In a recent article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health. Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.
One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain. An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.” Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming. However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider. In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health. This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits. Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night. Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.” What sets MorningStar at Jordan Creek apart from other assisted living Des Moines or West Des Moines offers? We strive to provide a true “home” for our residents and have a team committed to serving seniors who treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our loving, around-the-clock care encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of our residents. Please visit our website for more information. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other assisted living Des Moines - West Des Moines offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Jordan Creek provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory
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MorningStar of Littleton is a part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company whose vision is “to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.” This means right from the start we have made a point to staff our loving home with individuals who feel called to serve and understand that seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
In addition, we support MorningStar’s mission of serving others here at home and throughout the world including supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and the Casa Bernabé orphanage in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. We also support MorningStar’s partnership with “Lifewater,” a non-profit organization that focuses on delivering safe water sources to villages across the globe. MorningStar of Littleton is also guided by our company’s founding principles that include:
Thus our home’s first priority is to create a comfortable, compassionate home while striving to meet residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Also, while our company was founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews, and understand it is our responsibility to honor spiritual preferences as part of caring for the whole person. MorningStar of Littleton has 65 stylish assisted living suites as well as 20 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living Littleton, CO offers and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.” Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Littleton, CO has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Littleton provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. If you have been relying on a piecemeal approach to care for your elderly parent’s various needs, you may want to consider moving them into an assisted living community. Especially now during the pandemic, having a series of people coming into their home on a daily basis may not make good sense. Another thing many are not aware of is that assisted living can be more affordable than in-home care services. Experts say if you are paying for more than 40 hours of weekly care, all told, assisted living is probably less expensive.
Moreover, the peace of mind you get knowing trained care managers are always available to help navigate changes in your loved one’s health, is priceless. As some of the best assisted living Colorado Springs offers, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provides residents a beautiful home and a lifestyle of comfort, wellbeing and security. Our team is committed to serving seniors and ensuring they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. As an assisted living resident, your parent will have an individualized care plan created just for them after an extensive interview process with our Wellness Director. It includes an assessment of their current health as well as a full review of their medical history. Additionally, we routinely re-evaluate the needs of our residents and update care plans as needed. Monthly costs are based on the level of care (we have five levels), along with various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, that are priced a la carte. Our stylish suites are ready to move into and all new residents need to do is bring their furnishings and personal items and we will provide the rest including three daily tasty and nutritional meals, a 24/7 care staff, full-time licensed nurse, scheduled transportation and much more. And in case you wondered, MorningStar is pet friendly. We invite you to take a look at our website to learn more about our amenities, our services, and our company’s philosophy to care. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest assisted living Colorado Springs offers. Now that many seniors are receiving their COVID-19 vaccines, we are all getting impatient to get back to normal life. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that even after we receive our second dose of the vaccine, we still need to wear our face mask, at least for a while.
To start with, it will take some time to build up our immunity to the virus as well as the fact that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective against COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech reports that “protection doesn't start until 12 days after the first shot and that it reaches 52% effectiveness a few weeks later.” Their studies have shown that around a week after you receive your second vaccination, the effectiveness rate is 95%. With the Moderna vaccine, an individual is reported to have a “protection rate of 51% two weeks after the first immunization and 94% two weeks after the second dose.” Another reason the CDC recommends continuing to mask up around people outside your “pod,” is that doctors do not know if vaccinated people who may still get a mild or asymptomatic case of COVID-19 can spread the virus to others. As more and more people get vaccinated, they hope to have more answers to those questions. For now to protect yourself and others, wearing a mask when in groups, socially distancing at least 6 ft. apart, and frequently washing our hands, are all good advice to follow over the next several months as healthcare providers work to get more people vaccinated. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is a beautiful assisted living and memory care community located in a northern suburb of Metro Denver. Our entire community was designed from the ground up to fulfill the various needs of residents in terms of care services, fine dining, and stimulating activities and programs. While many difficult changes at our community have been made during the coronavirus outbreak, we are looking forward to a brighter future in the days to come. We are happy to report that COVID-19 vaccinations began at MorningStar communities at the beginning of January. Even with the reality of the COVID-19 vaccine, MorningStar will continue its coordinated defense across every aspect of our operations, including hand hygiene, masks, and six-foot distancing. As the nation backs out of quarantine, our communities are carefully following suit in keeping with each state's phasing and pacing. At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/12/956051995/why-you-should-still-wear-a-mask-and-avoid-crowds-after-getting-the-covid-19-vac If you or a loved one is starting to feel less steady on your feet and at risk of falling, a walker, cane or even a wheelchair or scooter is probably advisable. However, before you start using a hand-me-down walker or buy any-old cane; experts warn that one size does not fit all. In the case of a walker, to be an effective and safe mobility aid, it is important to have an expert help you pick out the best type and size for your needs.
