The Alzheimer’s Association explains a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia don’t have to give up the activities they love. Rather they suggest the better option is to modify the activity to better fit their skill set and current ability.
However, even in the early stages of the disease, many withdraw from the activities they used to enjoy but experts say it is important to help them stay engaged. A modification can be as simple as reducing the number of people the person socializes with at a time. Smaller groups are less intimidating and reduce confusion. Also, it helps to let the person’s other family members and friends know about the diagnosis. As the disease progresses, other changes will likely be in order. If you notice an activity seems to make them restless or irritable, either modify so it brings them happiness or stop it altogether. For instance, while a person’s skills may decline, someone who plays the piano may still enjoy playing the simple pieces they learned years ago. Dementia care specialists say setting up a daily routine is important and should include the things they like to do on their own such as setting the table or folding laundry and be done when the person seems to function the best. Remember to be flexible and include a range of creative, physical, social and spiritual activities that bring meaning and enjoyment into their life. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Albuquerque offers specialized care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required. MorningStar’s compassionate caregivers use gentle, resident-directed methods to calm and awaken memories and to support each resident’s capabilities. Common techniques include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy as well as a range of meaningful and purposeful activities that incorporate art, dance, music, exercise and life skills. For trusted senior living Albuquerque families can count on, please contact us 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 true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque offers. Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan
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Along with assisted living, Albuquerque, NM’s MorningStar community offers individualized care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 21 memory care suites, and we are equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.
MorningStar of Albuquerque’s holistic memory care is personalized and compassionate supported living under what we call Lavender Sky, which is the way we thoughtfully enter, embrace, and explore to find purpose and encouragement in every aspect of daily routine. As dementia care specialists, we deeply understand the disease and know regardless of the extent of memory loss residents deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity. All team members are trained in MorningStar’s brand standards of Lavender Sky and in the pathology of dementia and brain disease. Caregivers provide 24/7 assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and have the tools to calm or stimulate a resident as needed. The Reflections Neighborhood was designed to provide a secure setting yet permit residents to explore their spacious surroundings freely and easily. Residents especially enjoy being outdoors in the enclosed courtyard. We offer a wide selection of meaningful wellness programs as well as purposeful activities including a variety of exercise options, music, life skills, art, and entertainers. Mealtimes 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. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, we know you want the very best memory care; and we consider it our privilege to walk alongside your family on this challenging journey. Please visit our website to learn more our beautiful home, our team and our company’s philosophy to caring for seniors. 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 memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers. The Harvard Medical School reports it is estimated 1 in 3 people over age 65 will fall each year and every 19 minutes a senior dies from a fall-related injury. Statistics show women are at higher risk for a fall but men are more likely to die from their injuries than women.
Seniors should be aware of several things that can affect balance and lead to a fall. These include certain medications, inner ear problems, foot pain, weight changes and a vitamin D deficiency. Anti-hypertensive medications prescribed to keep blood pressure under control or decrease the risk of stroke and heart failure are all known to affect balance. A common side effect is orthostatic hypotension, a condition that happens if blood pressure gets too low; and results in lightheadedness, faintness and dizziness especially when the person attempts to stand from a sitting or lying down position. Medications that suppress the central nervous system may also result in a fall as they reduce alertness, and slow reactions and movements. Some of these types of drugs include anti-anxiety medications like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan). Additionally, antihistamines can cause drowsiness and are used in over-the-counter sleep aids like Nyquil and Sominex, or combined with acetaminophen in products like Tylenol PM. If you or a loved one takes medication to treat an overactive bladder or tricyclic antidepressants to help lessen chronic pain, they too can affect a person’s balance. Other drugs that increase the risk of a fall are opioids such as codeine, hydrocodone and oxycodone. At MorningStar of Santa Fe, our assisted living lets seniors comfortably and safely age in place with a range of hospitality and care services, resort-style amenities and a complement of wellness programs and activities. For seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, we provide comprehensive memory care. For trusted senior housing Santa Fe seniors and their families can count on, visit our website or contact us for further 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 true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior housing Santa Fe, NM offers. Source: health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/preventing-falls Multiple studies report on the benefits of using music and art to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Experts explain they help encourage engagement and self-expression even in more advanced stages.
Professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients say music seems to decrease agitation and improves behavioral problems common in the middle stages of the disease. Patients in later stages may even be able to sing a song they knew from childhood or tap a foot to the beat even after other forms of communication are difficult. Dancing or gently moving to a rhythm helps coordinate motor movements as well as allows the person to express emotions. Research shows “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” If you wish to use music to calm and soothe, choose peaceful, tranquil pieces. If you want to boost spirits and bring back happy memories, use livelier pieces. Experts say to turn off other distractions like a TV and close windows if there is outside noise. Music may be more enjoyable to the person if it is something they are familiar with from their earlier life. Art can also be an outlet for self-expression and give a person with Alzheimer’s a sense of purpose and accomplishment in creating their own work. Experts recommended avoiding any project that seems childlike and demeaning. Use safe, non-toxic materials, and if they need, take their hand and guide it on the paper to get them started. Moreover, remember there is no need for the person to finish. MorningStar of Albuquerque’s goal is to provide the best senior living Albuquerque, NM offers, which includes compassionate care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. A resident’s day is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Please visit our website to learn more about our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care. 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 true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque has to offer. Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music The Alzheimer’s Association has some effective tips for communicating with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. As the ability to find the right words or to speak at all is one of the effects of the devastating disease, it is helpful to learn some tips to make the communication process easier.
Typically, in the early stages of the disease, individuals repeat themselves often and can easily lose their train of thought. They may start to avoid speaking and have trouble following a conversation, and may even use gestures rather than words. Experts suggest at this stage that you make sure to address the person directly, don’t speak through a caregiver, and allow them plenty of time to answer you back. The middle stages of the disease can signal lots of changes and usually lasts the longest. If you wish to speak with the individual, make sure to do it in a quiet space without any distractions. Your questions should be short and only require a simple yes or no answer, and again, look directly at the person. In addition, you can demonstrate the task or give clear, step-by-step instructions. Also use a soft voice and calm demeanor, and above all else, be patient and loving. In the late stages of the disease, which can last from a few weeks to several years, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests using nonverbal forms of communication. When entering the person’s presence, always identify yourself and use the sound of your voice to convey the meaning of your words. Experts recommend using touch, sight, sound, smell and taste to communicate, and as always, treat the individual with respect and dignity. At MorningStar at Arcadia, we have suites for both assisted living and the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our goal is to be the best senior living Phoenix offers, providing residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. 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 for more information about the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer. Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications The Alzheimer’s Association explains a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia don’t have to give up the activities they love. Rather they suggest the better option is to modify the activity to better fit their skill set and current ability.
However, even in the early stages of the disease, many withdraw from the activities they used to enjoy but experts say it is important to help them stay engaged. A modification can be as simple as reducing the number of people the person socializes with at a time. Smaller groups are less intimidating and reduce confusion. Also, it helps to let the person’s other family members and friends know about the diagnosis. As the disease progresses, other changes will likely be in order. If you notice an activity seems to make them restless or irritable, either modify so it brings them happiness or stop it altogether. For instance, while a person’s skills may decline, someone who plays the piano may still enjoy playing the simple pieces they learned years ago. Dementia care specialists say setting up a daily routine is important and should include the things they like to do on their own such as setting the table or folding laundry and be done when the person seems to function the best. Remember to be flexible and include a range of creative, physical, social and spiritual activities that bring meaning and enjoyment into their life. Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Santa Fe offers specialized care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required. MorningStar’s compassionate caregivers use gentle, resident-directed methods to calm and awaken memories and to support each resident’s capabilities. Common techniques include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy as well as a range of meaningful and purposeful activities that incorporate art, dance, music, exercise and life skills. For trusted senior living Santa Fe, NM families can count on, please contact us for more information. MorningStar of Santa Fe represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers. Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan MorningStar at Arcadia’s goal is to provide the best senior living Phoenix offers, which includes compassionate memory care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages. We understand the devastation families feel when they get a diagnosis of a dementia disease. The path going forward is unplanned for, and we consider it our privilege – our calling to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their family on their unexpected journey.
