Opening this fall, MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills is the third MorningStar senior living community in the Valley of the Sun. Set in the scenic town of Fountain Hills, our private suites boast a view of the area’s renowned lake fountain featuring a geyser that shoots water to a height of 562 feet every hour as well as views of the surrounding mountains.
Our community offers 63 private assisted living suites on two levels and includes spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Our Reflections Neighborhood, devoted to the care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions, has 28 secure suites. If you have not yet had the opportunity to come to one of our open house events, we encourage you to set up an appointment to view our model suites. In addition take a look at our website, as along with lots of information and pictures, we also feature several of our floor plans. We even offer an assisted living two-bedroom lay-out that is 870 square feet! Ready to call it home, our private suites are all set for you to move in - all you need to do is to bring your furnishings and personal items. Complete with mini blinds, wall-to-wall carpeting and ceiling lights, the units are designed with large windows and high ceilings to allow for lots of natural light. Each suite is also equipped with an emergency call system, handicapped-accessible bathrooms, individual heating and air conditioning, basic cable TV and utilities. Furthermore, MorningStar offers weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services. Our community also has laundry facilities available and we do daily trash removal and spot cleaning. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.
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A recent article in the U.S. News and World Report discusses several technological advancements under development that may benefit the lives of older adults. One example they cite that is already available is remote health monitoring systems that permit patients to take their own vital signs and send them to their medical provider. Additionally shoe insoles with GPSs inserted in them have also been developed as a way to track someone with Alzheimer’s.
Still in the early stages of development, self-driving cars may help to improve the lives of seniors. We know that driving is something that many seniors start to feel uncomfortable doing, but giving it up can often mean a loss of independence. Experts predict self-driving cars will be widely available in as little as ten years. Another interesting technological development already available in Denmark is edema socks that detect and signal swelling of the feet and edema. SmartSox is a similar concept under development that will be a used to “detect excessive pressure, heat and misplaced joint angles that could cause foot ulcers. This is useful because people with diabetes often lose sensation in their feet and can't always feel such changes.” Also while not currently being produced, a group of researchers have developed a vibrating shoe insole to improve balance and stability and may reduce falls by as much as 70 percent. Along those same lines, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are trying to create a shirt with built-in sensors that will be able to administer CPR. No article on technological advancements would be complete without the mention of robots. For years, researchers have been working on robots that will have the required artificial intelligence to serve as health care aides. In fact as soon as next year, England, Greece and Poland will be testing robot caregivers. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area. Source: money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/retirement/articles/2015/12/09/7-tech-advances-that-will-change-seniors-lives “Memory Care” is the term used to describe communities specifically designed to care for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills, we have 28 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions along with 63 assisted living suites. Opening this fall, we look forward to providing compassionate memory care for each of our residents that is borne out of a deep understanding of the disease.
Based on our premise that knowledge can lead to a better understanding of dementia, this summer MorningStar of Fountain Hills hosted an interactive lecture series for professionals and area families eager for more information. The comprehensive series gave all of us an opportunity to learn even more about dementia and how it affects those with the disease. Our June workshops featured Dr. John DeBoer, a leading neuropsychologist in the area of early-stage dementia detection and intervention mechanisms. One of the lectures, called Memory and Aging: What’s Normal and What’s Not, defined dementia and memory impairment associated with the disease and explained how it differs from memory loss experienced in the normal aging process. The second in the series from Dr. DeBoer was The Myth of Dementia and Why It is Untrue. The basis of the lecture was to give family members and caretakers of those with dementia a clear understanding of the disease and its myriad causes. It highlighted The SMART Brain Aging cognitive program developed by Dr. DeBoer that is designed for those in the early stages of the disease. The last lecture in the series was Family Adjustment to Memory Loss. The discussion focused on redefining life for individuals affected with memory impairment as well as their families. The entire series was well received by the community. Furthermore, we also welcomed a film crew from NetFlix who were there to produce a documentary on the topic as well as a local reporter. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area. One problem that causes many seniors to seek the advice of their doctor is frequent episodes of lightheadedness and dizziness or feeling like the room is spinning around them when they attempt to stand up. The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains that these symptoms can be a sign of balance problems, many of which are caused by inner ear problems. They note that, “In 2008, an estimated 14.8 percent of American adults (33.4 million) had a balance or dizziness problem during the past year.”
