MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Fountain Hills understands that often the move to assisted living is done because of a life changing event so not only is the person adjusting to a new home but may be mourning the loss of their old life. For some seniors, moving into assisted living can be stressful as they start to feel more and more of their independence is being taken away from them. Our job is to be ready to help smooth over any rough patches.
Even before someone makes the move into assisted living there are some things families can do to help ease the coming change. We recommend that you let your parent take part in making the decision as it gives them meaning and purpose. Also while you may not want to put your loved one through taking tour after tour of assisted living communities, they can certainly help research places and narrow down the list to the most favorable ones. Once the family weighs considerations such as price, services, location, etc., and agrees on a couple of choices, your parent should take a tour as well as go back a few times to spend some time observing the community. Other ways to assist the transition include helping them get to know the staff in advance. Also future visits can be planned around an activity they would enjoy or eating a meal with the community. After a decision is made, let your parent decide what furniture they want to move with them and help them decorate their new home. Just remember your parent may go through an adjustment period so give them time and be ready to listen. MorningStar of Fountain Hills provides residents with a lifestyle of wellbeing, comfort and community with a wide array of amenities and meaningful activities. Please call to schedule a tour and find out firsthand why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home”. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Fountain Hills area.
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As we age, many of us experience occasional memory loss. While it may be worrisome, most likely it is just a normal part of growing older. In the case of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, a common indicator of the disease is memory loss that happens so often it disrupts daily life. The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and recommends if you or a loved one has any of them, to see your health care provider.
The first sign that you or a loved one’s memory loss may be a sign of a bigger problem is constantly forgetting new information. Memory loss may include: needing to have the same information repeated over and over; forgetting important dates and events; and relying more and more on family members or memory aids to handle things. Another way memory loss can adversely affect a person’s life is when it becomes difficult to problem solve. He or she may find it hard to do things they have done well in the past such as keeping track of monthly bills or following a recipe. Some individuals with Alzheimer’s have problems losing their way when traveling familiar routes or keeping track of the month or season of the year. Also, a person may start putting things away in odd places and not remember where they put them. We encourage you to read the Alzheimer’s Association’s full list of common signs of Alzheimer’s. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we compassionately provide care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our beautiful community offers 28 secure memory care suites in our Reflections Neighborhood designed to care for those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website to learn more. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, and strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a tour to learn more about our holistic approach to memory care. Sources: alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs Once you decide to move into an assisted living community like MorningStar of Fountain Hills, you may be faced with downsizing decades’ worth of personal items and a houseful of furnishings. It is no wonder it feels like an overwhelming task.
Organizing experts have several tips to help you get started such as beginning with an inventory of your possessions. After that, create a list of the things you do not want to part with and another list of items you would like to give away to family and friends. Now measure the size of your new suite and create a floor plan that gives you a realistic idea of how your furnishings will fit in your new place. If the unit is a studio or a smaller, one bedroom, you do not want to be so crowded you cannot safely move around. It may even turn out that you need to buy some things like a smaller couch or coffee table. Your next step should be to evaluate the things you want to keep to determine if you will have the room. The process will require some give and take but keep in mind you do not want to bring a lot of useless clutter to your new home. Also remember at communities such as MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we do the cooking and serve the food restaurant-style. Any possessions that are left can be sold, donated or recycled and some charities will even come and pick up pieces of furniture and items you do not want. When you get into your new suite, use bins and shelving to help organize everything so you can easily get to it. Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful assisted living and memory care community. There you will find an online form to set up a tour or to inquiry about pricing and availability. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Fountain Hills area. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you and your family will need to take steps to plan for your/their future. Experts advise families that along with discussing dementia care options, they financially and legally plan for the future.
The National Institute on Aging advises the person to examine and update their financial and healthcare arrangements as soon as possible. By having legal and financial documents in place, such as a will, a living trust, and advance directives, it ensures the person’s late-stage or end-of-life healthcare and financial decisions are carried out. The NIA suggests having a lawyer draw up and maintain the documents as they understand State law and can help update changes to a person’s circumstances such as divorce or a death in the family, and other applicable changes. These documents should include Advance Directives for Health Care: A living will expresses the person’s wishes in regard to medical treatment near the end of life when they can no longer make known their decisions regarding healthcare. In addition some people have a Do Not Resuscitate Order signed by a doctor, placed in their medical file that instructs healthcare professionals to not perform CPR in the event they stop breathing or their heart stops. A durable power of attorney for health care is a document that specifically designates a person (sometimes known as an agent or proxy) to make healthcare decisions for the individual when they no longer have the capacity to do so. This document applies to all healthcare decision and for all types of medical conditions. Advance Directives for Financial and Estate Management must be done while a person still has the legal capacity to make decisions and includes a durable power of attorney for finances. This designates a person of your choosing to manage and make financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated. MorningStar at Englefield Green provides loving, compassionate dementia care to those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website for pricing and availability. MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. Please set up a tour to experience for yourself one of the area’s finest Alzheimer’s care homes. Source: .nia.nih.gov/health/legal-and-financial-planning-people-alzheimers The Alzheimer’s Association states that the number of adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing and there is now an estimated 5.7 million Americans with the disease. They add that every 65 seconds someone comes down with the disease. Among that number includes approximately 200,000 people who are under the age of 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's. Experts also predicts that as we continue to live longer, the number of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s will grow to nearly 14 million by 2050. Right now it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and currently, cannot be prevented or cured.
