4 Art Activities for Seniors in Memory Care

Staying mentally alert during the golden years requires participating in activities that give the brain a robust workout. From solving crossword puzzles alone to completing Tai Chi exercises in a group setting, seniors have many opportunities at our memory care facility in Phoenix, Arizona to give the brains a welcome workout. One of the most popular activities for seniors at assisted living facilities is to finish creative art projects. Residents with dementia especially benefit from art therapy because art helps patients improve impaired language skills, as well as bolster cognitive skills.

Our memory care specialists plan art projects for residents with several planning tips in mind. First, we encourage a loved one to be around to provide encouragement, Second, we choose adult-oriented art projects to grab the interest of residents. Third, we interact with our memory care residents throughout the duration of an art project. Fourth, we help our residents remain patient even when an art project does not go in the direction it should.

Let’s review four art activities for seniors in memory care.

Coloring Books

Achieving small steps is an effective strategy to help someone with dementia gain the confidence to try taking larger steps. This philosophy applies to art activities as well. Have your senior loved one start by filling in the pages of simple coloring books before moving on to more complex pages. One of the most frustrating experiences for memory care patients is not being able to complete what were once easy tasks, which means slow and steady is the way to go for participating in art activities.

Sculpting

Working with our hands generates the type of mental stimulation that keeps us motivated to continue with a task. The same principle applies to memory care residents at our assisted living facility. Sculpting with clay or wood represents an engaging way to complete a creative art project. We encourage our memory care residents that participate in sculpting projects to at first look at another object before they attempt to create sculpted art by imagining another object.

Painting

After mastering coloring books, the next logical step on the path to creating art involves painting on a canvas. Painting is often the first art activity that comes to mind for memory care patients, but at the MorningStar at Arcadia memory care facility in Phoenix, our caregivers make sure a resident is ready to tackle a more intricate art activity such as painting. One of the most effective ways to engage memory care patients with a painting project is to follow the wet-on-wet painting technique, which makes it much easier to blend colors that create attractive landscapes and seascapes.

Create Collages

If a memory care resident is unable to use a crayon or paintbrush, we encourage the resident to create collages out of different materials. All the memory care resident has to do is choose from different sources such as newspaper articles and family photographs to create a visually appealing collage. Our memory caregivers prepare the material sources before starting to work on a collage project, as well as help residents paste images onto each collage page.

At MorningStar at Arcadia, we closely follow our mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” when it comes to providing memory care at our Phoenix, AZ facility. We have developed an operating foundation based on the biblical principle of honoring God, as well as valuing the contributions made by our senior residents. Discover more about the loving atmosphere surrounded by spectacular scenery at MorningStar at Arcadia by scheduling a tour today.

Memory Care at MorningStar of Wheat Ridge

At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating and we want families to know we are here to help. Our community offers loving, compassionate care to those with memory impairment in our Reflections Neighborhood. The MorningStar Senior Living company brings 20 years of experience to memory care in senior communities across eleven states.  
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MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available.  We are different from other communities in that every aspect of our memory care is designed from the ground up to accommodate residents. Secure and inviting, the Reflections Neighborhood gives residents as much freedom as possible. 

Through the rigors of MorningStar’s Lavender Sky training, our staff truly understands Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-loss conditions; and after a family decides to place a loved one in our care, we get to work. This starts by learning as much as we can about the person’s background, talents and personal preferences through a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” Using this information, we create a specialized, individualized care plan that helps to calm or stimulate as a particular situation needs. 

Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort, as we focus on residents’ unique needs.  
       
Along with memory care, we offer assisted living as well as respite care and short-term stays (from one week up to a full month). Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted senior living at MorningStar.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Contact us to learn more about outstanding assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Is It Time to Start Thinking About a Memory Care Community for Your Senior?

