Sunday, March 31, 2019

A Memory Care Facility Designed to Feel Like Home!

As one of the area’s top senior living communities, we feel it is our calling, and our privilege, to provide loving, compassionate memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  With 36 secure, memory care suites, we are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  Also as our memory care is located in a separate wing we call Reflections Neighborhood, it is designed to allow residents the independence to move freely and safely about in their expansive surroundings. 

In fact every aspect of our memory care is tailored to serve the needs of our most tender residents from a team of exceptional caregivers to meals, wellness programs and services.  Once your loved one decides to join the MorningStar of Billings’ family, we sit down with your family to learn as much as we can about their personal preferences, medical history and background in order to create an individualized care plan.  Every resident receives 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participates in daily activities and scheduled outings and events.

As dementia care specialists, our approach and philosophy to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.”  Our program is another reflection of our Radiance culture and provides us with an insightful and intentional way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  All team members, regardless of their position, receive Lavender Sky training, which includes a deeper understanding of the disease and communication techniques to use with memory-impaired residents.  It also includes training in environmental safety and security and holistic solutions to challenging behaviors. 

Along with memory care, we offer exceptional independent living and assisted living.   Please visit our website to learn more about our memory care as well as the many resort-style amenities and services we provide to all residents. 

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 loving, home-like memory care facility. 



Thursday, March 28, 2019

Hearing Loss is Common Among Seniors

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults.   They state that, “Approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.”

Hearing loss may result in difficulty following a conversation as well as the danger of not properly hearing a doctor’s advice.  Many older adults cannot hear the doorbell or may have trouble responding to alarms and other warning devices such as a smoke detector. 

The NIDCD lists several signs that may indicate you are suffering from hearing loss.  These include things like having problems hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others or a reluctance to attend family gatherings and church services. 

Common causes of hearing loss are a condition called presbycusis, which is gradual hearing loss that seems to run in families or exposure to loud noise over an extended period of time.  Other things that can increase your risk for hearing loss include earwax build-up, diabetes, listening to music with earbuds, and being overweight.

Your hearing loss may also be due to your medication.  The AARP reports that according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “more than 200 drugs, ranging from over-the-counter medications to chemotherapy, can damage hearing.”  Even common pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen have been linked to a higher risk of hearing loss when taken for six or more years as reported by a Brigham and Women’s Hospital 2016 study. 

If you feel you may be experiencing hearing problems, you will need to see a doctor to be tested.  Furthermore, since there are many reasons for hearing loss, treatment options will vary depending on the cause. 

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 within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.


Monday, March 25, 2019

Are You Worried About Your Parent’s Memory Loss or Confusion?


Have you recently noticed some signs of memory loss or confusion in a parent or another loved one?  Are you worried it may be the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia?  We understand this may be a touchy subject to broach with your loved one, which is why experts recommend you do your homework first and learn about the common signs of the disease.   

The Alzheimer’s Association explains that Alzheimer’s can cause changes in cognitive abilities, executive function and behavior.  Those afflicted may start having memory problems along with difficulty completing familiar tasks.  They may also become confused as to time and place.  Other problems involve a marked change in their judgement and trouble with language skills and abstract thinking.  Mood swings or changes in personality can also signal Alzheimer’s.  All of these are common signs that can point to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia but only a specialist can make a diagnosis.  You should ask your parent’s healthcare provider for a recommendation to a neurologist who will perform tests to eliminate other causes for the behavior.     

If you are looking for assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar at Bear Creek.  Our community is devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our memory care is based on our extensive knowledge and experience with dementia-related diseases and we support residents from the early onset of the disease through the final stages. Please contact us for more information about our compassionate, loving community. We look forward to meeting you and your family.
  


Sunday, March 24, 2019

Find FAQs about MorningStar at Arrowhead on Our Website

Committed to providing one of the best retirement communities Peoria and Glendale has to offer, MorningStar at Arrowhead has suites for both assisted living and memory care.   Assisted living at MorningStar provides residents various levels of support with the activities of daily living, while the Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

Conveniently located on the north side of Glendale, MorningStar offers residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with stylish well-designed floorplans and inviting common areas. We encourage you to browse through our website and read about the exceptional care and resources we offer. 

