Learn More About Alzheimer’s Disease

While we have all heard a lot about Alzheimer’s and may even know someone suffering from the disease, we may not be aware of the common signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s.  Many people think that forgetting things is a sign of Alzheimer’s, while others too readily accept certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s as just getting older.

The Alzheimer’s Association has a website full of useful information and resources for families dealing with the disease and publishes a list of the 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's.  One of the first signs they say is a symptom of Alzheimer’s is not occasional forgetfulness but forgetfulness that disrupts daily life.  For example the person is having problems retaining recently learned information and trouble remembering important dates or events, or they are asking the same questions over and over again.   

People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may have more difficulty doing things they used to do easily such as paying bills or following recipes.  Even driving to well-known locations or remembering the rules of a favorite game can be troublesome.  Other signs include feeling confused about the passage of time and finding it harder and harder to keep track of dates, time and seasons.  

Experiencing vision problems such as judging distances and determining color or contrast as well as problems following or partaking in a conversation are also common signs of the disease.   Other signs can include changes in personality and mood, and withdrawing from social activities the person used to enjoy.  For the full listing and description of the 10 Common Signs of Alzheimer’s, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website. 

MorningStar at Englefield Green is proud to offer compassionate memory care in Boise, ID.  Our loving community has 50 secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments.  Our community provides highly specialized, individualized care for seniors in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  Please see our website for more information including our new protocols in the fight against COVID-19.

MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  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 to learn more about our unique approach to memory care. 

 

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

MorningStar of Fountain Hills Offers Trusted Memory Care

When a parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, there are many challenges a family goes through.  It is traumatizing get a diagnosis of the disease both for the individual as well as for the entire family.  As you come to terms with the devastating news, you are likely left with lots of questions including what will happen in the future and who will be there to provide the type of care your loved one will need.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we want you to know we are here to help.  Our beautiful assisted living and memory care community is located in the center of town, with views of the celebrated fountain.  As dementia care experts, we provide specialized, individualized care to each resident and are equipped to care for those from the onset of the disease all the way through to the most advanced stages. 

Our holistic approach to memory care focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss, and our team of compassionate caregivers feels privileged to serve seniors.  Our Reflections Neighborhood is specifically designed to allow residents the independence to safely explore their surroundings and includes an enclosed patio and courtyard.  Every aspect of our dementia care addresses the unique needs of our residents with a wide range of wellness programs, activities and healthy, delicious meals. 

Finally, MorningStar wants you to know that during the coronavirus outbreak, our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents, their families and our staff; and we could not be more vigilant in our defensive approach. We are staying abreast of its real time status and closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof. Please see our website for updates on the changes we have made to help keep our community safe during this difficult time.  

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “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.

Finding the Best Walker

Many older adults, especially those in assisted living communities, are no longer as steady on their feet as they used to be.  This puts them in danger of a fall, which can have many serious repercussions on a seniors’ health.  If you are considering getting a walker to help you move more safely around, you need to know something about them. 

For starters since there are several kinds of walkers, you should consult with your healthcare provider or physical therapist to assist you on finding the most suitable one.  They will make sure it is your size as well as the right type.  To determine size, you should be able to stand between the rails, and the width of the walker should be level with the insides of your wrists. A professional will also teach you how to use the walker and provide tips for normal activities such as sitting down while using a walker.  This is done by backing up until you feel the seat of the chair behind you.  Now bend forward at your hip and reach behind with one hand to grab the armrest.  Do the same with your other hand as you carefully lower yourself onto the center of the chair.       

Common types of walkers include a basic walker that has four legs with rubber tips on each one.  To use, a person must pick up the walker as they take a step.   A wheeled walker can have two fixed wheels on the front that do not swivel side to side or have rubber tips on the front legs and small wheels on the back.  These walkers allow people to walk more naturally as they do not need to be picked up with each step.  A three-wheel walker has one wheel in front and two in back and offers the advantage of being lighter and easier to move around in smaller spaces. 

Rollators are four-wheeled walkers and can be equipped with a seat for a basket.  These walkers are equipped with hand brakes and are ideal for people who do not need to apply a lot of weight to the walker.  However, they are not recommended for people with dementia as they may forget to use the hand brake. 

Are you in the process of looking at senior living communities in the Fountain Hills/Scottsdale, AZ area for yourself or a loved one? We encourage you visit MorningStar of Fountain Hills’ website for more information about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique 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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please contact us to learn more about one of the finest senior living communities in the area.

Looking for a Gift for Mom or Dad in Assisted Living?

It can be difficult to find the right Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift for a parent living in an assisted living community.  We recognize that they have had a lifetime of gifts, and as they are no longer running their own household, they not only do not need as much but have a limited amount of space.

One suggestion is to give them a blanket or throw as seniors often suffer from the cold.  However if you want to personalize your gift, there are several companies that will create a cozy throw using one of your family photos.  A talking photo album also lets you create memories through family pictures and when it has recorded voices of the grandkids, it is really special.

