At MorningStar of Boulder, we understand that your pet is an important part of your family and you would not wish to move somewhere that he or she was not welcome. If you decide to choose our beautiful senior living community for your new home, no worries – we are pet friendly!
More and more research seems to bear out that owning and caring for a pet can actually be good for seniors’ health and wellbeing. One such recent study reported on by A Place for Mom’s website suggests that, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.” Researchers found that interactions between pets and their owners can help to fight off depression and lower cholesterol levels. There is even some evidence to suggest the relationship may help to protect against heart disease and stroke. Scientists’ reason that pets may help the elderly to feel more connected to the here and now as the pet requires daily attention and care. Furthermore, the animals themselves offer unconditional love, unending affection and emotional support. Pet therapy programs are growing in popularity and used in settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, convalescent homes and child centers. Studies show that many people who participate in pet therapy programs have an improvement in their appetite as well as improvement in their social interactions and cognitive skills. In addition the acceptance and non-verbal communication of animals can be soothing for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in serene, peaceful surroundings, we are pleased to provide seniors with the best assisted living Longmont/Boulder CO offers. Sources: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm
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Now that summer is upon us it is important for seniors to remember to take precautions as outdoor temperatures begin to heat up. A recent study from the University of Chicago Medical Center reports extremely hot weather can be dangerous for the elderly and that approximately 40% of heat-related fatalities in the U.S. are in people over the age of 65. Another publication from the Alzheimer’s Association explains why seniors 65 and older are more at risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke than younger people.
One of the reasons stated is that as we age the body does not adjust as well to sudden temperature changes as it did when we were younger. This can be caused by heart or blood vessel problems, under-active sweat glands and normal age-related changes in the skin. Another factor is that many elderly people suffer from chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney diseases that can affect normal body responses to heat. Also prescription drugs including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some heart and high blood pressure medicines can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature and inhibit perspiration. Other problems that can make seniors more susceptible to heat-related stress are being overweight and drinking alcoholic beverages. To avoid the dangers of heat-related illnesses, experts advise seniors to drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day, and to stay away from extremely cold beverages as they can cause cramps. They also recommend if possible remaining indoors during the heat of the day and do not engage in strenuous activities. If you feel too warm, take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath, dress in lightweight clothing and get into an air conditioned environment. Our post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical advice from your health care provider. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Boulder, “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 best assisted living Boulder Colorado has to offer. Sources:alz.org/alzwa/documents/Heat_Stress_in_the_Elderly.pdf nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hyperthermia The most recent statistics indicate that one in nine people 65 years and older in the U.S. have Alzheimer's, and as baby boomers age, the number is expected to grow. Furthermore, the Alzheimer’s Association cites a statistic showing that 15 million Americans are caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. If you are currently in that position, remember you are not alone and there are many resources designed to help.
It is a fact that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a big job and it can take a toll on the health and wellbeing of a family caretaker, which is why it is imperative to recognize when the task becomes too difficult. This is the time to make meaningful lifestyle changes for both you and the person with dementia, and one option is to look into a senior community that offers specialized memory care. At A Place for Mom website, they discuss some of the reasons why memory care should be considered for both the safety of the person suffering with the disease as well as for the benefit of caretakers. The habit of “wandering” is one of those circumstances and can be a frequent problem of dementia, posing a safety risk including an increase in falls and injuries. Another common trait of Alzheimer’s is a condition known as “Sundowner syndrome,” which causes a person to become agitated and to exhibit aggressive behavior later in the day that can be very disruptive. Also memory care communities are specifically designed to safely and securely care for a person with Alzheimer’s unlike most private homes. In addition memory care offers 24/7 care providers that are available to deal with situations even in the dead of night. Furthermore, as the disease progresses, care needs become even more demanding and can be overwhelming for a family caregiver. MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are privileged to create a home infused with warmth and love. Schedule a tour to learn more about our individualized, resident-directed approach and the best memory care Peoria/Glendale AZ and the surrounding area has to offer. Sources: aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-3-11-signs-its-time-for-assisted-living/ aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-11-4-memory-care/ At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder, we are extremely proud of our community and want to encourage area families to schedule a visit to experience firsthand what we are all about. While our website is extremely comprehensive with lots of useful information and pictures, it is impossible to really experience MorningStar of Boulder’s total ambience without paying us a visit.
We understand that everyone is busy, which is why we will tailor your tour to address your priorities but we do ask that you allow at least 45 minutes for your visit to get a fair idea of our services and amenities. In addition we would love to have you join us for lunch (just let us know when you schedule your tour) to not only get a taste of our delicious, nutritional meals but to have a chance to enjoy the company. If you do want lunch, please plan to be here for about 90 minutes. There are two easy ways to schedule a tour. You can go to our website and open the link to our convenient online form that takes just a few moments to fill out or pick up your phone and give us a call. Also if you would like, go ahead and initiate a live online chat with our operators and let us know how we can be of service. You will have the opportunity to ask a few questions and to leave your contact information so we can get back to you promptly. MorningStar of Boulder offers both assisted living and memory care with 48 private assisted living suites and 46 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the care of those with memory impairments. You or your loved one deserves the best senior living community in the Boulder area! MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities. At MorningStar of Boulder, we understand that our senior community’s success lies with our caregivers. This is why one of our founding principles is to invest generously in our team members, including providing the necessary development and training required to create leaders with the ability to provide the best life possible for our residents.