One good place for general information is at our Family Resources section that offers a whole range of answers to FAQs.  It is here you will find that MorningStar was founded in 2003 in Denver and that we are not just a family of senior living communities, but of senior loving homes.  We consider our residents the heroes and recognize it is our “privilege to serve and our pleasure to love all beneath our roof.”  And while we are rooted in Judeo-Christian beliefs, we welcome all faiths in our residents and team members. 

Other questions that get answered include information about our age requirements.  It is 62 years or older for our assisted living and memory care.  And in case you wondered, of course couples are welcome and a suite can also be shared by friends who enjoy one another’s company.

While pricing is discussed, we encourage you to contact us for more precise information.  As a general overview, our apartment suites’ monthly rental fee is based on square footage, location within the building and views.  If your family member will be in an assisted living suite, we offer five levels of care that are established after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director.  Medical and non-medical auxiliary services are priced a la carte.   Memory care is all-inclusive and residents are charged one package price. 


MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation 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. Call to schedule a visit to one of the finest retirement communities Peoria, Glendale and the surrounding area offers.

Friday, March 22, 2019

Poor Health is Associated with Greater Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia need to maintain their overall health as studies have found that poor health is associated with greater symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  This is why experts stress the importance of being under the care of a qualified doctor and following good health habits such as exercise, eating nutrient-rich meals, and properly caring for any chronic or new health problems. 

Doctors also advise the individual should have routine hearing and vision exams and any problems be treated appropriately.  Along with being seen by their primary care provider, the person should see specialists as needed.  The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation explains that co-existing medical conditions may negatively impact Alzheimer’s behaviors. They state one example where “frequent urinary tract infections may increase wandering, and depression disrupts sleep and deepens social withdrawal.”   

While it is important for all seniors to eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, it is especially so for people with dementia as they may experience problems with eating.  Nerve damage associated with the disease may result in extreme eating disorders such as overeating or not eating at all.  The person may also have trouble smelling and tasting or chewing food and digesting it, so what they do eat needs to be healthy.  In later stages of the disease, the person may also have difficulty using a knife or fork. 

As one of Colorado Springs foremost Alzheimer homes, MorningStar at Bear Creek understands the disease and the different stages it takes.  Our team of dementia care specialists creates an individualized care plan for each resident based on their needs, personality and preferences.  With 48 secure suites in a variety of floorplans and configurations including spacious studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments, we are sure to have one that fits your needs.  Please contact us for information on pricing and availability or to set up a tour to experience our compassionate, loving community.  

MorningStar at Bear Creek embodies the very best in Alzheimer homes with a distinct mission statement of “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 to learn more about our exceptional community.


Thursday, March 21, 2019

Take a Few Minutes to Prepare for Your Next Healthcare Visit


We have all had the experience of visiting our doctor’s and afterward thinking of questions we wished we had thought to ask.  The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Dept. of Human Health & Services, says asking questions and providing information to your healthcare providers, actually helps to improve your care.  Also when you actively participate in your care, it helps build trust between you and your doctor and leads to better results.

The AHRQ has put together a series of questionnaires to facilitate better communication between you and your doctor.  They explain that once you get in the habit of preparing questions beforehand, you can more efficiently use your time with the doctor (doctors spend between 13 to 24 minutes with each patient).   

Questions will change depending on the reason for your visit such as discussing a medical procedure (remember you are your own best advocate).  AHRQ recommends asking:  why do I need this procedure; how many times have you performed it; and when will I get the results?  It is also advisable to ask if there are alternative treatments that are just as effective; possible complications; and what hospital is best for this type of procedure? 
 
If you are being prescribed a new medication, AHRQ says to ask how the new drug will interact with other prescription drugs you are taking as well as with over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements and vitamins you use.  Also ask how long you will be taking the drug and any common side effects. 

