If your parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, at some point, you may need to find a community that specializes in caring for them. Given the progression of the disease, your loved one may eventually require 24-hour supervised care that is specifically designed to provide the level of safety and care they need.
What important questions should you ask when looking for specialized care for a family member with a dementia related disease? One of their first recommendations is to make sure that the memory care community you are considering is fully equipped to care for the needs of your loved one. In order to determine the level of care your parent or spouse requires, they suggest making a list of their medical and physical needs starting with their level of mobility and do they use a walker or wheelchair? Also besides dementia, what other illnesses or health concerns do they suffer from? It is important to explain any issues your loved one may have regarding aggression or other behaviors. Next you need to ask the community some questions beginning with the staff to resident ratio during the day as well as at night and what type training does the staff go through. Be sure to ask whether there is a nurse on staff and if the place has a visiting physician. Also are residents given an individualized plan? Furthermore, what are the living arrangements and security measures in place to ensure the safety of residents? Do residents have a separate dining area and a safe outdoor space? Now ask questions about the community’s treatment plans and the type of care they provide to residents. Do they engage in programs such as pet, music and/or reminiscence therapy? Are residents grouped according to cognitive level and is there a place for those in the early stages? Finally, after thorough consideration, you may just need to trust your instincts and choose the place you feel will provide the best care for your loved one. 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:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/memory-care-checklist
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The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that “around 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.” Research also indicates that approximately one in every two women and up to one in four men age 50 years and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. These injuries often lead to serious complications, and in fact, twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year of surgery and many others require long-term care.
The Mayo Clinic reports that osteoporosis-related fractures occur most commonly in the hip, wrist or spine. They explain that our bones are made up of living tissues that is “constantly being broken down and replaced.” The disease occurs when the creation of new bone is not keeping up with the removal of old bone. As we age, bone replacement slows down and our overall bone mass is reduced faster than we can recreate it. The bones of people suffering from the disease become increasingly more brittle to the point that a mild fall may cause a broken bone. In the most severe cases of osteoporosis, a fracture can occur from even movements such as coughing or bending over. The disease affects both men and women, although women are much more likely to get it and older white and Asian women (especially those post-menopausal) are at the highest risk. There are a number of health problems, medicines, and life-style choices that can increase your chance of getting osteoporosis. These include autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis, breast and prostate cancer, endocrine/hormonal disorders including diabetes, a poor diet, and smoking among other factors. A painless test is used to measure bone density and to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones. To treat osteoporosis, patients at the highest risk are often prescribed different types of medications. For others at a lower risk, they are advised to eat a healthy diet, quit smoking and to engage in weight-bearing exercises. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Before you begin any physical exercise, please contact your health care provider. MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Sources: nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/ mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/home/ovc-20207808 For many elderly adults, the thought of moving from their home is overwhelming. However the truth is that today there are many excellent options for seniors specifically designed to making their retirement years carefree. One example is a community like MorningStar at Arrowhead.
The goal of assisted living communities is to give aging adults the opportunity to maintain their independence while providing convenient access to assistance, activities and companionship. All too often, seniors mistakenly think that moving into a community setting means they have to give up their privacy. Again this could not be further from the truth as communities like MorningStar offer a choice of spacious private suites designed with amenities such as high ceilings, large windows, and wall-to-wall carpeting. Another issue older adults worry about when moving into senior living is that they will be leaving their families. The fact is assisted living communities offer their own sense of comfort with 24/7 security and care. So if you need help in the middle of the night, someone is there to respond quickly. Seniors also cite the fact that they think moving to a senior living community will mean they have to give up the things they liked doing around their home such as gardening and having a backyard to enjoy the outdoors. The truth is that living in a community probably means you will be busier than when you lived alone. Senior communities are designed with an array of activities such as gardening and book clubs, fitness rooms, outdoor patios and strolling paths, game rooms, theaters and much more. To see one of the finest examples of senior assisted living, we encourage you to take a look at the MorningStar at Arrowhead website or contact us for a visit. We are nestled on the north side of Glendale in the popular residential neighborhood of Arrowhead, conveniently situated near shopping centers, churches, restaurants and the medical community. MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Source:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/senior-assisted-living At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead, we recognize that our wonderful assortment of amenities and our beautiful surroundings are fantastic; however, we know that the real heart of our community rest in our caregivers. We have made it a point to hire individuals who have a real calling to serve seniors and understand the magnitude of their contribution when they work at our assisted living community.
The MorningStar staff consists of a group of people who have perfected the art of anticipating the needs of our residents and going the extra mile to serve them. Filled with compassion and care, each of our staff members has a smile for the residents and is as quick to listen to a story as they are to lend a helping hand when needed. In fact as part of MorningStar’s on-going commitment to the well-being and care of our residents, we train all of our new hires as well as reiterate every day with our full staff the principles of our mission. Our Radiance program teaches and celebrates an attitude of selflessness that issues from a deep and sincere place like a beam of light and reinforces our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others. MorningStar was founded on the premise that we operate with “servants’ hearts” and our Radiance program gives us the framework that enables us to take service professionalism to the next level. We are sure that once you learn more about our community you will agree with us that MorningStar is a great place to call home. Please contact us today to schedule a tour to discover for yourself our loving, home-like community. MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder, we are committed to providing our residents with compassionate, loving care and proudly offer seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Much of who we are can be accredited to our dedicated management team and care staff.
