Experts suggest that a good way to reduce medical errors regarding your care or that of a loved one is to be an active partner in the process whether in a hospital setting, doctors’ office or the pharmacy. The World Health Organization reports “an estimated 10% of patients in high-income countries are harmed while receiving hospital care.” Also according to a 2021 report in StatPearls, “medical errors result in about 100,000 deaths in hospitals and clinics annually.”
Furthermore, studies show the most harmful errors in primary and outpatient health care settings are related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines. Mistakes associated with misdiagnoses resulted in delayed treatment for the real problem and having the wrong drugs prescribed. However, it is important to keep in mind that some medical errors are a result of patients failing to disclose all of the medications they take including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Another problem is the failure to reveal pertinent details regarding a person’s prior medical history as well as lifestyle habits such as smoking, diet, and alcohol consumption. Medical professionals say to remember the time spent with your doctor is short, so to help prevent errors with care, come prepared to your appointment by putting in writing critical points you wish to discuss. The Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore has a QuestionBuilder app available by AHRQ at Google Play or the Apple App store to help you focus on the questions you need to ask during your appointment. Other things to do before the appointment include putting together a list of medications you take, the dosage, and why you take it. If you worry about forgetting something you were told during the visit, take along a family member or trusted friend. Also ask questions and seek a second opinion if it would make you more comfortable. Most importantly if a medical problem is not getting better; remain persistent in addressing it with your medical team. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer. We offer stylish suites for assisted living with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with memory impairment. Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior 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.
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. In terms of numbers, that’s an estimated 13.8 million seniors. Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely but it often is the case. Not to mention, the pandemic certainly made matters worse as many seniors self-isolated from family and friends.
Whatever the cause of loneliness, research shows it takes a toll on people. In fact, a study from Brigham Young University reports loneliness can be as deadly as smoking or obesity. Study authors explain senior isolation “may complicate existing conditions, encourage an unhealthy lifestyle, and affect cognition.” The American Psychiatric Association says seniors who report feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to depression and poor health habits including excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. Research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging found the “risk of Alzheimer’s nearly doubled in lonely adults, and mental decline was faster.” Senior living communities like MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provide residents a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. Along with extensive care services, we offer a broad range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social connectivity. Programs range from physical exercise classes to art classes, trivia and card games, bingo, clubs and more. We tell residents if we do not offer something you wish to pursue, start a club and encourage others to join. Assisted living residents receive a range of services such as 24/7 care managers, certified med care managers and scheduled health & wellness evaluations. A licensed nurse is onsite during week days and on-call 24/7. Furthermore, MorningStar helps families arrange auxiliary care services to deal with other health concerns on an as needed basis. We believe every moment you are alive is an opportunity to grow, set new goals, dream new dreams, and do better. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives. Visit our website for more information on trusted assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows 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 memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer. Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/senior-isolation-facts If your mom or dad is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time. Medical experts recommend to do some research on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, in order to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is. You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parent.
Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms. This is why you need to sit down and have a talk with you parent about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam. Experts say when you are ready to have the “conversation,” be honest and try to keep your voice calm. Pick a time and place where you will not be interrupted and be sure to include in your homework different care options in case they ask. Also, be ready to talk less and listen more as they may have also been worried about some of the changes they have been experiencing. However, keep in mind it is common for a person to be confused, in denial, and/or withdraw. At MorningStar of Littleton, our goal is to be the best senior living Littleton, CO offers; which includes 20 secure suites for those suffering from memory impairment. Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a dedicated, compassionate team and provides a safe, loving home for seniors suffering from dementia. If you are looking for trusted memory care, please give us a call. MorningStar of Littleton offers the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. Source: alzheimers.net/how-to-talk-with-a-parent-about-dementia-symptoms Sometimes a senior has a fall or another medical emergency that precipitates the need for a change in their living circumstances such as a move into an assisted living community. Other times, the situation is not so clear-cut and is more a case of a senior slowly losing the ability to attend to their daily care needs. We know it is upsetting for families to see their loved one decline, which is why experts offer advice to help determine if an assisted living setting would be an improvement in their lifestyle.
One way to decide if assisted living is right for your parent or another loved one is to take an inventory of what they are having trouble doing for themselves and if assistance would improve their quality of life. For instance, are they having a hard time preparing and cooking meals or need help bathing, toileting, and dressing? Have they stopped driving and spend a lot of time alone? Is your normally tidy parent now letting the household tasks go and/or mail is stacking up unopened and bills not getting paid? Other factors that indicate the need for more help includes recent falls or burns from using water that is too hot or from cooking. Warning signs also include a history of medication mismanagement or worsening chronic health problems, which could all benefit from the care received in an assisted living community. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we offer 56 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood has 29 secure memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We make it easy for retirement years to be carefree with a full range of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities as well as a staff who feel called to serve seniors. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Des Moines - West Des Moines offers. 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. Many families mistakenly think senior living and particularly assisted living is just a more luxurious nursing home. The fact is nursing homes are intended for people who are unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental conditions and require around-the-clock skilled nursing care. Residents may be bedridden or in wheelchairs and receive ongoing palliative and preventative long-term care.
