Now that Summer is Here – Remember to Stay Hydrated

 

With summer bringing hotter, steamier temperatures, it is a good time to remind everyone, especially seniors to protect themselves from dehydration, which happens when our bodies lose more fluid than it takes in. Dr. Samuel Keim, a professor and head of the department of emergency medicine at the University of Arizona, explains one of the reasons adults 70 and older are more at risk for dehydration is “a diminished thirst mechanism and a decreased ability to compensate for high-temperature environments.” He adds this means seniors are less likely to feel thirsty or realize they are becoming dehydrated.

Moreover, many seniors suffer from medical conditions such as respiratory ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease exacerbating the problem. Also medications like anticholinergics or antihistamines disrupt the body’s natural reflexes and reduce its heat tolerance causing a person to sweat less. Other problematic drugs include diuretic medications that increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine or beta blockers that interfere with the body’s natural response to becoming dehydrated.

Heat-exhaustion symptoms can include fatigue, thirst, profuse sweating, lightheadedness, cramps, nausea and weakness, and need to be addressed immediately as they can lead to heat stroke, which can be deadly. Dr. Keim says, "A heat index over 100 degrees is a high-risk environment for heat stroke." Treatment includes getting the person out of the heat into a cool location and removing heavy clothing. Spraying the person with water and directing a fan on them also helps. Seek emergency attention if the person is confused or fainting but continue to treat the person until help arrives.

MorningStar of Billings is proud to be one of the state’s finest senior living facilities and offers independent living, assisted living and memory care. Conveniently located in western Billings, we are situated in a beautiful, park-like neighborhood and offer spectaculars views of the Rockies. Please visit our website for more information regarding our community, amenities and care services as well as inquire about our “Special Deals” and availability.

Source:

health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/hot-weather-health-tips?src=usn_nl_yourhealth&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Your%20Health-Thu%20May%2027%2006:29:00%20EDT%202021&utm_term=Your%20Health

Talk to Your Doctor About Memory Problems

 

Do you feel as if memory problems are interfering with your life or have family members started to notice? Medical experts say there may be a distinction between a person noticing the memory loss and others becoming aware of it as this could signal a bigger problem and be an early sign of dementia.

The Harvard Medical School explains the best place to start understanding the problem is to talk to your doctor. While they may not have the proper training to do extensive screening for MCI (mild cognitive impairment), they can rule out other things causing your memory loss such as medications you take or a recent head injury. Steps you can take on your own to improve cognitive function include getting enough sleep each night, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress.

After your own physician has completed an examination, and nothing appears to explain your memory loss, it is time to see a specialist. They, or your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter or hospital should be able to recommend a behavioral neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist. He or she will probably start with a series of written, on the computer, or oral tests to “assess memory, reasoning, attention, language, visual functions, motor functions, and social functions (such as empathy and knowing how to behave appropriately in social situations).”

They will check for “abnormalities in muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, senses, eye movement, and the pupils' reaction to light, which can signal abnormalities in specific areas of the brain.” In addition, the doctor will check for Parkinson’s, a stroke or tumors, and will probably schedule a hearing and vision test. If indicated, you may have advanced testing such as PET scans or your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers checked for signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

MorningStar at Bear Creek is devoted to individualized care for those with mild to advanced memory impairment. Our memory care assisted living community was designed from the ground up to provide a secure setting, which allows residents to explore their spacious surroundings freely and easily. Our specialized care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the essence of the individual, and to celebrate and elevate life. Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar and all of the amenities and services we provide to residents and their families alike.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “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 for more information about Colorado Springs’ finest memory care assisted living.

Source: health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/mild-cognitive-impairment

Is the Care for an Elderly Family Member Becoming Too Much for You?

 

If you are the main caregiver for an elderly family member who requires help with the activities of daily living (ADLs), it may be the job is becoming too much for you. The Nov/Dec issue of Today’s Geriatric Medicine cites a study by the “National Alliance for Caregiving and Caring Across Generations,” which states that more than 11 million American adults are considered sandwich generation caregivers and bear the responsibility of simultaneously caring for their children as well as an aging family member. In total it is believed there are approximately 40.4 million unpaid caregivers for adults 65 years and older in the United States consisting of adult children, spouses, relatives or friends. In addition, 61 percent of those caregivers are employed, including nearly half who work full-time and juggle their own family responsibilities.