Another good take-away from the article is it reminds patients that doctors and nurses welcome questions as they let them know you understand their instructions and are an active partner in your care.  If you feel overwhelmed by lots of new information, consider bringing a family member or trusted friend along with you to the appointment.   

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.  Please visit our website to set up an appointment for a tour of the area’s top independent living, assisted living and memory care facility. 

Source:
http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/ask-your-doctor/index.html   


Friday, March 15, 2019

MorningStar at Arrowhead Offers Resort-style Amenities


As one of the best retirement homes in the Glendale AZ area, MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly offers residents an unparalleled lifestyle.  In addition to a team of exceptional individuals that feels privileged to serve seniors and considers them to be heroes, MorningStar’s wide range of resort-style amenities ensures residents feel right at home. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s award-winning interior decor by Thoma-Holec Design, the specialist in senior living interiors, is both beautiful and inviting. Our many onsite amenities include a general store, bistro, chapel/theatre, library with a computer, spa bath, fireside patio and porches, and a fully equipped fitness room.  We also have an onsite salon that offers hairstyling services, manicures and pedicures.  Additionally, as a resident, you will enjoy three delicious daily meals served in our bright, airy dining room (we also have an intimate private dining room available upon request).  

MorningStar’s meaningful life enrichment programs help residents to stay engaged and productive physically, mentally, spiritually and socially.  We also host an array of special events throughout the year such as our recent celebration of Valentine’s Day with entertainment by Ronnie Lee.  The event was kicked off in fine style with dipped strawberries and champagne followed by a special Valentine’s dinner.  Love was in the air!

Our community is located on the north side of Glendale near Peoria in the popular residential neighborhood of Arrowhead. We are also just northeast of Sun City in the northwestern part of the Phoenix Valley. Our location is convenient for residents as well as visiting family members as we are close to banks, hospitals, shopping, churches, and restaurants.

Please use our online links to learn more about pricing and availability. We invite you to join a community makes it easy for residents to lead more comfortable and healthier lives. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead provides the very best in retirement homes 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.  


Bear Creek’s Exceptional Care is Delivered with Love and Respect



MorningStar at Bear Creek understands what is needed to expertly care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We feel it is a privilege to serve our most tender residents and we put our energies toward elevating and celebrating life.   

To ensure we meet our standard of service excellence, each of MorningStar’s team members from caregivers to dining servers or housekeepers go through our proprietary service excellence “Radiance” training.  In addition its precepts are reiterated during our daily “Huddle.”  Radiance celebrates an attitude of selflessness, which issues from a deep and sincere place as does a beam of light, and is the framework that guides the way we deliver service – with warmth, sincerity and depth.         

As one team member from a MorningStar community writes, “Radiance training is absolutely phenomenal!”  She says she appreciates the fact that it helps team members to be their best at work as well as in their personal lives and creates an environment where residents are treated with the utmost care.  Another team member shares: “People always ask me why I love my job so much. For me it’s not always about money, but the difference you can make in someone’s life. MorningStar has done so much for me in the short time I have been here. Not only am I changing residents’ lives but they are changing mine.”

We believe Radiance is the evidence of our resolve to be a place that is not only distinguished by compassion and care, but by service professionalism as its presence and influence is felt throughout our community.  Under its teachings, residents are treated as family members, and as such, our priority is to respond to their expressed and unexpressed needs and wishes.

MorningStar at Bear Creek specializes in dementia care, and our purpose-built community encourages and supports a resident’s right to choose and independence to the full extent possible. Please visit our website to learn more. 


MorningStar at Bear Creek 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 see for yourself our unique approach to dementia care.   

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Statistics on Growing Older in America


Older adults today are living longer than any other generation in the past; so it is no surprise to learn that the numbers of seniors over 65 years of age continues to grow.  Statistics show that in 2016 one of every seven Americans (49.2 million) had reached the age of 65, and the number of seniors at least 65 years or older is expected to almost double to 98 million by 2060. 

