Looking for Assisted Living in Glendale, AZ?

If you are looking at retirement communities in Glendale that offer assisted living, we encourage you to consider MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead.

MorningStar at Arrowhead provides residents a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Our home’s décor is a credit to the work of the award-winning specialist in senior living interiors, Thoma-Holec Design. Filled with spacious, beautifully-appointed common areas both inside and out, amenities include a cozy fireside patio and porches, bistro, fitness room, general store, chapel/theatre, and library. Chef prepared meals are served restaurant-style in our bright, airy dining room.

However, our stylish design does not stop at the door of our private suites. Each one offers a range of features including lots of lighting, wall to wall carpeting, high ceilings, and large windows as well a kitchenette. For residents’ peace of mind and safety, our suites are also equipped with an emergency call system to ensure help is there if the need arises as well as handicap-accessible bathrooms. Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal.

All assisted living residents are provided with 24/7 care managers who help assist them with the Activities of Daily Living (dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, transferring and more). Access to a licensed nurse is available onsite throughout the week and on-call around-the-clock. We also offer medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Moreover, we want to reassure you and your family that we periodically re-evaluate care plans and make changes as needed.

Other clinical care services provided by MorningStar include mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more. We provide scheduled physician visits, a choice of physicians, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry services.

At the heart of our community, and what we are most proud of, is our team of loving, responsive caregivers who feel privileged to serve. Please visit our website for contact information. We are happy to answer any questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Are You Concerned About Your Elderly Parent Who Lives Alone?

If you are worried about an elderly parent who lives alone and may not be getting the kind of personal daily care, meals, or company they need; it may be time to consider assisted living. At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we specialize in providing care for seniors who need a little help with their day-to-day personal care activities but do not require 24-hour medical care.

We have seen first-hand how the transition to assisted living eases the stress of either or both the senior’s life or the family caregiver’s life. Moreover, we recognize that senior living at its best allows residents to not only survive but to thrive. We achieve this with a wide range of care services, fine dining, and meaningful wellness programs and activities. In addition, residents enjoy built-in companionship as they make new friends with fellow residents and our truly loving staff.

To give families a good idea of what services are provided with assisted living, we are happy to answer questions. Also, we suggest you take a look at our website where you will find a lot of information. A good place to start is our Decision Guide under the “First Steps” tab. Here we go over things to look for that may indicate your parent needs more help such as recent falls, unexplained weight loss, poor balance, and/or poor personal hygiene. From there, take a look at our FAQs for more details.

Under our “Wellness” tab we go over our dining services, life enrichment programs, and clinical care services. We also like to direct interested families to “Our Heart” to read a little background on how MorningStar Senior Living began and what its mission and precepts are all about.

While you will discover our company was founded on Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews as we believe it is our responsibility to respect residents’ spiritual preferences. In fact, our goal is to meet a resident’s social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs as part of creating a comfortable home and compassionate care.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Why Does Our Hair Turn Gray?

While some people seem to not turn gray until an advanced age, most of us see our first gray hair sometime in our thirties. Experts say in time, everyone’s hair will turn gray, and with each decade after age 30, your chance of going gray increases by 10 to 20 percent. For those blessed with a very long lifespan, their hair will most-likely go completely white.

The process is gradual as each strand of hair a follicle produces remains the same color it starts out as. For instance a strand of blond hair stays blonde regardless of how long it grows (we typically keep a strand for up to 3 ½ years). Gray hair and eventually white hair is caused as our follicles produce less and less color as we age.

However, not all gray hair is a result of “age-related graying.” In some cases, experts say stress may play a role in how quickly someone grays. They point out that most likely it is not the stress itself that makes hair go gray but rather it triggers “a common condition called telogen effluvium, which causes hair to shed about three times faster than normal.” So if you are the right age, many of the new hairs that grow in may be gray.

When very young people start to turn gray, it can be a cause for concern. Premature hair graying (PHG) can be from a vitamin B12deficiency, thyroid disease, or smoking as well as vitiligo, which causes melanocytes (cells at the base of hair follicles that produce the hair’s color) to be lost or destroyed. Still researchers say turning gray is mostly influenced by the genes we inherit from our parents and we can get a better idea of when we will turn gray by looking at past generations.

MorningStar at Arrowhead is dedicated to providing one of the finest retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers, and we know the best care starts from the heart. Our loving home promotes a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and community and offers an array of comprehensive care services and amenities. From scheduled transportation, 5-Star dining to routine care planning reviews, activities and wellness programs, we are building a MorningStar family. Visit our website to learn more.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/causes-gray-hair

Fall Prevention for Seniors

The Mayo Clinic reminds older adults it is important they take proper precautions to prevent falls. As we age, medical conditions, the resulting medications needed, and a more sedentary lifestyle can result in weaker muscles and balance problems that can lead to a fall. Also please keep in mind, a fall for an older adult can cause injuries that are very serious such as a broken hip, head trauma, or in the most severe cases, death.

However, the solution to preventing falls is not to stop moving. The medical experts at the Mayo Clinic explain being inactive is bad for our health regardless of how old we are and it is vital that we keep moving. To that end, they suggest a commonsense six-part plan to keep seniors safely mobile.

Their first recommendation is to set up an appointment with your doctor. Bring to the visit a list of all your medications, and be prepared to discuss with your doctor any side effects of the drugs that may put you more at risk for a fall such as anti-depressants or sedatives. It may be possible to eliminate or substitute the medication for something else. Also talk to your doctor about whether you have fallen and if it was due to your medical condition.

In addition, discuss with your healthcare provider what type of exercise would be best for you. Typically walking, swimming and something like tai chi are gentle exercises that are safe for most; and offer the benefit of strengthening muscles, improving balance, and gait.

Other ways to lessen your risk for a fall begins by reviewing your home with an eye to fall prevention. Start by checking hallways and stairways for adequate lighting, and add more if needed. Secure loose rugs and make sure you have wide clear paths for walking around your home. Wear proper fitting shoes with nonskid soles and use assistive aids like a cane or walker if needed to help maintain your balance. Install grab bars and railings where needed.

At the MorningStar at Bear Creek memory care assisted living community, our beautiful home is devoted to residents with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our extensive experience and training have given us a deep understanding of the disease, and we are proud to be designated as one of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Recognized Leaders in Dementia Care.” Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 contact us for more information about Colorado Springs’ finest memory care assisted living.

Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358

Compassionate Service Delivered with Warmth & Sincerity

MorningStar of Billings is proud to be one of the top senior living facilities in Montana. We attribute our success to God’s grace and to staying true to our mission of servant-leadership. To help us accomplish these lofty goals, we are blessed to have a team of individuals with big hearts and a true love for seniors.

Our founding principles are based on “casting a new light” on senior living and treating each resident with the utmost respect and dignity. We belief the human capacity to grow, to learn and contribute is ageless; and we act upon the truth daily as we care for, inspire and love the residents under our roof. At MorningStar we want seniors to recognize they are never too old to set a goal or to dream a new dream.

We take great pride in a reputation for excellence and authenticity in both how we serve and why we serve throughout our MorningStar senior living facilities across the Western U.S. Specializing in compassionate care delivered by our distinguished team and guided by our proprietary program “Radiance,” we know the highest expression of living is when we are fully engaged in sharing with others our gifts and talents, time and energy.

As more and more people are living longer and healthier lives than any other time in history (by 2055 90 million Americans will be 55+ and the number of people 75 to 85 is set to triple), Senior Living is quickly becoming a popular option for older adults. Residents appreciate predictable budgeting, resort-style amenities and services, companionship and a home where they can safely age in place.

Seniors’ wellbeing, comfort and safety are something MorningStar of Billings takes very seriously. Please contact us today to see how we can help support the seniors in your life. Use our online Virtual Assistant to inquire about pricing, set up a tour, or to ask a question. We are committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives.