It is not a sudden shift that you notice from one day to the next. Instead, memory loss represents one of the slowest-developing medical conditions. A senior loved one might show occasional signs such as forgetting where he put the car keys or temporarily failing to remember the name of one of her grandchildren. Because of its slow-developing nature, memory loss often goes unnoticed until it reaches the critical stage of development. This begs the question: How do you notice the signs of memory loss suffered by a loved one? 

If you notice the signs of memory loss, you are faced with just as important of a question. Is it time to start thinking about a memory care community in Phoenix, Arizona?

What Are the Signs of Dementia?

Memory loss is just one of several signs that indicate a loved one might be suffering from some form of dementia. Forgetting the placement of car and house keys once in a while does not indicate your loved one has dementia. However, combined with other signs in addition to memory loss, the time might have arrived to think about a memory care community for your senior.

Difficulty concentrating represents one of the most common signs of dementia. What was once a leisurely and mind-stimulating activity such as completing a crossword puzzle has turned into an exercise in immense frustration. The inability to concentrate can reach the point when a loved one becomes frustrated enough to lash out at you and other family members. A loved one with memory loss might struggle to hold a conversation, as well as become confused about time and place.

Another telltale sign that a loved one has at least reached the early stage of developing dementia concerns finding it difficult to complete standard daily tasks like bathing and cooking meals. When a loved one has trouble completing basic daily living responsibilities, the time has come to consider moving your senior loved one into a memory care facility in Phoenix.

What Should I Look for in a Memory Care Community?

Every one of the residents at our senior living facility has unique needs that need to be met in an assisted living environment. To begin your quest to find the best memory care facility, make sure the environment exudes a home-like environment. You should avoid facilities that present austere design features such as white linoleum floors and super-bright fluorescent lighting. Safety should be an important criterion as well, as the best assisted living facilities like MorningStar at Arcadia feature safety elements like an in-room alert system.

Providing memory care requires an incredible amount of patience and empathy. During a visit to a memory care facility, observe how the staff interacts with memory care residents. They should display genuine compassion for the residents, as well as receive ongoing training to remain current with dementia care topics. Because memory care patients typically require mental stimulation, the memory care facility that you choose should offer a busy and engaging activities calendar. In addition, one-on-one interactions between staff and residents are important for typically solo activities like solving a jigsaw puzzle.

Set in a scenic area of greater Phoenix, AZ, our senior living facility provides highly-rated memory care for older adults that struggle with all stages of dementia. Learn more about our memory care facility by scheduling a comprehensive tour.

Trusted Memory Care at MorningStar of Santa Fe

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s goal is to provide the best senior living Santa Fe, NM offers, which includes experienced care for seniors suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementia-related diseases. MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available.  We are different from other senior communities in that every aspect of our care is designed to accommodate those with memory impairment. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe is equipped to care for individuals from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  While a secure area, our Reflections Neighborhood encourages independence with clear wayfinding and inviting common areas including a 2nd floor sky terrace. Suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. In addition, we offer SafelyYou technology, which can detect and prevent falls for residents with (AI) Artificial Intelligence. Other amenities include housekeeping and laundry services as well as scheduled transportation for doctor’s appointments and special outings. 

Care in our Reflections Neighborhood begins with a high staff to resident ratio. All team members are trained in our “Lavender Sky” program that encompasses our philosophy and approach.  This training gives employees a better understanding of the disease and more tools for effective, compassionate treatments. In addition, residents receive daily health monitoring with access to licensed nurses and other third-party service providers.

Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort whatever the extent of memory loss.

Once a family decides MorningStar is a good fit, we start the process to learn as much as we can about your loved one’s background, talents and personal preferences using a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” This allows us to create a specialized, individualized service plan that calms or stimulates as each unique situation suggests.  Contact us for more information about compassionate and loving memory care in Santa Fe.
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MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Aim to Read and Finish 1 Book Each Month

English writer Joseph Addison summed up the benefits of reading in one quote: “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” The analogy makes sense if you picture the brain’s network of neurotransmitters working as hard as muscles work to strengthen the body. Addison’s analogy is an especially relevant one for seniors who benefit from reading in several ways. With reading benefiting seniors, aim to read and finish one book each month to reap the rewards of getting lost in a book.