Of the number of people 65 years and older in 2016, 12.6 were women to every 10 men.  As seniors age, the gender difference becomes even greater.  For every man over 85, there are nearly two women.  Another interesting statistic from 2016 is that 82,000 seniors were 100 years old or more; but by the middle of the century, it is estimated that number will increase tenfold. 

According to a national report, Florida leads the country with almost 20% of its population over 65 years of age, which is not surprising but it may be to hear Montana is not far behind.  In fact the World Population Review estimates that by 2030, “Montana will be one of ten states in the country to have more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 18, and it will be one of only six states to have 25% of its population aged 65 and older.” 

In addition just because women live longer, it does not always mean they enjoy better health than elderly men.  The Institute on Aging states women are more likely to suffer from functional limitations.  A 2009 study reports, “about 46 percent of female Medicare enrollees age 65+ had difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs) or were in a facility, compared with 35 percent of their male counterparts.”

MorningStar of Billings is proud to be one of the state’s finest senior living communities and provides independent living, assisted living and memory care.  Be sure to ask about our 2-year rate freeze (rent only) for assisted living residents.  In our memory care facility, we are offering a lifetime rate (rent and care).  Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with a unique mission statement of: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Proving a true home for residents, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Offering independent and assisted living as well as memory care, we invite you to setup a tour to experience one of the area’s top senior living facilities.    

Source: forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2018/05/04/a-new-snapshot-of-older-adults-in-the-us/#53f7c4a839d7

http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/montana-population/

Sunday, March 10, 2019

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s Assisted Living

If you are confused with what the term assisted living means, you are not alone.  Relatively a new concept, assisted living is based on the European model and is not a nursing home.  Assisted living is designed for seniors who require a little assistance with their daily personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, etc.  Furthermore, rather than taking away a person’s independence, assisted living provides the services seniors need to maintain an independent lifestyle. 

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our assisted living offers five levels of care.  Your level of care will be determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with you and your extended family.  Also regardless of your level of care, we provide all residents with around-the-clock Care Managers (at least one team member is CPR trained on each shift) to meet needs and ensure your comfort and safety.      

On the MorningStar website, we list the many clinical services available to residents including Medication Management, which is performed by Certified Med Care Managers, routine care planning reviews and scheduled health and wellness evaluations.  In addition we have a licensed nurse on-site or on-call, and provide transportation to residents’ medical appointments.  If you or your loved one is diabetic, we offer diabetes management as well as oxygen administration services.  MorningStar also provides more advanced care such as catheter and colostomy care or palliative/hospice care. 

For your safety, each assisted living suite is equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems, and is smartly-designed to accommodate the various needs of our residents.  We invite you to visit our website for more information and to set up a tour of our beautiful senior living community.


At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.      

Get Trusted Care at MorningStar for a Loved One with Dementia



When a parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, there are many challenges a family goes through.  It is traumatizing to get a diagnosis of the disease both for the individual as well as for the entire family.  As you come to terms with the devastating news, you are likely left with lots of questions including what will happen in the future and who will be there to provide the type of care your loved one will need.

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we want you to know we are here to help. Our community proudly offers the Colorado Springs area specialized, individualized assisted living dementia care.   As dementia care experts we are equipped to care for those from the onset of the disease all the way through to the most advanced stages.
 
Our holistic approach to memory care focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss, and our team of compassionate caregivers feels privileged to serve seniors.  Everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual.  In fact, one of our mission statements is to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals, and from this precept, comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences of each resident.

Every aspect of our dementia care addresses the needs of our residents starting with the very design of our community to a wide range of wellness programs, activities and healthy, delicious meals.  We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community.

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 within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.


Friday, March 8, 2019

The Heart of MorningStar of Fort Collins is Our Staff

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we understand that our senior community’s success lies with our caregivers. This is why one of our founding principles is to invest generously in our team members, including providing the necessary development and training required to create leaders with the ability to provide the best life possible for our residents. 

