The MorningStar Senior Living of Billings community was proud to take part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Zoo Montana in September. Our team members, residents and family members joined hundreds from the broader community to raise awareness for this devastating disease. We are also pleased to report that our efforts paid off as we helped to raise $7,280 through the Mulligans for Memories golf tournament.
This year the national Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s took place on November 12, 2016 and was held in more than 600 communities across the country. The annual event helps to raises awareness and money for Alzheimer’s care, support and research and has participants of all ages joining in the fight. The organization uses the money to provide face-to-face support and online education programs as well as to support worldwide research initiatives. One example of the important work they do is provide more than $350 million to support 2,300 scientific proposals that are searching for answers to the disease. The organization also brings the global research community together to work on challenges such as developing “the first new diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's in 27 years.” The first Memory Walk® was in 1989 and started with nine Alzheimer’s Association chapters. It raised $149,000 and had 1,249 participants. By 1993, Memory Walk was a nationwide event and was in 167 locations and raised $4.5 million. Last year, more than 50,000 teams in over 600 locations across the country participated and raised more than $75 million. With over 5 million Americans living with the disease, and the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., this is a critical fight and MorningStar Senior Living communities are proud to play a part. Contact us to learn more about MorningStar of Billings’ exceptional memory care. We have 36 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments as well as 32 cottages and 72 bright suites for independent living and 70 assisted living suites. MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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 schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere. Source: https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=walk_homepage Unfortunately, way too many older adults are under the impression that it is too late to start exercising along with many others who mistakenly think physical exercise may harm them. The fact is exercise offers many health benefits regardless of your age, and as the National Institute of Health (NIH) advises, “It is inactivity in itself that poses a risk to your health.” Additionally the HelpGuide.org website suggests exercising on a regular basis can help boost energy, maintain your independence, and manage symptoms of illness or pain.
The NIH explains that even frail seniors or those afflicted with diseases associated with aging will benefit from moderate exercise and physical activity. They add, “Lack of physical activity can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses.” However before you start exercising, please remember to consult your health care provider. Research has indicated that regular exercise is an effective treatment for seniors suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. In addition exercise can help to improve balance and mobility problems, high blood pressure, relieve stress and elevate a person’s mood. Other studies show a correlation between exercise and improving and maintaining cognitive function. At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Fort Collins, we wholeheartedly agree that exercise is important to the health and wellbeing of our residents. Just take a look at our monthly calendar and you will see many different types of physical activities. A few examples of how seniors keep fit with our line-up of fun and entertaining classes are Move & Stretch, Yoga with Beate, Morning Exercise, and our Healthy Exercise with Legacy. We also have a weekly “Let's go on a walkabout!” along with many other special events and outings. Contact us to learn more about our warm and welcoming senior living community dedicated to making your retirement years as carefree as possible. 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 of Fort Collins provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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 in a beautiful setting. We invite you to schedule a tour to discover one of the area’s top senior living communities. Sources: helpguide.org/articles/exercise-fitness/exercise-and-fitness-as-you-age.htm nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html If your parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, at some point, you may need to find a community that specializes in caring for them. Given the progression of the disease, your loved one may eventually require 24-hour supervised care that is specifically designed to provide the level of safety and care they need.
What important questions should you ask when looking for specialized care for a family member with a dementia related disease? The first recommendation is to make sure that the memory care community you are considering is fully equipped to care for the needs of your loved one. In order to determine the level of care your parent or spouse requires, it is helpful to make a list of their medical and physical needs starting with their level of mobility and do they use a walker or wheelchair? Also besides dementia, what other illnesses or health concerns do they suffer from? It is important to explain any issues your loved one may have regarding aggression or other behaviors. Next you need to ask the community some questions beginning with the staff to resident ratio during the day as well as at night and what type training does the staff go through. Be sure to ask whether there is a nurse on staff and if the community has a visiting physician. Also are residents given an individualized plan? Furthermore, what are the living arrangements and security measures in place to ensure the safety of residents? Do residents have a separate dining area and a safe outdoor space? Now ask questions about the community’s treatment plans and the type of care they provide to residents. Do they engage in programs such as pet, music and/or reminiscence therapy? Are residents grouped according to cognitive level and is there a place for those in the early stages? Finally, after thorough consideration, you may just need to trust your instincts and choose the place you feel will provide the best care for your loved one. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, homey community. Source:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/memory-care-checklist |
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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