Let’s review the benefits of reading for residents of an assisted living and memory care facility in Phoenix, Arizona.

Boosts Memory

A research study of nearly 300 participants discovered that people who engaged in mentally stimulating activities over their lives experienced slower rates of memory decline. Reading is one of the most stimulating mental activities because it constantly requires the brain to store information such as the names of characters and vivid descriptions of scenery. To paraphrase the quote attributed to writer Addison, “Reading works out memory skills like a treadmill works out the cardiovascular system.

Improved Decision-Making Skills

Reading a book requires the brain to use its analytical powers to solve dilemmas before they reach a resolution. For example, if two characters square off in a conflict, the brain works hard to determine how to resolve the conflict. This is a phenomenon called fluid intelligence that typically declines in power as we grow older. A significant study conducted with Americans between 25 and 74 years old found that regardless of a participant’s age, participants who regularly exercised the brain by reading possessed much stronger levels of fluid intelligence.

Alleviate Stress and Anxiety

Transitioning from living at home to a senior living community in Phoenix often triggers considerable stress and anxiety. If your loved one lives with stress and anxiety, suggest reading a good book to slow down the mental turmoil. According to research completed at Mindlab International, which is part of the University of Sussex, people who read take an average of six minutes to relax their muscles and to slow down their heart rates. Reading also is known to help seniors act less impulsively when feeling anxious.

Enhanced Sleep Patterns

We hear about what not to do before bed, such as eating a large meal or stimulating the brain by playing computer games. What we do not hear much about concerns how to improve our sleep patterns. According to several research studies, including one conducted by the Mayo Clinic, reading before bed appears to be the most effective way to fall asleep. Instead of following the bedtime ritual of watching television, your senior loved one should allow a good book to slow down the busy neurotransmitters buzzing around in the brain.

Consider a Senior Living Community That Values Reading

MorningStar at Arcadia does much more than encourage our residents to read a good book at least one time a month. Because we understand that some seniors are hesitant to read because of physical limitations, our assisted living and memory care facility in Phoenix has taken steps to encourage reading, such as offering books in much larger print. MorningStar’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” includes ensuring our residents enjoy all the amenities required to thrive during the golden years.

Connect with one of our resident care services representatives to discover the joy of reading at MorningStar at Arcadia.

What Are the Best Holidays to Visit My Senior in Memory Care

Holidays can trigger a wide variety of emotions, from the euphoria felt during celebrations to the depression that develops from feeling loneliness and isolation. Residents of assisted living facilities are especially vulnerable to experiencing the ups and downs of the holidays. One of the most effective ways for your loved one to experience the ups of the holidays is to choose which ones to visit with your senior who lives in a memory care facility.

Senior living facilities that offer memory care services typically organize holiday events. However, nothing does more to enrich the life of a senior loved one during a holiday than to receive visitors.

Let’s find out what are the best holidays to visit your senior in memory care.

Christmas

No other holiday generates the strongest emotional highs and lows than Christmas. Although spending other holidays alone can be traumatic, spending Christmas alone can trigger devastatingly negative emotions. Christmas should be the first holiday on your list to spend with a senior in memory care, and not just on December 25. The senior housing facility in Phoenix, AZ providing memory care for your loved one should have scheduled one or more events leading up to Christmas, such as putting on a concert featuring the most popular Christmas songs.

Thanksgiving

Because food is the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving celebration, the holiday represents the best holiday to enjoy a communal approach to celebrating it. Most assisted living facilities host some type of Thanksgiving meal for all residents, including residents living in a memory care room. Visiting a loved one on Thanksgiving allows you to interact with your loved one, as well as the caregivers providing memory care services. You might even be able to bring a dish from home to celebrate a potluck Thanksgiving meal.

