How to Adapt Living Spaces for Seniors

As we age, navigating space starts to look a little differently for everyone. Some elders begin to lose full mobility function and may require a wheelchair or cane, while some seniors may just need to downsize and declutter. Some seniors may even find benefits in relocating to a retirement community that can better suit their living needs. Regardless of what you’re struggling with, there are helpful tips and tricks to make your home better adjusted to a senior’s lifestyle and health needs.

MorningStar Senior Living Glendale excels in creating senior-friendly spaces that are functional, easily accessible, and comfortable. In these retirement communities in Glendale, Arizona, you will find innovative senior living that offers great living arrangements with senior-friendly architecture and design. The following are some tips on how to make your living space more accessible for seniors.

Senior-Friendly Living Spaces

If a senior has undergone surgery, a painful accident, or is simply struggling with immobility concerns, it is worth adjusting a home to become more accessible for them to navigate without much help. Immobility can greatly impede a senior’s independence. Widening doorways, placing ramps over stairs, installing walk-in showers, and handrails, and removing tripping hazards are all steps in the right direction to make your home more accessible for a senior to live.

If altering your two-story home is not possible, it is advised to keep your loved one on the first floor to limit their contact with stairs. If possible, consider installing a stair lift to make it easier for them to access the other story of the home.

This tip for improving senior living arrangements often gets overlooked. Our eyesight can diminish as we age, and so can our depth perception. Even with glasses, seniors may struggle to see things in their way or tell if something may be an obstacle for them. Adjusting your lighting is a great way to minimize accidents and make your home more senior-friendly.

Find All-Inclusive Senior Living Glendale

Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona.

Medication Management Tips for the Elderly

Effective medication management is a cornerstone of maintaining health and wellness in senior years, particularly for those residing in assisted living Fort Collins and receiving Alzheimer's care Fort Collins. With the complexity of health conditions that often accompany aging, many seniors find themselves navigating a regimen of multiple medications. Proper management ensures that medications are taken correctly, enhancing their efficacy and minimizing potential risks. Here are essential tips for seniors and their caregivers to manage medications effectively.

1. Use a Pill Organizer

A simple yet effective tool, a pill organizer can help keep track of daily medications, ensuring doses are not missed or doubled. For seniors in assisted living Fort Collins, utilizing an organizer can foster independence while maintaining medication accuracy.

2. Maintain an Up-to-Date Medication List

Keeping a comprehensive and current list of all medications, including doses, frequency, and purpose, is crucial. This list should be shared with healthcare providers at every visit and be readily accessible in emergencies. Facilities specializing in Alzheimer's care Fort Collins often assist residents in managing this list, ensuring all medical professionals involved in a resident's care are fully informed.

3. Understand Your Medications

Knowledge is power when it comes to medication management. Understanding why each medication is prescribed, its potential side effects, and how it interacts with other medications can empower seniors to be proactive about their health. Educational sessions provided in assisted living Fort Collins can equip residents with this vital knowledge.

4. Set Reminders

Utilizing alarm clocks, smartphone apps, or reminder services can help ensure medications are taken at the correct times each day. In settings like Alzheimer's care Fort Collins, staff can assist with medication reminders, providing an extra layer of support for residents.

5. Regularly Review Medications with Healthcare Providers

As health conditions change, so too can medication needs. Regularly reviewing all medications with healthcare providers ensures that each medication is still necessary and that doses are optimal. This practice can prevent polypharmacy risks and interactions, a crucial aspect of care in assisted living Fort Collins.

6. Use One Pharmacy

Filling all prescriptions at the same pharmacy can help reduce the risk of drug interactions and duplications. Pharmacists can play a key role in medication management by keeping a comprehensive record of a senior's medications and offering counsel on their safe use.

Effective medication management is essential for enhancing the quality of life and health outcomes for seniors, especially those in assisted living Fort Collins and Alzheimer's care Fort Collins. By implementing these tips, seniors can navigate their medication regimens safely and effectively, ensuring they get the maximum benefit from their treatments.

Bad Habits That May Contribute to Cognitive Decline

As we age, more of us worry about ourselves or a loved one getting Alzheimer’s disease. Currently the disease does not have a cure but there are several medications that help mitigate symptoms, and a few more promising treatments on the horizon. That being said, it is still a disease none of us wish to experience.

