Safety Guidelines for Seniors Taking Medications

Often seniors take multiple medications daily that in some cases have been prescribed by a couple of different doctors for different conditions.  In addition they may also be taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.  All of this can lead to problems with drug interactions and side effects that range from mild to severe including death.

In a recent report by the US News & World Report, it cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest each year there are four visits to the ER per 1,000 adults attributed to adverse drug effects.  First published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statistics find that almost 60 percent of Americans take at “least one prescription drug, and nearly 20 percent are taking more than five prescriptions medicines.”  The study also looked at OTC medications and warns that there is a huge potential for “side effects, drug-drug interactions and negative outcomes.”  It also states that for the elderly, the possibility of dangerous drug interactions is even greater. 

One of the most important things that a patient or family member can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to communicate with all of your health care providers about the prescription and OTC medications that you take.   It is a good idea, especially if you take more than one medication, to write down the names of the drugs and the amount you take each day and carry it in your wallet.  You can also take a picture of the list of medications with your cell phone so you always have it handy.  Another tip is to fill your prescriptions at the same drug store and to build a relationship with the pharmacist as he or she can help to spot potential problems involving drug interactions.   

Annually review the need for each medication with your health care provider and discuss how long you will need to take the drug.  Lastly be sure to check each new prescription container for accuracy as pharmacies sometimes do make mistakes. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in assisted living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, 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 providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities.        

Source:health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-01-13/the-dangers-of-medication-mix-ups-at-home

What are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

It is estimated that 7 to 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease.  In the U.S. alone, a million people are living with the disease and as many as 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.  While there is not a cure for the disease, there is treatment; however anyone with symptoms needs to have a medical diagnosis in order to rule out other causes.

The Mayo Clinic’s website provides a list of some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s.  The first sign can be a tremor that affects one hand and a person may frequently exhibit a back-and-forth rubbing motion of the thumb and forefinger known as a pill-rolling tremor.  Tremors usually occur while the individual is at rest, and can affect the hands, limbs, and posture.

Another common sign of the disease is slowed movement known as bradykinesia. This can worsen over time and eventually affect a person’s ability to walk well or have trouble getting up out of a chair.  In some cases one foot may drag, making walking even more challenging.

Other symptoms of the disease include rigid muscles and stiffness within any part of the body, and impaired posture and balance that may cause a person to become stooped or lead to falls.  The disease can also cause a loss of automatic movements such as blinking, smiling or swinging your arms as you walk.  In addition many people experience changes in their speech such as speaking in a monotone or more softly, more quickly or with a slur.

Finally many people suffering from Parkinson’s have problems writing.  Often their writing becomes smaller and it is more difficult to do because of the tremors.   

For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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:pdf.org/en/parkinson_statistics

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20028488

Resident-Directed Approach to Memory Care

Over the last several decades, there has been an increased awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Along with efforts to develop medications to treat or to cure the disease, there has also been a move to advance best care practices for those suffering from the disease. 

In a recent publication from the Alzheimer’s Association titled the “Dementia Care Practice Recommendations for Assisted Living Residences and Nursing Homes,” they explore ways that professional caregiving can be more effective.  Their first recommendation is to make sure a resident is receiving proper food and fluid consumption.  They note that “Inadequate consumption or inappropriate food and fluid choices can contribute directly to a decline in a resident’s health and well-being.”   

The next point they discuss is pain management.  They cite the fact that many times people with dementia have trouble communicating pain so it is often overlooked and not treated.  However, the problem with not managing pain appropriately is that it can “result in behavioral symptoms and lead to unnecessary use of psychotropic medications.” 

Another important practice recommendation from the report is that assisted living facilities provide social engagement and meaningful activities for memory care residents.  By engaging in activities, it helps residents to retain their functional abilities and thus provides a better quality of life.   These interactions should be designed to do with residents, not to or for them. 

If you are a family member searching for quality memory care for your loved one, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Boulder’s Reflection Neighborhood.  We have 46 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  Set within a gentle, loving environment, our care takes a resident-directed approach that utilizes multi-sensory cues to calm and to awaken memories, to support capabilities and, above all, to affirm dignity and value.   

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, 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 providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities.

Compassionate Memory Care for Our Special Residents

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 Assistant Living and Memory Care at Arrowhead 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.

Located in its own one story wing of our community,  our Reflections Neighborhood has 25  secure suites that are completely devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  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 daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as an enclosed courtyard reserved just for memory care patients. 

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 Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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.

Lifestyle Changes May Improve Brain Health

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 but 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 Assisted Living & Memory Care of Boulder represents the best in senior living with a distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, 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 providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and invite you to schedule a visit to experience one of the area’s finest senior living communities.         

Source:

healthland.time.com/2011/08/03/study-4-factors-that-may-shrink-your-brain/

Finding Gifts for Seniors

It can be difficult to find the right gift for an elderly parent, grandparent or relative 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. 

The A Place for Mom website has a few suggestions for gifts that are sure to please.  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 loved one 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 at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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: aplaceformom.com/blog/12-18-2012-top-gifts-for-seniors/