While there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other dementia-related diseases, it is important to provide the person with the proper level of care. MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek is committed do just that. Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional care to our residents, and give families the peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving the very best care available.
Morningstar at Bear Creek’s one-story building with 48 suites is completely devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our 38,000 sq. ft. community was designed to provide a secure setting, yet permit residents to explore their spacious surroundings freely and easily. The figure-eight floor plan allows residents to explore yet find their way back to an open, inviting area. We are proud of our staff that is trained in progressive therapeutic approaches to palliate symptoms for our special residents. One of the important aspects of our program is to provide plenty of recreational and purposeful activities such as music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise. To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include WellStar, our signature preventative wellness program, as well as secure courtyards, patios and strolling paths. Also bear in mind that 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 a way to calm and awaken memories as well as support and encourage residents’ capabilities, our professional methods include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy. Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual. In fact one of our mission statements is to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals, and from this precept, comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences of each resident. MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, and is devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting. Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community. While scientists have known for some time that as we age our brains shrink, a few years ago a report was published that for the first time provided evidence of certain risk factors which can contribute to a reduction in brain size. However the good news is that since these risk factors are generally controllable; we can make changes to our lifestyle that will not only improve our physical health be also help to delay a decline in our brain volume.
The study, from the University of California, Davis, reported that there are four risk factors associated with a faster decline in brain function including: high blood pressure, diabetes, cigarette smoking and being overweight or obese. The 1,352 participants were an average age of 54 years at the start of the study and did not have any signs of dementia. All of them were part of the Framingham Offspring Cohort Study (the children of the participants of the original Framingham Heart Study). The researcher’s results proved similar to those of earlier studies, which indicate a strong link to the fact that “damage to the cardiovascular system is associated with cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia.” Although we know that smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes increase the chance of cardiovascular-system damage; these are all controllable factors that can be addressed through medications and lifestyle changes. The Alzheimer’s Association reminds us that while we cannot change risk factors such as age, family history and heredity, most experts agree that Alzheimer's disease occurs as a result of complex interactions. They state that, “Research is beginning to reveal clues about other risk factors we may be able to influence through general lifestyle and wellness choices and effective management of other health conditions.” 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 Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, and is devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting. Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community. Source: healthland.time.com/2011/08/03/study-4-factors-that-may-shrink-your-brain/ Currently more than 5 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s and every 66 seconds someone develops the disease. As the county’s 6th leading cause of death, more people die from Alzheimer’s disease than breast cancer and prostate disease. Also by 2050, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates more than 138 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease. Experts predict that this year the disease will costs the U.S. $236 billion, and as the number of people afflicted with the disease grows, so will the costs.
One of the other facts regarding Alzheimer’s is the enormous toll it takes on family caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that according to studies: “Nearly 60 percent of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high; about 40 percent suffer from depression; and one in five care contributors cut back on their own doctor visits because of their care responsibilities.” Furthermore, since approximately 34 percent of caregivers are 65 years or older, many report they are concerned about maintaining their own health while undertaking the duties of caregiving. Along with depression, other common signs of caregiver burnout include exhaustion, anger, sleeplessness, anxiety, social withdrawal, irritability, anxiety and other health problems. In fact the author of a recent report by Alzheimer’s Disease International, Dr. Martin Prince, states that, “Compared with other long-term care user, those with dementia need more personal care, more hours of care, and more supervision, all of which is associated with greater strain on caregivers.” At the MorningStar at Arrowhead’s senior living community, we offer 25 beautiful suites in our Reflections Neighborhood for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our progressive methods leverage the power of aromatherapy, dance, music, art, and animals to heal and comfort residents, and we are equipped to care for individuals in the early stages right through to the most advanced phases. 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 our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Source:alz.org/, alz.co.uk/research/WorldAlzheimerReport2015-sheet.pdf Adult children are often surprised to discover that a parent is not doing well and that they may require additional assistance to ensure their continued safety and comfort. According to the experts, there are several signs to look for to help determine if assisted living is the right answer for your mom or dad.
