It is important for family members and caregivers to remember that while a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease may be declining cognitively, they still have some abilities. Encouraging them to stay involved in meaningful activities is a good way to give them a sense of self-worth and purpose. In fact, a published report from the National Institute of Health states, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” It goes on to say it is important for those with dementia to stay as active and engaged as possible and that “it may even help to maintain quality of life in the more advanced stages of the disease.”
As to what kinds of activities are the most effective, studies suggest trying to stimulate all five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell; and the creative arts are a good place to start. Singing is not only enjoyable but several studies have shown it to be one of the last abilities many of those with Alzheimer’s lose. People can often remember the words to a song long after many other memories are gone. Listening to music and dancing are other activities beneficial to those with dementia. Dancing has even been shown to help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-awareness and self-expression. Walking and getting outside can also lift spirits, but as gait can be adversely affected by Alzheimer’s, evaluate the person’s ability to walk safely. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our goal is to provide the best senior living Des Moines -West Des Moines has to offer, which includes compassionate memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood. Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, and an enclosed, secure courtyard. Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home. Please visit our website to learn more our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living 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: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684326
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If mom or dad or another loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, we have a gift idea sure to bring a smile to their face. Robotic pets are soothing companions to those in the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s; and a proven resource for providing a means for social interactions as well as stirring memories of when they felt useful. Furthermore, a 2016 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease reports “robots helped decrease stress and anxiety and also caused a reduction in the use of psychoactive medications and pain medications for patients with dementia.”
A robotic pet allows a person to feel like they are providing care for someone – not always on the receiving end of it. However, dementia experts caution the “pet” should be introduced slowly to the person so as not to overwhelm them with feelings of too much responsibility. The Alzheimer’s Association explains it is best to introduce pet or doll therapy in a controlled atmosphere. They add when you let the person take responsibility rather than giving them the doll to play with, it can bring structure to their lives. Experts say people not verbalizing anymore may start to initiate speech as it is natural to murmur comforting words. A robotic pet can also be a distraction when the person is starting to get agitated or upset and encourages hugs and kisses. Many of the robotic dogs or cats on the market are loaded with realistic actions including barking or purring and tail wagging, and some even respond to the person’s motions, voice and touch. At MorningStar of Littleton, our mission is to provide the best senior living Littleton, CO offers, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We support both residents and their families by providing the services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. Our unique philosophy and approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call Lavender Sky. and we use a broad range of Montessori-based therapy techniques to walk alongside residents during this unexpected, difficult journey. Please visit our website for contact information. MorningStar of Littleton 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 for more information about the finest senior living Littleton, CO has to offer. Source: medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-therapy-pets-alzheimer-patients-nowbut.html We understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia related disease is devastating and we want area families to know we are here to help shoulder the burden. As experienced specialists in caring for those with memory loss, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows is equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Our comprehensive care also includes assisting families to better understand and cope with the disease.
MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available. We are different from other communities in that every aspect of our memory care is designed from the ground up to accommodate residents. Secure and inviting, our Reflections Neighborhood gives residents as much freedom as possible. Through the rigors of MorningStar’s Lavender Sky training, our staff truly understands Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-loss conditions; and after a family decides to place a loved one in our care, we get to work. This starts by learning as much as we can about the person’s background, talents and personal preferences through a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” Using this information, we create a specialized, individualized care plan that helps to calm or stimulate as a particular situation needs. Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort, as we focus on residents’ unique needs. Along with memory care, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers assisted living as well as respite care and short-term stays (from one week up to a full month). Please visit our website for further information, and to inquiry about pricing and availability. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows proudly provides the very best in senior living with our 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. If you or a loved one is experiencing some mild memory problems or were recently diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), you may find yourself wondering what that means for the future. MCI is defined as the fine line between what we think of as normal memory or thinking and dementia. Dr. Scott M. McGinnis, an associate neurologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, clarifies it by explaining, “We diagnose dementia when a person has changes in memory and thinking that significantly interfere with functioning in usual activities.” He cites examples such as getting lost driving to familiar places or having difficulty writing a check.
