Today’s Assisted Living Communities

Too many older adults do not have a true picture of what senior living is all about.  They still think senior living communities are like the nursing homes their elderly relatives had been “sent to” years ago once they could no longer care for themselves, and considered them to be depressing places.  Since these misconceptions are from people who have not visited one of today’s modern, vibrant communities, they do not understand that nothing could be farther from the truth.

In the case of assisted living communities, residents typically are able to lead a more independent lifestyle than many elderly adults who live alone as they have access to assistance whenever they need it.   Others worry assisted living communities may be too expensive. However, the truth is that once you factor in your current living expenses (including the costs of home repairs and maintenance) as well as the additional costs of paying for a variety of care services, assisted living is a lot less expensive than you thought.

Seniors also fear an assisted living community may not offer enough to keep them feeling productive and engaged.  Again nothing could be farther from the truth.  At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead, we offer a whole host of resort-style amenities and services along with meaningful programs and activities. As a resident, you benefit from social interactions, physical activities geared toward your fitness level, and programs designed to stimulate your mind.

Furthermore, assisted living gives a resident’s family peace of mind knowing help is close at hand whenever it is needed.  Families are also comforted by the fact their loved one is getting nutritional meals that are not only good for them but delicious tasting.  MorningStar at Arrowhead invites area families to set up a tour to see why our residents are proud to call us “home.”     

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 the finest assisted living and memory care in Glendale AZ.

Read What Residents and Families Say about MorningStar of Billings

You do not have to take just our word for it when we say MorningStar of Billings is the area’s best senior living community but rather read some reviews from actual residents and their families.  Whenever our families let us know we are doing a good job, it affirms everything our wonderful, caring team does every day to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of our cherished residents.  

We were especially pleased to hear praise from a resident who writes, “There's no place like home, but MorningStar is actually better than home. All your responsibilities are lifted, and day-to-day life is light and fun. We are happier and more content than we've been in years because we chose MorningStar.”

Another review from the adult child of one of our residents offered generous words of praise. They write, “The people at Morningstar have gone out of their way to make my parents comfortable. The atmosphere is wonderful and the many activities and entertainment make being a resident there fun. My dad can't say enough nice things about the dining room menu, and Mom is always in the library! I feel like my parents are in a safe place.” 

In addition, appreciation from residents’ families who have been given peace of mind really touch our hearts.  One daughter expressed this about her mother: “my heart is happy that she is in such a good place at this point in her life!”  She goes on to explain “The staff in Billings has been kind, caring, and they treat our whole family with respect. Mom has had an easy time making friends and being included by the other residents. There are always lots of activities, special events, and groups to join if the residents are interested. If I have ever had a special request, the staff goes out of their way to help me.”

Our beautiful community offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care.  Please visit our website to set up a tour to see firsthand why residents are proud to call our community home. 

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 provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.

A New Test to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

Up until now, the only tests physicians had to actually diagnose Alzheimer’s disease were PET scans and lumbar punctures but these tests are both expensive and invasive.  This is why many doctors make their diagnosis of the disease based on observing symptoms and ruling out other causes. 

However researchers now think there could be another option with the development of an optical imaging system that can detect a hallmark of the disease.  Medical News Today writes that the “non- invasive, high-resolution imaging technique was able to detect beta-amyloid plaques in the retinas of patients with Alzheimer's disease.”  The findings indicate that the retinal imaging technique was able to identify a 4.7-times greater abundance of beta-amyloid plaques in the retinas of patients with Alzheimer's disease as compared with the retinas of the controls. The small study was first reported in the JCI Insight journal.

Another study out of Washington University in St. Louis had similar results but researchers caution that both studies are from a very small group of people.  Nonetheless it shows that retinal imaging may be a feasible, low-cost screening technique to detect Alzheimer’s in the future.  Furthermore, while there is no cure for the disease, scientists say early detection could lead to individuals being treated much earlier and could help to prevent some of the damage done by the disease.

Early signs of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that impedes one’s ability to manage daily activities such as forgetting recently learned information, repeatedly asking for the same information, and forgetting important events or dates.  Other signs are having difficulty problem-solving and completing every-day tasks, confusion with time and place, and vision and spatial problems.  Consult with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the early signs of the disease.  Your doctor will rule out other problems that may be causing your symptoms.   

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.

Sources:  medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319112.php

newsweek.com/alzheimers-disease-could-be-diagnosed-eye-test-research-suggests-1088892

Its Not to Late to Improve Your Health

Seniors often feel it is too late to make a difference in their health or that it may be too complicated to do so.  The truth is that taking better care of your physical health can be quite simple and enjoyable and may help you feel like a new person.

The first piece of advice is to make sure you are managing your medical conditions, diseases and ailments in the most effective manner.  This includes making sure you are receiving the best medical care for your medical issues as well as learning about and practicing activities that can help you better manage your conditions.  Examples include certain types of exercises which can reduce your blood sugar and may even eliminate the need to take insulin or other medication for diabetes.  Or making small changes to your diet to not only help you take off a few extra pounds but relieve pain in your back and knees.    