For most people caregiving is a labor of love but there is no denying it can be challenging. Whether you are an adult child with your own children, a spouse, or another relative, you may feel it is time to ask for help. This decision may lead you to an assisted living community where mom or dad will receive all the care they need and you can go back to being their loving child. If you are a spouse who has been responsible for the caregiving duties, senior living communities such as MorningStar at Arrowhead warmly welcome married couples to live together in their own suite, surrounded by their own treasured possessions.

MorningStar at Arrowhead is pleased to give residents and their families peace of mind knowing that trained care managers are there to help navigate changes in health, and that transportation is available for doctor visits and other errands. It is also a relief to know mom or dad will have nutritional, daily meals prepared by our own Executive Chef, built-in companionship, and the comfort of knowing someone is always around to lend a hand if needed.

In addition, MorningStar has a team of caregivers who feel it is a privilege to serve seniors and understand that residents deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Our community has 60 suites for assisted living and 25 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. If you are looking for one of the finest retirement homes Glendale has to offer, we encourage you to contact us for more information.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Sources:

viewer.zmags.com/publication/d04ca42b#/d04ca42b/9

pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/18/5-facts-about-family-caregivers/

For Seniors, Good Nutrition is Important Than Ever

 

The government first published nutritional recommendations in 1941, which became known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs). At the time, recommendations were more concerned on ensuring the population “as a whole was adequately fed and free from scurvy, rickets and other wartime diseases of malnutrition.” These early guidelines did not address long-term issues such as heart disease and diabetes.

Since then, we have learned we need to focus on maintaining good nutritional habits well into our senior years to avoid or mitigate our risk for chronic diseases. One example is type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body’s muscle, fat and liver cells stop responding well to insulin resulting in consistently high blood sugar. Doctors say type 2 diabetes can be caused by too much sugar and refined-carbohydrates in our diet, and to lessen our risk, we should maintain a healthy weight and minimize blood-sugar spikes as well as add more fiber to our diet.

Another thing an older adult should be aware of is muscle loss. Along with resistance training, weight-lifting, Pilates, and yoga, nutritionists say to maintain strength we need to include protein in our diet. Christine Ritchie, director of research for the division of palliative care and geriatric medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, says older adults’ diet should include more protein than when they were younger. A man in his 50s needs “about 25 to 30 grams at each meal (like a medium chicken breast or burger, a 5-ounce can of tuna mixed with mayo, 2 cups of cooked rice and beans, or a cup of low-fat cottage cheese).”

Government dietary guidelines report that we burn approximately 200 fewer daily calories after age 50, so if you keep eating like you did in your thirties or forties, you will probably gain weight. Also, as bone loss starts sometime in our early thirties and continues into old age, seniors should consume foods with calcium and vitamin D. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends 1,200 milligrams a day of calcium for women and 1,000 mg for men. Additionally, eat fruits and vegetables in a bright range of colors for heart-protecting antioxidants.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors. Our meals are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest of ingredients from high-quality producers, locally sourced when possible. Our beautiful home offers 60 bright suites for assisted living and another 25 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar at Arrowhead offers the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement of “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 to create a true “home” for residents. Visit our website to learn more about one of the finest retirement communities Glendale, AZ has to offer.

Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/nutrition-after-age-50.html

The Risk of Falling is a Serious Concern for Seniors

 

The Mayo Clinic reminds older adults it is important they take proper precautions to prevent falls. Medical conditions, the resulting medications needed, and a more sedentary lifestyle can result in weaker muscles and balance problems that can lead to a fall. Also please keep in mind, a fall for an older adult can cause injuries that are very serious such as a broken hip, head trauma, or in the most severe cases, death.

However, the solution to preventing falls is not to stop moving. The medical experts at the Mayo Clinic explain being inactive is bad for our health regardless of how old we are and it is vital that we keep moving. To that end, they suggest a commonsense six-part plan to keep seniors safely mobile.