Good balance is important to the well-being of older adults as it helps them to move about without the danger of tripping and to safely participate in their daily activities. There are several disorders that can cause balance problems and the treatments vary according to the disorder. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV is one of these disorders. In BPPV, individuals experience vertigo whenever they shift the position of their head, such as rolling over from left to right when lying down or moving their head to look up or to look down. NIH reports that BPPB occurs most commonly in adults over 60 and is caused when “small calcium particles in the inner ear become displaced and disrupt the inner ear balance sensors, causing dizziness.” Labyrinthitis is another disorder that creates balance problems. It is caused by an infection or inflammation of the inner ear. Symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss (from mild to total loss of hearing) and vertigo. It is often related to upper respiratory infections including the flu. Ménière’s disease, Vestibular neuronitis, and Perilymph fistula are other examples of disorders that cause balance problems. The NIH advises that you see your doctor if you are experiencing vertigo, dizziness or other balance problems. This post is intended for informational purposes only. If you are experiencing health problems, please consult with your health care provider. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area. Source:nihseniorhealth.gov/balanceproblems/aboutbalanceproblems/01.html More and more studies support the idea that socializing is good for seniors’ overall health. In fact in an article by the US News & World Report, they point to a study done by the Rush University Medical Center that agrees. The study indicates that “elderly people with the highest levels of social activity -- doing things such as visiting friends, going to parties or attending church -- showed much lower levels of cognitive decline than those who were the least socially active.”
Researchers, from the on-going Rush Memory and Aging Project, studied 1,138 adults, average age 80, for five years. It found that seniors who were the most socially active experienced “only one-fourth the rate of cognitive decline as those with the lowest levels of social activity.” The results were independent of other factors that influence cognitive decline such as age, physical activity and general health. In another research project called BRAVO, headed by Dr. Nicole Anderson, a clinical neuropsychologist at Baycrest Health Sciences in Toronto, reports that, “"Engaging in more social activities was related to better self-reported health and less loneliness and more life satisfaction.” Dr. Anderson noted that social connectedness seems to help the immune system work better, lower stress hormone levels and offers psychological benefits. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills, we agree that socialization is important. This is why our community is set up to create a home-like environment with comfy sitting areas and restaurant-style dining so our residents have plenty of opportunities to enjoy one another’s company. In addition we offer lots of fun and meaningful activities that encourage socializing. MorningStar of Fountain Hills is one of the newest MorningStar Senior Living communities and will open this fall. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area. Sources:health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/05/04/socializing-may-keep-elderly-minds-sharp cbc.ca/news/health/socializing-key-to-successful-aging-1.1260922 Adult children are often surprised to discover that a parent is not doing well and that they may require additional assistance to ensure their continued safety and comfort. According to the experts, there are several signs to look for to help determine if assisted living is the right answer for your mom or dad.
The website Caring.com recommends that you consider assisted living if your elderly parent has recently experienced a fall or has had a medical emergency and did not receive the immediate help they required. Also it may be time to think about it if they suffer from chronic health problems that are getting progressively worse such as COPD, congestive heart failure or dementia? Furthermore, do they take a long time to recover from an illness? Other indications that your loved one is not getting the care they need at home are signs of weight loss and a more frail appearance or if they are neglecting their personal hygiene and are not as well-groomed as they used to be? It may simply be that preparing meals and taking care of day-to-day personal activities have become too difficult for them. An empty refrigerator, stacks of unopened mail, and new dents in the car could all be warning signs that your parent would benefit from having more assistance. Another advantage to assisted living is that it can also provide your loved one with social activities and companionship. Often seniors live alone, and as many stop driving, they do not get out on their own. Assisted living communities provide seniors with an opportunity to live comfortably and securely as well as to enjoy a range of activities and the company of others. We encourage you to plan a visit to MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills to discover the carefree lifestyle we offer. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area. Sources:helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/assisted-living-facilities.htm caring.com/articles/signs-its-time-for-assisted-living According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), “18 percent of seniors live alone, while 43 percent report feeling lonely on a regular basis.” They also found that people 60 years or older who reported being lonely had a 45% increase in a risk of death. Furthermore, seniors who felt isolated had almost a 60% increase in the risk of mental and physical decline than those seniors who had more social contact.
There are many reasons that seniors attribute to their feelings of loneliness: retirement, death of a spouse and other family members, and a lack of mobility. Another factor leading to isolation for some seniors is that more people are choosing to not have children, which reduces the number of family members with a stake in their well-being. A 2009 report taken from data gathered by the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project found that “seniors who feel lonely and isolated are more likely to report also having poor physical and/or mental health.” As such, loneliness is also linked to a faster cognitive decline as well as a greater risk for depression. Assisted living communities such as MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills will offer seniors not only the security and comfort to age in place but also companionship along with a wide assortment of creative, thoughtful activities. Opening this fall, our monthly calendar will have a steady stream of activities such as exercise classes, cards, word and puzzle games, movie nights, morning hymns, knitting groups, bingo, restaurant-style dining and much more. Contact us to learn more about our beautiful home-like atmosphere and the comfort, wellness and community offered to our residents. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the 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 setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area. Sources: aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/, agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm |
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