MCI is diagnosed when a person has changes in their memory and thinking that goes beyond normal aging but does not qualify as full-blown dementia. Medical experts explain that MCI may be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease but are also quick to add that not all cases of MCI result in Alzheimer’s but rather may increase the person’s risk. In fact, MCI is caused by other things including medications and infections. Doctors suggest one way to cope with MCI is to get into the habit of writing out a list of “to do’s” each day and checking it throughout the day. Some people want to know more and thus pursue medical tests that can identify if they will develop Alzheimer’s eventually, while others wish to take a more wait and see approach. Whatever your decision, medical professionals say it may be helpful to learn as much as you can about MCI as a way to help you cope. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers compassionate memory care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages. As dementia care specialists, we consider it our calling, and privilege to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey. Please visit our website to learn more about our loving senior living community. 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. Research has shown over and over again that physical exercise is beneficial to older adults regardless of their age and health limitations. If you are an older adult who is already physically active, you may be helping to “prevent problems like a lower maximum heart rate, reduced muscle mass, bone loss, stiffened tendons and ligaments, and some joint or nerve problems.” Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
If you are an older adult with some health limitations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Heart Association offer some useful tips for safely benefiting from physical activity. Just remember, before you start any new exercise regimen, consult with your health care provider. Also while you may not be able to attain the recommended 150 minutes a week, experts say you should try to engage in as much physical activity as you can. Adjust the intensity of your physical activity to your fitness level, and find activities you can do all year round and enjoy. Walking is considered to be a good exercise for older adults as it can easily be adjusted to one’s fitness level by adjusting the length of the walk and pace. Also remember to wear comfortable clothing as well as properly fitting footwear. Walking with someone makes good sense for safety reasons and provides companionship. For seniors at risk of falling, it is important to do exercises to improve your balance. Most of the recommended exercises are easy-to-do at home and can be done daily. You will want to start any new activity slowly and increase your progress gradually. Another thing to remember is to drink plenty of water throughout the day and during your exercise activity. Keep in mind that as we age our thirst sensation diminishes, and by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be partially dehydrated. At MorningStar of Littleton, we provide seniors carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Beautifully designed to meet our residents’ every need, MorningStar offers a range of wellness programs and activities to engage and support physical, intellectual, social and spiritual connection. Please visit our website for more information about assisted living and memory care in Littleton, CO. Please contact your healthcare provider before you start, change, or stop any type of physical activity or exercise. MorningStar of Littleton 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 Littleton, CO offers. Source:secondscount.org/heart-resources/heart-resources-detail?cid=8ad2d089-64a5-4d99-940d-818a250c91a4#.YNTcjUxlCM8 A highly respected senior housing company, MorningStar Senior Living has communities throughout the Western U.S. that are designed to be true homes for their residents. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Littleton is one of six MorningStar communities in the Denver area.
MorningStar was started in 2003 based on a unique mission statements, principles and philosophy. As Ken Jaeger, founder/CEO of MorningStar explains his intention was to create senior living that was “defined by the human touch. I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” Out of this vision, came mission statements that still guide the way we deliver service to our residents: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. Even the name “MorningStar” was inspired by Mr. Jaeger’s contemplation of the bible and his commitment to relieve poverty around the world. However, while founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition; please know that we welcome and honor all faiths and worldviews in our communities, and are committed to meeting not only residents’ social, emotional, and physical needs but their spiritual ones. In our pursuit of creating a loving home, honoring spiritual preferences is part of caring for the whole person. In addition, we recognize our mission is advanced by hiring team members who hold true to our core values of love, respect, honesty, fairness, goodness, and kindness. They are the type of individuals who feel privileged to serve seniors and help us create the kind of culture we envision building – a Family for Life. Our all-inclusive community offers a dining service under the direction of an Executive Chef, a range of floor plans to meet our residents’ varying needs, and onsite amenities and care services to provide carefree retirement years. If you are looking for the best senior living Littleton, CO has to offer, we encourage you to visit our website to learn more. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Littleton, CO 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 of Littleton provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our mission is to provide the best senior living Des Moines–West Des Moines offers, which includes compassionate and loving care to those suffering from memory impairment. 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 29 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 Jordan Creek 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 contact us or visit our website to learn more. We proudly provide 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. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer. As people grow older, their needs change and many require help with daily personal care activities. This can present a dilemma in families as some elderly seniors firmly state that they do not want to move into assisted living. However, when the pressure to assume caretaking responsibilities continues to grow for family members and even safety is a concern, they may have to look into alternatives.
It is important to know that research shows assisted living can be a healthier lifestyle for seniors than living alone. They have access to 24/7 care as well as the benefits that come from socializing with others. In addition, keep in mind that your parent’s home may need costly modifications to make it safe for them to continue to live there while assisted living communities are designed to address those needs. Moreover, along with the assistance they need with daily personal care, communities such as MorningStar at Jordan Creek provide a range of wellness programs and activities that support residents’ mental, physical, spiritual, and social connections. In addition, wholesome, nutritional daily meals as well as housekeeping and laundry services mean your parent will have their basic needs met seamlessly. Lastly, something often overlooked regarding assisted living is that with the proper assistance, rather than your parent’s fear of losing their independence becoming true, they will actually get it back. Also by getting the needed assistance from the staff, it allows families to just enjoy spending time together without the added responsibility of being caregivers. MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s goal is to provide the best assisted living Des Moines-West Des Moines has to offer. Options include 56 assisted living private suites in a variety of configurations including studio, and one and two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood, devoted to caring for seniors suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we have 29 secure suites. Please see our website for more information. We proudly provide 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. If you are looking for exceptional assisted living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer. |
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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