If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, you may be coming to the realization that their needs are more than you can manage on your own and are ready for help. If that sounds like you, it is now time to start researching the various care options in your area.
One choice is to place your family member in an assisted living community specifically designed to serve the needs of those with dementia. Memory care provides long-term, intensive care that is more specialized and comprehensive than other senior living options. Most are equipped to care for residents at all stages of the disease and include 24-hour supervision. The communities are secure to reduce the risks of wandering and many have features such as color-coding to help residents safely navigate through the hallways. You will also find the best memory care communities provide programs that address the needs of residents such as helping to calm or provide stimulation as needed and can actually offer your loved one a better quality of life. Communities that provide memory care report they are able to reduce medications and medication side effects as well as increase nutrition and wellness. They also say residents have fewer falls, injuries, and hospital visits; along with more independence and social interactions. Most importantly, memory care communities cite that as many as three-fourths of their residents’ experience improvement or maintain their level of mental functioning. If you are in the Happy Valley–Clackamas area, we encourage you to visit our website. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Happy Valley has 27 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood that are devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of memory loss. 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.
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One of MorningStar’s newest communities, MorningStar of Rio Rancho, offers exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho NM within our beautifully designed community. We have 51 suites for assisted living and 26 suites dedicated to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Our community held its Grand Opening in July with a reception and 150 guests.
MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides a wide range of care services including 24/7 Care Managers, Certified Medication Managers, Licensed Nurses, routine health monitoring, and much more. In addition, residents have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of enrichment programs and activities as well as be treated to delicious meals prepared largely from scratch and served restaurant-style. We know that seniors and their families have lots of questions about assisted living and what all it offers, which is why our website is loaded with useful information and resources. After you peruse the MorningStar of Rio Rancho site, which is filled with details regarding floor plans, community amenities, and gallery pictures, we suggest you next take a look at the “Family Resources” link. Under FAQs, you will find answers for many of your initial questions. It starts right off with letting you know what sets MorningStar apart from other senior living communities. Here we explain that MorningStar is a family of senior living homes where residents are seen as heroes, and all of our efforts go into assuring they are treated as such. We feel it is our calling and privilege to serve seniors, and while rooted in Judeo-Christian values, we welcome residents and team members of all faiths and world views. You will also find answers to questions regarding age requirements (you must be at least 62 years old) and a definition of what “assisted living” entails. We also answer questions regarding Companion Living, Short-term Stays, transportation services, dining services, our pet policy, and more. Once you finish with the FAQs, browse through our other options for everything from a helpful Decision Guide, to Life Enrichment, Care Services, Affordability, and other pertinent topics that are sure to be of interest. Of course, we are also ready to answer any questions, and encourage you to visit our website for contact information. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we provide high-quality assisted living and memory care as well as respite care. Respite or temporary care is a great option for seniors who are recovering from surgery or an illness and require some day-to-day support services. In addition, communities such as ours allow recovering seniors the opportunity for socialization and meaningful activities.
As a respite resident of MorningStar, you will receive a quiet suite and personalized care to comfortably recover your health, as well as companionship and community, which can be just as important in the healing process. Respite stays are typically 30 days or less and your spouse is welcome to join you. Of course since our suites are subject to availability, it is important to contact us when you know you will require respite care in the foreseeable future. Respite or temporary care also offers a solution for seniors whose regular caregiver is taking a much needed vacation or is busy with other priorities. However regardless of why you have come to temporarily join our community; we will make you feel right at home. Along with providing a fully furnished suite, our respite residents are treated to three healthy and delicious daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef, 24-hour care and medication management. In addition, you are invited to take advantage of MorningStar of Happy Valley’s on-going activities, entertainment and scheduled outings. We have our own onsite library, chapel/theatre, fitness room, outdoor strolling paths and courtyards as well as provide housekeeping, laundry services and group transportation. For an additional charge, you can visit our salon for hairstyling, manicures or pedicures. Contact us to learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley and our respite care services. 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 schedule a tour of our exceptional senior living community. The Alzheimer’s Association’s website is loaded with the most up-to the-date information regarding all the various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Part of their extensive information includes a check list of 10 early warning signs of the disease. This is important to know as an early diagnosis allows someone an opportunity to seek treatment and to make plans for the future. While everyone’s journey is different, they recommend if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of memory loss, to consult with a doctor.
The first sign of Alzheimer’s as stated by the Association is memory loss that disrupts a person’s daily life. This is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages. Examples include forgetting important dates or events as well as recently learned information. The second sign is experiencing difficulties in developing a plan or working with numbers. It may affect everyday tasks such as balancing a checkbook or keeping track of monthly bills. Next they cite new problems that develop in completing familiar tasks around the home, at work or leisure. The person experiences difficulties when driving to a familiar location, managing a budget or remembering the rules of a favorite game. Fourth on the Alzheimer’s Association’s list is signs of confusion regarding time and place. Examples include losing track of dates and what time of the year it is as well as forgetting where they are or how they got there. Another sign of Alzheimer’s is problems understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This can mean difficulty reading, judging distances and determining color or contrast. Further along in the disease, a person may not recognize their own reflection. The sixth sign on their list includes experiencing new problems with words when speaking or writing. Another sign is misplacing things and not having the ability to retrace their steps. People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. The eighth sign includes decreased or poor judgment such as giving away large amounts of money to fraudulent causes or paying less attention to grooming habits. The ninth sign stated by the Association is withdrawing from work or social activities. Last on the list is a significant change in mood and personality. People with the disease can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Please see the Alzheimer’s Association’s website for the complete details on the early warning signs of the disease. 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 at Englefield Green brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best memory care unit in Boise. Source:alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp?type=alzFooter#signs At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we recognize that our wonderful assortment of amenities and beautiful surroundings are fantastic; however, we know that the real heart of our community is 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 team 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 exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho NM. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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. 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:Plan to drive on streets you know.
