MorningStar at Bear Creek is Entirely Devoted to Memory Care

At MorningStar Memory Care at BearCreek our entire community is devoted to memory care.  We offer 48 secure suites for the personalized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and can accommodate those in the onset of the disease right through to the more advanced stages. The philosophy motivating our care is based on one of MorningStar’s mission statements that says, “To value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.” From this principle comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences, of each resident.

 

We have a deep understanding of the different forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s that helps us to compassionately care for our memory impaired residents and to find the best ways to interact and communicate with them.  MorningStar’s specially trained staff uses an array of multi-sensory activities including art, dance, music, aromatherapy, life skills, exercise and animals to heal and comfort.   

 

Furthermore, we take the time to get to know a resident through interviews with their family members in order to learn about their history, vocation, talents and preferences.  We then use this knowledge to help us design an individualized care plan for the person.  

 

In addition we provide daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, scheduledoutings and special events, and an enclosed, secure patio with a glassed-in fire pit.  Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home.  Contact us to learn more about our beautiful memory care community in Colorado Springs, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

 

MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, and is devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community.

Seniors Discover Numerous Benefits of Assisted Living

Many seniors are pleasantly surprised to discover that moving to a senior living community is not the worst thing to happen to them.  In fact, statistics show that for many seniors it is a healthier, more agreeable alternative to living alone.  The reason some seniors are initially reluctant to make the move is that they are unaware of the significant changes that have occurred in senior living over the last several years especially in terms of care options and amenities. 

  

Today’s communities like MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fort Collins offer assisted living and memory care that is geared toward meeting aging adult’s physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs.  Also for many seniors, assisted living offers a better choice for those who require help in their daily lives than receiving in-home care services.  This is because assisted living communities offer 24/7 care and provide the security of knowing help is not far away in the event of an emergency.   

For seniors living alone, assisted living provides the opportunity for socializing whether it is with planned activities or in common areas designed to encourage relaxed interactions.  Even if you are someone who values your privacy, community living offers the benefit of private suites with the comfort of having others around.   

Another reason you may want to consider assisted living is that communities such as MorningStar of Fort Collins are designed for the mobility and safety of seniors who may not be as sturdy on their feet as they once were.   To modify your own home to accommodate physical limitations can be quite expensive. 

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we also provide scheduled transportation and planned outings to a variety of places such as the local mall, a park or to see a play.  Furthermore, for many seniors cooking and preparing meals is difficult and we solve that problem by providing tasty, nutritional daily meals.  Please see our website or contact us for more information on how assisted living may be the right decision for you or your loved one.   

  

MorningStar of Fort Collins provides 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 create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting.  We invite you to schedule a tour to discover one of the area’s top senior living communities.  

Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/

Tips for Visiting Your Loved One in a Memory Care Community

The MorningStar Memory Care at BearCreek emphatically agrees with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community.  While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name. 

The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory.  They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise.  In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you.  It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss.

Jolene Brackey also shares some tips from her book, Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Disease, to help family members when visiting.  She suggests you begin your visit by introducing yourself, and to use their given name rather than calling them “mom” or “dad” as they may have forgotten that their kids are already grown.  If your loved one has a familiar nickname, you can use that.  

Ms. Brackey also recommends that you visit “one on one” or in small groups, and to bring the conversation around to pleasant memories from their past.  If you do get them talking, give them plenty of time to respond to a question or to follow directions.   

MorningStar at Bear Creek reminds family members that a new voice is always a welcome change and a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers can lift the spirits of someone struggling with dementia.  Your friendly, loving visit can have a positive effect on your loved one for the rest of the day. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, and is devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community.

Source:  alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf

Know the Facts about Senior Living Communities

For many elderly adults, the thought of moving from their home is overwhelming.  However the truth is that today there are many excellent options for seniors specifically designed to enable them to keep their independence.  One example is senior living communities that offer a range of care options including independent living, assisted living and memory care.

The goal of senior communities is to give aging adults the opportunity to maintain their independence while providing convenient access to assistance, activities and companionship.  All too often, seniors mistakenly think that moving into a community setting means they have to give up their privacy.  Again this could not be further from the truth as communities like MorningStar Senior Living of Billings offer a choice of spacious private suites for assisted living and memory care.  In addition MorningStar offers a selection of large cottages and private suites for independent living.   

