You may be confused about whether assisted living is the best choice for you or your loved one. While licensing requirements for assisted living communities vary by state, they generally provide care for individuals who do not require around-the-clock skilled nursing. The National Center for Assisted Living defines assisted living as “part of a continuum of long-term care services that provides a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care designed to respond to individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities in a way that promotes maximum independence.”
Thus, assisted living communities are ideal for seniors who are mainly independent but need help with the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as dressing, bathing, and other personal care tasks. They also provide daily meals and 24/7 care and can readily accommodate residents’ changing needs and preferences. Most offer transportation and housekeeping services, which mean an assisted living home is perfect for aging in place. Many communities provide wellness programs and activities that engage and support the residents’ intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual needs. Furthermore, many encourage family members to get involved with the community’s activities and special events. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers 56 well-designed suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Within our Reflections Neighborhood, we offer 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with memory impairment. If you are looking for the finest senior living Des Moines or West Des Moines offers, please contact us so we can help you find your new home. The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “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 Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer. Source: ahcancal.org/ncal/about/assistedliving/Pages/What-is-Assisted-Living.aspx
0 Comments
Congestive heart failure affects about 6.5 million Americans and there are approximately 670,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While it is the leading cause of hospitalization in people over the age of 65, the Medical News Today website reports on a 2016 study that estimates about half of the people who develop heart failure live more than 5 years after being diagnosed. They explain there is no set reason why some people with CHF live longer than others as life expectancy varies greatly but “personal lifestyle choices may also play a factor, as well as whether a person has other medical problems.”
CHF is a disease that occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood as well as it should and can be chronic or come on suddenly. It affects people of any age but 80 percent of the cases occur in elderly people. Also, while the disease is not curable, early detection is important to extending life expectancy as well as quality of life. Common symptoms of CHF include fluid backing up in the lungs and resulting in shortness of breath during exercise or difficulty breathing at rest or when lying flat in bed. A person can also have a hacking cough or wheezing. As the disease causes less blood to be pumped to your kidneys, you may experience fluid and water retention with swollen ankles, legs, and abdomen as well as weight gain. Other symptoms include dizziness and weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeats, nausea, and a lack of appetite. It you have any of these symptoms; you should see your healthcare provider as there are several treatments and lifestyle changes that can improve your condition. It is advisable to limit sodium, keep track of your fluid intake, monitor your weight, and to take your medications. If you are looking for assisted living facilities in the Colorado Springs area, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. We are located on Centennial Street, just north of Garden of the Gods Road, and convenient to banks, hospitals, grocery stores and restaurants. 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 Mountain Shadows epitomizes the very best in senior living with a 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 as we create a true home for residents at the foot of the majestic Rockies. We invite you to schedule a visit to discover why we are a step above ordinary assisted living facilities in Colorado Springs. Sources: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321538.php mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142 cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_failure.htm If an elderly parent is in a senior living community and has limited mobility, you may feel it is difficult to think of things to talk about or to do when you visit. By organizing an activity such as scrapbooking, it can help to keep everyone engaged as well as inspire your loved one to start sharing stories about the “good old days.” As you start documenting their life story, it will likely bring back memories they may have forgotten and/or ones the rest of the family knows anything about.
To get started, visit your local craft store or shop on the Internet for scrapbooking supplies that will help you create a book that is uniquely your parent’s. Your next step is to help gather and organize the photos and materials in chronological order that will go into the scrapbook. If the project seems too overwhelming for your parent, have them pick a theme such as family vacations or weddings through the years, or do one that focuses on their childhood and early years. Before you start to glue things in, take the time to layout the photos and mementos for each page; and most importantly, encourage and enjoy the stories and memories shared by your loved one. MorningStar at Jordan Creek is committed to providing the best senior living Des Moines or West Des Moines has to offer. Along with our resort-style amenities and beautiful private suites, we offer a whole range of wellness programs and activities including many arts and crafts projects. Visit our website to learn more about availability and pricing. The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Des Moines and the surrounding area offers. Have you started to suspect that your parent is not doing so well living on their own? Experts say there are several things you should look for that will help you determine if it is time to make a change in their living situation.
One of the biggest concerns for families is safety as they begin to see their parents struggle with health issues that can make them more vulnerable to accidents and medical crises. Things to be on the lookout for include poor balance or failing eyesight that increases their risk for a fall; or the worry that comes from knowing they have already fallen. Maybe you have noticed bruises or cuts they are reluctant to talk about. In addition, if your parent is still driving, have they recently had a fender bender or another mishap while driving? Are you worried your loved one’s forgetfulness is putting their safety in jeopardy? Do you have reason to believe that they are prone to wander or that their forgetfulness is leading to behaviors such as leaving the stove-top or oven on? Other signs that your parent needs more help is if you have noticed a change in their hygiene such as wearing the same clothes day after day and having difficulty with personal bathing and toileting. Do they look as if they have lost weight recently? Is the refrigerator empty or filled with spoiled food? Also look around their home. Has there been a change in their housekeeping such as dirty dishes in the sink, mail stacking up and unread, and a general neglectful look to the home. For the area’s finest assisted living and memory care, Colorado Springs seniors are invited to take a look at MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Our community was designed from the ground up to be a true home for our residents and offers all of the amenities and services needed for their comfort, wellbeing and safety. Please contact us to learn more. The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest assisted living and memory care Colorado Springs has to offer. As some of the more severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are now associated to poor overall health, researchers stress the importance of maintaining healthy habits to help reduce symptoms of the disease. They say that care should include getting the proper exercise, and eating a healthy diet as well as identifying and managing other medical conditions.
Studies show that “light exercise and walking appear to reduce wandering, aggression and agitation.” Additionally, getting the daily exercise appropriate to the person’s abilities also seems to help alleviate other problem behaviors. A person’s hearing and vision should be regularly tested and the appropriate steps taken to deal with any problems found. They should also be routinely seen by their primary care physician along with visits to specialists to address specific needs. Eating problems are another common issue affecting those with Alzheimer’s and can put a person at risk for weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition. For many the process of eating becomes more and more challenging, and they may no longer know how to use a fork or knife. The progression of the disease can cause “nerve cell death that eventually steals the ability to recognize thirst or hunger.” MorningStar at Jordan Creek understands that dining is as much about community as it is about nutrition, which is why our memory care staff and residents eat together. Also, out of respect for our residents’ sometimes compromised abilities at the table, we serve finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. Looking for the area’s best senior living? Des Moines area seniors and their families know they can trust MorningStar at Jordan Creek to provide exceptional assisted living and memory care. Please visit our website to learn more. The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Des Moines and the surrounding area has to offer. Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diet-exercise-health/ 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 last year 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. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we provide 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 finest assisted living and memory care Colorado Springs offers. The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest assisted living and memory care Colorado Springs has to offer. Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325393.php |
Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, MorningStar is committed to giving residents a quality of life surpassing that of other senior living communities. To experience firsthand the finest in senior living, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
August 2022
Categories
All
|