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 our exceptional senior living community. Many families may be unaware of the extensive care services that assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Rio Rancho offer to residents. One term that is useful to know is Activities of Daily Living (ADL), which describes the various care services found in an assisted living community. These activities typically include dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, etc. At MorningStar a resident’s care level is determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director.
One of the care services we offer is medication management by a Certified Med Care Manager. The cost for this service is factored into a resident’s level of care and is part of their monthly fee. Our service includes both the ordering and supervised administration of the medications, and we have two price points based on the number and type of prescriptions involved. For many elderly people, medication management is a very important service. Statistics show that “many hospitalizations are due to just a few drugs that should be monitored carefully to prevent problems. Blood thinners (such as warfarin), diabetes medications (such as insulin), seizure medications (such as phenytoin), and opioid analgesics are some examples of these medications.” Forgetting to take prescribed medications, not taking the right dosage or not finishing prescriptions is common among seniors and can lead to serious medical problems. Knowing a certified MorningStar medication manager is in charge of your loved one’s medications can provide a family with peace of mind. Dominick Bailey, a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatric care reminds his elderly patients that, “Medications only work if you take them.” He adds, “If they sit on the shelf, they don’t work.” After visiting our website or once you take a tour of our community, you most certainly will understand what sets us apart from other senior housing Rio Rancho NM offers. Along with a whole array of amenities and services and a compassionate, loving team that is honored to serve seniors, we also offer well-designed suites to please a variety of tastes and preferences. 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 best senior housing Rio Rancho NM offers. Sources: cdc.gov/medicationsafety/adult_adversedrugevents.html khn.org/news/americas-other-drug-problem-copious-prescriptions-for-hospitalized-elderly/ A power of attorney is simply a directive that names someone you trust to act as your agent in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. A medical power of attorney, also called an “advance directive,” names someone to specifically act on your behalf in regards to any medical matters.
If you or a family member is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, it is especially important to have a medical power of attorney. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the kinds of medical decisions covered by a power of attorney for health care includes: doctors and health care providers, types of treatment, and care facilities. The designated medical power of attorney may also need to make some end-of-life decisions such as issuing a “do not resuscitate” (DNR) order or not consenting to a feeding tube when a person reaches the later stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. The website, WebMD suggests that a person entrusted to be your medical power of attorney should be someone “who is not intimidated by medical professionals and is willing to ask challenging questions,” They also add that the person needs to be able to put aside their own feeling about a medical option and be ready to carry out your wishes. Drawing up a legal power of attorney for health care does not require an attorney, and if it is appropriate, the same person can be named as your financial and medical power of attorney. As forms are state-specific, be sure to use the right form for your state. Once you have filled it out, it will probably need to be witnessed, and in some cases may also need to be notarized. When you have completed the process, let your family and anyone else involved in your care, including your assisted living community, doctor and hospital, have a copy of the form. 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. Sources: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/financial-legal-planning/legal-documents webmd.com/palliative-care/advance-directives-medical-power-attorney Assisted Living is a fairly new paradigm in wellness and engagement, and is built on a European social model. It is designed for seniors who do not require 24-hour nursing care but rather just need a little assistance with daily living. An assisted living community provides a secure and comfortable environment that lets you or your loved one age in place. Furthermore, it gives family members peace of mind knowing that their elderly parent or relative is receiving the care they need.
Many communities offer a range of amenities that include private suites, libraries, theater, fitness centers as well as creative and wellness programs. Some of the services typically provided by assisted living communities are daily meals, medication management, help with bathing and dressing and transportation. With a home-like atmosphere, seniors have the opportunity for companionship and to develop new friendships and interests. Assisted living can also provide a safer option for many seniors than living alone as help is much closer at hand. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “More than one out of four older people falls each year” and “Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.” In fact, three million U.S. seniors go to emergency rooms for fall-related injuries every year. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Rio Rancho, we think seniors are a national treasure and they deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Our beautiful community offers a choice of 51 well-appointed, private assisted living suites. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 26 suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. If you are looking for the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM, please give us a call so we can help you find your new home. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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: cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html The Alzheimer’s Association has some effective tips for communicating with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. As the ability to find the right words or to speak at all is one of the effects of the devastating disease, it is helpful to learn some tips to make the communication process easier.
Typically in the early stages of the disease, individuals repeat themselves often and can easily lose their train of thought. They may start to avoid speaking and have trouble following a conversation, and may even use gestures rather than words. Experts suggest at this stage that you make sure to address the person directly, don’t speak through a caregiver, and allow them plenty of time to answer you back. The middle stages of the disease can signal lots of changes and usually lasts the longest. If you wish to speak with the individual, make sure to do it in a quiet space without any distractions. Your questions should be short and only require a simple yes or no answer, and again, look directly at the person. In addition you can demonstrate the task or give clear, step-by-step instructions. Also use a soft voice and calm demeanor, and above all else, be patient and loving. In the late stages of the disease, which can last from a few weeks to several years, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests using nonverbal forms of communication. When entering the person’s presence, always identify yourself and use the sound of your voice to convey the meaning of your words. Experts recommend using touch, sight, sound, smell and taste to communicate, and as always, treat the individual with respect and dignity. MorningStar at Englefield Green offers the Boise area compassionate, personalized dementia care for those at the onset of the disease or well into the advanced stages. Our memory care unit consists of 50 suites, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community. MorningStar at Englefield Green brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best memory care unit in Boise. Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications |
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