Another issue older adults worry about when moving into senior living is that they will be leaving their families.  The fact is senior living communities offer their own sense of comfort with 24/7 security and care.  So if you need help in the middle of the night, someone is there to respond quickly. 

Seniors also cite the fact that they think moving to a senior living community will mean they have to give up the things they liked doing around their home such as gardening and having a backyard to enjoy the outdoors.  The truth is that living in a community probably means you will be busier than when you lived alone.  Senior communities are designed with an array of activities such as gardening and book clubs, fitness rooms, outdoor patios and strolling paths, game rooms, theaters and much more.     

To see one of the finest examples of senior living, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Billings website or contact us for a visit.  We are conveniently situated near shopping centers and the medical community, and our spacious campus is set in a beautiful, park-like neighborhood with views of the Rockies.

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.  Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.      

Source:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/senior-assisted-living

How to Recognize the Signs of a Stroke

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following is a list of the signs and symptoms you need to know if you think someone may be having a stroke.  They recommend noting the time when you first notice the symptoms as it is important to know when seeking medical treatment. 

 

The first sign is any difficulty with speaking or understanding as well as confusion.  A person may slur their words or have trouble processing what is being said.  Another thing to look for is any sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body.  Ask the person to try and raise both arms over their head at the same time.  If one arm begins to fall, it may be a stroke.  Also another indication of a stroke is if one side of the mouth is drooping when you ask the person to smile. 

 

Other signs of a stroke can include trouble with seeing in one or both eyes and exhibiting symptoms such as blurred or blackened vision or seeing double.  In addition trouble walking as well as dizziness or loss of balance and coordination can also be signs of a stroke.    Further stroke symptoms include a sudden onset of a severe headache along with vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness.

 

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the signs of a stroke regardless of whether they appear to fluctuate or disappear.  The American Stroke Association’s F.A.S.T. acronym is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke. They state that you need to call 911 immediately if you or someone you are with experiences any of the following signs:

 

F        Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

A        Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S        Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?

T        Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared.

 

Remember the longer a stroke goes untreated, there becomes a greater potential for brain damage and disability.  Once you have called for emergency assistance, continue to carefully watch the person.

 

This post is for informational purposes only.  Be sure to consult your medical provider regarding any health concerns or questions.

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for our residents.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand the area’s best senior living in the Glendale AZ area.

Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/

strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp 

Like Physical Exercise, Seniors Need to Exercise Their Brain

As we age, engaging in memory exercises is just important as physically excising our bodies. The Alzheimer’s Association offers recommendations on some easy ways to daily exercise our brain with activities that include reading, writing and doing crossword or other puzzles, playing games and attending events such as lectures or plays. 

 

They state that there are four areas we can work on to help reduce our risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement.  In fact research has found that simply by keeping our brains active, we can actually increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells.   

 

An article on the “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” from the Harvard Health Publication outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.  The article stresses the importance of continuing to learn as challenging our brains with mental exercises is “believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.”

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead could not agree more.  Our senior living community is loaded with activities that are not only fun but also help to stimulate our brains.  Just a quick look at our monthly calendar shows an abundance of activities such as word, board, and trivia games that help to challenge our brains.  Residents at MorningStar enjoy games such as Farkle, trivia, dominoes, Bingo, and Yahtzee. 

 

Regardless of personal interest, our seniors find plenty to do to keep them interested in life.  With a range of activities such as puzzle time, arts and crafts, and fun-filled card games, residents stay social and keep their brains active. 

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for our residents.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand the area’s best senior living in the Glendale AZ area.

Sources: alz.org/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp

health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-at-any-age

Age-related Hearing Loss

One of the most common conditions affecting elderly adults is hearing loss, known as presbycusis, and gradually occurs to nearly everyone.  Statistics indicate that one-third of all Americans between the ages of 65 to 74 have some hearing loss, and almost half of seniors older than 75 have difficulty hearing. 