MCI is the Fine Line Between Normal Memory and Dementia

If you or a loved one is experiencing some mild memory problems or were recently diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), you may find yourself wondering what that means for the future. MCI is defined as the fine line between what we think of as normal memory or thinking and dementia. Dr. Scott M. McGinnis, an associate neurologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, clarifies it by explaining, “We diagnose dementia when a person has changes in memory and thinking that significantly interfere with functioning in usual activities.” He cites examples such as getting lost driving to familiar places or having difficulty writing a check.

MCI is diagnosed when a person has changes in their memory and thinking that goes beyond normal aging but does not qualify as full-blown dementia. Medical experts explain that MCI may be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease but are also quick to add that not all cases of MCI result in Alzheimer’s but rather may increase the person’s risk. In fact, MCI is caused by other things including medications and infections.

Doctors suggest one way to cope with MCI is to get into the habit of writing out a list of “to do’s” each day and checking it throughout the day. Some people want to know more and thus pursue medical tests that can identify if they will develop Alzheimer’s eventually, while others wish to take a more wait and see approach. Whatever your decision, medical professionals say it may be helpful to learn as much as you can about MCI as a way to help you cope.

MorningStar at Bear Creek’s goal is to provide the best memory care Colorado Springs offers, and our community was designed from the ground up to provide a safe, supportive and loving environment. As dementia care specialists, we consider it our calling, and privilege to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey. Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting. Visit our website to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source:health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/slideshows/5-ways-to-cope-with-mild-cognitive-impairment

The Gift of Time for Mom on Mother’s Day

The last year was challenging in many areas including not spending time with senior parents and grandparents, which is why Mother’s Day 2021 is a good time to celebrate the return to something more normal. Rather than sending a bouquet of flowers this year, show grandma, mom and other moms in your life your appreciation and love by giving your time.

Do something special like planting a new rose bush or a tree, putting in a tray of annuals, or cleaning up the garden in readiness for summer. Commit to helping mom with a DIY house project like painting a room or helping clean up the attic or basement. Give mom and grandma the “day off” by taking over the cooking and cleaning up. For a simple dessert, set up a sundae bar with all the trimmings and let everyone make their own treat.

If mom lives in an apartment, decorate her front door with a wreath or a huge homemade card signed by the whole family telling her how special she is. For a movie-loving mom, make a date to watch one of her favorite romantic comedies together in person or virtually. Other fun ideas include hosting a garden tea party or barbeque, and if you can’t get together, send mom all of the goodies you want her to enjoy at a virtual party.

Spend time together baking a fancy dessert or cooking a family favorite recipe for dinner. If mom lives close by, put together a basket of homemade goodies and deliver them to her door. The grandkids can help grandma feel loved by making cards or putting on a talent show or play. You or an older grandchild can “interview” grandma about her childhood and early adult years, wedding day, her years as a parent of small children, jobs etc. Whatever you decide on, just make sure mom feels special.

At MorningStar of Billings, we strive to honor our remarkable residents each and every day. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about one of the area’s finest senior living facilities. Our community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care.

A Simple Habit that May Help “Reverse Aging”

It turns out some unexpected habits and lifestyle choices can affect the way we age. Andrew Steele, scientist and author of the new book, “Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old,” says the younger the better it is when it comes to preparing for our senior years. He points to the vast amount of research being done in aging biology, which shows that in theory, we can slow the aging process.

One way is to take care of our teeth as studies indicate a correlation between good oral health and heart disease, perhaps even dementia. Steele explains poor oral hygiene creates bacteria in the mouth leading to gum and tooth decay as well as inflammation. “Chronic low-level inflammation causes your immune system to become less effective at dealing with actual threats, such as age-related disease.”

A recent study out of Scotland reports people who brushed their teeth twice a day had a lower risk for heart attacks. The current recommendations from the American Dental Association are to brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes and to use toothpaste with fluoride and floss daily.

Another step Steele says we can take to reverse aging and essential to overall good health is to get enough sleep. He explains that while we sleep; the brain flushes out toxins of which some are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows too little sleep is linked to an increased risk of death but too much sleep (11 hours or more) is linked to an even higher risk. Experts say seven to eight hours is optimal for most adults.