Furthermore, enough cannot be said about the benefits of regular physical activity regardless of your age or state of health.  Exercises for seniors should include daily or weekly routines to improve balance, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, and muscle strengthening.   However before you integrate an exercise activity into your life, please consult with your health care provider. 

Another aspect of improving your physical health is to practice good nutrition.  Seniors can benefit from eating well and drinking plenty of water.   Changing to a healthier diet will give you more energy and help you lose weight and prevent or alleviate the severity of illnesses. 

Lastly experts say it is important for people of any age including seniors to get enough sleep.  A good night’s sleep will help you feel more energetic during the day, and it is recommended seniors 65 years and older get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. 

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we provide our residents with tasty, nutritious meals and plenty of opportunities to exercise.  Committed to being one of the best retirement communities Peoria or Glendale has to offer, our goal is to give residents a true “home” with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Please visit our website to learn more about our resort-style amenities and services.

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

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 and the surrounding area has to offer.

Specialized Memory Care at MorningStar of Fort Collins

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we proudly offer the finest senior care with assisted living and memory care suites.  As experienced specialists in caring for those with memory loss from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, our community is equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.

Our loving and compassionate team considers it their calling as well as their privilege to care for your loved one.  Also MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available. Our comprehensive care also includes assisting families to better understand and cope with the disease.

When a resident joins our community, we spend time with them and their family to learn as much as we can about their life before the memory loss including their talents, vocation, and preferences.  From there, we create a daily care plan based on their needs and designed to stimulate or calm in response to their mood or situation. We know that whatever the form of dementia, a person’s essence remains and our calling is to find ways to connect with and nurture that essence.

Among our many wellness programs and activities, MorningStar is proud to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association in every market in which we serve, including MorningStar of Fort Collins. Along with fund-raising for local chapters throughout the year, we participate in their core initiatives, like Memories in the Making, The Longest Day and Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

MorningStar of Fort Collins understands that receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be devastating to a family but we want you to know we are here to help.  We encourage you to schedule a visit to get a firsthand look at our exceptional community.

MorningStar of Fort Collins represents the very best in senior care 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 finest assisted living and memory care in Fort Collins.

Staying Hydrated this Summer

Now that summer is almost here seniors need to remember to stay hydrated.  There are several reasons why the elderly are more at risk for dehydration starting with the fact that as we age, our sense of thirst diminishes so we may forget to drink.  In addition medications commonly prescribed to seniors such as diuretics, antipsychotics and corticosteroids can affect a senior’s ability to maintain fluids.  Also our bodies do not conserve fluids as well as when we were younger.  Lastly it can be difficult for older adults to adapt to fluctuating temperatures, which may cause them to overheat quicker.  

Dehydration can also occur in individuals with dementia as the disease causes them to forget to eat and drink, and in the more advanced stages, many people have trouble swallowing.  Furthermore, seniors with incontinent problems sometimes purposely limit their fluid intake as a way to avoid accidents.    

Whatever the reason, dehydration can lead to serious health problems and as the outside temperatures soar, seniors must take care.  Experts recommend seniors get about 64 ounces of fluids a day, and in hot and humid weather or with certain medical conditions or medications, they may need to drink even more.

To make it easier to drink more water, try mixing in a little juice or fruit or add a flavored water enhancer.  Other types of foods that help increase your fluid intake include savory broths, fruits such as watermelon, grapes, oranges and cantaloupe, smoothies, and herbal iced teas.           

MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek provides loving, individualized care for those with memory impairment.  We understand the need for seniors to take extra care during the summer months and our excellent food service is comprised of lots of fresh foods and healthy, refreshing beverages.  Our dementia 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 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.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s Reflections Neighborhood

MorningStar at Arrowhead offers the greater Glendale/Peoria area unsurpassed senior living.  Along with 60 private assisted living suites, our Reflections Neighborhood has 25 secure suites in studio and two-bedroom configurations devoted to caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.   

The Reflections Neighborhood is specifically designed to allow our most tender residents the freedom to explore their surroundings safely and easily.  Within the safe haven of our “Neighborhood,” we have created an environment that encourages and supports residents’ independence whenever possible.   We accept residents in the earliest stage of the disease right through to those in more advanced phases that require the highest level of care. 

As dementia care specialists, we understand how devastating it is when a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another memory loss disease, and we want you to know we are here to help.  We consider residents’ family members to be part of our MorningStar family as we walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey.  Our unique approach to memory care is called Lavender Sky, which is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of memory loss. 

We are staffed by experienced and compassionate caregivers who truly understand the disease.  Our holistic approach to memory care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes.  MorningStar leverages the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy in order to heal and comfort, and provides meaningful wellness programs and activities that engage our residents.  Also as many adverse behaviors are often side effects from antipsychotic drugs, our goal is to have as few as possible of our residents on such drugs.

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 the finest assisted living and memory care in the area.