Many seniors are pleasantly surprised to discover that assisted living is not such a “terrible place” after all but rather a true home that offers many benefits. Several studies also back up this assertion and have found that for many seniors, community living is a healthier, safer and more agreeable alternative to living alone.
Initially it can be difficult for seniors to leave their familiar family home and often mistakenly think moving into an assisted living community will mean the end of their independence. Actually, the opposite ends up being true as when a senior receives the proper care he or she needs, they are able to lead a fuller life. Another reason some seniors may be reluctant to make the move is they do not realize that assisted living communities of today are not anything like nursing homes. As a resident of an assisted living community, you not only will have you own private suite but an array of care options and amenities that are designed to provide your utmost comfort and security. In many cases assisted living is a much better option than trying to patch together the range of services the senior needs from in-home care providers. Furthermore, assisted living communities are already set up to accommodate those who may have mobility difficulties, and it can be expensive to retrofit a private home to make it safe enough for a senior with physical limitations. In addition, senior living communities such as MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks provide 24/7 care and offer assisted living residents as well as their families the peace of mind knowing help is close at hand in an emergency. If you are looking for the best assisted living Reno or Sparks offers, we encourage you to visit our website to learn why our residents are proud to call MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks “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. Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/
0 Comments
Especially during the holiday season, many of us wish to brighten the day for a loved one in assisted living by letting them know them are very special to us. To help make our visit more meaningful, experts provide some tips to keep in mind when we visit.
You may want to plan in advance an activity your loved one would enjoy doing with you during your visit. Examples include bringing along a puzzle to work on, a Scrabble board or a trivia game. You could get prints of current photos of the family made to add to an album or to start a new one. If they are a music lover, bring some new music to enjoy together. If they love listening to stories, get an audiobook to listen to or buy a favorite family movie to watch together. If they love sending greeting cards to family and friends, buy a box of cards and help them get them ready to mail. If they love to be pampered, bring along the supplies to give them a manicure. If the weather is cooperative, take advantage of the community’s outdoor area to soak up the sun or take your loved one to a local park and plan to share a simple meal of sandwiches and a drink. Bringing the kids along automatically provides a more cheerful energy and will even give the resident some bragging rights long after the grandkids have gone home. However do keep in mind that too many visitors at a time can be hectic and it may be better to spread out the visits. If you do want to bring gifts, remember the person most likely does not have a lot of extra room for anything too big. Gifts of food are generally welcomed and can be shared with others in the community. Other tips include not visiting when you are ill, and be sure to wash your hands when you first come in to avoid spreading germs. At the MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community, we provide lots of activities and programs for our residents but we know they always look forward to seeing their family. Please visit our website to learn more about our community, our amenities and care services. 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 contact us for more details on the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM. Parkinson’s Disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and up until recently offered few options in terms of treatment. Typical treatments included prescription drugs to help alleviate symptoms and/or a special device implanted in patients, used to help control tremors.
However since Parkinson’s affects the whole body, doctors and researchers have been looking at different complementary and alternative methods to treat the many symptoms of the disease. The U.S. News and World Report published an article describing some of those different methods of treatment. As Parkinson’s occurs when dopamine-producing cells in the brain stem die off, doctors say exercise is key to managing some of the effects of Parkinson’s. Dr. Dean Sutherland, a neurologist and Parkinson’s disease specialist in Sarasota, Florida, explains, “Exercise releases dopamine into the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by taking medication. That helps with motor issues like stiffness, tremors and muscle freezing.” Other activities that appear to help patients with Parkinson’s Disease include massage therapy to help alleviate stiffness and pain; and acupuncture, which helps some people reduce tremors and also relieves stiff muscles and pain. Physical therapy appears to help patients improve balance and gait as well as flexibility. There are even programs specifically targeted to Parkinson’s patients that focus on teaching them to take bigger steps to avoid common walking problems such as shuffling. In addition, people with Parkinson’s are discovering that alternative treatments such as singing can help improve voice volume, which in turn, can improve their social interactions. When you can control the volume of your voice to be heard by others, you are more likely to feel comfortable interacting socially. Another thing proving to be helpful to people with balance problems is aqua therapy. Parkinson’s patients have found that being in the water gives them the freedom to move about without the fear of falling. And finally as swallowing can become difficult for some people with Parkinson’s, swallowing therapy is also recommended. MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living community, offers a wide range of care services including physical, occupational, respiratory, speech, and massage therapy. We offer 80 suites for assisted living and 30 suites dedicated to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more. 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. Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2019-01-11/medication-free-ways-to-treat-parkinsons-disease Statistics indicate we are living longer, and if you do reach the age of 65, you can expect to live on average another nearly 20 years. Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41 percent of those over the age of 65 reports they are in very good or excellent health.
