Planning for Moving Day

Now that the hard decision is over and you or a parent has decided that moving into assisted living makes the most sense for your/their needs, you may need to downsize a houseful of furniture and decades of belongings.  While this can seem like an overwhelming task, take a deep breath, try to relax and read some tips from organizing experts.

   

Organizing your approach to the task should be your first step and begin by cataloging a list of your furniture and possessions.  Now create lists for the things you want to keep, items you want to give to family or friends, and items to sell.  Anything left over should go on a list to donate. 

Before you get too far ahead of yourself, you will also need to remember that your apartment in the assisted living community may be smaller than your present home.  This means you will not need a whole household full of furniture! 

It may be helpful to measure the size of the suite and create a floor plan to give yourself a realistic idea of how your furnishings will fit in your new place.  If the unit is a studio or a smaller, one bedroom, you do not want to be so crowded you cannot safely move around.  You may even want to buy a smaller couch or coffee table that is better suited to the size of your new home.  Also bins and shelving help keep items organized and easy to get to. 

Furthermore, keep in mind that your new life at an assisted living community will be much easier as you will no longer be responsible for preparing meals and maintaining a home.  At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we cook and serve the meals as well as provide light housekeeping, daily trash removal, and laundry and linen services.

MorningStar at Arrowhead provides residents with a home that is both beautiful and accommodating. We offer 60 assisted living suites in a variety of configurations including spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floorplans (some over 600 square feet).  In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 25 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

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. Contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

Study Suggests Alzheimer’s Disease May Start in Childhood

A study suggests that some of the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease may be detected as early as childhood.  The research, published in the journal of Neurology, studied 1,187 children and young adults ages 3 to 20.  All of the subjects were tested to see if they carried the APOE-E4 gene that is believed to increase one’s risk for Alzheimer’s. 

In the case of the children carrying the AOPE-E4 gene, scientists discovered they tended to have a smaller hippocampus, the part of the brain critical for memory and the first area damaged by Alzheimer’s disease.  In addition, other changes were found in the children’s brain typical of Alzheimer’s such as the youngest participants with the gene performed the worst on tests involving thinking, memory and attention.  However, by the time the children were 8 to 10 years old, the deficits were no longer noticeable.    

The lead author of the study and the director of neuroscience at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Dr. Linda Chang, states that, “Studying these genes in young children may ultimately give us early indications of who may be at risk for dementia in the future, and possibly even help us develop ways to prevent the disease from occurring or to delay the start of the disease.”

If the results of the study are true and Alzheimer’s is a developmental disorder that starts early in life, it raises the possibility that people with the gene could be treated as young children with noninvasive approaches such as diet and cognitive training.  In addition, researchers also stress that it is imperative we learn and understand the underlying cause of the disease as it is most effectively treated in the early stages. 

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 patients in Colorado Springs.

Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/alzheimers-brain-changes-may-start-early-in-life/

Communicating with a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association has some effective tips for communicating with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease 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 the 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. 

In addition to senior independent living and assisted living, MorningStar of Billing’s Reflections Neighborhood provides compassionate, loving memory care to those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.  Please visit our website for more information.

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 senior independent living, assisted living and memory care.

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

Looking for Assisted Living in Billings?

As people grow older, their needs change and many require help with daily personal care activities.  This can present a dilemma in families as some elderly seniors firmly state that they do not want to move into an assisted living community.  However when the pressure to assume caretaking responsibilities continues to grow for family members and even safety is a concern, they may have to look into alternatives.  

It is important to know that research shows assisted living can be a healthier lifestyle for seniors than living alone.  They have access to 24/7 care as well as the benefits that come from socializing with others.  In addition, keep in mind that your parent’s home may need costly modifications to make it safe for them to continue to live there while assisted living communities are designed to address those needs.  Moreover, along with the assistance they need with daily personal care, communities such as MorningStar of Billings provide a range of wellness programs and activities that support residents’ mental, physical, spiritual, and social connections.

In addition, wholesome, nutritional daily meals as well as housekeeping and laundry services mean your parent will have their basic needs met seamlessly.  Lastly something often overlooked regarding assisted living is that with the proper assistance, rather than your parent’s fear of losing their independence becoming true, they will actually get it back.  Also by getting the needed assistance from the staff, it allows families to just enjoy spending time together without the added responsibility of being caregivers. 

