Researchers have discovered it is just as important for aging adults to stay mentally active as it is to stay physically active. Our bodies do not only lose muscle over time but our brains can also atrophy. The website, Everyday Health explains it as, “More specifically, your brain's cognitive reserve — its ability to withstand neurological damage due to aging and other factors without showing visible signs of slowing or memory loss — diminishes through the years.”
After extensive studies, scientists now believe that regular, targeted brain exercises can increase your brain's cognitive reserve. Some of the best brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities such as playing an instrument, art, or dance. One study involved monitoring the brain activity of 1,000 musicians during rest as well as while they were playing their instruments. The musicians’ brains “lit up in all areas, and synapses fired at rates hundreds of times more than when resting” while playing their instruments. Also the heightened brain activity continued for up to 12 hours after they stopped playing. In addition mind games, puzzles and memory games are fun way to help seniors keep their brains exercised. Memory games, scrabble and crosswords help improve recall and board games typically require counting, strategy and decision-making. For those comfortable using a computer, there are many games specifically designed to improve memory. At MorningStar of Sparks, we have a computer available in our Library as well as offer the revolutionary “It’s Never 2 Late” technology. This state-of-the-art engagement system combines touchscreen computers with intuitive, picture-based software and has a library of over 3,000 choices of things to do and explore. Another good brain exercise is learning a new language. Reading also can open doors to places that seniors may be unable to travel to and can heighten imagination and introduce new ideas. Please visit MorningStar of Sparks’ website to learn more about our senior living community as well as our wellness programs and activities. Our community has a total of 240 suites of which 128 are independent living, 80 assisted living, 32 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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 offering for independent living, assisted living and memory care. Source: everydayhealth.com/longevity/mental-fitness/brain-exercises-for-memory.aspx mindhow.com/best-brain-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/
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If your elderly parent lives alone, you may have wondered if they have an adequate support system to ensure their safety and comfort. We encourage you to read some advice from the experts to determine if your parent needs more help to not just survive but to thrive!
Some of the things to find out are if they have had any recent falls or driving mishaps. Do you have any reason to suspect they may be endangering their safety by forgetting to turn off the stove or other appliances? Do you see signs that they are having difficulty bathing and attending to personal daily care activities? Does their house look unusually unkempt with dirty dishes lying around and mail stacking up? Are there signs of spoiled food or an empty refrigerator? Also consider if your parent has health conditions that are making it more difficult for them to care for themselves. Poor balance and failing eyesight can increase the likelihood of a fall and not having help close at hand can be dangerous. In addition if your parent no longer drives, they may be having a hard time getting out to the grocery store or to doctor appointments as well as becoming too socially isolated. Assisted living may offer the best option if your parent or spouse needs more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) in the home or in an independent living community, but does not require 24-hour medical care and supervision. Our MorningStar of Santa Fe community, scheduled to open by the end of 2018, will offer the area exceptional assisted living and memory care. We now have a model suite open for viewing by appointment and are offering an incentive for early depositors with savings up to $5000 (for deposits received before our Grand Opening). Please visit our website or our Information Center located near the intersection of St. Francis and St. Michael on the city’s west side. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to give us a call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more details about the finest assisted living in Santa Fe, NM. As you start to hear more about Santa Fe’s newest assisted living community, please keep in mind not all assisted living communities are the same. Starting from the pueblo-inspired design of our beautiful 71,000-square-foot community, we have meticulously seen to it that every detail has been paid to ensure residents the most carefree retirement possible.