Many people are aware of studies showing a good diet and exercise are not only good for heart health but also good for maintaining cognitive health. Additionally, Jessica Caldwell, a neuropsychologist and director of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention Center at the Cleveland Clinic, told AARP there are lesser-known things people can do to strengthen cognitive health. She explains it involves letting go of some bad habits and replacing them with healthier ones.

One suggestion is to try and limit negative thoughts. A study reports “participants who repeatedly dwelled on negative thoughts had more amyloid and tau deposits in their brain, the biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease.” While we all have spent time thinking about bad things happening or that have happened, experts say repeatedly focusing on negative thoughts may put us at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s.

Another easy way to lessen your risk for Alzheimer’s is to get vaccinated. Paul Schulz, M.D., a neurologist at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, reported on a nationwide study, which found adults over 65 who received at least one influenza vaccination were 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Another study found a 25 to 30 percent reduction in Alzheimer’s for seniors who had a pneumonia vaccination.

Other studies link an increase in the risk for Alzheimer’s to consuming sugary drinks (including fruit juices - better to eat the fruit). Researchers say it can lead to spiking blood sugar and an exaggerated insulin response, which may trigger chronic inflammation in the brain.

MorningStar at Bear Creek in Colorado Springs offers memory care and assisted living to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. We provide our residents a safe, comforting physical environment, trained caregivers, daily health monitoring, meaningful activities, wellness programs and more. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We create a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our loving memory care and assisted living in Colorado Springs, CO.

Source: aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-2021/habits-that-hurt-brain-health.html

Finding Long-Term Care for a Loved One With Alzheimer’s Disease

For many people suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, there comes a time when home care is not enough and the person would benefit from long-term care in a residential setting. Of course when that time comes, you want the finest care so it is important to understand what the community offers and whether it meets the needs of your loved one.

Independent living communities, which offer things like meals, transportation, amenities and social activities do not have the ability to care for someone in the middle or advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This type of community is only appropriate for those in the early stages of the disease who can still care for themselves.

Assisted living communities offer supportive care and provide an alternative between independent living and nursing homes. However, if you are looking at assisted living, ask if they have a dedicated memory care area for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association understands it is a difficult decision to move a loved one into residential care but at a certain point they say it may be best for the person and their family. As the disease advances, 24/7 supervision is necessary to ensure the person’s safety; and this level of care can take a real toll on a family caregiver. Moreover, as a caregiver, it is important to consider your own health and whether you are neglecting other responsibilities that are also important. Another thing to remember is the social setting and structure of a memory care community might prove to be good for the person.

To decide on a memory care community, it helps to visit a few places to determine which one would be best for your loved one. Experts recommend visiting during mealtime or activity time. You will also want to know how the community involves families in creating care plans; and what is the procedure to inform families of changes in the person’s condition or care needs.

Other important details to ask about include programs and activities the person will participate in as well as what is the ratio of staff to residents. Be sure to notice if the community is well-kept and that residents appear clean and well-groomed.

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we specialize in providing memory care in Colorado Springs for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We offer support to residents as well as their families with an array of services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. Our approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call Lavender Sky and uses Montessori-based therapy techniques. Contact us or visit our website for more information. 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs offers.

Exceptional Senior Living at MorningStar of Billings

MorningStar of Billings is dedicated to making your retirement years carefree. Our home is distinguished by comfort, wellness and love; made possible through a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other senior living communities simply cannot match.

MorningStar Senior Living considers it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our mission: to honor God in our business practices and relationships; to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and to invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. To achieve our mission, we start by hiring individuals with big hearts and virtues such as kindness, character and compassion.

Every person on our staff, regardless of position, receives training in “Radiance,” our brand standard of Service Excellence, which guides the way we deliver service – with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. While MorningStar was founded on Judeo-Christian traditions, we honor all faith systems and worldviews at our homes among our residents as well as team members.

For the most active seniors, MorningStar of Billings’ independent living offers seniors a refreshing change of lifestyle with built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, activities and programming, and tasty meals they no longer need to cook. It also provides peace of mind knowing that if you ever find yourself needing help with daily personal care; we can make sure you get it.