Please visit MorningStar of Billings’ website for more information regarding one of the area’s finest senior living facilities offering independent living, assisted living and memory care. For pricing and availability or to set up a tour, please contact us.

Source: cnbc.com/2021/03/28/andrew-steele-how-to-fight-aging-and-live-healthier.html

What Can You Do to Maintain Your Memory?

In an article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health. Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.

One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain. An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.” Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming. However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider.

In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health. This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits.

Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night. Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.”

What sets MorningStar at Bear Creek apart from other memory care Colorado Springs offers? Our community is designed to accommodate the needs of our residents and encourages and supports their independence while keeping them safe. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, please visit our website for more information about our experienced, compassionate memory care.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting. Visit our website to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory

Learn the Facts about Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is what 90% of Americans with the disease have. In Feb, 2020, the CDC reported 34.2 million Americans—just over 1 in 10—have diabetes; and 88 million American adults—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes. With such a prevalence of the disease, the Medical News Today website explores some common myths surrounding the cause and treatment of the disease.

One common misconception about type 2 diabetes is that it is caused by eating too much sugar. While not strictly true, diabetes can be a result of a poor diet that includes too much sugar and leads to obesity, which is a risk factor for the disease. However, to complicate the case, doctors do say there is evidence that suggests a high consumption of soda pop is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, although they are not sure why.

There is also concern that too many people think diabetes is not a serious disease. This thinking can lead to someone not managing the disease as they should, and result in dangerous complications. Another myth is that obesity always causes diabetes. Again medical professionals say while being overweight and obese are risk factor, the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistic Report, 2020, says “11% of people with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are neither overweight nor obese.”

Managing the disease well plays a huge role in outcomes. For those who follow a good diet, maintain a healthy weight, control their blood pressure and cholesterol, stop smoking, and stay physically active, they can usually can avoid dangerous complications. Doctors also say by following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, it is not inevitable that those with prediabetes have to develop type 2 diabetes.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, an assisted living and memory care community, we are committed to creating a home that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence. Our residents enjoy healthy meals that are prepared largely from scratch and are modified to accommodate low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low-fat diets. We recognize that staying physically active is one of the healthiest things we can all do for ourselves, so our community has a variety of exercise opportunities. Please visit our website to see what sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ has to offer.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-diabetes

Learn More MorningStar’s Memory Care in Colorado Springs

MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek strives to make each day as special as possible for our residents and we have a wonderful team of caregivers that put their hearts and souls into helping us achieve that goal. We feel it is our calling – our privilege to serve seniors.

In fact, our staff tells us all the time how serving others has helped to change their own lives as one MorningStar team member so eloquently writes: “Seniors help me to realize we need to enjoy and make the most of every day with our loved ones because life is short and precious.” Another team member relates that “Seniors teach me to love more, have compassion, appreciation, and respect.”

Now read a review from a family member of one of our residents who writes, “This facility is absolutely beautiful and well run. The management team works well together and supports one another for the good of everyone. The food is delicious and there is always something fun going on! My mom absolutely loves calling Bear Creek her home! This is definitely the best memory care facility in town!”

It is comments like these that continue to motivate our team to come to work each day with a smile on their face. We work hard to provide loving memory care assisted living to address the unique needs of our cherished residents to ensure their safety and comfort. Our specialized care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the essence of the individual, and to celebrate and elevate life.

In addition, our community was designed from the ground up to provide a secure setting, which allows residents to explore their spacious surroundings freely and easily. We are also equipped to provide care from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar at Bear Creek and all of the amenities and services we provide to residents and their families alike.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 contact us for more information about Colorado Springs’ finest memory care assisted living.

The Mission of MorningStar Senior Living

A highly respected senior housing company, MorningStar Senior Living has communities throughout the Western U.S. that are designed to be true homes for their residents. MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead is one of four MorningStar communities in the Phoenix area.

