Experts say medication management is an important preventive measure to avoid potential serious health hazards for seniors. As many older adults take multiple medications, vitamins, and supplements to treat different symptoms and health conditions, they are at a greater risk for medication mix-ups. Researchers estimate that 25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.
Polypharmacy is the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report approximately 350,000 people are hospitalized each year due to adverse, or harmful, drug events. While these episodes are usually preventable, doctors acknowledge it can be confusing keeping track of daily dosages and special instructions such as to take with or without food or the time of day, etc. If an elderly parent or grandparent is taking several medications, healthcare providers say it is a good idea to inquire about their medication management. One sign they may not be organized is if they have medications stored in different locations throughout the house, and old, outdated prescriptions are mixed in with current ones. You can start by gathering all medications in one place, remember it is best to store them in a cool, dry location, and set aside any outdated medications for proper disposal. Write down the names of the drugs, dosages, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them. Also, include herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. Bring the list to the next visit to their primary care physician and ask why mom or dad is taking it, how long they will be on it, and do any medications present a dangerous interaction with another drug they are on. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is a beautiful senior living community in Colorado Springs offering assisted living and memory care. From healthy daily meals to wellness programs and activities, we have a whole range of services and amenities to ensure residents’ comfort and wellbeing. Our care services include care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication care managers. Please see our website for more information. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: cdc.gov/medicationsafety/adult_adversedrugevents.html
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MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company, whose mission is to “cast a new light on senior living.” We start by creating a true home for the residents in our communities, made possible by a dedicated team who understands the highest expression of living is to share their gifts and talents, time and energy with others.
The scope of our Vision to love and honor also includes impacting the world for good through the MorningStar Foundation, and offering support to philanthropic initiatives within our local neighborhoods and around the world. One such project is our support to the people of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. We serve not only the children of the Casa Bernabé orphanage but holistically serve the impoverished area. We also are proud to support Lifewater, whose Healthy Village strategy focuses not just on their delivery of a safe water point, but on the villagers’ monitored adoption of hygiene habits in each and every home. Closer to home, MorningStar’s senior living communities are great supporters of the Alzheimer’s Association. We participate in events throughout the year including the “Longest Day Celebration” (summer solstice), which will be on June 21st this year. Our uplifting celebrations include hosting fundraisers of every sort, balloon releases, games, food and more. Additionally, our communities participate in the “Walk to End Alzheimer's,” either by walking, sponsoring or hosting other creative ways to raise funds. Other efforts include doing our share by volunteering with local nonprofits to help where there is a need. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows goal is to provide the best memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers, and we are committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our remarkable residents. Beautifully situated at the foot of the Rockies, we are convenient to medical facilities, shopping, and other services. Our community offers 45 stylish assisted living suites and 19 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. We also offer short-term stays to see if we are a good fit as well as respite care. Please contact us for availability and pricing. MorningStar Senior Living’s communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. If you are looking for the finest memory care or assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. When a person is told they have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, it is extremely difficult not only for the individual but the entire family. As it generally comes after the person as well as their family and friends have noticed a marked change in the individual, it is tough to hear but not always a huge surprise. Now the question becomes “what next?”
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) offers families guidance with a list of helpful informative and supportive resources including the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Check if they have local chapters where you can get in-person support, meet others in your same situation, and get involved in fundraising activities. You can additionally reach out to local community centers and hospitals to find out if they have Alzheimer’s educational programs. NIA reminds families to keep up with regular medical checkups as they are important for a person with Alzheimer’s and should include their primary healthcare provider and specialists such as a neurologist, neuropsychiatrist and geriatric psychiatrist. Also ask your medical team if there is a memory disorder clinic nearby. Another suggestion is to plan ahead both financially and for long-term care while the person can still have some valuable input. Finally, experts say to make sure you get the proper help to ensure the person’s wellbeing and safety. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we know something about the pain and devastation families go through with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. 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 assisted living or memory care in Colorado Springs, please visit our website for more information. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: nia.nih.gov/health/next-steps-after-alzheimers-diagnosis A Place for Mom’s website, a free service that helps families in their senior care search, reports the various services offered at assisted living communities can make it a healthier, safer living option for many seniors. As services typically involve 24/7 care, nutritional meals and wellness programs, it means residents receive the kind of care required to enhance their quality of life.
Assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Jordan Creek provide the social connections necessary to seniors’ wellbeing as well as intellectual stimulation. The individual and their family get peace of mind knowing help is available when it is needed. Likewise, recent research shows assisted living communities may help seniors avoid falls as most are equipped with safety features such as handicap-accessible bathrooms and wheelchair accessible doorways. MorningStar’s emergency call systems in each suite also means immediate help is at hand. MorningStar at Jordan Creek offers seniors assistance with another all-too common problem of medication mismanagement. The JAMA Internal Medicine journal published a study showing “80% of older adults regularly take at least two prescription medications, and 36% regularly take at least five prescription drugs.” The Department of Health and Human Services reports up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” in their medications including skipping doses or failing to take medication as prescribed. Either one can result in hospitalizations or deaths. Our medication management service helps to avoid these problems and includes dispensing as well as ordering prescription drugs. MorningStar’s comprehensive care starts with residents having an individualized plan created to address their specialized needs. It is frequently reviewed and updated as required. Our day-to-day care is intended to help residents maintain a healthier lifestyle with nutritional meals, exercise classes, and life enrichment programs designed for their needs. For trusted assisted living Des Moines area seniors can count on, visit our website or contact us for further information. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers. A National Institute of Health survey found patients who were most satisfied with their healthcare were those engaged in self-advocacy. This included a person becoming knowledgeable about their injury and health care needs; and being persistent about speaking up for those needs. The NIH also explains those who felt better about their experience practiced communication skills, were organized, talked to peer mentors and kept a positive attitude.
Research shows practicing self-advocacy, or when a family member actively advocates on the behalf of a loved one, reduces medical errors in hospital settings, doctors’ offices or at the pharmacy. It is important as 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.” Most errors are related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines; and misdiagnoses means delayed treatment and taking the wrong medicines. To ensure the best care you need to be honest with your healthcare provider. This includes providing an account of your symptoms and a list of current prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbs, supplements and vitamins you take. Be sure to let them know if you have any drug allergies and provide as complete a medical history as you can including your personal medical record as well as that of your family’s. In addition, let your medical team know if you are a smoker and the amount of alcohol you consume. Additionally, remember the time you spend with your doctor is short, so prepare beforehand the things 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 store to guide you in questions you should ask. Experts also say to remember you and your doctor are a team. Being your own health advocate or that of a loved one means helping them follow the medical advice recommended by the doctor regarding diet, rest, exercise, smoking, alcohol use and taking medications as prescribed. MorningStar of Littleton is a senior community located in a suburb southwest of Denver. Our beautiful home provides assisted living and memory care with a wide array of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities. 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.” MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Littleton, CO offers. Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/aging-health-advocate#1 The U.S. News and World Report published an article on tasty treats designed to satisfy your sweet tooth and provide a healthier alternative to more sugar laden desserts. One suggestion from board-certified oncology dietitian, Kailey Proctor, of the Leonard Cancer Institute at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California, is to grill pineapple, banana, apple or pear slices. Grilling concentrates flavors by reducing the water content, and further sweetens the fruit as natural sugars are caramelized by the heat.
Dark chocolate is a known powerful source of antioxidants as research shows it can help improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and raise HDLs, reducing your risk for heart disease. One healthy, easy-to-make dessert is to melt dark chocolate and spread it over parchment paper. Then sprinkle dried cherries, chopped nuts or sunflower seeds over it; refrigerate for five minutes and cut into small pieces. Another variation is to dip fresh strawberries or other fruit into melted dark chocolate. Yogurt parfaits are fun to put-together and can be customized to your taste. Using a parfait dish or small bowl, add granola, strawberries, blueberries, nuts, peanut butter or seeds, layering with yogurt. To cut down on fat, use nonfat or low-fat yogurt as it still provides a good source of protein without the calories. How about banana ice cream made from frozen pureed bananas mixed with almond milk? If you like, add in peanut butter and nuts. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top, which is “thought to have anti-inflammatory effects and may help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels.” For exceptional senior living, Des Moines area seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Jordan Creek. Our many services include meals designed by our Executive Chef and made largely from scratch with the freshest of ingredients. We also use “BrainWise Foods” known to support brain health with their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar at Jordan Creek 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 Des Moines – West Des Moines offers. Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/fitness/articles/healthy-dessertsand-theyre-tasty-too At MorningStar of Littleton, we regularly have questions about our community from area seniors and their family members. FAQs include how our pricing is structured as well as availability. In assisted living, fees are based on the level of care a resident requires. For memory care residents, we offer all-inclusive pricing, which means suite rental and care, whatever the level of need, is one price.
To calculate your level of need in assisted living, you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director and go over your medical history and personal preferences to create an individualized care plan. This sets the basis of your Care Level (we have five) and your monthly fee accounts for the costs and time to provide the needed services. These can include help with daily personal care activities (grooming, bathing, toileting, etc.) and medical assistance. If you are concerned the cost of assisted living may be too high for your means, we want to remind you that senior housing can be very cost-effective as there are many things you will no longer pay for out-of-pocket. This includes the costs of your monthly utilities. At MorningStar your monthly fee includes cable TV & utilities, laundry facilities, and three daily meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef. In addition, we have scheduled transportation every week for rides to medical appointments as well as transportation to organized activities and cultural events. Assisted living residents also have access to a full-time licensed nurse and our loving 24-hour care staff. Our wellness programs and activities engage and support our residents’ mental, physical, spiritual and social connections for a healthier, fuller life. MorningStar’s mission is to provide the best senior living Littleton, CO offers, and the comfort and wellbeing of our residents are the foremost considerations for everything we do. Our dedicated team, the heartbeat of our community, delivers service that represents the mission and philosophy of MorningStar Senior Living - honoring God and valuing seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Littleton, CO offers. |
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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