According to an article recently published by the Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience journal from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, it reports socials connections may be key to preserving memory. The study, led by Elizabeth Kirby, an assistant professor of behavioral neuroscience at the university, explains their findings influence "a body of research in humans and animals that supports the role of social connections in preserving the mind and improving quality of life.”
The university’s research involved studying a group of mice 15 months to 18 months old, which is the period in a mouse’s life when it starts to have significant memory decay. For three months, some mice lived in pairs while others were housed in groups of seven. The researchers put the mice through a series of trials each day that tested their recognition and memory skills. Consistently the mice housed in larger groups improved their performance on the tests, which researchers believe may suggest they “used their hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory.” The study is important for humans as our hippocampus declines with age as it does in mice and other animals, and helps to identify the impact of social connections on brain health. Kirby says seniors should “think about your living situation as you age. If you have the privilege of choosing where you live, make the choice that lets you be socially engaged as long as possible." At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we recognize the importance of strong social connections and offer an array of wellness programs and activities that encourage social as well as physical, intellectual and spiritual connections. Please see our website for more information about our loving 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. Support: usnews.com/news/health-care-news/articles/2018-05-31/study-a-social-circle-is-key-to-protecting-the-aging-mind
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Forgetfulness is a natural part of aging; however, it is important to recognize the difference between normal forgetfulness and serious memory loss. As we grow older, we may experience problems with things like finding our keys or glasses, remembering names or certain words, and taking longer to learn new things. In most cases this is just mild forgetfulness, and there are things we can do to help sharpen our memory.
Experts recommend that activities such as taking a class, playing cards and word games, or volunteering can all help to improve mental acuity. Also it may be helpful to use memory tools such as calendars and to-do-lists, and to eat well, get plenty of rest and limit your alcohol intake. Tricks like always putting away your day-to-day items in a designated place can be helpful. As depression along with some medications and health conditions can adversely affect memory, it is important to consult with your doctor if problems continue or worsen. The Alzheimer’s Association advises that the type of memory loss that disrupts a person’s everyday life is not normal. From their list of ten signs of Alzheimer’s disease, they state that one of the first sign of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering newly learned information. Further signs of serious memory problems involve difficulty with daily activities such as driving, shopping, and following conversations. A person may start having trouble following directions; be confused about time, people, and places; and become lost in familiar places. Other signs include changes in personal hygiene and attire as well as not eating well. If you have questions regarding these and the other warning signs found on the Alzheimer’s Association website, they advise consulting your physician. They state that, “early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support and future planning.” This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 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 encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional community. Source:www.alz.org/national/documents/checklist_10signs.pdf Approximately 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stoke each year and is the leading cause of serious, long-term disabilities. In addition strokes result in more than 140,000 deaths annually. Seniors are at the most risk for strokes as 75% of them occur in adults over the age of 65. However the good news is the majority of strokes are preventable. According to the American Stroke Association, there are several risks factors you can “control, treat and improve.”
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for a stroke as well as one of the most controllable. In fact doctors attribute the current decline in stroke-related deaths to today’s effective high blood pressure treatments and medications. Another significant risk factor you can control is to stop smoking. Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke causes damage to the cardiovascular system and increases the likelihood of a stroke. In addition diabetes, cholesterol, a poor diet, obesity, excessive alcohol use, and heart disease can also increase your risk for a stroke. Uncontrollable risk factors include genetics, age and gender. Furthermore while more men suffer from strokes, they are more deadly for women. Everyone should be familiar with the signs of a stroke. The American Stroke Association using the word “FAST” to help us spot the signs and remember what to do. “F” stands for face dropping, “A” stands for arm weakness, “S” for speech difficultly, and “T” for its time to call 911. As one of the best assisted living and memory care communities in Colorado Springs, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provides nutritional, tasty meals and a whole range of wellness programs and activities. Our life enrichment programs are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing of our residents. Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful 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. Source: strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/UnderstandingRisk/Understanding-Stroke-Risk_UCM_308539_SubHomePage.jsp As seniors get to the point in their lives where they need daily help in order to live comfortably and safely, many families worry that assisted living will cost more than they can afford. The reality according to aPlaceforMom is that assisted living may actually be less expensive than the cost of cobbling together everything you need to support your parent. They state that after “dealing with the initial sticker shock and touring a community most families change their minds and realize assisted living is a great value.”
You may be asking yourself how this can be true. To start with, if your parent is living alone in the family home, they have on-going expenses such as mortgage payments or yearly taxes and insurance as well as routine maintenance and repair costs. If your parent is renting, costs continue to rise each year with increases in rent and utility bills. In addition many elderly adults no longer feel comfortable driving and are not getting out like they used to, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Studies show seniors who live alone often “experience social isolation and poor nutrition which contributes to cognitive decline, health problems, depression and a lower quality of life.” Furthermore, if they are unable to drive, they will require assistance with getting to and from doctor appointments, running errands and buying groceries. Another expense you may encounter when your parent is living in their own house are modifications to the house to allow them to move safely about the home. These types of changes can be expensive, and when it comes time to sell, may impact the worth of the home. The bottom line is that after you add up all of the services and amenities included in the cost of assisted living, aPlaceforMom concludes it may actually be less than half the cost of getting care for your elderly parent at home. Please visit MorningStar of Littleton’s website to check on pricing and availability as well as to set up a tour. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Littleton, “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 encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional assisted living community. Source:aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/assisted-living-in-home-care-compared If you are considering assisted living, you will want to know how the monthly fee is determined. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our assisted living residents pay a monthly fee based on their accommodations as well as their level of care.
Within our 56 bright suites, we offer a range of configurations that include spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 820 square feet and priced accordingly. Your level of care (we offer five) is determined after you and your family meets with our Wellness Director to discuss your medical needs. From there, we create a personalized care plan based on your medical history and daily needs. Your care plan is routinely reviewed and updated as needed. We are also proud to offer MorningStar’s assisted living communities our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for more coordinated, efficient care. The central, mobile solution offers assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records). We feel that the EHR system benefits both our team and residents by providing quick and secure access to accurate, complete demographic and medical information on residents. In addition the legible documentation offers enhanced privacy and security of residents’ medical data. Within our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 29 secure suites dedicated to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. For memory care, we charge an all-inclusive fee that wraps the suite rental and care (whatever the level of need) into one price. Please visit our website to read about the full range of clinical services we provide and to learn more about our loving, beautiful new 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. |
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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