Their first recommendation is to set up an appointment with your doctor. Bring to the visit a list of all your medications, and be prepared to discuss with your doctor any side effects of the drugs that may put you more at risk for a fall such as anti-depressants or sedatives. It may be possible to eliminate or substitute the medication for something else. Also, talk to your doctor about whether you have fallen and if it was due to your medical condition.

In addition, discuss with your healthcare provider what type of exercise would be best for you. Typically walking, swimming and something like tai chi are gentle exercises that are safe for most; and offer the benefit of strengthening muscles, improving balance, and gait.

Other ways to lessen your risk for a fall begins by reviewing your home with an eye to fall prevention. Start by checking hallways and stairways for adequate lighting, and add more if needed. Secure loose rugs and make sure you have wide clear paths for walking around your home. Wear proper fitting shoes with nonskid soles and use assistive aids like a cane or walker if needed to help maintain your balance. Install grab bars and railings where needed.

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s goal is to be one of the finest retirement communities Glendale offers, and our beautiful home is designed from the ground up to serve our residents’ every need. Our number one priority is our residents’ safety and wellbeing. We provide 24-hour care, a licensed nurse on call 24/7, and provide suites equipped with wall-to-wall carpeting, handicapped-accessible bathrooms, emergency call systems and more. Please visit our website for more information.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358

MorningStar’s Holistic Memory Care in Colorado Springs

 

 

If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, MorningStar at Bear Creek is ready to help. We understand the heartbreak a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease brings with it and wish to share the burden. Our comprehensive memory care supports residents and their families with services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. MorningStar’s holistic approach is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and uses Montessori-based therapy techniques. As dementia care specialists, we feel it is our privilege – our calling – to walk alongside residents during this unexpected and challenging journey.

Once the decision is made to join our MorningStar family, we meet with the individual and their family to learn as much as we can about their background, talents and personal preferences. Aiding us in this process is a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” From there, we create a specialized, individualized care plan to calm or stimulate as needed.

The Bear Creek community is designed from the ground up to ensure a safe, secure environment in which residents can explore and maintain a sense of independence. Common areas are warm and inviting and meals are thoughtfully prepared and attractively served to encourage residents’ appetites. Purposeful, meaningful activities connect with and nurture the individual, whatever the level of memory loss may be.

Another thing that makes MorningStar at Bear Creek a special place is our devoted, hard-working team who feels privileged to serve and is made up of men and women who willingly go the extra mile to meet the needs of our residents. Our distinct mission statement reads to: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and to Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well.

For exceptional memory care, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Bear Creek encourages you to 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 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 for residents within an ideal setting and encourage you to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs offers.

Got Your Eye on a Certain Assisted Living Community?

Finding the right assisted living community for you or a loved one should be a process. Experts suggest before you even begin the search you consider not only the person’s immediate needs but what type of care they may require over the next several years. This reduces the chance of having to move into a another community setting in a few years when the home you decided on was not up to the care now needed. Other things to take into account are location, cost, size of the community and amenities and services.

The Internet is a great tool to begin the search for the ideal home. Most senior living communities have lots of information on their websites including FAQs, pictures and virtual tours, reviews from families, the management team, and the company’s history and philosophy. Due to COVID, senior living communities had to stop the practice of offering tours of their home but check to see if they have started them up again.

In the meantime, the home’s staff will be glad to answer any questions you have so think about what you want to know and write it down as you may forget. A Place for Mom offers a whole check-sheet on questions to ask of the home such as staff-to-resident ratio and the type of training caregivers receive.

Another thing you will want to know is how the monthly fee is determined. Many assisted living communities based costs on the type and location of the apartment and the level of care the person requires. Ask about the process for creating a care plan and how it is updated. Does the home offer 24/7 caregivers and is a nurse on staff and/or on call 24/7. If mom or dad is having trouble keeping track of their medications, does the home offer medication management.

Ask about any additional move-in fees or contractual obligations when you move out. If there is a waiting list, what is the typical period before an apartment becomes available?

As one of the area’s finest senior living facilities in Billings, MT, MorningStar of Billings offers a range of options for independent living and assisted living. For senior suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, we provide compassionate, professional memory care. Located in the west end of the city within a country setting, our community is located near shopping centers and medical facilities. Please visit our extensive website to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you.

Source: aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living