We are proud of the fact that our staff is comprised of people who champion our mission and have a sense of calling to serve seniors. They are a group of unique individuals who do the right thing when no one is watching and work diligently to perfect the art of anticipating the needs of our residents. In addition, they not only believe that senior living, at its best, is love in action but do it every day. 

As a part of our commitment to bringing together an exceptional staff, we offer generous compensation and benefit packages to each employee in an effort to recognize senior care as a respected career choice. We have found that our vetting of employees has paid off as we have a staff that works hard to ensure MorningStar of Fort Collins’ residents feel loved and cared for in every way possible. 

Furthermore, all of our in-coming staff receives Radiance training, which is reiterated and strengthened in our daily Huddle. The Radiance program celebrates an attitude of selflessness that comes from a deep and sincere place, like a beam of light and reflects the way we deliver customer service at MorningStar - with warmth, sincerity and depth. The program provides a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and allows us to take our professionalism to the next level. We encourage you to schedule a tour of our exceptional community to experience firsthand all we offer.

MorningStar of Fort Collins represents the very best in senior living with a mission “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is one built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting team members with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a tour to discover the area’s finest senior care.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Considerations When Looking for Memory Care


It is typically with mixed emotions that a family comes to the realization that their loved one needs more care than they can get at home.  When this happens, there are several things to consider as you search for the best memory care. 

One of the first things you need to know is that “memory care” is committed to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Assisted living is intended for those that require some extra care with their daily living activities in order to retain their independence and live their lives safely and comfortably.    

Many senior living communities like MorningStar at Arrowhead have a separate wing devoted to memory care residents.  Memory care staff members should have gone through specialized training in order to understand the disease as well as to effectively care for those with dementia.

At MorningStar our Reflections Neighborhood team members are extensively trained to care for our tender residents and our community is uniquely designed to allow residents to freely move about to explore their surroundings.  You also will want to know the level of care the community is equipped to handle.  At MorningStar, we care for those from the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages. 

Other questions should include how secure is the community and what is the staff/resident ratio during the day as well as at night.   In addition, do residents receive regular health monitoring, is there a nurse on staff, and will there be a thorough intake process before your loved one joins the community?  Ask how meals are handled, and when will you be contacted if there is a problem. 

We encourage you to visit MorningStar at Arrowhead’s website to learn more about our loving, unique memory care community.  Our Reflections Neighborhood takes a holistic approach that supports choice and independence and, above all, affirms individual dignity and value.

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 all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are privileged to create a home infused with warmth and love.  Schedule a tour to see firsthand our individualized, resident-directed approach to memory care.


Source: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/memory-care-checklist

Senior Falls – Causes and Prevention

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), one out of every four Americans aged 65 and older falls every year and the majority of these falls occur at home. There are several reasons why seniors are more susceptible to a fall and there are steps you can take to help decrease the likelihood of it happening. 

Many elderly adults experience a general overall decline in their physical fitness resulting in reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination, and reduced flexibility that make them more susceptible to a fall.  Another common problem shared by many seniors is impaired vision.  This can make it more difficult to detect fall hazards such as steps, thresholds, and obstacles and changes in the ground.

Certain types of medications, especially the side effects, can cause drowsiness, dizziness or low blood pressure, which can all increase the risk of a fall.  Also keep in mind it is not just prescription drugs but over-the-counter medications can contribute to balance problems as well.  Other factors that make seniors more susceptible to falls are chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis as well as surgical procedures including hip or knee replacement.   

The NIA recommends installing night lights in the hallways and bathrooms and to have a light switch and phone within reach of the bed.  Keep walkways free of clutter and avoid using throw rugs and area carpets.  Use hand rails when going up and down the stairs, and if you have a pet, make sure they are not underfoot.  In the bathroom, install grab bars in the tub and near the toilet, and use non-skid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, our loving assisted living dementia care community makes residents’ safety and wellbeing a priority.  We provide 24-hour care, a licensed nurse on call 24/7, and provide suites equipped with full, handicapped-accessible bathrooms with grab bars, emergency call system and more.