While children are encouraged to socialize, we often forget it is important for all of us, especially older adults, to socialize. However, as we age, circumstances such as retirement, the death of a spouse, and friends moving away or falling ill can makes it difficult for seniors to maintain healthy social connections.
The National Institute on Aging reported on several studies that appear to suggest a strong correlation between social interactions and the health and well-being of older adults. The research indicates social isolation and loneliness may have significant adverse effects on the elderly and impact their physical as well as mental health. Scientists explain that, “Positive indicators of social well-being may be associated with lower levels of interleukin-6 in otherwise healthy people. Interleukin-6 is an inflammatory factor implicated in age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.” The studies suggest that socially isolated older adults have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Loneliness may be a contributing factor for elevated systolic blood pressure as well as put older adults at risk for symptoms of depression. Researchers believe that strong social connections may help to reduce stress and stave off anxiety and depression. One study even showed a 70 percent slower decrease in cognitive decline in those with a strong social network. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission is to provide the best assisted living Colorado Springs offers, which includes a calendar of wellness programs and activities that enhance and support mental, physical, spiritual and social connections. Each day residents have the opportunity to engage the mind, body and spirit as well as find ways to learn and contribute. Please visit our website to learn why MorningStar is such a great place to call home. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 our residents the best assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer. Source: nia.nih.gov/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive
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While there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other dementia-related diseases, it is important to make sure the person has the proper level of care. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek our goal is to provide the best senior living Des Moines-West Des Moines offers, and we have the amenities and services to ensure the comfort, safety and wellbeing of our memory care residents.
Our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 suites that are completely devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. We are proud of our staff that is trained in progressive therapeutic approaches to palliate symptoms for our special residents. The creative side of our care begins with learning about each resident. We interview the family to get a thorough understanding of a person’s history, and use that knowledge to aid in their care and to develop a trust between the resident and our care team. As a way to calm and awaken memories as well as support and encourage residents’ capabilities, our professional methods include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy. Another important aspect of our program is to provide plenty of recreational and purposeful activities such as music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise. To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure courtyard reserved just for memory care residents. Also bear in mind that we accept residents in the earliest stage of the disease right through to those in more advanced phases that require the highest level of care. Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual. In fact, one of our mission statements is to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals, and from this precept, comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences of each resident. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers the very best in senior living with our distinct 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 to create a true “home” for residents. Visit our website to set up a tour of the finest senior living Des Moines-West Des Moines has to offer. Looking for the area’s best memory care? Colorado Springs’ families know they can trust MorningStar at Mountain Shadows to provide the finest care for their loved one. Our caring, professional team has a good understanding of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and takes a holistic approach to providing for our most tender residents.
MorningStar’s memory care is situated in a separate area we call our “Reflections Neighborhood” and is specifically designed to meet the needs of residents throughout the various stages of the disease. The expansive area houses 19 secure suites and is intended to encourage residents to safely explore their surroundings. 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. 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 at Mountain Shadows 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 to set up a tour of the area’s finest senior living or to inquire about availability and pricing. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 our residents the best assisted living and memory care Colorado Springs has to offer. Recent studies have suggested a connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease but researchers do not yet fully understand the connection. Moreover, while not all of the research has confirmed a link, researchers say that people with diabetes, especially type 2, appear to be at higher risk for eventually developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
One of the things not yet known is whether taking steps to prevent or control diabetes helps to reduce your risk of cognitive decline. However, we do know that one of the complications of diabetes is damage to the body’s blood vessels as well as the fact that diabetes is one of the risk factors for vascular dementia, which causes a reduced or blocked blood flow to the brain. Scientists first suspected a connection between Alzheimer’s and diabetes when they realized that the changes in the brain were very similar; and it has been hypothesized that each of these conditions may fuel the damage caused by the other. With new research, experts hope to get a better understanding of the connection between the two diseases. “That link may occur as a result of the complex ways that type 2 diabetes affects the ability of the brain and other body tissues to use sugar (glucose) and respond to insulin.” We also know that diabetes increases the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may eventually lead to full blown dementia. In addition, MCI can also appear years earlier in people who later are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek encourages you to contact us or visit our website to learn more about our loving community. Along with our 56 assisted living suites, MorningStar at Jordan offers 29 secure suites dedicated to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers the very best in senior living with our distinct 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 to create a true “home” for residents. Visit our website to set up a tour of the finest senior living Des Moines-West Des Moines offers. Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-and-alzheimers/art-20046987 As we age, our healthcare needs change, which is why seniors should have a primary healthcare provider who understands their special needs. Experts recommend finding someone that “talks to you” and clearly explains what they are saying; and then most importantly listens to what you have to say. Also, you do not want a healthcare provider that makes you feel like they only have ten minutes to spend with you.
