeous community was built to accommodate our residents’ every need and to see to their comfort as well as safety. We encourage you to visit our website for contact information and to learn more about one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ has to offer. MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour of one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers. MorningStar at Arcadia proudly offers seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Along with lots of amenities and services, excellent food and beautiful surroundings, our residents benefit from WellStar, our signature wellness program.
Every day MorningStar’s Life Enrichment team presents our community with ways to stay active and productive for man’s good and God’s glory. Our programs are designed to enhance your health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage social connections that allow you to continue learning and contributing. The breath and scope of our wellness programs tap into a wide range of various interests, hobbies and talents and provide seniors with the chance to explore a range of topics. Furthermore, if our programs do not address a special interest, residents are invited to start a club themselves. To get an idea of what goes on around our community, we invite you to visit MorningStar at Arcadia’s website and take a peek at our “Upcoming Events” or “Life Around our House.” You will find our residents not only stay engaged with daily activities within the community but also enjoy fun outings such as our trip to the ballpark to cheer on the Diamondbacks. MorningStar also supports and participants in activities that raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s each year. Please visit our website to learn more about our Phoenix assisted living and memory care community. Nestled on the in the popular neighborhood of Arcadia, our location is convenient for residents as well as visiting family members as it is close to banks, hospitals, shopping, churches, grocery stores and restaurants. MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Call to schedule a tour of our exceptional community. From time to time, there have been serious accidents involving elderly drivers that reach the nation’s attention and reopens the debate regarding the age that elderly adults should stop driving. While some states have implemented stricter rules for seniors renewing their driver’s license, many states have met resistance or have had a hard time coming to a consensus. It is hard to assess a senior’s fitness for driving as each person is different and health problems vary immensely. One good thing is that many seniors start to self-regulate their driving habits once they notice problems.
Experts say if you have become concerned over your parent’s fitness to drive, you need to start a conversation with them. If you think they can still handle limited driving with some restrictions, talk to them about setting up rules such as avoiding major highways and rush hour, driving only in daylight and during good weather. Remind them that this will help keep them safe as well as others who share the road with them. If they have had fender benders and are having trouble following traffic signals, it may be time for them to stop driving altogether before they hurt themselves or others. However if this is the case, be sure to have some plans in place for alternative transportation. MorningStar at Arcadia offers compassionate assisted living for seniors and provides the services and amenities required for their comfort, wellbeing and safety. This includes scheduled transportation to doctor visits as well as shopping trips to area stores. We routinely take field trips to local culture events, museums, parks, and more. Please visit our website to learn more about our Phoenix assisted living community, and while you are there, use our links to set up a tour and to ask about availability and pricing. MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Call to schedule a tour of our exceptional community. MorningStar of Sparks’ mission is to provide the best independent and assisted living Reno, Sparks and the surrounding area offers, which is why we provide residents with a beautiful home as well as strive to meet their every need.
One of the things we are proud of is our excellent dining experience. Each resident is provided with three daily meals that are meticulously prepared by our own Executive Chef. Our meals are prepared largely from scratch and are modified to accommodate low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low-fat diets along with seasonal menus. MorningStar also makes it a priority to use BrainWise ingredients in our meals. BrainWise super foods include those that have been recognized by the medical community to support brain health and have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Many of the common items we incorporate into our meals include items like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens. All meals are served restaurant-style in our dining room; and for intimate dinners, we have a private dining room. In addition, we have an onsite bistro. For our memory care residents, we feel that dining is as much about socializing as it is about nutrition. MorningStar has lots of experience caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and we understand their abilities at the table may be compromised. This is why we serve lots of finger foods; softened and puréed, thickened liquids; and easy-to-recognize balanced meals packed with nutrients. Furthermore, team members sit with memory care residents to help make mealtime enjoyable and encourage their appetite. We also serve meals “family-style” from serving bowls and platters as in any private home. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. |
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
June 2023
Categories
All
|