If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone. It is estimated that 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and one in nine 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 the MorningStar at Arrowhead’s senior living community, we offer 25 beautiful suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our progressive methods leverage the power of aromatherapy, dance, music, art, and animals to heal and comfort residents, and we are equipped to care for individuals in the early stages right through to the most advanced phases. 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: alz.org/i-have-alz/i-have-alzheimers-dementia.asp
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The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that living with diabetes can be difficult but with the right care and treatment, it can be effectively managed. We know the risk of getting type 2 diabetes increases as we age, and current statistics show more than 25% of seniors in the United States age 60 and over have the disease. Also as we age, the risk of complications increases.
Along with your health care provider, organizations such as the ADA and the National Institute of Health offer tips and information for coping with the disease and ways to avoid or delay complications. Also even if you do not have the disease, it is still a good idea to education yourself to try and prevent the onset. The ADA recommends the following suggestions for living as healthy as possible with type 2 diabetes. Their first recommendation is to keep your blood glucose levels under control. Know your target range and check your levels daily or as recommended by your doctor. In addition make the appropriate changes to your diet to not only lower your blood glucose, but to lower your risk for heart disease. Another important part of living with diabetes is to work to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the normal ranges. Many of the same lifestyle changes we do to control blood glucose can help control blood pressure. The ADA advises that “people with diabetes keep their blood pressure below 140/80, but check with your health care professional about what target is best for you.” Along with medications, you can lower your cholesterol by eating a healthy diet, losing weight and exercising. You can also manage your diabetes better if you stop smoking. We recognize that smoking is bad for everyone but it is far worse for those with diabetes. Finally if you increase your physical activity, you will gain more strength and energy and be better able to manage your blood glucose as well as help to lower your blood pressure. 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. Sources:diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/seniors/?referrer=https://www.google.com/ diabetesstopshere.org/2013/09/06/seniors-with-diabetes-take-control-of-your-health/ Often families are caught unaware when an aging parent has a fall or another event that immediately signals they need more assistance in their daily life. You many feel like a neglectful son or daughter for not noticing the changes happening before your eyes, but many seniors routinely deny they need help as they fear losing their independence. However getting the proper care can actually help make them feel more independent as they know they can live their life without worry and help is available when they need it.
Experts cite several common signs that may indicate your parent needs more assistance including changes in the way they live. For incidence if your mom was always a good housekeeper, and now her home is looking un-kept, or your dad who always took pride in his appearance, now looks as if he is not bathing regularly. Signifcant weight loss may also mean a senior is not eating well and/or having trouble preparing meals. Watch for signs your parent is having trouble walking or appears unsteady and is having difficulty getting up from a seated position. Other changes are signs of confusion or uncertainty performing familiar tasks. A dangerous side effect of poor memory can be seniors forgetting to take medications or not following their doctor’s care plan. Errands can also be difficult to do as many seniors are uncomfortable driving and many stop driving altogether. While assisted living was a relatively new concept when it first began around 25 years ago, today it is the fastest growing care option for seniors who are able to live independently but require a little assistance. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder, we provide assistance with “activities of daily living” (ADLs) such as: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and more. Our community, located on the southeast side of the celebrated mountain town of Boulder, offers 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. 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. Often seniors take multiple medications daily that in some cases have been prescribed by a couple of different doctors for different conditions. In addition they may also be taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications. All of this can lead to problems with drug interactions and side effects that range from mild to severe including death.
In a recent report by the US News & World Report, it cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest each year there are four visits to the ER per 1,000 adults attributed to adverse drug effects. First published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statistics find that almost 60 percent of Americans take at “least one prescription drug, and nearly 20 percent are taking more than five prescriptions medicines.” The study also looked at OTC medications and warns that there is a huge potential for “side effects, drug-drug interactions and negative outcomes.” It also states that for the elderly, the possibility of dangerous drug interactions is even greater. One of the most important things that a patient or family member can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to communicate with all of your health care providers about the prescription and OTC medications that you take. It is a good idea, especially if you take more than one medication, to write down the names of the drugs and the amount you take each day and carry it in your wallet. You can also take a picture of the list of medications with your cell phone so you always have it handy. Another tip is to fill your prescriptions at the same drug store and to build a relationship with the pharmacist as he or she can help to spot potential problems involving drug interactions. Annually review the need for each medication with your health care provider and discuss how long you will need to take the drug. Lastly be sure to check each new prescription container for accuracy as pharmacies sometimes do make mistakes. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in assisted 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:health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-01-13/the-dangers-of-medication-mix-ups-at-home MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Boulder emphatically agrees with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community. While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name.
The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory. They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise. In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you. It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss. Jolene Brackey also shares some tips from her book, Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Disease, to help family members when visiting. She suggests you begin your visit by introducing yourself, and to use their given name rather than calling them “mom” or “dad” as they may have forgotten that their kids are already grown. If your loved one has a familiar nickname, you can use that. Ms. Brackey also recommends that you visit “one on one” or in small groups, and to bring the conversation around to pleasant memories from their past. If you do get them talking, give them plenty of time to respond to a question or to follow directions. MorningStar of Boulder reminds family members that a new voice is always a welcome change and a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers can lift the spirits of someone struggling with dementia. Your friendly, loving visit can have a positive effect on your loved one for the rest of the day. 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: alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf The US News & World Report recently published an article on the growing demand for senior living communities as the number of elderly adults in the U.S increases. The Census Bureau predicts that the number of people age 85 and older will grow to 6.6 million and make up almost 2 percent of the population by 2020, which is an increase of 800,000 from 2010. Moreover, the figure is expected to go up to more than 19 million by 2050, and by 2060, nearly 100 million Americans will be 65 years or older.
While the increasing number of seniors in the U.S. is most likely due to older adults living longer as well as the baby boom that occurred after World War II, more and more seniors are recognizing the advantages of aging in place among their peers. Senior living communities offer the benefit of a less demanding, more carefree lifestyle and virtually eliminate the problem of social isolation and loneliness. Furthermore, today’s senior living communities are worlds apart from the old days when nursing homes were the only option for the elderly. In addition assisted living and memory care communities provide the daily care personal services that many elderly adults require as well as a whole host of amenities and services. According to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care, “There are about 22,000 senior housing and care properties in the U.S.” MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Boulder is one of the area’s finest senior living communities. Located in the beautiful mountain town of Boulder, we offer 48 private suites for assisted living in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. Also uur Reflections Neighborhood has 46 secure suites devoted to the specialized care for those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms 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. 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:money.usnews.com/investing/articles/2017-01-06/how-to-invest-in-an-aging-population |
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