We are proud of the fact that our staff is comprised of people who champion our mission and have a sense of calling to serve seniors. They are a group of unique individuals who do the right thing when no one is watching and work diligently to perfect the art of anticipating the needs of our residents. In addition they not only believe that Senior Living, at its best, is love in action but do it every day. As a part of our commitment to bringing together an exceptional staff, we offer generous compensation and benefit packages to each employee in an effort to recognize caregiving as a respected career choice. We have found that our vetting of employees has paid off as we have a staff that works hard to ensure MorningStar of Boulder’s residents feel loved and cared for in every way possible. Furthermore, all of our in-coming staff receives Radiance training, which is reiterated every day at our Team Stand-up. The Radiance program celebrates an attitude of selflessness that comes from a deep and sincere place, like a beam of light and reflects the way we deliver customer service at MorningStar - with warmth, sincerity and depth. The program provides a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and allows us to take our professionalism to the next level. We encourage you to schedule a tour of our gorgeous community to experience firsthand all we offer. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities. As it turns out, many seniors are quite happy with their decision to move into an assisted living community. In part, that may be due to the fact that typically today’s senior communities are loaded with numerous amenities and activities. As a resident, you are provided with a lifestyle of comfort and community as well as a sense of safety and security.
When seniors move out of their family home into an assisted living community, they find themselves freed from lots of responsibilities. Owning a home requires routine care and maintenance such as mowing lawns, shoveling snow, pulling weeds, and other housekeeping chores. Furthermore, seniors often live alone and experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. Also as people age, many are reluctant to drive, which means they end up spending a lot of time at home by themselves. This is something that is not a problem in assisted living communities. While activities are optional, there is generally something of interest for everyone. For seniors who do not drive anymore, assisted living communities usually offer some form of transportation. In addition many communities routinely schedule day trips to activities such as plays, museums, shopping malls or other events. We also know that many seniors who live alone do not eat well. In some cases, preparing food has become more difficult as well as grocery shopping. Most assisted living communities make healthy, nutritious food a priority and serve residents three daily meals. This is especially important for residents with dietary restrictions as most diets are accommodated. Another frequently overlooked benefit of seniors moving into assisted living communities is they do not need to depend on their grown children or other family members for help as they did when living on their own. This allows both parties to just enjoy one another again. Grown children no longer find themselves in the position of have to parent their parent as the senior is getting needs meet at their “new home.” Finally we cannot forget the importance of socializing and making new friends at any age. Even for individuals who value their privacy, there is still the comfort of having other people around. If the event of a fall or medical emergency, help is always close at hand for residents at an assisted living community. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder, we offer residents a safe and secure place to age in and to enjoy our many amenities and activities. Contact us to schedule a tour and discover for yourself why our residents are happy to call MorningStar’s senior community “home”. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities. Source:aplaceformom.com/blog/why-seniors-prefer-senior-living-communities/ Forgetfulness is a natural part of aging; however, it is important to recognize the difference between normal forgetfulness and serious memory loss. As we grow older, we may experience problems with things like finding our keys or glasses, remembering names or certain words, and taking longer to learn new things. In most cases this is just mild forgetfulness, and there are things we can do to help sharpen our memory.
Experts recommend that activities such as taking a class, playing cards and word games, or volunteering can all help to improve mental acuity. Also it may be helpful to use memory tools such as calendars and to-do-lists, and to eat well, get plenty of rest and limit your alcohol intake. Tricks like always putting away your day-to-day items in a designated place can be helpful. As depression along with some medications and health conditions can adversely affect memory, it is important to consult with your doctor if problems continue or worsen. The Alzheimer’s Association advises that the type of memory loss that disrupts a person’s everyday life is not normal. From their list of ten signs of Alzheimer’s disease, they state that one of the first sign of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering newly learned information. Further signs of serious memory problems involve difficulty with daily activities such as driving, shopping, and following conversations. A person may start having trouble following directions; be confused about time, people, and places; and become lost in familiar places. Other signs include changes in personal hygiene and attire as well as not eating well. If you have questions regarding these and the other warning signs found on the Alzheimer’s Association website, they advise consulting your physician. They state that, “early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support and future planning.” This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities. Source:www.alz.org/national/documents/checklist_10signs.pdf The MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder community is specifically designed for seniors who value their independence but need a little assistance. We provide a “true home” for our residents and strive to create a family-like atmosphere that is supportive and loving. In addition to our wide range of wellness and fun activities and outings, we host special celebrations and events throughout the year.
Looking at our News & Events page, you will see an assortment of pictures from some of our special events at MorningStar of Boulder. These activities range from an Eastertide weekend that included Open House festivities for both family members and other visitors to a Halloween party that had both residents as well as staff donning colorful masks and enjoying tasty treats. Even a beautiful day in Boulder can be the catalyst for a group stroll in the Colorado sun to soak up a little Vitamin D. Each Sunday morning you will find residents and their families indulging in a leisurely brunch buffet that includes everything from buffalo cakes, an omelet bar to freshly carved roast beef sandwiches. On Fridays, residents enjoy helping to create a variety of delicious treats in our Demonstration Kitchen. Along with events like Casino Night with games of blackjack and roulette, our community also participates in important causes such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Event this last August. Our group alone raised over $3,000 in donations. We also honored the memory-impaired in June with our MorningStar-wide Uplifting Day that was an opportunity for thoughtful activities and some fundraising. Likewise the MorningStar of Boulder’s Independence Day BBQ for residents and their families was another fun-filled day for the community. We also raised more money for the Alzheimer’s Association with a dollar from each guest’s meal going to the organization. Our community has a total of 48 private assisted living suites and 46 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Please visit our website to learn more and be sure to set up a tour to experience firsthand the loving atmosphere at MorningStar of Boulder. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities. |
Our goal is to allow seniors to enjoy their retirement years by offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, filled with resort-style amenities and activities. Archives
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