Our assisted living suites are specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors who wish to retain their independence but require some help each day. Some of the services we provide include help with daily personal activities such as bathing and grooming, 24-hour care managers and a licensed nurse available 24/7. We also provide regular care plan reviews, medication management, scheduled health and wellness evaluations, pharmacy services and more.

Finally, we proudly provide comprehensive memory care families trust with 36 suites dedicated to caring for our most tender residents. To accomplish this, our staff is trained in the precepts of Lavender Sky, our thoughtfully considered philosophy and approach to dementia care. In fact, every aspect of our memory care is designed around the needs of each resident from our physical environment, meals, activities and programs. Contact us or visit our website to learn more about senior living at MorningStar.

MorningStar’s senior living communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and luxury amenities, we provide the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

The Link Between Heart Health and Dental Care for Seniors

As we age, understanding the interconnectedness of our body's systems becomes increasingly important for maintaining overall health. One connection that often goes overlooked is the relationship between dental health and heart health, particularly for seniors in settings like assisted living Fort Collins and Alzheimer's care Fort Collins. This connection underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare practices that support both dental hygiene and cardiovascular wellness.

Oral Health: A Window to Your Heart

Research has shown that poor oral health, especially gum disease, is linked to higher rates of cardiovascular problems. This is because bacteria from inflamed gums can enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting heart arteries or leading to the formation of blood clots. Seniors, especially those receiving Alzheimer's care Fort Collins, may be at higher risk due to the challenges of maintaining daily dental care routines.

Preventive Dental Care: A Heart-Saving Practice

Regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Seniors residing in assisted living Fort Collins benefit from the availability of onsite healthcare services, including dental care, which is crucial for early detection and management of conditions like gum disease that could otherwise impact heart health.

Tailored Dental Care Strategies

For seniors, especially those with cognitive impairments or mobility issues, personalized dental care strategies become essential. Facilities specializing in Alzheimer's care Fort Collins often implement tailored dental hygiene practices that accommodate the unique needs of their residents, ensuring effective oral care that contributes to overall heart health.

Nutrition: The Link Between Diet, Dental, and Heart Health

A balanced diet plays a critical role in both dental and heart health. Nutrient-rich foods promote strong teeth and gums, while also supporting cardiovascular function. Dietary planning in assisted living Fort Collins often focuses on heart-healthy meals that are also easy to chew and digest, accommodating seniors' dental health needs.

Education and Awareness

Raising awareness about the link between dental health and heart health is key to encouraging proactive healthcare habits among seniors. Educational programs in assisted living Fort Collins and Alzheimer's care Fort Collins can empower residents with knowledge about the importance of dental care in maintaining a healthy heart.

In conclusion, the connection between dental health and heart health is an important consideration for senior wellness. Through regular dental care, personalized hygiene strategies, a nutritious diet, and ongoing education, seniors in assisted living Fort Collins and Alzheimer's care Fort Collins can protect their heart health while ensuring their smiles remain bright. Recognizing and acting on this link is a critical step toward comprehensive health and well-being for seniors.

Retire in Luxury: Modern Retirement Communities in Glendale

There are many senior living options to choose from these days, and the choices are only growing! Exploring all the retirement communities search engines have to show you can feel overwhelming. How can you know which one is right for you? You've come to the right spot if you are looking for luxury retirement homes in Glendale.

Most senior living communities offer personal living spaces, dining options, activities, and other necessary services. However, luxury senior living communities offer amenities and services that allow you to retire in comfort and style around like-minded seniors and dedicated staff. What are some of the added benefits of luxury senior living?

Maintenance-Free Senior Living

Many seniors opt for maintenance-free senior living because retirement is all about relaxing and spending time doing what they love most. Seniors have spent most of their lives caring for others, creating a home, and dedicating time to a career. In maintenance-free senior communities, worrying about household duties, cooking, and activity planning is completely off your shoulders, giving you more time to explore your community, make friends, and relax.

Resort Style Amenities

Resort-style amenities in retirement communities allow seniors to unwind and alleviate stress in a tranquil and picturesque setting. MorningStar of Glendale offers plenty of senior living amenities that encourage seniors to explore their passions and achieve their goals in retirement. When you tour, be sure to check out the salon, massage room, full-service dining room, fireside patio, and fitness room.

Active Senior Community

Seniors crave socialization in retirement. Living alone can greatly impact a senior’s well-being and health. MorningStar’s active senior living community in Glendale boasts retirement homes full of active seniors who enjoy social groups, volunteering, and being part of their community. 

Find All-Inclusive Senior Living Glendale

Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona.

If You Are Incapacitated, an Advance Directive Gives You a Voice

An advance directive is a legal document giving you a voice involving medical decisions in the event you are incapacitated. Many people shy away from creating such documents as they fail to realize how important they are, and mistakenly worry they are signing away their lives, and/or don’t like thinking about being so ill they are unable to make decisions.

Advance care planning documents may include a living will, power of attorney and health care proxy. By planning ahead, they guide decisions made on your behalf if you are unable, and suffer from an incurable, irreversible illness, condition or disease determined to be terminal. Living wills specify the kind of medical treatment desired and many simply express the desire to not be given life-sustaining measures that only serve to prolong a person’s death. Specific details may be regarding care including the use of pain medications, antibiotics, hydration, feeding and the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or ventilators.

A health care proxy is someone designated to express your wishes for medical care and has the same rights you would in requesting or refusing treatment. A durable power of attorney document names a person to act on your behalf if you are incapacitated and gives them the power to make financial decisions.

The Harvard Medical School reports on some of the myths people have regarding advance care directives. They say you need to realize more care is not always better but can prolong the dying process without respect for quality of life or comfort. Refusing life support does not mean you are committing suicide but rather allowing your medical problem to be the cause of your death. Moreover, refusing life-extending treatment does not mean you are refusing comfort measures for pain management and symptoms. Talk to your family and doctor about your medical preferences, and be sure each has a copy of your advance directive documents.

MorningStar at Bear Creek provides individualized assisted living dementia care for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our 48 suites include studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans; and our home is equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Having a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia is difficult, and we want you to know we are here to help. Please contact us or visit our website to learn more about our compassionate community and approach to care.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We create a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our loving assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs, CO.

If You’ve Ever Had Chicken Pox, You Are at Risk of Getting Shingles

We have all heard about shingles but many of us are confused as to whether it is contagious and what are the chances we will get it. Experts explain shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Moreover, if you had chickenpox as a child, you are at risk of getting shingles sometime in your life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports one in three people develop shingles during their lifetime. While this means many will never get shingles, some people get it more than once and others can develop flare-ups periodically throughout their lives. Dr. Michael Urban, a senior lecturer and director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, explains flair-ups can be a full range of symptoms or barely noticeable.

Statistics show in recent years younger people are getting shingles but typically the disease occurs in those over 50 years of age and the risk increases the older we get or with various health conditions. People undergoing cancer treatment as well as being ill or under a lot of stress are all at a higher risk for shingles.

Symptoms vary and include feeling like you may have the flu, and/or a red, itchy, painful rash or fluid-filled blisters. Before the rash appears, you may feel an uncomfortable sensation, numbness or tingling, and may be the only symptoms you ever experience. Experts say shingles are not contagious but you can give someone chickenpox if they have never had it; but only if they come in direct contact with the fluid in the blisters such as through a washcloth or bed sheet. To ensure your safety, talk to your doctor about getting a shingles vaccine if you are over the age of 50 or suffer from chronic diseases like renal failure, COPD and diabetes among others.

At MorningStar of Billings, we offer independent and assisted living residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our luxury amenities include chef-inspired meals, fitness room, bistro, theater, salon and more. In addition, We have a broad range of programs and activities designed to enhance residents’ physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.

Our community also provides suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our holistic approach to memory care is guided by our signature program, Lavender Sky, and we help residents and their families navigate this challenging journey with love and compassion. Please contact us for more information about availability, floor plans and pricing.

MorningStar takes pride in the reputation our communities have earned since 2003 for excellence and authenticity in why we serve and how we serve. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT.