Along with all of the health concerns regarding COVID-19, medical experts remind the general public that the best defense against contracting the flu is to get an annual flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says while wearing a mask is “an important preventive measure against airborne viruses such as the flu, there is no guarantee that they will prevent transmission completely.” So even if you are wearing a mask whenever you are out in public and/or unable to socially distance, experts stress you should still get vaccinated against the flu.
Part of the reason flu spreads so easily is a person can be contagious anywhere from 1 day before and up to 7 days after the individual is symptomatic, which means the spread of influenza can occur before the person is aware they have the virus and for days thereafter. Moreover, the flu can be transmitted indirectly by coming into contact with infected surfaces. Therefore, some of the same procedures we have adopted with COVID-19 such as regular hand washing and sanitizing shared surfaces will help reduce the spread. Also, mask wearing is not a guarantee against the transmission of the flu but can help reduce community spread. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot appropriate for the person’s age and health status (with some exceptions) every season. For the most up-to-date medical advice, please talk to your health care provider about the flu vaccination. If a loved one requires help with daily personal care activities or is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, we invite you to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Beaverton, Oregon offers. MorningStar of Beaverton defines health and well-being holistically and backs it up with an array of services and programming that supports the whole person: mind, body and spirit. Please see our website for more information. MorningStar of Beaverton’s 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 the finest memory care and assisted living Beaverton, Oregon offers.
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Caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be a very stressful job. If you think it is time to consider other care options, rather than feeling disappointed in yourself, remember the job of a caregiver is tough and it may be in yours as well as your spouse, mom, or dad’s best interest to move them into memory care.
If caring for a loved one requires more effort on your part than you are able to give physically or mentally, please reach out and get the help you need as your own health and wellbeing may be aversively impacted. Also, experts stress that while there is no downside to placing someone in memory care in the earlier stages of the disease there could be drawbacks to waiting too long. Remember the more advanced stages bring with it a significant decline in everyday functioning. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley offers 27 secure suites for the care of residents with memory impairment from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a team of individuals who through purposeful training and experience are dementia care specialists. Our team understands the unique needs of each resident and delivers that care with compassion and thoughtfulness. Additionally, every aspect of our home has been designed to accommodate those needs. Keep in mind as the disease progresses; it becomes very difficult for a family to keep up with the increasing needs as the person requires more and more assistance with daily care activities such as bathing, toileting, and eating. Other signs of advanced dementia include reduced mobility, wandering, and falling, which may require home modifications. Professional memory care homes such as ours are equipped to deal with these issues and have 24/7 caregivers available. So rather than feel like you let your loved down by not caring for them yourself, placing them in a multi-faceted community designed to attend to their changing needs may be the most loving thing you can do. Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar and our Happy Valley community. While you are there, be sure to read the COVID-19 update from MorningStar’s CEO detailing our defense in the fight against the coronavirus to keep our communities safe. MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents. Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living and memory care in the Happy Valley–Clackamas area. The Alzheimer’s Association says that six in 10 people with dementia will wander. The danger with this is someone with Alzheimer’s disease may not remember their name, their address or how to get home. Furthermore, the more agitated the person becomes when they feel lost and disorientated, the less able they may be to tell someone something that could help get them safely back home.
Experts say anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia that is mobile is at risk for wandering. Even if the person is in the early stages of the disease, they may still get disorientated; but thankfully there are strategies to help keep your loved one safe. It is important to have a plan in place in the event that it should happen to your parent or another loved one. Find out if your area has a “Safe Return Program” and enroll them in it and have them wear a GPS locating device at all times. Also, learn to recognize the warning signs of potential wandering such as: has the person forgotten how to get to familiar places, talks about going home even when they are home, gets confused as to where familiar places in the home are, and acts nervous or anxious in crowded areas. Tips to help prevent wandering include creating and sticking to a routine, identifying the times when wandering is most likely to occur, and try to make sure all of the person’s needs are met so they don’t feel the need to go out. In addition, reposition door locks out of the line of sight and make sure car keys are not left out. You can buy a device that sounds an alarm when a door or window is opened; and never leave the person locked in at home or in a car alone. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood which is a secure environment that encourages residents to safely explore their surroundings. Our residents can freely move about their neighborhood but we have security features to prevent them from wandering out of our community. In addition, our dedicated staff is trained to keep residents engaged and safe. Please visit our website for more information about our compassionate, loving memory care. MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the best in assisted living and memory care 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. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional community. Sources: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering agingcare.com/articles/when-is-it-time-to-place-a-loved-one-with-dementia-188309.htm While many of us understand that high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is dangerous, we may not know how high is too high? Even if you thought you knew the “numbers,” you may be unaware that the American Heart Association (AHA) lowered the guidelines in November 2017. Now the threshold for a healthy blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg, and experts say that means more than 100 million Americans, or 46 percent of us, now have high blood pressure.