MorningStar was started in 2003 based on a unique mission statement, principles and philosophy. As Ken Jaeger, founder/CEO of MorningStar explains his intention was to create senior living that was “defined by the human touch. I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”

Out of this vision, came a mission statement that still guides the way we deliver service to our residents: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well.” Even the name “MorningStar” was inspired by Mr. Jaeger’s contemplation of the bible and his commitment to relieve poverty around the world.

However, while founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition; please know that we welcome and honor all faiths and worldviews in our communities, and are committed to meeting not only residents’ social, emotional, and physical needs but their spiritual ones. In our pursuit of creating a loving home, honoring spiritual preferences is part of caring for the whole person.

In addition, we recognize our mission is advanced by hiring team members who hold true to our core values of love, respect, honesty, fairness, goodness, and kindness. They are the type of individuals who feel privileged to serve seniors and help us create the kind of culture we envision building – a Family for Life.

Our all-inclusive community offers a dining service under the direction of an Executive Chef, a range of floor plans to meet our residents’ varying needs, and onsite amenities and care services to provide carefree retirement years. If you are looking for one of the best retirement communities Glendale, AZ has to offer, we encourage you to visit our website to learn more.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

March Celebrates Women’s History Month

The Women’s History Month first began as just a week in March with President Jimmy Carter issuing the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. Regarding the proclamation, he explained that “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

In 1987 Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month” and every year since, presidents have continued to issue annual proclamations. Many of this year’s monthly commemorations in the celebration, observance, and study of women are sponsored by the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Most of the events will premiere on both Facebook External and YouTube External. They will also be available for viewing afterwards at those sites and in the Library of Congress’ Event Videos collection.

One interesting program is an in-depth look at Eleanor Roosevelt by renowned author David Michaelis. His book Eleanor, published in October 2020, was the first major biography of America's longest-serving first lady in 60 years. Topics covered in the extensive biography include papers of the NAACP, the National Women’s Trade League, and personal papers of many close friends and family members.

Another scheduled event is Come Alive! Young Learners Program Meets Alice Paul. An energized suffragette in the early 20th century, Alice Paul revitalized the woman suffrage movement “with her determination, resolve, and unique plan to convince the nation that women deserve the right to vote.”

Check out the other activities and events regarding Women’s History Month. This is a great time to dive into history and learn more about all of the fascinating people that went before us.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents. Contact us for more regarding independent living, assisted living and memory care at one of the area’s most trusted senior living facilities.

Source: womenshistorymonth.gov

Responding to “I Want to Go Home” from a Loved One with Dementia

As family members of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, there are many challenges you will face while navigating this difficult journey. One of those defining moments is the decision to place the individual in a home that specializes in caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

While a family may instinctively understand that memory care assisted living communities make the best sense for their loved one’s safety and wellbeing, caregivers and families often hear a common refrain of “I want to go home.” In fact, due to the confusion that goes on in their brains, some sufferers even frequently complain that they want to go home even when they are already at home.

Dementia care specialists say that a repeated cry to “go home” generally is the person’s way of expressing feelings of anxiety and stress, and the best thing you can do is to respond to the emotions behind their words. To help soothe, approach the person in a calm and relaxing manner and do the things you know work to comfort them such as giving a hug or a gentle stoking, and if they use one, give them their therapy doll or animal.

Experts say it is not the right approach to explain that they cannot go home or that they are already home; rather concentrate on making them feel secure and safe. Another technique dementia caregivers frequently use is to “validate, redirect, and distract. This can include saying things like we will go after lunch, and then gently redirecting and distracting them with something like walking them out to the porch and pointing out flowers in the garden.

MorningStar at Bear Creek specializes in providing compassionate, individualized memory care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our 48 suites include studio and one-and two bedrooms floor plans along with all the amenities and services required for the finest care. We want you to know we are here to help if your loved one is suffering from memory loss. Please visit our website to learn more about our holistic care and loving staff.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” 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 contact us for more information about Colorado Springs’ finest memory care assisted living.

Source: dailycaring.com/when-someone-with-alzheimers-says-i-want-to-go-home-3-ways-to-respond/

Does Your Loved One Need Independent Living or Assisted Living?