Experts recommend that older adults should be aware of chronic health conditions common to seniors and make lifestyle changes that may help stave off those diseases and improve their quality of life. Some of the things they suggest are to eat a healthy diet, stay physically active, quit smoking and maintain a healthy weight. If you are already coping with a chronic medical condition, following those suggestions can help you to better manage your disease as well as improve your quality of life. Experts also recommend if you do not already have a geriatrician on your healthcare team, to add one, as they have a special understanding of what seniors are going through. The three most prevalent diseases affecting older adults in order are arthritis, heart disease and cancer. The CDC estimates arthritis affects almost 50 percent of all adults over the age of 65, and can cause pain and a lower quality of life. While the disease can “discourage you from being active, it’s important to work with your doctor to develop a personalized activity plan that, along with other treatment, can help maintain senior health.” Heart disease is the leading cause of death in adults over the age of 65, and an estimated 37 percent of men and 26 percent of women over 65 are afflicted with chronic heart disease. Doctors say it is important to exercise, eat well, get a good night’s sleep, and maintain a healthy weight in order to stave off heart disease or to better manage it. Cancer is the next most common disease in seniors and the second leading cause of death in adults over the age of 65. CDC statistics show 28 percent of men and 21 percent of woman over 65 are living with cancer. It is a disease that if caught early, is often treatable so be sure to get routine screening such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and skin checks. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “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 learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque NM has to offer. Source: everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/ If you have started the search for senior living in Santa Fe, NM, we encourage you to take a look at the gorgeous MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community. While we opened to residents in January of this year, we are proud to say we have already earned a reputation as one of the top senior living communities in the area.
We always suggest that families schedule a tour of MorningStar to get a firsthand look, but as a way to get you started; our website contains lots of information about our community as well as more general information. Among our Family Resources, which include a Decision Guide and information on Affordability and Veterans, we also provide a comprehensive FAQs section. Here you will read about our unique brand of “senior loving homes” as well as learn a little something about our mission. We explain how it is our privilege - our calling, to love all those beneath our roof, which starts by hiring team members with servants’ hearts who are drawn to the idea of working with seniors. In addition our service is guided by Radiance, and designed to foster a culture where kindness and authenticity are paramount. Within our FAQs, you will also find answers explaining what assisted living is, the type of services we offer, and how your level of care is determined (it is based on a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director). This information allows us to set up a customized care plan that is review periodically to keep up with any changing health needs. At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. Each day we strive to provide seniors an environment where they can be productive and engaged. Please visit our website to set up a tour or to request information on pricing and availability on compassionate senior living in Santa Fe, NM. 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 contact us for more information as you or your loved one deserves the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM. Looking for the best senior living Albuquerque NM offers? Do you need assisted living but worry that it may be too expensive? At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we understand the concern but want families to know we can help direct them to often overlooked sources of funding.
However, first, we want you to remember that our senior living community offers a whole new lifestyle. Monthly fees will include the necessities and much more including a fully equipped private suite, daily meals, and transportation services. Additionally, each suite includes Cable TV and utilities as well as an emergency call system. We also supply a full range of meaningful wellness programs and fun activities and entertainment. One of the sources of income we discuss with potential residents and their families includes the generous “Aid & Attendance” Pension issued by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. The monthly benefit pays for assisted living to qualified veterans, as well as their surviving spouse. We will direct you to a local resource that can help ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance. We also remind seniors to take a look at their Long-term Care insurance policies. They can help to protect your personal assets by paying for senior care up to the amounts set forth in the policy. To determine your LTC policy’s coverage, check the Benefits Summary section for specifics on the type of coverage, daily benefit, policy limits and elimination period. Keep in mind premiums may be tax deductible, and benefits from tax-qualified plans are non-taxable, which makes this option even more attractive. Another source of funding to help with assisted living costs can be to leverage your life insurance policies. Many whole life and universal life policies build a cash reserve through interest-earning excess premiums known as the policy’s “cash value”. Before taking advantage of any of these funding methods, please consult with a financial advisor. MorningStar of Albuquerque’s team is ready to answer questions regarding pricing and availability of our beautiful assisted living and memory care community. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “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 learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque NM has to offer. How does a stunning pueblo-style senior living community offering resort-style amenities and a choice of stylish, private apartments ready for you to move into sound? How would you like to live in a home with its own Bistro Bar or Salon offering haircuts, manicures or pedicure? Our recently opened MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community is just that as it is filled with warm and welcoming common areas both inside and out. Want to sit and chat with family or friends? Relax in our living room complete with a cozy fireplace, or take advantage of the beautiful New Mexico weather in one of our courtyards or take a pleasant stroll on our campus’ designated paths. Or if you want to enjoy a little sunshine, soak up the rays in the sunroom.