Many seniors want to have a geriatrician, a physician dedicated to the care of seniors, on their team, but as Dr. Michael Wasserman, himself a geriatrician and board member of the American Geriatrics Society's Health in Aging Foundation explains that the number of board-certified geriatricians in the country is going down every year. However, he says that even if you do not have access in your area to a geriatrician, there is no reason to worry as a family doctor is able to manage your needs and can refer you to a specialist when appropriate. One way to find the right healthcare provider is to get a referral from family, friends or neighbors. When you call the office, ask if they are accepting new patients, and if not, is there a waiting list? Also check to see if they accept your insurance including various Medicare plans. Another important thing, especially for seniors, is to find out if they have extended hours and after-hours availability as this can help keep older adults out of the hospital. Experts further advised that you routinely use a single pharmacy as this can help to avoid dangerous drug interactions. Committed to provide the best assisted living and memory care Colorado Springs offers, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has created a true home for residents and we work hard to ensure their comfort, wellness and safety. Our assisted living is designed for seniors who require some help with their day-to-day personal care. Our memory care compassionately provides for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 our residents the best assisted living and memory care Colorado Springs has to offer. Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/11-things-seniors-should-look-for-in-a-health-provider If you are searching for the finest assisted living Colorado Springs offers, we invite you to take a look at MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Every aspect of our gorgeous home, from the ground up, has been meticulously designed to ensure our residents the utmost comfort, safety and wellbeing.
Just knowing a loved one is being cared for by the compassionate, loving staff of MorningStar is sure to give you peace of mind. If it is you who is thinking of making MorningStar your new home, you will be surprised to find that once you get the daily assistance you need, you will not feel as if you lost your independence but rather be better able to lead a full life. One thing that sets MorningStar at Mountain Shadows apart from other senior living communities is the fact that our team consists of the type of people who believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching. They are individuals with big hearts who are drawn to the idea of serving seniors. They are also the kind of men and women that understand seniors are true heroes who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. As one family member of a MorningStar resident wrote, “Your staff is amazingly prompt and always respectful. I never hear a harsh word or even see a frown. Each and every staff member is gentle, kind, thoughtful and never seems to be in a hurry. MorningStar has shown commitment and devotion to my family that is truly biblical.” If fact, our community is not just a place for the elderly to live out their days, but a true home filled with love and laughter. Along with five-star dining and a whole list of resort-style amenities, we provide a wide range of care services and wellness programs. Every day our calendar is filled with fun and meaningful activities that allow residents to expand their mind, enjoy the company of friends, and enhance their health and wellness. After all, when given the opportunity to learn and to contribute, it allows us all to shine. Please visit our website to learn more. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 our residents the best assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer. When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is devastating news for all. Family members may quickly start experiencing feelings of grief as they recognize their life is about to be changed by the disease and are uneasy about what the future will hold. Most are left with questions about what to expect next.
As Alzheimer’s begins to take away the person we know and love, the Alzheimer’s Association explains that, “you'll mourn him or her and may experience the different phases of grieving: denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance.” They remind us that feelings of grief do not come in a specific order but rather we go in and out of the various stages. Feelings of denial include unrealistically hoping the person is not ill or expecting them to get better. Others try to convince themselves their loved one has not changed or try to normalize and make excuses for their behaviors. Anger may include being frustrated with the person or feeling abandoned. You may also experience feelings of resentment with the demands of caregiving and/or resent others who are not helping with care. Guilt includes having unrealistic thoughts about what you should have done or feeling guilty if you do not visit every day. A spouse that is well and still able to enjoy life may feel guilty that their husband or wife is no longer able to do so. Others may have negative feelings such as wishing the person would die or go away. The Alzheimer’s Association says you need to face both your positive as well as negative feelings. They also say to be prepared to go through feelings of loss more than once as the disease progresses. Remember your grief is a part of your journey, and if you need help, talk with someone about your feelings. At MorningStar of Littleton, our goal is to provide the best senior living in the area, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our memory care residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and spend each day in an atmosphere that celebrates and elevates their lives. Please visit our website for more information about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. MorningStar of Littleton proudly provides the very best in senior living 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 assisted living and memory care in Littleton. It is sometimes difficult for adult children to realize their parent needs more care in order to ensure their safety and wellbeing. This is why MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers a Decision Guide to help families navigate through the process of making the move to senior living, especially assisted living, which is a fairly new paradigm in wellness and engagement.