If you are like many adult children of elderly parents, you may have noticed that they are not getting around as well as they used to; including not managing day-to-day care activities. In other cases, mom or dad may thrive in independent living and simply enjoy the freedom that prepared meals, built-in companionship and maintenance-free living offers.

At senior living facilities like MorningStar of Billings, we proudly offer seniors a range of options including independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term stays and respite care. For active seniors, we offer 32 free-standing cottages tucked into their own private neighborhood within our beautiful park-like campus. Cottages include fireplaces and one-car garages, kitchens with full appliances, ceiling fans, weekly housekeeping and more.

In addition we have 72 bright suites for independent living in our main building for seniors who enjoy the idea of restaurant-style dining, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and laundry services and many other perks. All of our independent living residents are welcomed to join in with our various community activities and wellness programs, and enjoy our many amenities such as a fitness room, billiards and game room, strolling paths, life enrichment room, and more.

For families searching for assisted living, our community ensures seniors get the help they need when they need it. Along with our dining services, wellness activities, and onsite amenities, we offer a full range of care services based on an individualized care plan that includes 24/7 care managers, medication management, access to licensed nurses, and more.

Lastly we provide 36 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments staffed by dementia care specialists who have a deep understanding of the disease. Our philosophy and approach to this kind of supported living is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call Lavender Sky.” Under a Lavender Sky, our ambition is to thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore.

Please visit our website for more information and to inquire about pricing and availability. New residents have priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents. Visit our website for more info about one of the area’s premier senior living facilities.

Keeping a Loved One with Dementia Engaged Shows Beneficial Effects

It is important for family members and caregivers to remember that while a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease may be declining cognitively, they still have some abilities. Encouraging them to stay involved in meaningful activities is a good way to give them a sense of self-worth and purpose. In fact, a published report from the National Institute of Health states, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” It goes on to say it is important for those with dementia to stay as active and engaged as possible and that “it may even help to maintain quality of life in the more advanced stages of the disease.”

As to what kinds of activities are the most effective, studies suggest trying to stimulate all five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell; and the creative arts are a good place to start. Singing is not only enjoyable but several studies have shown it to be one of the last abilities many of those with Alzheimer’s lose. People can often remember the words to a song long after many other memories are gone. Listening to music and dancing are other activities beneficial to those with dementia. Dancing has even been shown to help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-awareness and self-expression. Walking and getting outside can also lift spirits, but as gait can be adversely affected by Alzheimer’s, evaluate the person’s ability to walk safely.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our goal is to be one of the best retirement communities Glendale, AZ has to offer, which includes compassionate care to those with memory impairment. Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.

In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, and an enclosed, secure patio and courtyard. Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home. Please visit our website to learn more our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684326

Diagnosed with Osteopenia?

If you have had a bone density test that came back with a diagnosis of osteopenia, you probably want to know how worried should you be. Bone density refers to the mass and strength of the bone and “osteopenia refers to having low bone density when compared to others of the same age.” Doctors explain that the biggest risk of osteopenia is it can lead to the more harmful disease of osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis have an even lower bone density that results in bones becoming fragile and easily fractured.

The CDC reports that 54 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis but many more have osteopenia. In fact the Harvard Medical School says half of all people over the age of 50 in the US have osteopenia. Risk factors include women, especially those who have gone through menopause; however, one-third of white men and Asian men over the age of 50 have osteopenia. Other risk factors include smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, a diet low in vitamin D, and certain medications as well as certain medical conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, among others.

Medical experts warn that most people do not have any idea they have osteopenia until they have a bone density test. Most commonly the test is done by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and uses a low-energy X-ray to painlessly assess the level of calcium in the bones.

Recommendations to improve bone density include eating foods high in calcium such as leafy green vegetables and dairy as well as foods high in vitamin D including oily or fatty fish, mackerel and fortified cereal. Exercise also play a role in preventing the loss of bone density and may even help to improve the situation. Doctors say your regimen should include weight bearing and strengthening exercises. There are medications to deal with the condition but are not typically prescribed until a person has osteoporosis.

