As we age, many seniors discover new bruises on their body but have no memory of how they got there. The Medical News Today (MNT) explains this may be the result of the skin thinning and blood vessels weakening and/or that some people are just more prone to bruising. It can also run in families. Being a frequent, extreme bruiser includes having many bruises without remembering their cause; regularly developing bruises that take many weeks to heal and bleeding for longer than 10 minutes following an injury.
Excessive bruising and bleeding can be from medications, many of which seniors routinely take. These include drugs like warfarin, heparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban and aspirin. Doctors say even certain herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, feverfew, large quantities of garlic, ginger, and willow bark can increase the risk of bleeding or cause a change to blood vessels. The same is true for drugs like corticosteroids and glucocorticoids of which one example is prednisone. MNT reports liver disease is also associated with excessive bruising. “As the disease progresses, the liver may stop producing the proteins that help the blood clot. As a result, a person may experience excessive bleeding and easy bruising.” Other blood disorders and diseases such as hemophilia, senile purpura, or even vitamin deficiencies can include bruising as a symptom. Experts say consult your healthcare provider if you suddenly begin bruising more easily, have symptoms such as yellow skin, fever and low energy, taking medication and begin bruising, or getting painful bruises that are slow to heal. For unsurpassed assisted living, Colorado Springs area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, a great place to live your retirement years to the fullest. We offer a whole host of programs and activities that enhance and support mental, physical, spiritual and social well-being. Each day residents have the opportunity to engage the mind, body and spirit as well as find ways to learn and contribute. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood offers holistic, compassionate care to those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s senior living in Colorado Springs. MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers. Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325525#causes
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If you live alone, no longer drive, have problems with mobility, and feel like you would welcome more social interaction into your life, please consider community living. Homes like MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provide residents with all the services, amenities and wellness programs to help them comfortably and safely age in place. Moreover, as one of our cherished residents, you get peace of mind knowing help is at hand whenever you need it.
Right from the ground up, our home is designed to meet the needs and comfort of our residents. We offer beautifully appointed common areas including inviting gathering areas, bistro, salon, fitness room, theatre, and an attractive dining room for all-day, restaurant-style dining. Residents also enjoy the outdoors with a fireside and strolling paths. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we recognize that good nutrition is vital to seniors’ health, which is why we put such an effort into the food we serve. Our Executive Chef creates meals that are largely prepared from scratch and include the freshest ingredients. In addition, we offer a range of nutritional choices including low sodium, sugar-free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat so residents can self-manage their diet. MorningStar’s Chef even uses “super foods” such as acai berries, Omega-3 fats, dark chocolate, and leafy, dark greens. Too often seniors assume assisted living means an end to their independence, but studies show the opposite is true. When older adults get the daily personal care they need, it helps to restore their confidence and frees them up to move forward with living life to the fullest. At MorningStar, we help you do so with extensive support services, wellness programs and activities. Our contemporary suites are move-in ready and just require your furnishings and personal items. For your safety and wellbeing, each suite is equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. We are also pet friendly! MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers 45 assisted living suites with the choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood has 19 memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us or visit our website to learn what sets us apart from other senior living in Colorado Springs and why MorningStar is such a great place to call 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 for more information about the finest assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs. Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking at least one or more prescription medications daily. In fact, the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “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 refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interactions, an area of special concern for the elderly.
Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state almost 450,000 older adults (65 years old or older) visit the emergency room each year because of adverse, or harmful, drug events. Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “take on an empty stomach,” and the adverse side effects. Experts say to help a parent get organized, write down the names of all of the drugs they are taking, the dosage, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them. Include any herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. The next time they see their primary care doctor, take your list and discuss the reasons for each drug, how long they will be on it, and if any of the drugs are dangerous. Whenever a new drug is prescribed, ask what it is for and how it should be taken, and read through the paperwork. Store medications together in a cool, dry location (not the bathroom), discard old, expired medications, and find a pill organizer that makes sense for your parent’s needs. If they are forgetful, they may need a reminder system. However, if a parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, they should be carefully monitored. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, our residents’ wellbeing and physical health is our primary concern. This is why one of our many services is medication management that ensures residents take medications properly, and as we even order medications, there is no danger of them running out. Please visit our website for more information about exceptional memory care and assisted living in Colorado Springs. MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers. If you are looking for comprehensive, compassionate memory care for a loved one, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Our unique approach to memory care is all-encompassing and provides an environment in which your loved one is given the support they need to make the most of each day.
Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to make individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases feel comforted and safe. To ensure the safety and well-being of residents, the area is completely secure, including the courtyard. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. We know it is devastating when a family receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease and we feel called to help by shouldering some of the burden. Our team is made up of the kind of individuals who recognize it is a privilege to serve and are trained in our signature “Lavender Sky” program, which uses Montessori-based therapies. Regardless of the level of memory loss, we strive to foster a nurturing environment for the highest quality of life. Once the decision is made to join our MorningStar family, we meet with the individual and their family to learn as much as we can about their background, talents and personal preferences. Aiding us in this process is a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” From there, we create an individualized care plan to address their needs. As a resident, your loved one will receive 24/7 care from trained care managers and daily health monitoring. In addition, they will have access to licensed nurses and other supportive third-party service providers. Residents participate in a variety of wellness programs and activities including exercise, music, dance, art and special events. Please contact us for more information about trusted memory care or assisted living in Colorado Springs. MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers. The transition to a senior living community is difficult for many seniors. Seniors transitioning to memory care face extra difficulties.
A memory loss diagnosis greatly inhibits a senior’s ability to communicate in the same ways they once did. Time feels warped and the day-to-day can often feel confusing and unreliable. While memory care is necessary for many seniors, they may still struggle to get comfortable in their new surroundings. The following tips can help create a more familiar environment for seniors in memory care that eases stress and discomfort. How to Personalize a Memory Care Space Many memory care neighborhoods come mostly unfurnished in the expectation that residents and their families can personalize the rooms to their liking. This means you can bring some furniture, accents and beloved items to help your loved one feel more at home.
You can find more memory guides like this and more at the best memory care community Littleton has to offer seniors and their families. Come tour today and find out how memory care can improve your life. Finding Trusted Alzheimer’s Care Near You Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and security that come from our Alzheimer’s care community? MorningStar Senior Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado, takes care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love in a safe space. Contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you. Contact our staff today to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care communities in Littleton. We are happy to answer any questions. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision and what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Littleton. We encourage you to see our exceptional independent and assisted living offering in Littleton, Colorado. Many families will notice an elderly member of the family begins to be more forgetful. Birthdays may be missed or names forgotten, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s.
For those families that have received a memory loss diagnosis, the world seems confusing and dark. You may have families of your own, careers or other life callings that, sadly, make caring for another individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia impossible. Memory care communities give families peace of mind. With the best caretaking staff that specializes in memory loss, along with scientifically-backed therapies and activities, memory care makes memory loss more manageable. What is Memory Care?Who is it For? To define memory care, memory care is specialized caretaking and support for people with memory loss or an Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnosis. Memory care communities provide a safe environment for those struggling with memory loss to be supported and encouraged to participate in everyday activities. Some senior living communities, like MorningStar Senior Living Littleton, Co, have a private memory care neighborhood dedicated to the needs of those with memory loss. Memory care can be for anyone experiencing memory loss. However, many senior living communities have age restrictions. MorningStar Senior Living in Littleton offers trusted memory care for seniors aged 55 and up. Memory Care Benefits As you’ve learned, memory care is specifically designed with the interest of seniors with memory loss in mind. This means that safety is of utmost priority, staff should be well-trained and social activities should be mindful and interactive. However, there are so many other benefits that come with a memory care community:
Finding Trusted Alzheimer’s Care Made Easy Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and security that come from our Alzheimer’s care community? MorningStar Senior Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado, takes care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love in a safe space. Contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you. Contact our staff today to learn more about MorningStar’s memory care communities in Littleton. We are happy to answer any questions. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision and what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Littleton. We encourage you to see our exceptional independent and assisted living offering in Littleton, Colorado. If your parents, loved one or spouse are managing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, there may come a day when they require more care and attention than you can give. Seeking out alternative care options is an empathetic and selfless choice to make for your loved one struggling with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Making the transition to Alzheimer’s, or Memory Care, is difficult for everyone involved. We understand the grief associated with moving a parent or loved one and relying on someone else to be there the same way you would. Trusted memory care communities give seniors aged 55 and up a new way of living that encourages their independence and promotes safety. Below are some practical tips to make the transition to Alzheimer’s care easy and seamless. Preparing for the transition to memory care 1. Communicate As your loved one’s dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms have expanded, you may find it more difficult to communicate openly with them. While communication methods may have changed, your loved one still wants to feel involved in the process of moving to memory care. This will be a big adjustment for them. Find time throughout the process