In addition to MorningStar at Arcadia’s assisted living option, our Reflections Neighborhood consists of 30 secured memory care suites. The area is specifically designed to allow residents the freedom to move safely about their spacious surroundings. Also, given the nature of dementia, residents pay one price for their suite and their care regardless of the level of memory loss. As dementia care experts, our unique approach and philosophy to caring for those afflicted with the disease is called “Lavender Sky.” We know the essence of the person remains despite the level of memory loss, and our job is to nurture and support the individual by finding ways to calm or stimulate as the situation demands. Lavender Sky provides the path for us to enter, embrace, and explore the “purple world” of memory loss, and to cross over the physical, emotional, and relational boundaries that would otherwise separate us. Every aspect of our home is designed to provide the comfort, wellness and safety our special residents require including mealtime. We know those suffering from memory loss can sometimes have compromised abilities at the table. We address this by providing a selection of finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. Please see our website or contact us for more information. MorningStar at Arcadia provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement “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. Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer. If you are a senior or have a parent or other loved one that needs more daily help to ensure their safety and wellbeing, it may be time to consider senior living communities offering assisted living. When you begin your search, please add MorningStar of Albuquerque to the top of your list. Our beautiful community is located on the city’s northeast side and is ideally situated for mountain views.
Too often seniors worry that moving into assisted living will result in a loss of independence and freedom. They are afraid that assisted living communities are cold, institutional places that feel more like a hospital or nursing home. Moreover, many mistakenly believe it will mean a loss of privacy and the ability to make their own decisions. At MorningStar of Albuquerque, this could not be further from the truth. What sets MorningStar apart from other assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer? Along with spacious private suites in a range of configurations and floor plans, a whole host of resort-style amenities, and 5-Star dining, our community also provides care services that help our assisted living residents maintain their sense of independence and dignity. As we define health and well-being holistically and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit, we believe it makes MorningStar a destination for successful aging. In addition, we have a staff that feels it is a privilege to serve seniors and believes in our core values of love, respect, honesty, fairness, goodness, and kindness. They also support our mission statement that honors God in our business practices and relationships and values all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. In fact, our goal is to provide a true home for our residents by creating a MorningStar family that includes residents and their families as well as our team members. In addition to our 48 suites for assisted living, our community has 21 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing. 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 Albuquerque, NM offers. For exceptional assisted living, Albuquerque, NM seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Albuquerque, a true destination for successful aging. By defining health and well-being 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 gets 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 memory care services include 5 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; a CPR trained staff member on every shift 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 offer mechanical lift assistance, oxygen administration, and diabetic management. Furthermore, we provide transportation to medical appointments as well as pharmacy services, onsite dental and podiatry services and more. Please contact us for information on pricing and availability or to set up a tour. Our community includes 48 stylish suites for assisted living and another 21 secure 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 memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer. We have all heard about shingles but many of us are confused as to whether it is contagious and what are the chances we will get it. Experts explain shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Moreover, if you had chickenpox as a child, you are at risk for getting shingles sometime in your life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports one in three people develop shingles during their lifetime. While this means many will never get shingles, some people get it more than once and others can develop flare-ups periodically throughout their lives. Dr. Michael Urban, a senior lecturer and director of the doctorate of occupational therapy program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, explains flair-ups can be a full range of symptoms or barely noticeable. Statistics show in recent years younger people are getting shingles but typically the disease occurs in those over 50 years of age and the risk increases the older we get or with various health conditions. People undergoing cancer treatment as well as being ill or under a lot of stress are all at a higher risk for shingles. Symptoms vary and include feeling like you may have the flu, and/or a red, itchy, painful rash or fluid-filled blisters. Before the rash appears, you may feel an uncomfortable sensation, numbness or tingling, and may be the only symptoms you ever experience. Experts say shingles are not contagious but you can give someone the chickenpox if they have never had it; but only if they come in direct contact with the fluid in the blisters such as through a wash cloth or bed sheet. To ensure your safety, talk to your doctor about getting a shingles vaccine if you are over the age of 50 or suffer from chronic diseases like renal failure, COPD and diabetes among others. MorningStar at Arcadia is a true home where residents can comfortably and safely age in place. We have 80 suites for assisted living and 30 secure suites devoted to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Please visit our website to learn more about our broad range of amenities, wellness programs, and care services. 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 memory care and assisted living Phoenix has to offer. |
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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