For those unfamiliar with the concept of assisted living, it is built on a European social model, and offers a new paradigm in wellness and engagement for those seniors who need a little support with personal daily care activities. At MorningStar of Santa Fe, new residents and their family sit down with our Wellness Director to create a care plan designed around their special needs and safety. The resident will have around-the-clock Care Managers as well the services of our full-time licensed nurses on call 24/7 and onsite 5–7 days/week. Among our many services, we have a CPR-trained staff member on every shift, medication management by Certified Med Care Managers, care planning reviews, and scheduled health and wellness evaluations. All residents receive three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef that are both tasty and nutritional and served restaurant style in our dining room. In addition MorningStar of Santa Fe offers scheduled transportation along with a whole host of enrichment programs to support and entertain residents. If you are wondering, are also pet friendly. The MorningStar of Santa Fe looks forward to welcoming residents and helping them feel right at home when our community opens at the end of 2018. Along with our 56 assisted living bright suites, we will offer 29 secure suites dedicated to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please stop by our onsite Information Center near the intersection of St. Francis and St. Michael on the city’s west side, or give us a call. Be sure to ask about our incentive program that offers up to $5,000 in savings for early depositors. MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to give us a call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more details about the finest assisted living in Santa Fe, NM. The entire MorningStar of Santa Fe team looks forward to welcoming residents to our new assisted living and memory care community, which is expected to open sometime before the end of 2018. Designed from the ground up to serve the needs of seniors who require a little assistance with day-to-day personal care activities, our assisted living community will offer a true home for our residents. The pueblo-styled community has 56 bright suites for assisted living offered in a variety of configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 820 square feet) to accommodate differing preferences and needs. For seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, our Reflections Neighborhood’s 29 secure suites provide individualized, compassionate care for those in the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.
While MorningStar of Santa Fe may be new to the area, MorningStar Senior Living is not. We have communities throughout the Western U.S. including MorningStar of Albuquerque, and the soon to open, MorningStar of Rio Rancho. We also want you to know our team is experienced in all facets of senior living and dedicated to providing residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. So along with the beautiful, welcoming design of our new community, we have gathered a team of caregivers who have a felt calling to serve and consider seniors to be heroes. Located on the city’s west side near the intersection of St. Francis and St. Michael, we are ideally situated to provide spectacular mountain views as well as the convenience of nearby shopping, banks, restaurants and medical facilities. Please visit our website for contact information or to set up an appointment to view our model suite. Also learn more about our incentive for early depositors with savings up to $5000 (for deposits received before our Grand Opening). MorningStar is a private pay community (we do not accept Medicaid). MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents. Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to give us a call or stop by our onsite Information Center for more details on the finest assisted living in Santa Fe, NM. For family members, assisted living and memory care can offer peace of mind knowing that your parent or loved one is receiving the care and companionship they need to live safely and as independently as possible. However we recognize that for some adult children or spouses, considering assisted living brings up feelings of guilt as you think you are not doing enough for them.
As an adult child, you may realize that you have too many responsibilities already on your plate including your own children, a job and other constraints but still feel guilty about not offering your parent a home with you. Even if you are a caregiver that has reached the point where you know the job is taking a toll on your own health and well-being and you are no longer able to provide the level of care your loved needs, you may still be hesitant to make changes. This is why assisted living and memory care communities such as MorningStar at Arcadia offer the perfect solution. Our purpose is not to replace you in the life of your aging parent or spouse but rather to assist you in your efforts to make their lives easier, safer and more comfortable. Our community was designed by specialists in senior interiors, award winning Thoma-Holec Design, and built to accommodate the needs of our residents. Every aspect of our interior common rooms and suites as well as the outdoor grounds is intended to make our residents feel like they are in a true “home.” From beautiful, private suites that are just waiting for your personal furnishings, delicious three meals a day served restaurant-style, activities galore or companionship; we provide a lovely home. Please contact us with any questions you may have or set up a visit to see firsthand our beautiful community. MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia offers our residents the best assisted living in Phoenix AZ. At MorningStar of Sparks, we take the job of providing residents with the best senior living extremely seriously. We also think that extends to making sure we offer a full range of activities that are designed for out and out fun. In fact, we love a reason to celebrate whether it’s birthdays, holidays, or special events and are sure to provide plenty of food, music and good company.