However, the good news is doctors say hypertension can be effectively managed and by taking action, we can usually bring our levels down into a normal range. If you already know your numbers are high or are unaware of what your BP is, medical professionals recommend tracking your BP at home to reduce your risk. Please remember hypertension is called a “silent killer” for a reason, and most likely you will not know you have it unless along with your medical provider, you track it. Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers – systolic over diastolic. Systolic is the top number and indicates the pressure of the heart pumping blood to the rest of the body. The lower number, diastolic measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. The AHA states a hypertensive crisis is when blood pressure levels reach 180/120. The individual may experience symptoms of a headache, shortness of breath, nosebleeds and acute anxiety. Doctor’s explain a “hypertensive emergency encompasses an elevated blood pressure reading and symptoms of chest or back pain, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking,” and requires immediate medical attention. There are several things you can do to reduce your BP. While your doctor will determine if you require medication, simple lifestyle changes include getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moderating your use of alcohol and limiting the amount of salt you consume. If you are looking for assisted living or memory care in the Happy Valley, OR area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Happy Valley. Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community along with beautifully appointed common spaces and well-designed suites, we are confident you will be impressed. Please visit our website for more information. 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. Source: health.usnews.com/conditions/heart-disease/high-blood-pressure?int=hp_condition_guide_section_health Along with 63 assisted living suites, MorningStar of Fountain Hills has another 28 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Starting with the actual physical design right through to our holistic, compassionate care, every aspect of our memory care is designed to provide the best for our most tender residents including our food service.
Many individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease have trouble using a fork and knife to eat with, which is why many memory care homes resort to serving finger foods like chicken nuggets, fish sticks, french fries and purees. The problem with this is while the food may be easy to eat; it is not very nutritional and lacks variety. This is why the MorningStar communities have modified our memory care food service to one that avoids overly processed meals, and is both tasty and nutritional. Our menus consist of foods like pastas and other edible items wrapped in puff pastry sheets, egg roll wrappers and turnovers that are easy for residents to pick up and eat. Our Chef also utilizes techniques such as mixing and molding soft, pureed food to resemble its pre-blended form. For example, residents might be served something that looks like blueberry French toast but is really a French toast puree that has been shaped and molded with binding agents. Also in normal times, we routinely welcome families to come and join us for a meal, and hopefully will be able to resume this tradition soon. We want you to know that our entire dementia care team is honored to walk alongside the memory-impaired (and their families) on this unexpected journey. Please visit our website for more information. While you are there, be sure to read our protocols for dealing with COVID-19 and how we are safely accepting new residents into our loving community. 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. Instead of thinking that growing older is an endless array of ailments and aches and pain, you may want to rethink your attitude toward it. Research has found that people who have a more positive attitude toward aging appear to do better. Remember there are many things that older adults are good at including what is known as crystalized intelligence, which is gained through a lifetime of learning and experience. Research also shows that unlike many common myths about older people being grumpy that most are happier and more relaxed than when they were younger. Scientists are uncertain why this is but hypothesize that it could be due to the fact that “older people might control their emotions better, and focus more on how to make the most of life.” In addition, while many seniors report waking up during the night and may go to sleep earlier and wake earlier, the majority say they get a restful night’s sleep. Another benefit to old age is that for people who have suffered most of their lives with migraines, once you are in your 70s, a majority of them report no longer having them. If you are part of the 10 percent of women or 5 percent of men still having migraines, you may not experience pain but rather visual or sensory disturbances. Another plus to growing older is that many people report feeling more confident. The American Psychological Association’s annual “Stress in America” report found baby boomers and older adults report less stress than their younger counterparts. And when they do experience stress, many older adults say they manage it better. Finally, researchers have found that Americans 60 years of age and older are the fastest growing block of voters and a whole lot more likely to vote. This is typically good news for seniors as older voters tend to vote on issues concerning them such as Social Security, Medicare and healthcare. MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional senior living community. Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-aging-surprises As people age, many find their appetites have diminished or they suffer from physical or medical conditions that make eating more difficult. This is why the nutritional value found in the foods they do consume is important, and even today, many seniors have an “inadequate intake of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, folic acid, calcium, and niacin.