These sobering statistics mean that more families are finding themselves in the situation of having a family member with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. For those who are family caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association found it can take an overwhelming toll on them both physically and emotionally. Their studies show that close to 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers “rate their stress level as high or very high.” Approximately 30 to 40 percent of family caregivers of people with dementia suffer from depression, compared with 5 to 17 percent of non-caregivers of similar ages. Experts recommend that if you are a family caregiver that you reach out for help from a variety of sources including relatives, friends, and local community organizations. Caregiver support groups can also be helpful as you can connect with others who are dealing with the same problems. Respite care and day care centers can also give you some relief from the responsibility and difficulties of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Another solution is to contact MorningStar of Fountain Hills and learn about our experienced and compassionate memory care. Along with 63 bright suites for assisted living, we also have 28 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please see our website for more information about the loving approach we take to memory care. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, and strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a tour to learn more about our holistic approach to memory care. Sources: alz.org/facts/overview.asp#prevalence familydoctor.org/caring-for-a-relative-who-has-dementia/ The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that early signs of disease or changes in vision can start years before they become a real problem. This is why they recommend “adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease should receive a baseline comprehensive eye evaluation at age 40.”
They also advise that individuals without any risk factors should have an eye exam by an ophthalmologist every 2 to 4 years. People age 55 to 64 without risk factors should be examined by an ophthalmologist every 1 to 3 years. Seniors 65 years and older without risk factors should be examined by an ophthalmologist every 1 to 2 years as the incidence of unrecognized ocular disease increases with age. Getting regular eye exams and being aware of any changes to your vision is important as many age-related eye problems do not show early symptoms. Furthermore, common health problems including diabetes and hypertension can cause eye-related issues as well as some medications. A thorough eye exam will check your visual acuity and peripheral vision, coordination of eye muscles and the pupils’ response to light and color testing. The ophthalmologist also examines the interior and back of the eye along with the inside and outside of the eyelid. In addition, eye fluid pressure is measured with a tonometer, which blows a puff of air onto the eye. The test is used to check for glaucoma and other diseases. You will additionally be monitored for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease. This test uses special instruments to examine the back of your eye to detect and monitor conditions affecting the macula. Since many eye conditions do not develop symptoms until they are quite advanced, it is important to follow the eye exam recommendations. Also, the risk of glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration increases as we get older. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we represent 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 strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please schedule a tour of our community to see the finest senior assisted living Fountain Hills, AZ has to offer. Source: aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101 While MorningStar of Fountain Hills was specifically designed to accommodate the needs of its residents, the heart of our community is our caring staff. Right from the leadership down, our team is comprised of people who feel honored to be able to serve seniors and to help make their lives more comfortable and enjoyable.
As MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ Executive Director, Laura Olson puts it, “My parents inspired (and expected) me to always help those in need. In my small hometown that meant taking someone to dialysis or bringing over a meal. Elders were often the recipients of this hospitality, including my Grandpa Elmer.” Laura finds it amazing that seniors have so much to share and teach about patience, respect and what they have learned in their lives. The Fountain Hills commuity is also pleased to have the loving leadership of our Director of Community Relations, Traci Gregory. Traci was instantly attracted to the culture at MorningStar and describes it this way, “The people I have met on this team share my passion to serve and love seniors in every way. MorningStar is here to help families in need, and create an amazing home for loved ones.” She adds that she wishes her grandparents could have had a place like MorningStar. Our Wellness Director, Judy Flores, relates how as a girl she loved hearing stories and seeing photos of the “Old Ways,” as told by both sets of grandparents. Judy was especially close to her Grandmother Anderson remembering her this way, “She taught me how to cook and garden, including me in everything and displaying great love for me.” She sums up her experience at MorningStar as assisting residents in “living and enjoying life together.” At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Fountain Hills area. Since February is heart health month, it is a perfect time to increase awareness about heart disease and the things you can do to prevent. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease and causes a narrowing or complete blockage of the arteries. This can result in angina or a tightness and discomfort in the chest as arteries are not getting enough blood to the heart, which must work harder. As time goes on, CAD can cause heart failure or an irregular heartbeat.
Recent studies report turmeric, a seasoning that enhances the flavor of food, may also be beneficial to your heart. Research suggests turmeric may help to reduce a person’s total cholesterol as well as the levels of bad cholesterol known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) in the blood. By reducing the oxidation of LDL, turmeric may help reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Another benefit of turmeric is it is believed to help calm inflammation in the body as its essential oils and curcumin display a wide spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and other anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric may also offer a natural protection against Alzheimer’s disease as curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and work toward preventing or slowing the progression of nervous-system related diseases. Acai berries are another nutrient-dense super food loaded with antioxidants, which may be good for our heart and brain. High in fat and low in sugar, studies has shown acai may decrease the total and LDL cholesterol in animals, and researchers believe it may do the same for humans. Other studies show the plant compounds in acai may also boost brain function and protect our brains from damage as we age. Current research points to improvement in the memory of rats. At MorningStar at Englefield Green, we specialized in providing residents with holistic, loving dementia care. Our entire team and wellness programs are focused on finding ways to stimulate and enhance our residents’ quality of life. This includes providing meals created with BrainWise foods such as such as acai berries, turmeric, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens. Visit our website to learn more. MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. If you are looking for one of the area’s top Alzheimer’s care homes, please visit our website. Source: healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-acai-berries |
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