As AgingCure.com points out, “The wrong device can negatively affect a senior’s stability, cause posture-related problems and even result in pain. Mobility aids come in all shapes and sizes, so selecting the right equipment and achieving a proper fit usually requires a professional’s assistance and expertise.” To get started determining what your needs are, experts recommend seeing your healthcare provider to discuss any problems you are having with your activities of daily living (ADLs). If they recognize a need for a mobility aid, they may refer you to an occupational or physical therapist. The following are a couple of basic guidelines to know before you get started. A cane can help provide balance and stability and is ideal for someone who needs to support no more than 25% of their body weight. It is most useful for those minimally impaired or with weakness in one leg. Walkers are available in a variety of models but regardless of the style a “correct height of a walker is measured from the floor to the wrist, and the elbows should be flexed in a range of 15 to 20 degrees.” Experts also say the walker must be large enough to provide front and side support for the user. A motorized scooter may be the answer for someone who has lost the ability to walk any distance but still has an adequate amount of strength in their arms and upper body to stay upright as well as drive the scooter. Again there are a variety of models including indoor and outdoor ones as well. Keep in mind though that most insurance companies and Medicare Part B typically only cover scooters for in-house use. MorningStar at Jordan Creek represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation 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, serene setting. Contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers. Source: agingcare.com/articles/expert-advice-how-to-choose-a-mobility-aid-190138.htm Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Littleton offers individualized, specialized care to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our holistic approach to memory care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes.
Our Reflections Neighborhood is specifically designed to meet the needs of residents throughout the various stages of the disease. The expansive area houses 20 secure suites and is intended to encourage residents to safely explore their surroundings. Memory care residents also enjoy the outdoors with an enclosed courtyard. Normally, mealtimes in the Reflections Neighborhood are as much about Community as they are about Nutrition, with residents and team members eating together. Family style meals allow team members to encourage residents’ appetites as well as to provide any needed assistance with eating. During the coronavirus outbreak, however, changes have been made in dining protocols to protect both residents and team members. We are happy to report that COVID-19 vaccinations began at our community at the beginning of January. In addition, much of our food is modified out of respect for some of our residents’ compromised eating abilities and include finger foods, texture-modified diets and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. As dementia care specialists, we focus on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual, regardless of the level of memory loss. In order to create an effective individualized care plan to guide our daily interactions and communication techniques, we meet with the senior and their family to learn as much as we can about the person’s background, talents and preferences even before they join our community. Our specialized care incorporates music, art, dance, and aromatherapy to heal and comfort residents while taking into account the uniqueness of each person. Another thing that makes MorningStar of Littleton a special place for memory care is our loving, compassionate team who feels privileged to serve and is made up of men and women who willingly go the extra mile to meet the needs of our residents. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar of Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Littleton, CO offers. It is important for family members and caregivers to remember that while a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease may be declining cognitively, they still have some abilities. Encouraging them to stay involved in meaningful activities is a good way to give them a sense of self-worth and purpose. In fact, a published report from the National Institute of Health states, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” It goes on to say it is important for those with dementia to stay as active and engaged as possible and that “it may even help to maintain quality of life in the more advanced stages of the disease.”
As to what kinds of activities are the most effective, studies suggest trying to stimulate all five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell; and the creative arts are a good place to start. Singing is not only enjoyable but several studies have shown it to be one of the last abilities many of those with Alzheimer’s lose. People can often remember the words to a song long after many other memories are gone. Listening to music and dancing are other activities beneficial to those with dementia. Dancing has even been shown to help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-awareness and self-expression. Walking and getting outside can also lift spirits, but as gait can be adversely affected by Alzheimer’s, evaluate the person’s ability to walk safely. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Wheat Ridge, our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Ours is a true home distinguished by comfort, wellness and love made possible by a team that understands how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other senior living communities simply cannot match. Please visit our website to learn more about our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care. At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684326 There are many examples of how the power of positive thinking has changed people’s lives for the better. When we take a positive attitude, it helps us to be more successful in most every aspect of our lives; and experts say it can be even more important as we age.
Tom Caklos, founder of the www.positivecreators.com website, explains that positive thinking “is a critical ingredient for the well-being and health when a person is on the last leg of his or her life after completing all responsibilities and fulfilling all goals.” He adds it is an important tool to help the elderly transform their lives and fill it with passion, energy and joy.” So how can a senior who may be experiencing the loss of independence or a loved one, challenging health problems, and/or chronic pain cultivate positive thinking? Experts suggest getting into the habit of using positive affirmation to change negative thinking into positive thoughts. Moreover, when we focus on the changes we wish to make in our lives, it can help boost self-esteem and confidence. Positive affirmations can be simple and include things like giving thanks each day for your longevity and for all of the people in your life who you love and who love you. Be grateful for the wisdom you have learned in life and recognize your ability to contribute. Affirm that these are the best years of your life, that you have the right to good health, and the right to live with joy and purpose. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals and are committed to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence. We have 56 stylish assisted living suites, with another 29 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to caring for those with memory impairment. Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers and why residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.” The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Jordan Creek, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 learn more about the finest senior living Des Moines has to offer. Source: seniorslifestylemag.com/health-well-being/the-hidden-power-of-positive-affirmations/ |
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
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