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advise that people over the age of 50 follow the USDA food recommendations, which should help keep older adults feeling more vital, and thus healthier. They also point out the earlier you start eating a nutrient-rich diet, the more effective it will be later down the road. Recommendations include a daily diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. It also includes eating foods with healthy fats such as olives, nuts, and avocados. Along with all of the other amenities and care services we provide, MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Rio Rancho is proud to offer our residents daily meals that are chocked full of the freshest ingredients. We get much of our produce from home-grown or local high-quality producers. Our delicious meals are prepared largely from scratch, and take into account seniors’ dietary restrictions. We offer a range of choices including low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat that allows our residents to self-manage. MorningStar’s food service is overseen by our own Executive Chef, who welcomes resident feedback and often tailors our menus per their suggestions. If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Rio Rancho’s MorningStar of Rio Rancho may be your answer. We are still accepting assisted living and memory care residents during this difficult time of the coronavirus outbreak, confident in our protective protocols. Please see our website for more information about our community and a message from the CEO detailing our coronavirus response. MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest 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 housing Rio Rancho has to offer. Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/seniors-nutritional-needs/ A large study out of Europe found a link between older adults who take blood pressure-lowering drugs and a lower risk of developing dementia. Medical News Today explains that while researchers are still unclear as to what causes dementia, much work is being done to improve prevention strategies. By studying “potential risk factors that may contribute to the development of this condition,” scientists say they hope to learn more about connections between certain health conditions and higher rates of dementia.
Another study published in the journal, Neurology, found that patients with hypertension had a higher risk of experiencing brain lesions related to dementia. In this newest study from the University of Leipzig in Germany, the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in France, and the Frankfurt, Germany branch of IQVIA, researchers had access to a large database that collects and stores health information on millions of people. Using the Disease Analyzer database, researchers looked at 12,405 people, aged 60 and older, with or without dementia. They compared those who took antihypertensive drugs with those who had for periods of time or had never taken the drugs. Results showed that those who took “certain antihypertensive drugs — including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers — seemed to have a lower risk of dementia.” The study authors warn that antihypertensive drugs do not guarantee a person will not develop dementia. They say rather it highlights the benefits of such drugs. MorningStar of Rio Rancho, an assisted living and memory care community, offers comprehensive care services including 24-hour care managers, medication care managers, routine Health & Wellness Evaluations, and much more. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM. 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 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. Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325393.php At MorningStar, we attribute our growth and success to God’s grace and to staying true to our mission of servant-leadership. We feel extremely blessed to have a team of individuals working for us who are guided by their hearts and feel privileged to serve seniors. They are the kind of people that do the right thing even when no one is looking and willingly go the extra mile to help our residents. MorningStar’s care is guided through “Radiance,” our proprietary program, which celebrates an attitude of selflessness that issues from a deep and sincere place, like a beam of light. It forms the framework for how our service is delivered – with warmth, sincerity and depth! Additionally, our Radiance program provides a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others. Once a team member is hired, they are trained in Radiance. and it is reiterated and strengthened each day during our daily “Huddle.” We feel Radiance is lived out in a variety of ways throughout our community, and helps us to create an atmosphere of love, compassion and care as well as service professionalism. MorningStar of Happy Valley offers well-designed private suites for assisted living, available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. We are still accepting residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols. 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. Please see our website for more information about our community and a message from the CEO detailing our coronavirus response. 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. Designed from the ground up to meet the needs of the most discerning senior, MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills’ goal is to be one of the best senior living communities in the area. We have lots of warm, inviting common areas both inside and out and the amenities and services to ensure residents feel right at home.
If you are someone who finds that preparing meals has become too difficult due to your health or just not something you enjoy any more, you will be delighted to know we offer three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef. All of our delicious meals are served in our charming dining room, restaurant-style, and created largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients to tempt the most particular taste buds. We even offer a private dining room for intimate dinners. Also, our Bistro offers a relaxing place for residents as well as their guests to gather and enjoy a beverage or a light snack. Other beautifully-appointed, comfy gathering places include our interior patio, second floor veranda, and living room. Our fireside patio and porches give residents the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Other onsite amenities include our own chapel/theatre, a fitness center, a convenient salon offering hairstyling, manicures and pedicures, and much more. In addition a monthly calendar filled with meaningful wellness programs and activities will allow you to stay as busy as you like. While our array of amenities and services are vast, we haven’t even mentioned our devoted and loving team who are the type of individuals who feel privileged to serve seniors. Please see our website for more information including our new protocols in the fight against COVID-19. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please contact us to learn more about one of the finest senior living communities in the area. |
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