Recently, we took a cruise down memory lane when more than 200 classic cars of every imaginable make and model flooded our parking lot. With so much to see, our Business Office Manager Inga and Driver Laurie were both quite happy to give residents a tour of the happenings in golf carts. Hot dogs and root beer floats were served as music from the 50’s played. It was a fun day for everyone! Speaking of fun, we cannot forget to mention our regular games of Bingo and Texas Hold’em Poker played several days each week. Moreover, we offer Margarita Mondays each week at the Piano Bar. Here, residents can enjoy a drink, share stories and have a good time. Every Friday afternoon and Monday evening we have an hour of music entertainment. Recent offerings were the music of John Palmore, The Judith Ames Trio, Encore Entertainment, and The Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association. This is just a small sampling of what goes on at MorningStar of Sparks where we believe seniors’ retirement years should be as carefree as possible. Programs also include our signature wellness program, WellStar, which is designed to ensure each day enhances health and wellness, stimulates the brain and encourages connection. Please visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living in the Reno-Sparks area. Our community has 128 beautiful suites for independent living and 80 graciously-appointed assisted living suites, with spacious one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, we offer 32 memory care suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “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 offering for independent living, assisted living and memory care. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Albuquerque is devoted to providing seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. We offer 48 bright suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans (some as large as 700 square feet). In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 21 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
In addition to Albuquerque, MorningStar Senior Living has 24 additional communities currently open or under construction in eight states. MorningStar began in 2003 when founder, Ken Jaeger had a dream to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He says, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.” From this came our guiding principles and three mission statements our company is based on:
To eloquently illustrate our mission, all of our communities have a specially commissioned piece of art hanging in them. The “Tree of Life embodies and celebrates our Mission and our Name. We encourage you to visit our website for more information, and while you are there, fill out our online form to set up a tour of our beautiful community. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “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 schedule a tour and see for yourself the finest assisted living in Albuquerque. Is frequent bruising indicative of a bigger problem? Most likely not says the Mayo Clinic because as we age people bruise more easily. The reason for this is older skin is thinner and has lost some of its fatty layers that used to work as a cushion to protect blood vessels from injury. Also women are more prone to bruising than men.
The medical term for a bruise is contusion, and is typically caused when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface are ruptured by an impact from an injury or a blow to the area. This causes blood to start leaking out of the vessels and create the visible black-and-blue mark (ecchymosis) of a bruise. As the body reabsorbs the blood, the bruise begins to heal. The Mayo Clinic says that certain medications can cause bruising such as aspirin and anticoagulants such as Coumadin® that thin the blood and reduces its ability to clot. This means that “bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out and cause a bruise.” Dietary supplements like fish oil and ginkgo have a blood thinning effect that can also increase the risk for bruising. However bruising can sometimes be a sign of serious medical conditions such as low levels or abnormally functioning platelets. They can also indicate problems with the proteins that help to clot blood. The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting your doctor if large bruises appear on your body, if they are painful, or you start bruising after beginning a new medication. Additionally check with your doctor if a bruise increases in size and becomes swollen and hard as it may be a hematoma, a localized collection of blood which becomes clotted or partially clotted. To prevent bruising, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family medicine practitioner, suggests removing furniture and other obstacles to create a clear path throughout the home to avoid bumps and falls. If you or your loved one is unsteady on their feet, install handrails when possible and consider using a walker or cane. 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 Sparks, “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 offering for independent living, assisted living and memory care. Sources: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762 www.aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/elderly-bruising |
MorningStar
MorningStar Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite (short-term) care. Our communities have graciously-appointed assisted living suites, as well as beautiful and spacious private suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Morningstar Senior Living's award-winning architecture, together with amenities that foster a lifestyle of comfort and wellness, make our residents’ retirement years as carefree as possible. Our activities and programs are enriching, and our care services first-class, but what truly sets us apart from other senior living communities is the love beneath our roof. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in your area, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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