Some of the typical signs that indicate your parent needs more help include falling, driving mishaps, and forgetting significant things such as leaving the stove-top on. Also really take a look at how they are living. Does their home seem a lot more cluttered and less tidy? Is unopened mail piling up? Does your parent suffer from failing eyesight, poor balance or forgetfulness? Another sign your parent is not doing well on their own is if they look less groomed or appear to be wearing the same clothes for days at a time. When you put all of this together, it probably means your loved one is not able to care for themselves as they once did, and it is time to begin discussing alternatives to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Start by gathering your family together in a relaxed atmosphere and approach the conversation slowly. Remember your first conversation is just a starting point and the decision will most likely be make in stages. During the conversation it should be noted that getting the care your loved one needs will benefit the whole family. You may even be pleasantly surprised to learn your parent has started to think they need a change. We want you to know MorningStar of Wheat Ridge’s team is ready to help. Our community consists of 45 private suites specifically designed for assisted living and offers spacious studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, we have another 19 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the personalized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please visit our website to learn more. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Wheat Ridge represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. Now that we find ourselves spending more time at home, let’s make a commitment to enjoy the warmer weather and longer days as well as take advantage of the time to spruce up and declutter our homes. A lot of us are guilty of accumulating too much stuff, while others recognize the problem but don’t know how to get started and feel overwhelmed even thinking about it. Some of us just love the idea of living a more simple life with a lot less stuff.
This is where it helps to get sound advice from the experts who suggest that before you begin, form a plan that includes setting a goal for what you hope to achieve. So do you want to tackle one area in particular that really needs attention or methodically go through your whole home? Once you determine your objective and where you want to start, implement the four box system. This means designating one box for trash for items, which are not recyclable, broken, or in good enough shape to donate. Box two can be for items you wish to donate, sell, recycle or give to family members that may need them. Your next box should be for items you wish to keep such as mementos, seasonal decorations, and other treasures that do not need to part of your everyday life. Before it goes in the box, make a list so you know what’s in it. The last box is for everything that needs to put away in its proper place. One room that frequently needs attention is the living room, which can quickly become a family drop off point and a hot spot for collecting clutter. Start by sorting through stuff such as books, magazines, games, toys, etc. that are consuming table surfaces and creating an overflow on shelves and other storage areas. Books you are done with, donate to your local library, recycle magazines, and so on. The same four box system can be used throughout the decluttering process. Also remember in addition to being dust magnets, there is such a thing as too many knickknacks so trim down and just keep the most sentimental ones. Continue through the room finding permanent places for anything that stays and get rid of or designate the rest to other areas. Once your home is decluttered, you will be surprised by how much easier it is to keep clean and how much better you feel. Good luck and stay focused! MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living 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 assisted living Des Moines-West Des Moines offers. At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, our goal is to create a true “home” for residents along with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our care philosophy evolved from a unique and loving concept. MorningStar Senior Living began when Ken Jaeger, our founder, set out to establish his own brand of exceptional senior living.
Ken’s dream was to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He explains how he “wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” From this distinct beginning, MorningStar was founded on the following three statements:
We back up our mission statement with a set of core values that include Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness. These values guide us in day-to-day life as well as in the way we dispense care to each resident. Along with our mission to serve seniors, we support local causes such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as other global issues. So what does all this mean for our assisted living and memory care residents? MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is dedicated to providing compassionate, loving care that enhances our residents’ lives. We are proud to have a team of individuals with a felt calling to serve, and who consider seniors to be heroes. Each staff member is the type of person who does the right thing even when no one is watching and willingly goes the extra mile to assist our residents. Please visit our website to get pricing and availability or to set up a tour to see why MorningStar is so special. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Wheat Ridge represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to set up a tour to see firsthand our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. |
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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