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings offers 70 assisted living private suites in a variety of configurations including studio, and one and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, we have 32 free-standing cottages and 72 suites for carefree independent living.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, devoted to caring for seniors suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we offer 36 secure suites. 

MorningStar of Billings is dedicated to providing residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Our spacious senior living campus is situated in a beautiful, park-like neighborhood on the west end of Billings and offers spectaculars views of the Rockies.  Please visit our website to learn more.

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.

MorningStar at Bear Creek Offers All-inclusive, Compassionate Memory Care

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we understand the devastation families feel when they get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  We know the path going forward is unplanned for, and we consider it our privilege – our calling to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their family on their unexpected journey.  MorningStar at Bear Creek offers experienced, compassionate memory care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages. 

Our memory care consists of 48 secure suites including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  The community is specifically designed to allow residents the freedom to move safely about their spacious surroundings.  Also given the nature of dementia, residents pay one price for their suite and their care regardless of the level of memory loss. 

As dementia care experts, our unique approach and philosophy to caring for those afflicted with the disease is called “Lavender Sky.”  We know the essence of the person remains despite the level of memory loss, and our job is to nurture and support the individual by finding ways to calm or stimulate as the situation demands.  Lavender Sky provides the path for us to enter, embrace, and explore the “purple world” of memory loss, and to cross over the physical, emotional, and relational boundaries that would otherwise separate us.    

Every aspect of our home is designed to provide the comfort, wellness and safety our special residents require including mealtime.  We know those suffering from memory loss can sometimes have compromised abilities at the table.  We address this by providing a selection of finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look.   

MorningStar at Bear Creek invites area families to contact us for more information and availability and pricing.  To see firsthand our loving care, we encourage you to set up a tour of the finest assisted living for dementia patients in Colorado Springs. 

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 patients in Colorado Springs.

MorningStar at Arrowhead Offers Assisted Living at Its Finest

When searching for senior living options, many people are not entirely sure what the term “assisted living” means.  We will try and clarify.  One of the first things to know is assisted living is not just another word for a nursing home.  Nor does it offer the same level of care and typically is not as expensive. 

So, what is assisted living?  Assisted living is designed for seniors who want to retain their independence but require some assistance with daily personal care activities.   While not all assisted living communities are the same in terms of the level of care, typically assisted living provides services for activities like bathing and dressing as well as prepared meals.  

At assisted living communities such as MorningStar at Arrowhead, we create individualized care plans for each resident after talking with them and their family. Furthermore, during the course of your stay, your care plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure it addresses your needs.  Also, regardless of the level of care, all residents receive the assurance of having 24/7 onsite Care Managers who help to ensure their safety and meet their every need.

As a resident of MorningStar, you will get three daily meals that are meticulously prepared largely from scratch by our Executive Chef.  Each meal is both nutritional and delicious and we modify recipes to address a number of different dietary restrictions including low sodium or low fat, sugar-free, no sugar, and vegetarian options.  

In addition, our assisted living residents have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and programs that are designed to promote physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness.   If you are looking for the best senior living Peoria and Glendale has to offer, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about MorningStar at Arrowhead.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Arrowhead’s foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, all directed at creating a true home for our residents. Contact us to schedule a tour to fully experience the finest senior living Peoria & Glendale AZ offers.

The Benefit of Socializing at Senior Living Communities

At MorningStar of Billings, we know that senior living offers many benefits including the often-overlooked benefit of socialization.  Senior living provides a natural, easy way to be around people that share your interests as well as encourages older adults to stay engaged in life.  In fact, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has substantial research that shows socialization is an important component to our good health.   

One thing the NIH studies consistently found is a “strong correlation between social interaction and health and well-being among older adults.”  Moreover they found that social isolation may have significant adverse effects for older adults.  They report that social relationships are strongly associated with biomarkers of health and that loneliness may have a physical as well as an emotional impact such as a higher risk for symptoms of depression.  

As MorningStar defines health and well-being holistically, we proudly offer services and programs that support the whole person: body, mind and spirit, and consider Wellness to be a joint effort between Life Enrichment and our Wellness Care Team.  In addition, we value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals and are committed to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence. 

Please visit MorningStar of Billings’ website to learn more about our beautiful senior living community as well as our wellness programs and activities.  Our community has 32 cottages and 72 suites for senior independent living, 70 suites for assisted living, and 36 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. 

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 senior independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Source: nia.nih.gov/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive