Communication Tips from the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association has some effective tips for communicating with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.  As the ability to find the right words or to speak at all is one of the effects of the devastating disease, it is helpful to learn some tips to make the communication process easier.   

Typically in the early stages of the disease, individuals repeat themselves often and can easily lose their train of thought.  They may start to avoid speaking and have trouble following a conversation, and may even use gestures rather than words.  Experts suggest at this stage that you make sure to address the person directly, don’t speak through a caregiver, and allow them plenty of time to answer you back. 

The middle stages of the disease can signal lots of changes and usually lasts the longest.  If you wish to speak with the individual, make sure to do it in a quiet space without any distractions.  Your questions should be short and only require a simple yes or no answer, and again, look directly at the person.  In addition you can demonstrate the task or give clear, step-by-step instructions.  Also use a soft voice and calm demeanor, and above all else, be patient and loving.      

In the late stages of the disease, which can last from a few weeks to several years, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests using nonverbal forms of communication.  When entering the person’s presence, always identify yourself and use the sound of your voice to convey the meaning of your words.  Experts recommend using touch, sight, sound, smell and taste to communicate, and as always, treat the individual with respect and dignity. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek offers the Colorado Springs area compassionate, personalized Alzheimer’s care for those at the onset of the disease or well into the advanced stages.  Our community consists of 48 suites, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans.  Please 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 dementia and Alzheimer’s care in Colorado Springs.

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications

Downsizing to an Assisted Living Suite?

Along with the emotional transition to assisted living, your loved one may require help downsizing their belongings especially if they are still living in their own home.  While many assisted living suites such MorningStar at Arrowhead’s are quite roomy, obviously they are not as big as a whole house.  Nor will your parent need the same amount of housewares and equipment in their new suite as they will no longer be preparing meals or cleaning and maintaining a home.

The Family Caregiver Alliance has some tips as well as a check sheet for families to help make the process go more smoothly and ultimately save time and energy.   They suggest strategies to use if you have the time (if it is not an emergency to move now) and plan the steps you will take as far out as six months to a year.  In fact decluttering should be done on a fairly regular basis including updating paperwork and shredding old documents.  Also periodically get rid of unused or worn out clothing, furniture and extraneous household items. 

One of the first steps they recommend is to write lists and add to them whenever you think of something new.  Lists should include things your parent wants to take with them to their new home, and a timeline of when things need to be done by.  Get a floorplan of the suite as it will make it easier to realistically plan what to take, to sell, donate or to give away.  The Family Caregiver Alliance also reminds families to go slow with the sorting process and try not to overwhelm their parent by doing too much each day.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead is pleased to offers 60 private assisted living suites on two levels.  Residents has a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, we have 25 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in our Reflections Neighborhood. Please visit our website for more information.

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.

Source: caregiver.org/downsizing-home-checklist-caregivers

Gardening is Both Fun and Healthy

Research has shown gardening to be an effective low-impact exercise for seniors.  Along with providing a moderate amount of aerobic exercise for aging adults, gardening can offer benefits to your mental and emotional health.  To keep it accessible to the elderly for whom lifting and bending can be difficult; it is smart to incorporate a few modifications such as raised garden beds as well as using various ergonomic tools.

One of the best things about gardening is it stimulates all of the senses and offers an excellent excuse to get outside and soak up some vitamin D as well as boost serotonin levels in your brain.  Serotonin is a chemical that improves your mood and helps you to feel calm and centered. In addition to relieving stress and anxiety, gardening gives seniors a sense of purpose and accomplishment with its beautiful or edible finished product.  It also is an enjoyable way to use of all of your motor skills and improve endurance and strength.

Working in a garden has also proven helpful to those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  Gardening can help recall pleasant memories from the past and remind a person of healthier times.  Experts advise not to give someone with dementia a sharp tool. 

If seniors plan to get out and garden, they need to protect themselves against pests and the elements.  It is recommended that seniors avoid the heat of the day and apply plenty of sunblock and wear protective clothing including sunglasses and a hat.  They should have shady areas available with benches or chairs so they may easily take a break as needed. It is also important to remember to drink plenty of fluids as dehydration can be a problem. 

Among our many amenities and activities at MorningStar of Fort Collins, we offer residents the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through a fireside patio and all-season porches as well as a garden club which meets each Thursday on the patio.  Please visit our website to learn more about the finest senior care in Fort Collins. 

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.

Schedule a Tour of MorningStar of Billings

Our gallery pictures do a very good job of showing off MorningStar of Billings’ gorgeous senior living community, but to really get an ideal of what we are all about, we encourage you to schedule a tour.  Located on our home page is a link to “Schedule a Tour” that takes just a few minutes to fill out.  If you plan to tour a couple of senior living communities, you may want to read a few articles on the Internet regarding things to look for on your tour.  