to let them know what’s going on and how you will be with them every step of the way. 2. Downsize Throughout the years, we gather a lot of things we love and cherish. It is likely your loved one has a whole home full of things that you can’t imagine them parting with. While it may be difficult, downsizing will ease your loved one into their memory care transition. They won’t be able to take everything with them so having them decide on some of the most important things to take with them will make them feel involved in their transition to memory care. 3. Practice self-care A memory loss diagnosis is tough for everyone. It changes a family’s way of life. While you are planning your loved one’s move into memory care, remember to be kind to yourself and understand that you are making the right choice for your loved one and their situation. Among many benefits, memory care communities have up-to-date safety regulations, healthy meals and 24/7 supervision from specialized caretakers. Finding Trusted Alzheimer’s Care Made Easy Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and security that come from our Alzheimer's care community? MorningStar Senior Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado, takes care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love in a safe space. Contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you. Contact our staff today to learn more about MorningStar's memory care communities in Littleton. We are happy to answer any questions. Our website also provides information on our company's history and vision and what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Littleton. We encourage you to see our exceptional independent and assisted living offering in Littleton, Colorado. For outstanding assisted living, seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, the perfect community to age in place comfortably and safely. By defining health and wellbeing holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Together our Life Enrichment programs and Wellness Care services complement one another to ensure each resident get the best care.
As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health. These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident. We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This centralized mobile station ensures accurate, onsite assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records). In addition, record keeping is not only accurate but legible as well as offers complete demographic and medical information at hand. It also enhances confidentiality of residents’ data. Our broad care services include five levels of care for assisted living residents based on a point system and determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director. Residents have 24-hour care managers and access to a licensed nurse either onsite or on-call 24/7. MorningStar’s services also include medication management by certified med care managers as well as care planning reviews and scheduled health and wellness evaluations. To address specific health needs, we have partnered with EmpowerMe Wellness. They provide on-site access to wellness programs, personal training and physical, occupational and speech therapy services to help residents maintain their highest level of independence for as long as possible. Please contact us or visit our website for more information. Our community includes 45 stylish suites for assisted living and another 19 memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. 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 and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO. 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’ office 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. For outstanding memory care or assisted living, Colorado Springs area seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Our beautiful home provides a wide array of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities for a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us or see our website for more information. MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers. Source: webmd.com/healthy-aging/aging-health-advocate#1 Do you feel as if memory problems are interfering with your life or have family members started to notice? Medical experts say there may be a distinction between a person noticing memory loss and others becoming aware of it as this could signal a bigger problem and be an early sign of dementia.
The Harvard Medical School explains the best place to start understanding the problem is to talk to your doctor. While they may not have the proper training to do extensive screening for MCI (mild cognitive impairment), they can rule out other things causing your memory loss such as medications you take or a recent head injury. Steps you can take on your own to improve cognitive function include getting enough sleep each night, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress. After your own physician has completed an examination, and nothing appears to explain your memory loss, it is time to see a specialist. They, or your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter or hospital should be able to recommend a behavioral neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist. He or she will probably start with a series of written, on the computer, or oral tests to “assess memory, reasoning, attention, language, visual functions, motor functions, and social functions (such as empathy and knowing how to behave appropriately in social situations).” They will check for “abnormalities in muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, senses, eye movement, and the pupils' reaction to light, which can signal abnormalities in specific areas of the brain.” In addition, the doctor will check for Parkinson’s, a stroke or tumors, and will probably schedule a hearing and vision test. If indicated, you may have advanced testing such as PET scans or your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers checked for signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Along with assisted living, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows has suites devoted to the individualized care of those with mild to advanced memory impairment. Our Reflections Neighborhood was designed to provide a secure setting, which allows residents to explore their spacious surroundings freely and easily. Our specialized memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the essence of the individual, and to celebrate and elevate life. Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar’s senior living in Colorado Springs and all the amenities and services we provide to residents and their families alike. MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest assisted living and memory care in Colorado Springs. Please contact us for more information about MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Source: health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/mild-cognitive-impairment |
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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