The website Caring.com recommends that you consider assisted living if your elderly parent has recently experienced a fall or has had a medical emergency and did not receive the immediate help they required. Also it may be time to think about it if they suffer from chronic health problems that are getting progressively worse such as COPD, congestive heart failure or dementia? Furthermore, do they take a long time to recover from an illness? Other indications that your loved one is not getting the care they need at home are signs of weight loss and a more frail appearance or if they are neglecting their personal hygiene and are not as well-groomed as they used to be? It may simply be that preparing meals and taking care of day-to-day personal activities have become too difficult for them. An empty refrigerator, stacks of unopened mail, and new dents in the car could all be warning signs that your parent would benefit from having more assistance. Another advantage to assisted living is that it can also provide your loved one with social activities and companionship. Often seniors live alone, and as many stop driving, they do not get out on their own. Assisted living communities provide seniors with an opportunity to live comfortably and securely as well as to enjoy a range of activities and the company of others. We encourage you to plan a visit to MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arrowhead to discover the carefree lifestyle we offer. 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 our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Sources:helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/assisted-living-facilities.htm caring.com/articles/signs-its-time-for-assisted-living At MorningStar at Arrowhead, we understand that our senior community’s success lies with our caregivers. This is why one of our founding principles is to invest generously in our team members, including providing the necessary development and training required to create leaders with the ability to provide the best life possible for our residents.
We are proud of the fact that our staff is comprised of people who champion our mission and have a sense of calling to serve seniors. They are a group of unique individuals who do the right thing when no one is watching and work diligently to perfect the art of anticipating the needs of our residents. In addition they not only believe that Senior Living, at its best, is love in action but do it every day. As a part of our commitment to bringing together an exceptional staff, we offer generous compensation and benefit packages to each employee in an effort to recognize caregiving as a respected career choice. We have found that our vetting of employees has paid off as we have a staff that works hard to ensure MorningStar at Arrowhead’s residents feel loved and cared for in every way possible. Furthermore, all of our in-coming staff receives Radiance training, which is reiterated every day at our Team Stand-up. The Radiance program celebrates an attitude of selflessness that comes from a deep and sincere place, like a beam of light and reflects the way we deliver customer service at MorningStar - with warmth, sincerity and depth. The program provides a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and allows us to take our professionalism to the next level. 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 our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. While it is true that we are all living longer, there are some steps you can take to help make those years healthier than ever. The National Institute of Health recommends that seniors incorporate the following habits into their daily lives: eat a balanced diet; keep your mind and body active; do not smoke; get regular checkups; and practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls.
The Family Doctor website also offers some commonsense advice on how even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health even if you are already a senior. Their primary recommendation is to add physical activity to your daily life and eat food that is enriched with fiber. By increasing your daily physical activity, it will help improve the strength of your bones and muscles. In addition we know that stronger muscles can help to prevent falls, and in the event you do experience a fall, those stronger bones are less apt to break. Another benefit to daily physical activity is that your brain also benefits. The article cites studies that indicate people who regularly exercise are better able to make decisions. Furthermore, even if you have never exercised on a regular basis, the experts say the benefits outweigh the risk of an exercise-related injury. By daily exercising, you can help improve many chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Seniors new to exercising should consult their health care provider before they begin. Once they are given the go ahead, they need to start slowly. Walking is one of the easiest exercises to do and experts recommend breaking up 30 minutes of daily activity into two or three increments. Consider walking for 15 minutes twice a day or do 10 minutes 3 times a day. Strength training also offers seniors benefits but again the suggestion is to begin slowly. Start with 1 or 5-pound weights and do a few exercises at a time. Resistance bands are also easy to use and can help to strengthen upper arms and leg muscles. Lastly the article suggests increasing the fiber in your diet; it can improve your health in a number of ways. Fiber gets your colon working better and reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In addition it may help to lower cholesterol levels. *This post is for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking medical advice.* 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 our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone. It is estimated that 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and one in nine people age 65 years and older has the disease. As a way to help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear. Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through. There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated. The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing as a way to help you to move forward. They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.” You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through. One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy. They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able. Finally they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.” At MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek, we are proud to be designated as one of the “Recognized Leaders in Dementia Care” by the Alzheimer’s Association, awarded only to those communities where at least 75% of the entire staff have undergone special and extensive training approved by the Association. MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, and we are devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting. Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community. Source: alz.org/i-have-alz/i-have-alzheimers-dementia.asp We know that falls can be dangerous, and in fact, they are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) statistics state that one-third of Americans age 65 years and older fall each year. They report that, “every 13 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.” However, there are several risk factors that can be addressed that may help prevent falls. The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains that it is not only chronic health conditions that lead to falls but also safety hazards within or around a senior’s home. The NIH cites muscle weakness, especially in the legs, along with a lack of flexibility and endurance as a significant risk factor that puts seniors at risk for a fall. Another factor increasing risk is an unsteady gait when walking as well as poor balance, which can be contributed to chronic health problems and lack of exercise. In addition older adults need to be sure to wear safe footwear and should avoid backless shoes or slippers, high-heeled shoes or shoes with smooth soles. Furthermore, a condition known as postural hypotension (when blood pressure drops too quickly when getting up from a lying down or sitting position) can increase the risk of falling. There are several chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s or diabetes as well as certain medications that can cause this to happen. Also vision problems, sensory difficulties, confusion and medications can lead to dizziness and unsteadiness, and result in a fall. The NIH advises seniors to report any fall to their doctor as is may be a sign of a “new medical problem that needs attention, such as an infection or a cardiovascular disorder.” It could also be a signal that your medication needs to be adjusted or changed. **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 our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour. Sources: ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/ nihseniorhealth.gov/falls/causesandriskfactors/01.html In spite of all of the research done on Alzheimer’s and dementia, there is still no single test used to diagnose the disease. Rather the Alzheimer’s Association explains that a diagnosis is made based on “a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type.”
In some cases a person with signs of the disease may be referred to a neurologist or geri-psychologist to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Laboratory testing includes blood tests and brain imaging, which are used to rule out other causes that may be contributing to dementia-like symptoms. Other conditions doctors are looking for are signs of depression, drug interactions, thyroid problems, excessive use of alcohol and vitamin deficiencies. If memory loss does stem from any of these other causes, it can be dealt with and generally reversed. Although Alzheimer’s cannot be cured, the Alzheimer’s Association emphasizes the importance of getting an early diagnosis as it gives someone a better chance of benefiting from available treatments. If you need the name of a physician who is experienced in Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases, contact your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for a referral. In addition the organization offers a worksheet that you can fill out beforehand to help prepare for your visit with your physician. Another reason why it is beneficial to understand what is happening to you or your loved one is that it not only can lessen anxieties, but also provides your family more time to prepare for the future. Knowing what lies ahead also offers the individual an opportunity to be involved in future plans such as living options, care, transportation and financial matters. ***This blog is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. *** MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, and we are devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting. Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community. Source: alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagnosis.asp If you are looking for a Colorado Springs community devoted to care of those with dementia-related diseases, you will definitely want to take a look at MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek.
MorningStar at Bear Creek offers 48 suites in a setting specifically designed to enhance our residents’ freedom and fully accommodate the disposition and behavior of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. To ensure the safety and well-being of residents, our community is completely secure, including courtyards and strolling paths. Residents of our community have a wide selection of meaningful wellness programs as well as purposeful activities which help maintain respect and dignity. Our programs include a variety of exercise options, music, life skills, art, and entertainers. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself,” and that “even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging.” At MorningStar we could not agree more, which is why we offer scheduled exercise every morning with programs such as: Chair Exercises, Morning Stretches, and Circle Ball Exercises. In addition to presenting creative ways to help our residents remain active, each day at Bear Creek is filled with activities that simulate all five senses to feed the whole body and brain. The result is often a noticeable difference in mood and physical well-being. Popular activities with our residents include music memories, trivia, crafts, and movies starring some of the great actors of all time such as John Wayne, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Our wide scope of activities means that regardless of interest, residents are sure to find something they like to do. Whether it is joining a sing-a-long, jewelry making, or having the opportunity to attend church service, MorningStar is a great place to call home. Please contact us today to schedule a tour to discover for yourself all that we offer. MorningStar at Bear Creek is a memory care community that uses progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, and we are devoted to creating a true home for residents within a serene setting. Please contact us to schedule a visit to experience firsthand our loving community. Source:nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html |
AuthorMorningStar Senior Living’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Archives
March 2018
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