Presbycusis typically affects both ears equally and many seniors are unaware of the fact that they have experienced hearing loss as it happens so gradually.  One primary reason for elderly hearing loss is the cumulative effect that results from the deterioration of the cochlea or other parts of the inner ear or auditory nerves.  

In some cases, health conditions more common among the elderly such as high blood pressure and diabetes can adversely affect hearing.  Furthermore, certain medications including some kinds of chemotherapy drugs also cause hearing loss. 

Another cause of hearing loss affecting individuals of any age is long-term exposure to loud noise.  In this situation, the sensory hair cells in the ear that allow us to hear are damaged, and do no grow back.  It is one of the most common occupational hazards and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that 10 million Americans suffer from irreversible hearing damage due to noise.   

NIDCD also states that hearing problems are serious and it is important to have your hearing tested by a doctor if you are experiencing problems.  Start with your primary care physician as he/she can refer you to a specialist.  Your care may include seeing an otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and neck.  After consultation and testing by an otolaryngologist, you may be referred to an audiologist.  They specialize in identifying and measuring the type and degree of hearing loss.  Finally they, or a hearing aid specialist, may fit you for a hearing aid if it is determined you need one.   

This post is for informational purposes and should not be used in place of the advice of your health care provider.  For any health issues, please consult your doctor.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for our residents.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand the area’s best senior living in the Glendale AZ area.

Source: nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss

Another Way MorningStar Reaches Out to Help our Residents

In addition to MorningStar AssistedLiving & Memory Care at Arrowhead  offering seniors a choice of smartly-designed spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, we also allow residents to share living arrangements.  Our Companion Living program is specifically designed for unrelated seniors of the same sex to share a suite.  This arrangement is available to both our assisted living and memory care residents.   

 

What are the benefits?  Actually there are many reasons it may make good sense for you or a family member that is considering senior living. Since we understand that people are designed for relationships, most of us flourish when we are in one.  However, the fact is that many seniors have lost their long-term life partner and are left feeling bereft and isolated.  So besides offering the economic benefit of splitting the monthly rent expense in half, a roommate can help alleviate many of these feelings.

 

In addition to providing a companion, a roommate can make the transition period for a new in-coming resident much easier.  The seasoned community member can help guide their new companion through all the facets of senior living and make them feel more confident in socializing with the entire community.  Also another often overlooked advantage to companion living is that since roommates inherently look out after one another, they may be the first one to notice a change in the health of their roomie. 

 

To ensure the arrangement works for both parties, MorningStar at Arrowhead goes to great lengths to match residents who wish to participate in companion living and pair residents based on similar backgrounds and shared interests.  Furthermore, even when you share the rent with another resident, you are still offered the full scope of MorningStar resort-style amenities including daily meals, activities, scheduled transportation, entertainment and much more.   Please contact us if you think this is something you would be interested in.

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for our residents.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand the area’s best senior living in the Glendale AZ area.

Our Staff has a Calling to Serve Seniors

At MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek, we recognize that our wonderful assortment of amenities and our beautiful surroundings are fantastic; however, we know that the real heart of our community rest in our caregivers.  We have made it a point to hire individuals who have a real calling to serve seniors and understand the magnitude of their contribution when they work at our memory care community.    

The MorningStar at Bear Creek staff consists of a group of people who have perfected the art of anticipating the needs of our residents and going the extra mile to serve them.   Filled with compassion and love, each of our staff members is dedicated to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and trained to assist through to the most advanced stages of the disease. 

In fact as part of MorningStar’s on-going commitment to the well-being and care of our residents, we educate all of our new hires as well as reiterate every day with our full staff the principles of our mission.  Our Radiance program teaches and celebrates an attitude of selflessness that issues from a deep and sincere place like a beam of light and reinforces our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others.  MorningStar was founded on the premise that we operate with “servants’ hearts” and our Radiance program gives us the framework that enables us to take service professionalism to the next level.    

We are sure that once you learn more about our community you will agree with us that MorningStar at Bear Creek has achieved its goal of providing our residents a true home.  Please contact us today to schedule a tour to discover for yourself our loving community.

MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, and is devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting.  Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community.