Take Precautions as Summer Heats Up

Now that summer is near it is important for seniors, and those that care for them, to remember to take precautions as outdoor temperatures begin to heat up.  Older people can have a tough time dealing with heat and humidity, and even temperatures less than 100 degrees can cause a heat-related illness. Each year, most people who die from hyperthermia (a body temperature greatly above normal) are over 50 years old, and health problems can put you at greater risk.

As we age the body does not adjust as well to sudden temperature changes as it did when we were younger.  This can be caused by heart or blood vessel problems, under-active sweat glands and normal age-related changes in the skin.  Another factor is that many elderly people suffer from chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney diseases that can affect normal body responses to heat.   

Also prescription drugs including diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some heart and high blood pressure medicines can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature and inhibit perspiration.  Other problems that can make seniors more susceptible to heat-related stress are being overweight and drinking alcoholic beverages.   

To avoid the dangers of heat-related illnesses, experts advise seniors to drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day, and to stay away from caffeinated drinks.  They also recommend if possible, to remain indoors during the heat of the day and do not engage in strenuous activities.  If you feel too warm, take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath, dress in lightweight clothing and get into an air-conditioned environment. 

Our post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical advice from your health care provider.

MorningStar at Bear Creek represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us learn more about our exceptional assisted living for dementia patients.

Source: nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hyperthermia

Sandwiched Between Caring for Your Elderly Parents & Kids?

If your responsibilities include caring for elderly parents as well as children still living at home, you are not alone and may be a Gen Xers (Americans born between 1965 and 1980).  Psychologist Jonathon Sikorski, director of wellness education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, explains the problem with the following: “You’re balancing the demands of raising and supporting children and worrying about your parents' independence and well-being. It’s tough,”

Researchers report that around half of all U.S. adults in their 40s or 50s have a parent age 65 or older and are raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child.  Also known as the sandwich generation, many of them provide similar care to both their children and senior parents such as bathing, dressing and feeding along with transportation to activities and doctor appointments.  If your parent has a chronic disease like Parkinson’s, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes, your duties may include running errands, grocery shopping, and helping with chores around their home. 

The constant juggling of caregiver duties can be very stressful. Now add in a global pandemic where vulnerable seniors who are most at risk are being asked to stay home and isolate.  This has created a quandary for many who are trying to safely provide support for elderly parents while not bringing illness into their home.  If you have not considered it before, now may be the perfect time to look into senior living communities such as MorningStar of Billings.  We are safely accepting new residents and abiding by guidelines – and in many cases exceeding them – set by the CDC, American Senior Housing Association and Federal government to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof. 

As a resident in one of our independent living or assisted living suites, or our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, your parent will have 24/7 help available to them.  We provide nutritional daily meals, socialization, and offer medication management and transportation services.  Please visit our website to learn more and for contact information.     

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Please visit our website for information regarding the area’s most trusted independent living and assisted living. 

The MorningStar Family

MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder and CEO, Ken Jaeger, first began forming the idea of starting a company from a desire to create senior living that was defined by the human touch.  He says his intention was to “re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  This simple but profound concept has driven the overwhelming success of our MorningStar brand.  Now sixteen years later, MorningStar continues to add communities across the Western U.S., including MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, our goal is to create a true home for our residents - one that feels like a family.  To help us achieve this, our dedicated team strives to live up to our unique mission statement, which includes honoring God in all of our business practices and relationships and valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.  The last part of our mission statement is to invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well, as we know our brand demands committed individuals who will use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve our residents.  

We also aspire to and nurture our core values of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness to help us build our MorningStar family.  As one potential resident’s family member described MorningStar: “Touring MorningStar at Bear Creek was impressive: enlightening as well as welcoming. The staff made sure all our questions and concerns were addressed by appropriate staff experts. The team was helpful, informative and efficient in helping us prepare for move-in. We feel a part of this community already!”

MorningStar at Bear Creek works hard to provide assisted living for dementia patients unmatched by other senior communities in Colorado Springs.   We have 48 suites that include a configuration of floor plans from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments along with the amenities and services to assure your loved ones’ comfort, safety and wellbeing.  We consider it an honor to walk alongside the memory-impaired (and their families) on this unexpected journey.

MorningStar at Bear Creek represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us learn more about our exceptional assisted living for dementia patients.

Common Myths About Alzheimer’s Disease

There are many misconceptions about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.  As traumatizing as it is for a family to learn a loved one has Alzheimer’s, it is also important to sort through the various truths and myths regarding the disease.     

One mistake many people make when they or a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is to think their life is over.  In reality, a person can live a productive life for many years.  Adopting a healthy lifestyle is important and should include a nutrient-rich diet and routine exercise.  Experts also note it is important to stay socially connected and engage in activities that challenge the brain.  As medication is more helpful in the earlier stages, getting a proper diagnosis is vital.     

People also fear that if a parent had Alzheimer’s, they will get it.  The facts are that “familiar Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.”  Furthermore, remember Alzheimer’s is not only a disease of the elderly.  While there are many fewer cases, it does occur in people as young as their 40s and 50s.

Another common myth is the belief that dental amalgam fillings containing a small amount of mercury caused the disease.  Studies have shown no such correlation between the two.  Others believe aluminum pans are responsible, and while a few studies suggest a small possibility, most experts think the link is questionable.  

Some people think memory loss is a natural progression of aging, but the truth is while many of us experience some decline in memory, if the loss is disrupting your day-to-day life, you need to see a healthcare provider.  Another thing to remember is a diagnosis of dementia is not necessarily better than being told a person has Alzheimer’s, it is just another form of the disease. 

