According to the Mayo Clinic, the elderly are among one of the groups of people that are more susceptible to dehydration. They cite the following reasons for this including the fact that a senior’s ability to conserve water is lessened while at the same time they experience a diminished sense of thirst. Furthermore, a senior’s capacity to respond to changes in temperature is reduced and many do not adept well to extremely hot or cold weather. These issues are often compounded by the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, dementia and kidney problems. There are even certain medications that can contribute to the elderly being more susceptible to dehydration.
As we age our kidneys’ lose some of their ability to concentrate urine and retain water during episodes of fluid deprivation. Also a reduced sensation of thirst means that many seniors forget to drink enough fluids throughout the day. Moreover disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia can create swallowing problems that make it more difficult to drink. Other factors that can contribute to dehydration include a decrease in mobility and incontinence. The dangers of dehydration are many and often results in emergency visits and hospitalization and have even been associated with increased mortality rates in the elderly. Additionally it is related to a range of health issues such as falling, constipation, and impaired cognition and confusion. So what steps should you take to ensure you or your loved one stays hydrated? Experts advise that every time you take a pill to drink a full glass of water. Also have healthy fluids readily available throughout the day and avoid sugar-laden drinks as well as salty foods. 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 of Wheat Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving environment with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge invites you to learn more about our senior living community.
0 Comments
If your parent has reached the time in their life where they need help with daily personal care activities, moving into assisted living is the perfect solution. You will have peace of mind knowing their needs are being met and they are safe and comfortable. However as much of the task of helping them move will likely fall on your shoulders, you have probably begun to realize that paring back a lifetime’s worth of possession is a bit overwhelming. Not to worry, there are many good books on the topic as well as useful tips on the Internet.
Organizing experts caution that the job can be complicated and fraught with emotion because as you see a pile of stuff to sort through and toss; your parent sees treasures and memories. Begin by creating a list of things your parent will need at their new place (keep in mind the size) and adding in the treasured items and personal belongings they want to keep. If something is hard for them to part with, help them to think of a family member or friend they would like to give it to. Also remind them if they sell the item, they can use the money toward something better suited for their new home such as a smaller couch or coffee table. Now the experts recommend going from room to room and to start sorting by keep, toss, or donate piles. In addition rather than always asking your parent what they want to keep or get rid of, winnow down the selection, and then ask them yes or no questions. Presorting items also helps to avoid keeping lots of multiple items. By measuring the size of your parent’s new suite, you can create a floor plan to realistic show how well their furnishings will fit. Include the amount of cupboards and storage space they will have to help you know how much is too much. Remember you do not want the new place to be so crowded that they can barely move safely about. Keep in mind that if your parent is moving into a community such as MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we do the cooking and serve the food. Also our well-designed suites come equipped with mini blinds, carpeting, and lots of overhead lighting. Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful assisted living and memory care community. 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 schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area. While MorningStar at Mountain Shadows feels honored to serve, and consider seniors to be heroes, we are gratified to get positive feedback from the families of our residents. As we deliberately hire the type of individuals who have perfected the art of anticipating needs and go the extra mile even when no one is watching, it is great to hear their service is recognized and appreciated.
One daughter of a resident in our memory care recently wrote about her experience. She explains that, “It’s never easy to realize that your parent needs more help than you can provide on your own. My creative, fun loving mom developed dementia in 2013. I tried to help her stay in independent living but after several falls and health setbacks, I needed outside help. The staff at MorningStar made both my mom and my family feel like we were their only clients with the attentive, competent care they provided. She adds that her Mom is loved by the staff and has a special bond with her caregivers despite her failing mind. Most importantly she writes that she has gotten frustrated at times but says that “when I communicated with the staff, they took time to listen and we were able to resolve issues with satisfaction. I highly recommend MorningStar at Mountain Shadows!” Another daughter wrote about the quality of care her mom received at Mountain Shadows. She says, “We couldn't have asked for better care for mom if we had designed it ourselves.” She relates how her mom quickly felt at home and was surrounded “with love, warmth, activities, attention, healthy nutrition, and treated her as if she was their family member.” We even heard from someone who had a horrible experience at a “5 Star” memory care facility in another state. She explains that, “Once I made the decision to transition my mother to Morningstar, I have not been disappointed. The staff even recognized how difficult it was for me and made every effort to keep me informed and to guide ME gently through the transition! Mom's been there 8 months now and I know she feels safe and cared for, and I always am kept informed.” Please visit our website to discover Colorado Springs’ finest assisted living and memory care. Our committed team strives to offer each resident the utmost comfort, wellness and community. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents at the foot of the majestic Rockies. Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful senior living community. If your parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, at some point, you may need to find a community that specializes in caring for them. Given the progression of the disease, your loved one may eventually require 24-hour supervised care that is specifically designed to provide the level of safety and care they need.