Serving as our Wellness Director, Tenzing Shakya’s career was motivated early-on by her compassion and love for the elderly. Throughout her life she has drawn inspiration from older adults and has been a senior living professional since 2003. Tenzing recognizes that she is privileged to be in a position where she can make a difference in the lives of seniors every day. In addition to her service at our Boulder community; she cares for her mom at home. Another important member of our leadership team is Michelle Newitt who serves as our Director of Community Relations. Michelle has been a part of the MorningStar family since 2006 and feels blessed to be part of a company that not only puts God first but encourages both team members and residents to flourish. She is honored to be in a position that involves offering solutions for our community’s families as they struggle through challenging transitions. A recent member to our team is James VanGuider who is our new Life Enrichment Coordinator in Reflections. Originally from Upstate New York, his background includes working in skilled nursing at a Recreational Therapy Department where he coordinated activities. James’ interests include a multitude of recreational activities and he combines his caring nature with his passion for living life to the fullest to create an exciting and stimulating environment at MorningStar of Boulder. Our community is located on the southeast side of the celebrated mountain town of Boulder. In total we have 48 private assisted living suites as well as 46 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. Our beautiful suites are available in a variety of configurations and smartly-designed to meet the needs of our residents. 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 Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead, we are an outstanding example of a community able to handle the many facets of specialized care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related disease. So what do communities like Arrowhead offer families searching for solutions for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?
To start with, the best memory care communities are designed to provide residents with a protected environment. For example in our Reflections Neighborhood at Arrowhead, memory care residents are able to move freely in a safe and secure environment, including full use of an enclosed courtyard reserved just for their use. Another thing memory care provides is to not only meet the daily personal care needs of a resident but also to offer specially trained staff to provide a therapeutic approach to care. At Arrowhead, our resident-directed approach uses music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals as a way to heal and provide comfort for our residents. In fact A Place for Mom website notes that memory care programs report “a higher quality of life in a number of different areas, including reduced medication and medication side effects; fewer falls, injuries, and hospital visits; increased nutrition and wellness; and greater independence and social interaction.” They add that seventy-five percent of residents experience an “improvement or maintenance of mental functioning.” Finally memory care provides the families of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia peace of mind knowing that their loved one is being cared for in the best possible way. MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Source:aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-11-4-memory-care/ Older drivers can still be good, safe drivers, but there are some things to consider both for your safety and the safety of others. The Mayo Clinic recommends that seniors stay as active as possible in their day-to-day life which helps to maintain overall strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Drivers need to be able to turn and look over their shoulder and move their head with ease. They must be able to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and legs need to be strong enough to apply pressure to the gas pedal or brake.
A senior’s peripheral vision can decrease with age or from certain medications and other eye problems may cause drivers to have trouble seeing in the dark or experience blurred vision. Hearing problems can interfere with detecting sounds of sirens from emergency vehicles or approaching cars. Be vigilant about scheduling vision and hearing tests regularly as part of your wellness care and follow your doctor’s advice as to how often they should be done. Many problems can be corrected if caught early enough. Remember that certain medications can cause drowsiness so make sure you know the side effects of your prescription drugs and do not drive if you are feeling sleepy. It may be a good idea to limit trips in the car to daylight hours and when the weather is good. Keep in mind that a person’s reaction time slows with age as do their motor skills. You may need to re-evaluate your driving every so few months, especially if you find yourself having incidences of accidents that almost happen. The MedicineNet website has some safe driving tips for seniors: Planning before you leave home:
MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Even for older adults, good nutrition is important for a healthy lifestyle. A study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) states that “a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers. As you age, you might need less energy. But you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.“
As a part of their findings, they recommend avoiding foods loaded with empty calories such as potato chips, cookies, soda and alcohol to ensure you get your proper amount of daily nutrients. Instead they advise eating wholesome, nutrient-rich foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated or trans fats. One of the benefits of eating well is that it may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes and bone loss as well as some types of cancer. In fact if you already suffer from one of those diseases, maintaining a healthy diet along with staying physically active can help you to better manage them. Additionally adopting a healthy diet can help to reduce your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol. Wholesome, healthy foods help keep muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong and vitamin-rich food can boost immunity and fight against illness-causing toxins. Furthermore, a healthy diet can help you feel better as well as give you more energy. At MorningStar of Boulder, we wholeheartedly agree that good nutrition is important for seniors. This is why our residents are served three daily meals that are not only very healthy but also delicious. Each of our meals are served restaurant-style in a beautiful dining room and prepared by our Executive Chef. Please contact us to learn more about our wide range of services and programs offered by MorningStar. For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions 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:nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/benefitsofeatingwell/01.html Now almost two years later since we first opened our doors in the summer of 2015, the MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder community just keeps getting better and better. One look at our website’s photo gallery and you will see a gorgeous facility starting from our beautifully-appointed common areas and private suites to the spectacular background views of the Rockies Mountains. However, our physical structure is only part of the story.
The most important component to MorningStar of Boulder’s success is our dedicated caregivers who are genuinely happy to help make a difference in the lives of our residents and to bring their compassionate and loving spirit to our community. Embracing the principles MorningStar was founded on; our entire team delivers service by celebrating an attitude of selflessness, warmth, sincerity and a depth of purpose. Our Radiance program espouses all of these values and each new team member is taught the program. In addition the principles are reiterated every day at our Stand-up meeting. This helps to provide all of us with a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others. Our community is made up of 48 private, assisted living suites and 46 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the specialized care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We offer a choice of stylish floor plans and all of our beautiful suites are designed with ceiling lights, high ceilings, large windows, wall-to-wall carpeting and mini blinds for the utmost comfort. MorningStar of Boulder is committed to providing compassionate and loving care each and every day and to offer seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. 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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