To ensure we satisfy the need of the most discerning seniors, our 56 assisted living, bright suites are available in configurations that include spacious studios and one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 820 square feet). Each suite is ready to move into and just requires your furnishings and personal items (we are also pet friendly). How does a wide range of meaningful wellness programs and activities along with all of the care services you need right at hand sound? Again MorningStar of Santa Fe has that completely covered. Our enrichment programs include everything to enhance health and wellness, stimulate your brain and encourage connection. MorningStar’s care services are broad and include a licensed nurse both onsite and on call 24/7; 24-hour care managers; a CPR-trained staff member on every shift; medication management by certified med care managers; care planning reviews, scheduled health & wellness evaluations and more. But wait; have we mentioned our delicious, nutritional meals? MorningStar of Santa Fe is extremely proud of our daily food service, which is prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef and graciously served restaurant-style in our charming dining room. If you would love to learn more, please see our website for a link to set up a tour of our loving home! 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 for pricing and availability or to set up a tour of the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM. At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we understand seniors may feel anxious when facing a move into assisted living. Often the decision is necessitated by a sudden change in the person’s ability to continue to live safely at home. Even if the decision is of a more gradual nature, it is still a big change; but there are things family members can do to help make it a smoother transition.
One thing experts agree on is that you need to remember to include your senior loved one in on the plans. This starts with including them in the process of choosing the community - remember it will be their new home. When you forget to ask for their input, it can make them feel as if they are losing their independence. While it is time consuming to visit senior living communities, we suggest you only take your parent or loved one with you after you have narrowed the choices down to a couple. Be sure to encourage their opinion and make sure they have an opportunity to ask questions during the community’s tour. Another thing your loved one will most likely need is help with the moving process. If they are still living in the family home, they will have to do lots of downsizing, which in itself can be stressful. Trying to decide what is important to keep, what to give away to family or friends, and what to donate or sell is not easy. Keep in mind the move to their new home will be smoother if they have familiar furnishings and treasured mementos around them. Also while respecting their feelings, gently remind them their new home may be smaller and they do not want to be overwhelmed with too much “stuff.” If you are looking for the best senior living Albuquerque offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Albuquerque. Our beautiful community has 48 well-appointed assisted living suites along with 21 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Set on the popular northeast side of town, MorningStar of Albuquerque has wonderful mountain views and is conveniently located near banks, churches, medical care, shopping, and restaurants. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “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 learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque has to offer. If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you are not alone. It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and one in ten people age 65 years and older has the disease. As a way to help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear. Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through. There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated. The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing as a way to help you to move forward. They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.” You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through. One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy. They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able. Finally they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.” At MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living and memory care community, our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the care of those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. We leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to heal and comfort residents, while taking into consideration the uniqueness of each person. Our team works every day to make a difference in the lives of our special residents. 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. Source: alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz More and more research supports the importance of seniors staying physical fit as well as keeping their brains’ fit. Harvard Health Publishing reports on research with mice and humans that show “brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological ‘plasticity’ and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.”
Mentally stimulating activity such as trivia and memory games, puzzles, crosswords, board and card games can help maintain brain function. Even if you don’t have a partner to play with, many of these types of games can be found on a computer or tablet. Reading, taking courses, drawing, painting and experimenting with things that require manual dexterity are stimulating mental gymnastics. Other great brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities like playing an instrument or dancing. Board games, such as chess and checkers, require counting, strategy and decision-making. Memory games, scrabble and crosswords can help to improve recall and reduce those times when you cannot get the right word out. Another added benefit to playing games with other is companionship. Experts say physical activity is also necessary for good brain health as it increases the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain responsible for thought. It encourages the development of “new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain cells (synapses).” Another positive side effect of exercise is it also improves your heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure, improving blood sugar balance and reducing mental stress. Brain health is also improved with good nutrition. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, unsaturated oils (olive oil) and plant sources of proteins may help to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia. Looking for the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks offers? MorningStar of Sparks may be your answer. By providing a range of meaningful programs, tasty, nutritional meals, and 24/7 care, residents are able to lead a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Please see our website to learn more. 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. Sources: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/12-ways-to-keep-your-brain-young mindhow.com/best-brain-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/ |
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
|