At the MorningStar of Billings senior living community we offer independent living, assisted living and memory care. We also provide residents with nutritional, tasty meals as well as suitable exercise programs and activities to help them stay fit. Visit our website to see more about the wide range of resort-style amenities and services we provide to ensure the comfort, wellness and security of our residents.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living facilities with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents. Please schedule a tour to experience unsurpassed assisted living and independent living in Billings.

Changing Your Diet May Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Several studies are showing links to dietary habits and the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.

Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar. Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.”

One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads. The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily. MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berries at least twice a week. Red meat is reduced to less than four times a week, cheese to less than one serving per week, while poultry and fish are consumed twice or once a week respectively. Other recommended proteins include nuts and beans.

Oil should be mainly from olive oil and butter or margarine reduced to less than a tablespoon a day; and fried or fast food eaten less than once a week. MIND includes a glass of wine a day but limits pastries and sweets to less than five times a week. The Mayo Clinic says study results also found you do not have to strictly follow the diet to gain benefits. For example, “adults in the study who followed the diet most closely (an average score of 9.6 points out of 15) saw the biggest drop in their Alzheimer's risk, the ones who scored in the middle (7.5 points) still cut their risk by over a third.”

For exceptional memory care, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Bear Creek lovingly provides care for seniors with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. We are a team of compassionate, professionals who feel privileged to serve our special residents. Please visit our website for more information

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting and encourage you to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs offers.

Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/15-simple-diet-tweaks-cut-alzheimers-risk/art-20342112

Memory Loss and Confusion: When a Loved One Doesn’t Know You

Apart from having to watch a loved one go through the devastating stages of Alzheimer’s or another dementia disease, the next saddest thing may be when the person stops recognizing you. This can bring up all sorts of feelings, of which some while not fair, are there nonetheless. When we take time to visit a family member (in person or via video call) in a memory care community and they don’t even know who we are, some people wonder why they are making the effort.

However, a long-term caregiver reminds us how can we be certain the person is not reacting to our presence in some way? Maybe the sound of our voice, or the touch of our hand? In the same way people in comas have said they heard the voices of loved ones even when they were unable to communicate, perhaps a person in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease knows we are there for them on some level. At the very least, in whatever way they can understand, we want them to know they are loved and valued.

Experts suggest a way to help make yourself more recognizable to your parent or spouse. If you are an adult child, try putting together a photo timeline of you as a small child, an adolescent, a young adult to a current picture. Spouses can do the same starting with a picture from their early days as a couple to the present.

For anyone having difficulty being around a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it may be helpful to learn all you can about the disease so you understand what is going on. It will also teach you better ways to more effectively communicate with the person.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our mission is to be one of the best retirement homes Glendale, AZ offers, which includes compassionate and loving care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our approach is holistic and encompasses every aspect of the disease as well as individualized care. Visit our website to learn more.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Promising News That Indicates a Decline in the Number of New Cases of Dementia

Researchers are studying promising news that indicates a decline in the number of new cases of dementia. The Aug. 4, 2020, issue of Neurology published a report from the Alzheimer's Research Consortium, which looked at data from people over the age of 65 in both Europe and North America. Their findings show the percentage of people diagnosed with dementia has dropped 13% every 10 years over the past 30 years.

This does not mean that dementia is not a widespread problem. As life expectancy has improved along with the number of people on the planet, so has the number of adults with dementia increased. However, what researchers are pleased to see after looking at seven different studies is that new cases are actually lower than what we had been expecting based on the rate of the increases of several decades ago. Scientists believe that the decline may be due to “treatment for dementia risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation.”

For exceptional memory care, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Bear Creek provides compassionate, individualized care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our unique approach to memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the individual essence of each resident, and our energy is put toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life. Along with individualized care plans, residents receive 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and services tailored to their special needs. Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting. Visit our website for more information about the finest memory care Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dementia-declining-in-the-united-states