What important questions should you ask when looking for specialized care for a family member with a dementia related disease? One of their first recommendations is to make sure that the memory care community you are considering is fully equipped to care for the needs of your loved one. In order to determine the level of care your parent or spouse requires, they suggest making a list of their medical and physical needs starting with their level of mobility and do they use a walker or wheelchair? Also besides dementia, what other illnesses or health concerns do they suffer from? It is important to explain any issues your loved one may have regarding aggression or other behaviors. Next you need to ask the community some questions beginning with the staff to resident ratio during the day as well as at night and what type training does the staff go through. Be sure to ask whether there is a nurse on staff and if they have a visiting physician. Also are residents given an individualized plan? Furthermore, what are the living arrangements and security measures in place to ensure the safety of residents? Do residents have a separate dining area and a safe outdoor space? Now ask questions about the community’s treatment plans and the type of care they provide to residents. Do they engage in programs such as pet, music and/or reminiscence therapy? Are residents grouped according to cognitive level and is there a place for those in the early stages? Finally, after thorough consideration, you may just need to trust your instincts and choose the place you feel will provide the best care for your loved one. 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 of Wheat Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving environment with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge invites you to learn more about our senior living community. Source:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/memory-care-checklist Tucked at the foot of the majestic Rockies, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows in not only beautifully located but is convenient to banks, hospitals, shopping malls, and restaurants. In addition our community has proudly received several awards over the last few years in honor of our outstanding care, services and amenities.
Unlike many retirement communities, Mountain Shadows was built as a senior living community and meticulously designed to accommodate every need of our assisted living and memory care residents. For assisted living, we offer 45 graciously appointed suites in configurations that range from spacious studio to one- and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 683 sq. ft. Our Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases and has 19 secure suites. Each of our stylish units offers high ceilings, large windows, lighting, wall-to-wall carpeting and mini blinds and is equipped with full, handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Moreover basic cable TV and utilities is included in your monthly rent and every suite has its own heating and air conditioning system. Mountain Shadow also offers weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services and daily spot cleaning and trash removal. Also in case you wondered, we are pet friendly. We encourage you to visit our website and take a look at the variety of floor plans as we feel sure your will find the perfect configuration for your needs. For example we offer assisted living studio suites from 311 to 366 sq. ft. Our memory care studios start at 282 sq. ft. and go up to 383 sq. ft. Assisted living one-bedroom units range from 426 to 522 sq. ft. and memory care one-bedrooms go from 426 to 472 sq. ft. While at our website, you can also set up a tour or email us for pricing and availability. We love showing off our community and we think you will see why our residents are proud to call us “home.” At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents at the foot of the majestic Rockies. Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful senior living community. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we are proud to serve the needs of our residents as well as their families by providing the area with the finest assisted living and memory care in our beautiful new community. Additionally we will also be hosting informative programs and events open to the entire Des Moines area.
One such program is our Dementia Support Group, which is a caring conversation for families living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Attendees are invited to come and encourage others as well as to be encouraged, and within the group, you will find empathy and a whole lot of love. Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association, the group will meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. We do ask that you RSVP to MorningStar at Jordan Creek as seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served. MorningStar’s Reflections Neighborhood specializes in memory care and has 29 secure suites entirely devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We are equipped to care for those from the early onset of the disease to the most advanced stages and consider it our calling and privilege to find ways to connect with and nurture the essence of the person regardless of the extent of the memory loss. Our mission is to treat each resident with the dignity and respect they deserve. Along with our memory care, MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers 56 bright suites for assisted living in a variety of configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 820 sq. ft. As a resident, you will be treated to three daily meals served restaurant-style and prepared by our Executive Chef, a whole host of wellness programs, activities and special events, scheduled transportation and more. Please visit our website for contact information on The Dementia Support Group or to set up a tour of our gorgeous, loving community. 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 schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area. If you are confused with what the term assisted living means, you are not alone. Relatively a new concept, assisted living is based on the European model and is not a nursing home. Assisted living is designed for seniors who require a little assistance with their daily personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, etc. Furthermore rather than taking away a person’s independence, assisted living provides the services seniors need to maintain an independent lifestyle.
