If you or a loved one is experiencing some mild memory problems or were recently diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), you may find yourself wondering what that means for the future. MCI is defined as the fine line between what we think of as normal memory or thinking and dementia. Dr. Scott M. McGinnis, an associate neurologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, clarifies it by explaining, “We diagnose dementia when a person has changes in memory and thinking that significantly interfere with functioning in usual activities.” He cites examples such as getting lost driving to familiar places or having difficulty writing a check.
MCI is diagnosed when a person has changes in their memory and thinking that goes beyond normal aging but does not qualify as full-blown dementia. Medical experts explain that MCI may be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease but are also quick to add that not all cases of MCI result in Alzheimer’s but rather may increase the person’s risk. In fact MCI is caused by other things including medications and infections. Doctors suggest one way to cope with MCI is to get into the habit of writing out a list of “to do’s” each day and checking it throughout the day. Some people want to know more and thus pursue medical tests that can identify if they will develop Alzheimer’s eventually, while others wish to take a more wait and see approach. Whatever your decision, medical professionals say it may be helpful to learn as much as you can about MCI as a way to help you cope. In the short time MorningStar of Rio Rancho has been open to residents (since early 2019), we are proud to have earned a reputation for providing senior living Rio Rancho, NM families trust. In addition to our 51 beautiful, private assist living suites, we have 26 secure suites for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment. Our memory care wing is designed to care for those from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website to learn more. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, 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 in a beautiful setting. Please give us a call to set up a tour to see firsthand what the best senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM looks like. Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/5-ways-to-cope-with-mild-cognitive-impairment
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Many adult children of elderly parents complain that their parents do not listen to their advice. While that may be true, and if you feel like you are one of those, it may have something to do with your methods and delivery.
To start with no matter how old our parents are, many of them still think of us as kids. After all to them it wasn’t that long ago they were telling us what to do. That being said, there are a few tips from the experts to help us talk to our parents more effectively regarding sensitive subjects including their need for more help with daily living. While generally it is best to not give unsolicited advice to a parent, there are times when it may be necessary. This includes a fear that they are putting themselves in harm’s way by not getting the care they need to ensure their safety and wellbeing. To start the “conversation” the first thing you want to do is to pick your time and place. Don’t try to broach big problems at a family gathering or when you know your parent is tired or stressed. Once you do, calmly tell them your concerns, give them the time to respond, and make sure you really listen. Ask thoughtful questions and see if they have a better solution. Refrain from sounding condescending or argumentative, and remember you want to be supportive not controlling. In fact, you may find your parent had already come to the same conclusion you had regarding their care but are struggling with the idea of giving up some of their independence. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, an assisted living and memory care community in Happy Valley, OR, we understand some of the angst that goes into making these types of lifestyle changes. We encourage you to read the Decision Guide on our website to help your family through the process. You may also contact us to request a copy of “Senior Life: How to have the Best Conversation Ever with Your Elder Parent,” which offers an explanation of the relational and psychological constructs of aging and legacy. MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living community in Happy Valley, OR. A fall can result in serious injuries especially for the elderly, who make up the majority of cases, and can take a long time to heal. Many even lead to permanent mobility issues that limit the person’s freedom. The CDC reports that more than one in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year, and that one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.
Experts explain there are several reasons why the elderly are more vulnerable to falling and include medical conditions such as Parkinson’s and heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and blood pressure fluctuations. In addition, physical disabilities that affect strength and balance, poor eyesight, inner ear problems, and dehydration can also put a person more at risk for a fall. Common situations that can result in a fall include wet or recently polished floors, poorly lit areas, rugs not properly secured, stairs, and uneven sidewalks. There are some changes you can make to fall-proof your home such as replacing light bulbs in dimly lit hallways or stairways with higher wattage bulbs. Clean up clutter and make sure each room in your home has a clear, clean path to walk through and install grab bars and handrails where needed. Use a non-slip mat in the bathtub or shower and do not wear socks or loose, floppy slippers but rather a good walking shoe with support and cushioning. If a loved one is unsteady on their feet, talk to their doctor about using a walker or cane. Also, ask if any of their medications can cause dizziness or light-headedness, and if so, is there an alternative. Doctors say if not, it is even more important to make the appropriate lifestyle changes. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our beautiful assisted living and memory care community is designed to accommodate our residents’ limitations. All of our spacious private suites come with wall-to-wall carpeting, fully handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Suites are available in a variety of well-designed floor plans and have details reflective of those found throughout our beautifully appointed home. Please visit our website for more information as well as pricing and availability. MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. If you are a senior or have a parent or other loved one that needs more daily help to ensure their safety and wellbeing, it may be time to look into senior living communities offering assisted living. When you begin your search, please add the beautiful MorningStar of Fountain Hills to the top of your list. Located east of Scottsdale in the scenic desert community of Fountain Hills, our spacious suites have views of the town’s famous fountain.