Assisted living is for seniors who are mostly independent but require help with what is known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and include things like dressing, bathing and other personal care activities. In some cases, people move into an assisted living community knowing that while they do not now need assistance with such tasks, they may need help in the near future. Assisted living also makes sense for seniors who are looking for more companionship and love the security of knowing they are not alone. As many assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Littleton have an emergency call system in each suite, you can rest easy knowing help is just minutes away. Another perk of MorningStar is we offer scheduled transportation so you will never have to worry about getting to your doctor appointments and other important errands. Moreover, while MorningStar’s suites vary from studios to two-bedrooms, all of our suites are smartly designed to make the most of the space they offer with high ceilings, large windows and both natural and overhead lighting. In addition, residents often tell us what a relief it was to give up their large family homes that were hard to keep clean as well as all of the maintenance required. Residents also enjoy weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services. MorningStar of Littleton offers the kind of senior living area families have come to count on. We have 65 stylish suites for assisted living and another 20 secure memory care suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar of Littleton offers the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. If you are a senior who wants to start exercising again, you may not know how to begin. For one thing, you probably realize you are not as fit as you used to be, and are not up to the same degree of physical activity that you once did. And of course, before you begin any new form of exercise, you will need to check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough, especially if you have osteoporosis, an injury, or balance issues.
Once you get the go ahead from your healthcare provider, stretching is a good place to begin. In fact, studies show that as we grow older our flexibility decreases by up to 50 percent in some joints. Another good thing about stretching is many exercises are appropriate for any level of fitness including ones that can be done sitting in a chair. Stretching can help you maintain your flexibility and mobility as well as loosen up some of your stiffness in your back, neck and shoulder muscles. Another plus about stretching exercises is that most of them do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere. The Silver Sneakers website recommends that as you stretch, “to breathe deeply, and go slowly. Listen to your body, and never force a movement that causes pain.” They remind seniors it is okay if they cannot bend very far as over time they will loosen up some. Safety is always important and you do not want to hurt yourself. Other exercises especially good for seniors include chair yoga, resistance band workouts, walking, and dumbbell strength training. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our beautiful community offers a whole host of amenities and care services as well as wellness programs that include exercises geared toward our residents. We are committed to provide the best assisted living Des Moines or West Des Moines has to offer, which includes exemplary service to our residents to ensure their utmost comfort, wellbeing and safety. Please see our website to learn more. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Before beginning any exercise, be sure to check with your healthcare provider. 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: silversneakers.com/blog/stretching-for-seniors-7-simple-moves-for-the-not-so-flexible/ If you are looking for assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge is one of the best places to start. Offering 45 suites for assisted living with a choice of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge also offers all of the amenities and services to ensure your every comfort. You may recognize the MorningStar name. In addition to a number of senior living communities throughout the Western U.S., nearby locations include MorningStar of Littleton, MorningStar at RidgeGate and MorningStar at Jordan.
We encourage you to visit our website as we have lots of information available along with photos that capture the full beauty and inviting warmth of our community. There you will find a great description of our home, brief comments from our Management Team, a map showing our location as well as pictures to illustrate the detailed attention to our welcoming spaces and beautiful design. The page also has a button to Amenities and Suite Amenities that describes many of the community’s resort-style amenities and highlights the comforts of our private suites. Our private suites have been designed with all of the conveniences and safety precautions needed to ensure both your comfort and safety. Each bathroom is handicapped accessible and all apartments have an emergency call system. Throughout our large common areas just some of the amenities include a bistro, chapel/theater, massage therapy room, salon, and fitness room. To enjoy the outdoors, we offer a fireside patio and porches. As a resident in assisted living, your care plan will be based on a thorough assessment of your medical history and personal preferences, and routinely evaluated to ensure it is relevant to your care needs. Range of services include assisting residents with the activities of daily living (ADLs) as well as life enrichment and hospitality services, which we consider to be important to one’s overall health. Also, families get peace of mind knowing trained care managers are there to help navigate any changes in the health and wellbeing of their loved one. Please visit our website for contact information and give us a call to inquire about availability and pricing or connect with us online. We look forward to meeting you and your family. 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. |
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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