At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our assisted living offers five levels of care. Your level of care will be determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with you and your extended family. Also regardless of your level of care, we provide all residents with around-the-clock Care Managers (at least one team member is CPR trained on each shift) to meet needs and ensure your comfort and safety. On the MorningStar website, we list the many clinical services available to residents including Medication Management, which is performed by Certified Med Care Managers, routine care planning reviews and scheduled health and wellness evaluations. In addition we have a licensed nurse on-site or on-call, and provide transportation to residents’ medical appointments. If you or your loved one is diabetic, we offer diabetes management as well as oxygen administration services. Mountain Shadows also provides more advanced care such as catheter and colostomy care or palliative/hospice care. For your safety, each assisted living suite is equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems, and is smartly-designed to accommodate the various needs of our residents. We invite you to visit our website to learn more and to set up a tour of our gorgeous community. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents at the foot of the majestic Rockies. Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful senior living community. The longest, most comprehensive study ever done on aging by the Harvard Study of Adult Development has turned up some unexpected results. The study, which began in the 1930s, examined more than 800 men and women from adolescence into old age. The purpose of the research is to find clues to the participants’ behaviors that translate into happy and healthy longevity.
George Vaillant, MD, director of the Harvard study and senior physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, states that, "I had expected that the longevity of your parents, the quality of your childhood, and your cholesterol levels would be very influential. So I was very surprised that these particular variables weren't more important than they were." Another commonly held belief regarding aging well has typically included avoiding stress. However the results from the study indicate that stressful events did not predict future health and that some people who have had a lot of stress have aged quite well despite it. The important thing seems to be how well you deal with the stress. The Harvard study also found that genetics may not play as big of a role in how well we age as do things such as not smoking or overeating, maintaining a healthy body weight, and developing good coping skills. Exercising, keeping good social connections, and being a life-long learner are additionally all precursors to a healthy longevity. If fact the overriding conclusion of the study appears to be that we have more control over our longevity that we may have thought in the past. MorningStar at Jordan Creek is a senior living community that takes our residents wellbeing very seriously. Our signature wellness program, WellStar, is designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate the brain and encourage social connections. Please visit our website to learn more about our newly opened assisted living and memory care community. 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 schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area. Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/secrets-of-aging-well#1 The MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care Wheat Ridge, we emphatically agree with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community. While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name.
The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory. They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise. In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you. It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss. Jolene Brackey also shares some tips from her book, Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Disease, to help family members when visiting. She suggests you begin your visit by introducing yourself, and to use their given name rather than calling them “mom” or “dad” as they may have forgotten that their kids are already grown. If your loved one has a familiar nickname, you can use that. Ms. Brackey also recommends that you visit “one on one” or in small groups, and to bring the conversation around to pleasant memories from their past. If you do get them talking, give them plenty of time to respond to a question or to follow directions. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge reminds family members that a new voice is always a welcome change and a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers can lift the spirits of someone struggling with dementia. Your friendly, loving visit can have a positive effect on your loved one for the rest of the day. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, “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 invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional memory care. Source: alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf Research has shown gardening to be an effective low-impact exercise for seniors. Along with providing a moderate amount of aerobic exercise for aging adults, gardening can offer benefits to your mental and emotional health. To keep it accessible to the elderly for whom lifting and bending can be difficult; it is smart to incorporate a few modifications such as raised garden beds as well as using various ergonomic tools.
One of the best things about gardening is it stimulates all of the senses and offers an excellent excuse to get outside and soak up some vitamin D as well as boost serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that improves your mood and helps you to feel calm and centered. In addition to relieving stress and anxiety, gardening gives seniors a sense of purpose and accomplishment with its beautiful or edible finished product. It also is an enjoyable way to use of all of your motor skills and improve endurance and strength. Working in a garden has also proven helpful to those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Gardening can help recall pleasant memories from the past and remind a person of healthier times. Experts advise not to give someone with dementia a sharp tool. If seniors plan to get out and garden, they need to protect themselves against pests and the elements. It is recommended that seniors avoid the heat of the day and apply plenty of sunblock and wear protective clothing including sunglasses and a hat. They should have shady areas available with benches or chairs so they may easily take a break as needed. It is also important to remember to drink plenty of fluids as dehydration can be a problem. Among our many services and amenities at MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we offer residents the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through two enclosed courtyards, and strolling paths as well as raised garden beds that make it easier for seniors to work in. Please visit our website to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Des Moines. 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 schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area. |
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
|