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our mission is to provide the best senior living Glendale has to offer, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  We take a holistic approach to memory care that is individualized and encompasses the whole person. Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead offers the very best in senior living with our distinct 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 to create a true “home” for residents.  Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Glendale AZ offers.

Sources: alz.org/news/2018/senate-takes-bold-steps-in-fight-against-alzheimer

alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Myth-and-reality-about-Alzheimer-s-disease

Dealing with the New Normal

The fact that people are experiencing increased levels of anxiety is one of the many consequences of living in such uncertain times.  In fact one poll from the Washington Post and ABC News in late March, says that “77 percent of American women and 61 percent of men were reporting personal stress.”  The poll also found that 69% of Americans are worried about family members, and even more worry that the economic impact will be greater or worse than the Great Recession. 

 

So how do we deal with the new normal?  Experts stress that we need to remember to take care of ourselves, both our bodies and our minds.  As we work from home, take care of our families full-time, and deal with the worries of the world; don’t forget to take the time to check in and listen to what you need.  

Ben Crocker, MD, a medical director for a large primary care practice and a healthy lifestyle advocate, reminds us that it is okay to mourn for what we have lost.  He says it is normal to feel sad about not being able to see family members or friends or unhappy about not being able to attend worship services or a favorite activity or class.  When we acknowledge loss, it helps us to feel more grounded with our reality.  Dr. Crocker suggests we intentionally add some ‘shutdown’ time in our schedule for “meditation and quietude.”

Other tools to help cope with anxiety include eating a nutrient-rich diet and making time to take a walk, ride your bike or exercise at home.  Also remember it is important to get enough sleep each night as well as to connect socially with loved ones.  Finally, don’t get caught up in just focusing on the negative but rather take some time out each day to be grateful for what we do have. 

For the area’s finest memory care and assisted living, Glendale area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Arrowhead.  We are still accepting residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols.  Please see our website for more information about our community and a message from the CEO detailing our coronavirus (COVID-19) response.

MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Glendale AZ offers.

Sources:

washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/anxiety-coronavirus-sleep-memory-anger-focus/2020/04/03/61dab1b0-75b9-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html

health.harvard.edu/blog/6-self-care-steps-for-a-pandemic-always-important-now-essential-2020041619563

Know the Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

As we age, many of us experience occasional memory loss.  While it may be worrisome, most likely it is just a normal part of growing older.  In the case of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, a common indicator of the disease is memory loss that happens so often it disrupts daily life.  The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and recommends if you or a loved one has any of them, to see your health care provider. 

The first sign that you or a loved one’s memory loss may be a sign of a bigger problem is constantly forgetting new information.  Memory loss may include: needing to have the same information repeated over and over; forgetting important dates and events; and relying more and more on family members or memory aids to handle things.  

Another way memory loss can adversely affect a person’s life is when it becomes difficult to problem solve.  He or she may find it hard to do things they have done well in the past such as keeping track of monthly bills or following a recipe.  Some individuals with Alzheimer’s have problems losing their way when traveling familiar routes or keeping track of the month or season of the year.  Also, a person may start putting things away in odd places and not remember where they put them.  We encourage you to read the Alzheimer’s Association’s full list of common signs of Alzheimer’s disease. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek is committed to provide the best assisted living for dementia patients, and our community was designed from the ground up to provide a safe, supportive and loving environment.  Our compassionate team considers it their calling as well as their privilege to care for our tender residents. MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available.

Please see our website for more information on our community as well as our coordinated defense in the fight against the coronavirus to ensure the health of both residents and team members.

MorningStar at Bear Creek represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents by creating a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us learn more about our exceptional assisted living for dementia patients.

Source:  alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Billings MT’s Most Trusted Independent & Assisted Living

The MorningStar story began with a vision from our Founder/CEO, Ken Jaeger, who wanted to re-create senior housing that was defined by the human touch and felt much like his grandmother’s house – “a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”   Out of this loving concept that focuses on the power of relationships, came three mission statements upon which MorningStar was founded: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals;  and Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well.   

Following these precepts, the MorningStar of Billings’ independent living and assisted living community is committed to providing the area with a lifestyle of wellness and comfort for carefree retirement years.  To serve the various needs of seniors, we offer 32 free-standing cottages as well as 72 bright suites for independent living.  In addition we have another 70 assisted living suites and 36 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments.

While Montana slowly gets back to normal and our state starts begins to reopen, we want you to know that MorningStar of Billings senior living community will still be following the Governor’s guidelines to ensure the safety of our residents and team members.  This includes continuing to prohibit non-essential visitors and vendors from entering our community. Also all team members who interact with residents must follow strict protocols regarding hygiene and protection, and we will continue the daily screening of staff for symptoms and prevent those who are ill from coming to work. 

Currently we are safely accepting new residents; however it is being done in conjunction with a thorough screening process.  New residents move directly into their private suite, where they will remain for a 14-day quarantine period; and staff entering the room will wear full PPE. 

Remember our first commitment is to the safety of all those in our care.  Listen to what one resident’s daughter writes about her experience, “Although it is difficult not being able to visit our loved ones, I am so grateful for the proactive stand you are taking. Our parents could not be in a better place.”  Please contact us via our website or give us a call to learn more including availability and pricing for trusted independent and assisted living. 

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Please contact us to learn more about the comfortable, loving atmosphere of the area’s top independent living and assisted living community.