An onsite tour is important for many reasons and gives you the chance to experience it with your own eyes, ears, and instincts.  Remember this may be the place where you or your loved decide to make their new home.  A tour also allows you to evaluate the community for cleanliness and to get an idea of the daily routine of the residents.  Additionally you will get to meet the staff and talk to residents.

Some of the questions you will want to ask include information regarding staff members’ credentials and have they gone through background checks or received any special training.   Does the staff seem friendly and do residents appear to be well cared for and happy?  If you can, eat a meal at the community as it gives you an idea of the quality of food as well as time to visit with staff and residents. 

At MorningStar of Billings, we recommend that you plan on spending at least 45 minutes with us during your tour.  You are welcome to join us for lunch (please let us know when you set up the tour) and if you do, please allow approximately 90 minutes so you can enjoy your meal.  We will tailor your visit to your priorities and let us know if you have any special concerns.  Once you complete our online form, we will get back to you ASAP to set up a convenient time to come and visit our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community.  

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.

Is it Time to Move a Loved One into a Dementia Care Community?

Caring for a parent or a spouse with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is a difficult task.  As the disease progresses, families become concerned about their ability to keep the person well cared for and safe.  For some families, trying to hang on and care for a loved one at home may be creating a situation that is not optimal for the individual or the caregiver. 

Experts say there are signals that more care is needed such as is the person eating regularly? Have they lost or gained an unusual amount of weight lately?  Do you suspect the person is missing medication doses or may be taking too much medication?  Have they fallen recently?  Have you found the burners on the stove left on?  Other warning signs may include aggressive behaviors, wandering, or forgetting where they are when they are out of the home.  Neurologist Douglas Scharre, MD, director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains that “The main reason to move out of a home to assisted living is when there are not enough resources to safely care for the person with dementia at home.”

Another reason for more professional care, and just as important, is caregiver burnout.  Experts explain that you should not feel guilty if caring for your loved one is taking a toll on your own health and wellbeing.  They also suggest the person may be bored at home.  Memory care communities have activities geared toward those with dementia, and the person may find comfort in being around those in a similar situation. 

If it is time to look for a community with assisted living for dementia residents, we suggest MorningStar at Bear Creek.   MorningStar’s community of 48 secure suites is devoted to the individualized care for those with mild to advanced memory impairment.   Our building is specifically designed to enhance our residents’ freedom allowing them to explore our expansive surroundings safely and easily.  Please visit our website to learn more.

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

Source:  caring.com/articles/move-parent-with-dementia-to-assisted-living

How MorningStar at Arrowhead Determines Monthly Costs

If you are considering assisted living, you will want to know how the monthly fee is determined.  At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our assisted living residents pay a monthly fee based on their accommodations as well as their level of care. 

Within our 60 bright suites, we offer a range of configurations that include spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 600+ square feet and priced accordingly.  Your level of care (we offer five) is determined after you and your family meet with our Wellness Director to discuss your medical needs.  From there, we create a personalized care plan based on your medical history and daily needs.  Your care plan is routinely reviewed and updated as needed. 

We are also proud to offer MorningStar’s assisted living communities our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for more coordinated, efficient care.  The central, mobile solution offers assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records).

We feel that the EHR system benefits both our team and residents by providing quick and secure access to accurate, complete demographic and medical information on residents.  In addition the legible documentation offers enhanced privacy and security of residents’ medical data.  

Within our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 25 secure suites dedicated to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.  For memory care, we charge an all-inclusive fee that wraps the suite rental and care (whatever the level of need) into one price.  Please visit our website to read about the full range of clinical services we provide and to learn more about our loving, beautiful community. 

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.

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s Caregivers Have a Felt Calling to Serve

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s commitment is to provide seniors compassionate assisted living and memory care unmatched by other retirement homes in Peoria AZ.  Our care encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of our residents; and in order for us to deliver on a promise of extraordinary care – it requires the commitment of an extraordinary MorningStar staff. 

We are blessed to have assembled a distinguished team starting at the top with Executive Director, Suzanne Chapple, who feels lucky to have the opportunity to do what she loves: help seniors.  Cheryl Nelson serves as our Wellness Director and Teal Peabody as our Life Enrichment Coordinator.  Lisa Robinson-Kerr is our Director of Community Relations.  Our dedicated, hardworking Care Managers are the type of people who are at the ready to meet every expressed (and often unexpressed) need as they assist residents with daily care activities.    

MorningStar’s hiring process starts with heart, and as such, one of the first things we look for is character, kindness and selflessness.  We are committed to hiring individuals with a felt calling to serve and who love the idea of working with seniors.  As a resident of MorningStar at Arrowhead, these are the people you will interact with every day, and we are certain that in no time, they will start to feel like part of your family.    

We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our community including our wide array of resort-style amenities and wellness programs and activities.  In addition, our many care services are designed to meet the various needs of residents and to help provide a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  We look forward to meeting you and your family. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Arrowhead, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other retirement homes Peoria AZ offers. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about our exceptional community.