Too often a senior worries that moving into assisted living will result in a loss of independence and freedom. They are afraid that assisted living communities are cold, institutional places that feel more like a hospital or nursing home. Moreover, many mistakenly believe it will mean a loss of privacy and the ability to make their own decisions. All of this could not be further from the truth when you consider the reality of what MorningStar of Fountain Hills has to offer. Along with beautiful private suites in a range of configurations and floor plans, a whole host of resort-style amenities, and 5-Star dining, our community also offers care services that help our assisted living residents maintain their sense of independence and dignity. As we define health and well-being holistically, and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit, we believe it makes MorningStar a destination for successful aging. In addition, we have a staff that feels it is a privilege to serve seniors and believes in our core values of love, respect, honesty, fairness, goodness, and kindness. They also support our mission statement that honors God in our business practices and relationships and values all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. In fact, our goal is to provide a true home for our residents by creating a MorningStar family that includes residents and their families as well as our team members. Along with our 63 suites for assisted living, our community has 28 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing. MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. Unfortunately some of us are living with chronic pain caused by a variety of ailments, diseases, or injuries. While it can make getting through the day a struggle, experts stress that it doesn’t mean it has to be an inescapable spiral toward depression and unhappiness as there are things a person can do to help manage the pain.
One of those suggestions is to learn one of the many relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, meditation or mindfulness. Massage therapy, yoga, biofeedback, and music or art therapy have also been found to be beneficial. If you practice one or more of these relaxation techniques, you will reduce stress and help to center yourself in a calmer, more balanced place. Another way to manage pain is through exercise. However, the Mayo Clinic advises anyone 40 or over who has not been physically active to consult with their health care provider before beginning. In addition, they caution that “if you have pain from an injury, recent surgery, a physical disability or a chronic condition such as osteoporosis, it's best to work with a physical therapist or exercise physiologist to be sure you can exercise safely and avoid hurting yourself.” They also say it is important to get enough sleep. If you are a restless sleeper and have difficulty sleeping through the night, you should talk to your doctor about your pain management medications. If a medication is a stimulant, ask your doctor about taking it early enough so as to not interfere with your sleep, and if it causes drowsiness, see if you can take it right before bed. Try using relaxation techniques right before bed and get into the habit of a regular bedtime. Also, avoid napping longer than 30 minutes during the day and do not eat a heavy meal too close to bedtime. Doctors caution against drinking too much alcohol as it can cause sleep problems. Yet another suggestion helpful to many people suffering from pain is to join a support group. This puts you in touch with others who understand what you are going through. However, if you feel you need more personal support, ask your doctor to recommend a mental health professional. MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: mayoclinic.org/lifestyle-strategies-for-pain-management/art-20367321 At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our goal is to provide residents with a true home designed for their comfort, wellbeing and security. Our community offers 63 beautiful assisted living suites with spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options. We also have 28 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In order to effectively reach all families interested in our community in a timely fashion, we have added a Virtual Assistant to our website.
The Virtual Assistant service lets you learn more about our community’s: Pricing, Request a Tour, Ask a Question, See Our Floor Plans, View Virtual Tour, or make a Job Inquiry. You can ask if there is anyone available to talk to at the time of your request or just send a message. If you simply wish to inquire about pricing and availability, you can also use our website link, just give us your name, email address, topic of interest and send along your message. We will happily get back to you within 24 hours. To get you started, here are a few answers to frequently asked questions: residents of MorningStar of Fountain Hills must be at least 55 years old, and yes couples are welcome to move in together and share the same suite. In addition, we welcome Companion Living, which is two unrelated people of the same sex sharing a suite in either assisted living or memory care. The benefits of Companion Living are not only the cost-savings but you can both look out for one another. We are often asked if someone can move in who is not in need of assisted living services, and the answer is yes. MorningStar of Fountain Hills provides a refreshing change of lifestyle with built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, activities and programming, and tasty meals you no longer need to cook. We also give you peace of mind knowing that extended care is close by if the need ever arises. We want you to know that MorningStar of Fountain Hills is safely accepting new residents, confident in our protocols and procedures in fighting the coronavirus. Please visit our website to use our new Virtual Assistant or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you. MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley feels it is our calling, and our privilege, to provide loving, compassionate memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. With 27 memory care suites, we are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Also, our Reflections Neighborhood is a secure environment, designed to allow residents the independence to move freely and safely about in their expansive surroundings.
In fact, every aspect of our memory care is tailored to serve the needs of our most tender residents from a team of exceptional caregivers to meals, wellness programs and services. Once your loved one decides to join the MorningStar community, we meet with your family to learn as much as we can about their personal preferences, medical history and background in order to create an individualized care plan. Every resident receives 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participates in daily activities and scheduled outings and events. As dementia care specialists, our approach and philosophy to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” Our program is another reflection of our Radiance culture and provides us with an insightful and intentional way to support the memory-impaired and their families. All team members, regardless of their position, receive Lavender Sky training, which includes a deeper understanding of the disease and communication techniques to use with memory-impaired residents. It also includes training in environmental safety and security and holistic solutions to challenging behaviors. Please contact us or visit our website to learn more about our memory care as well as the many resort-style amenities and services we provide to all residents. We look forward to hearing from you. MorningStar of Happy Valley 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 give us a call or visit our website to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. MorningStar of Rio Rancho’s goal is to offer the best senior living in Rio Rancho NM, and we want area families to know we are safely accepting new assisted living and memory care residents. After a thorough screening new residents are moved directly into their private suite, remaining there for a 14-day quarantine. Team members entering the resident’s room wear full personal protection equipment during that time. In the entire community, to fight back against the coronavirus outbreak, we have set up protocols that meet, or in some cases even exceed, CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our residents, their families, and team members.
As a loving son, daughter, or relative of a vulnerable senior, we want you to know that MorningStar of Rio Rancho is working every day to ensure the wellbeing of our residents. This includes providing nutritional meals and keeping residents hydrated as well as access to 24/7 healthcare and basic and protective supplies. Our services also include ordering, delivering, and dispensing residents’ physician prescribed medications. Another thing MorningStar of Rio Rancho offers to your mom or dad is loving, social connections. Based on the MorningStar name, our mission, and our ministry, we have a team of extraordinary individuals who know the value of building meaningful relationships with our residents. Just take a look at our Twice the Story video series that showcase the tender relationships between residents and team members throughout our MorningStar communities. These friendships testify to the fact that we need to lean upon and lean into each other—that each might receive a blessing, that each might be served, and that each might come away changed. Our community offers a choice of 51 well-appointed, private assisted living suites in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 26 suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. Visit our website for more information or contact us for answers to any questions. MorningStar of Rio Rancho proudly provides the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM. If you have started the search for senior living in the Happy Valley-Clackamas area we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community. While we only opened to residents late last year, we are proud to say we have already earned a reputation as a beautiful and loving home.
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 reviewed periodically to keep up with any changing health needs. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, 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 Happy Valley, OR. MorningStar of Happy Valley offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “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 assisted living and memory care in the Happy Valley–Clackamas area. For the area’s finest senior housing, Rio Rancho area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar, a true destination for successful aging. By defining health and well-being holistically, MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Together our Life Enrichment programs and our Wellness Care services complement one other to ensure each resident get the best care.
As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health. These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident. We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This centralized mobile station ensures accurate, onsite assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records). In addition, record keeping is not only accurate but legible as well as offers complete demographic and medical information at hand. It also enhances confidentiality of residents’ data. Our broad care services include 5 levels of care for assisted living residents based on a point system and determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director. Residents have 24-hour care managers; a CPR staff member on every shift and access to a licensed nurse either onsite or on-call 24/7. MorningStar’s services also include medication management by certified med care managers as well as care planning reviews and scheduled health and wellness evaluations. To address specific health needs, we offer mechanical lift assistance, oxygen administration, and diabetic management. Furthermore, we provide transportation to medical appointments as well as pharmacy services, onsite dental and podiatry services and more. Please visit our website for information on pricing and availability or to set up a tour. Our community includes 51 bright suites for assisted living and another 26 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to value, 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 schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest senior housing Rio Rancho has to offer. |
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
August 2021
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