Another idea is to give them a lap desk that allows them to easily read a book or to write a letter from the comfort of their chair.  You could add a couple of adult coloring books illustrated with things they enjoy or places they have been along with some colored pencils and markers to complete your gift. 

A personalized gift basket can be filled with all kinds of things such as their favorite soaps, lotions and perfumes or colognes.  You can also fill a basket with special treats including chocolates, cookies and a small plug-in teapot and tea bags, or do one up with slippers, grippy socks, and a couple of pairs of fashionable compression socks.

Furthermore, tablets and iPads make good gifts as their touch-screen technology and large print options make them easy for seniors to use.  If your parent is not tech savvy, set up the tablet before you give it to them with their email address, facebook page and other personal items.  It may be fun to pre-load a few games that you think they would enjoy and add some photos of the family.  Include with the gift the offer to be their “tech support” if they have any problems.  

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “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.

Our Vision is to Create a True Home

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our goal is to be one of the area’s best senior living communities, and the care, comfort and wellbeing of our residents is our greatest priority.  This is why we have a group of team members who feel privileged to serve seniors and are the kind of people who come to work each day with a smile on their face.  Our dedicated team is the heartbeat of our community and strives to deliver service that represents the mission and philosophy of MorningStar Senior Living, which includes honoring God and valuing seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.

Our vision is to create a true home for our residents, and we consider both our residents and team members to be part of the MorningStar of Fountain Hills family.  To provide caregivers and other team members with the tools they need to bring their best to the community, our staff receives training in “Radiance,” our proprietary brand of Service Excellence. 

Radiance embodies the ways we advance our mission and deliver our service - with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose.  Furthermore, it is reiterated each day during our daily Huddle so as to create a culture that is not only defined by what we do but by the kind of people who bring it all to life – our team members. 

Our community offers beautiful suites for assisted living in spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Additionally, our Reflections Neighborhood has secure memory care suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Both inside and out, you will find a community complete with warm and inviting common areas to sit and enjoy a chat with friends or to enjoy the weather from our fireside patio and porches. 

In addition, as a resident of MorningStar, you will also discover we have a monthly calendar of meaningful wellness programs as well as creative and social activities to choose to participate in.  Please see our website for more information including our new protocols in the fight against COVID-19.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Fountain Hills, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

Maintain a Healthy Diet as You Age

Regardless of your age it is important to have a nutrient-rich diet in order to stay as healthy as possible.  Even for people in their 70s, 80s and 90s, eating well can make a difference in how they feel; but unfortunately, many seniors do not always know what constitutes a healthy diet. 
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) provides some helpful tips for older adults to follow to improve their diet.  One of the first things they say is to make sure to stay hydrated because as we age, we lose some of our sense of thirst.  They recommend drinking plenty of water and avoiding beverages with lots of added sugars.

Seniors’ diets should include fruits and vegetables in a variety of different colors, lentils and beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy, and lean protein.  While vegetables and fruits are a good source of fiber, full of vitamins, and low-calorie, they can be difficult to chew for some elderly people with dental problems.  If that is a problem, substitute softer foods including canned fruits and meats such as tuna.  Also adding herbs or spices to food is a good way to enhance flavor. 

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our residents are treated to three daily meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest produce by our Executive Chef.  We also incorporate BrainWise foods into our meals such as nuts, berries, dark leafy vegetables, and dark chocolate. Recipes are modified to accommodate changing needs and diets including low-sodium, sugar-free, vegetarian, and low-fat choices. 

Please visit our website for more information on our loving assisted living and memory care community.  While you are there, you may read the statement from our CEO which details our coordinated defense in the fight against the coronavirus to ensure the health of both residents and team members during this hard time.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “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.
Source: nia.nih.gov/health/choosing-healthy-meals-you-get-older

Music May Comfort Those with Alzheimer’s Disease

The Mayo Clinic reports on research that suggests listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. They explain the reason may be that “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.”  Listening to music can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation. 

Music can bring back memories to those even in the most advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.  The Alzheimer’s Associations quotes neurologist Oliver Sacks, who says, “Music evokes emotion, and emotion can bring with it memory… it brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.”  When music is incorporated into the everyday activities of someone with dementia, it can help them to recall memories of that activity and improve cognitive ability over time. 

Research has shown that some of the last two abilities in Alzheimer’s patients are musical abilities and the appreciation of it, which is why it is such an effective way to try and reach the essence of the person.  It has also been found to help those in the more advanced stages of the disease to express and share emotions with their caregivers through dancing or moving along with the rhythm.  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America says, “When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function and coordinate motor movements.”

  

MorningStar of Englefield Green’s goal is to be one of the best Alzheimer’s care homes in Boise, and our training and experience has given us a deep understanding of the disease.  Our holistic approach includes leveraging the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy to heal and comfort.  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 Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, and offers loving, compassionate care in a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about one of the finest Alzheimer’s care homes in Boise.