Grandparent’s Day

Although not considered a federal holiday, grandparents day has morphed into a day that rivals Mother’s and Father’s Day in importance. You can celebrate Grandparent’s Day in several ways, from taking your loved one to a restaurant with other family members to remaining onsite to allow your kids someone-on-one time with their grandmother or grandfather. A growing number of memory care facilities in Phoenix, AZ have organized special events to commemorate Grandparent’s Day. For example, MorningStar at Arcadia celebrates grandparents on their special day.

How to Help a Loved One Get the Most Out of a Holiday

A loved one living with some form of memory loss requires special consideration when spending time with you during a holiday celebration. Allow your loved one to retain a familiar schedule. Seniors suffering from dementia have a difficult time adapting to changes. Get your loved one involved in simple activities that involve nostalgia, such as designing Christmas tree ornaments or baking a pie for Thanksgiving dinner. Emphasize the good times, while avoiding discussions centered around less appealing memories. Consider your loved one’s needs throughout a holiday celebration and above all, ask your loved one what he or she wants to do.

Celebrate Holidays With a Loved One in Phoenix, AZ

MorningStar at Arcadia closely follows our founder’s mission “to honor, to value, and to invest.” Our operating foundation revolves around God and the dedication to serve others. Discover how MorningStar at Arcadia approaches each holiday by connecting with one of our resident services representatives.

LOOK OUT FOR THESE COGNITIVE DECLINE SIGNS

MorningStar at Arcadia is more than just a place for a senior loved one to call home. Our caregivers also provide memory care services, which include being able to recognize the signs of cognitive decline. Recognizing the signs of cognitive decline in the earliest stage allows our caregivers to take steps that help our residents improve their cognitive skills,

Although everyone experiences some form of forgetfulness, a decline in cognitive skills goes well beyond the standard bad day when we forget something. Between 15 and 20 percent of seniors 65 and older live with some form of cognitive impairment. Symptoms of cognitive decline can remain stable or even improve over time. However, some cases of cognitive decline indicate the development of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Let’s see how the caregivers at our assisted living facility in Phoenix recognize the signs of cognitive decline.

Misplacing Items

Does a senior loved one frequently set an item down, walk a few steps away from the item, and then forget where the item is located? Misplacing things happen most often for common-use items such as room keys and wallets/purses. It can trigger an incredible amount of frustration that eventually morphs into a mental condition such as depression. Not only does misplacing items indicate one of the signs of cognitive decline, but it is also considered an especially worrisome sign when a senior places an item in an inappropriate location.

For example, a senior who typically places the room keys on a coffee table starts placing the keys in strange locations like inside the freezer or under the bed.

Difficulty Completing Ordinary Tasks

It is one thing for a senior to have trouble solving a complex crossword or jigsaw puzzle. It is quite another thing for seniors to have difficulty completing routine daily tasks, such as cooking meals and grooming themselves. A senior loved one showing signs of cognitive decline cannot complete the same tasks they have completed all their lives. This also includes dressing and using the oven for baking.

Speaking Difficulties

One of the most noticeable signs of cognitive decline is when a senior begins to slur speech. Slurred speech indicates a disruption in the transmission of signals inside the brain. Speaking difficulties also include forgetting words and substituting words that have no place in a conversation. Seniors with early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s disease also can blurt out words at the most inappropriate times and places.

Disorientation

Another highly visible sign of cognitive decline concerns a senior who has trouble knowing the day of the week or getting lost while at a familiar place. Seniors suffering from cognitive decline can walk on a once familiar street, only to panic when they cannot remember how to return to the place where they started. Disorientation can turn into a dangerous sign of cognitive decline if not detected. A senior loved one can walk outside of an assisted living facility and wander off to a place the senior no longer recognizes.

The MorningStar mission of “To honor, to value, to invest” includes providing the best memory care services. Our caregivers receive extensive training to detect the signs of cognitive decline, as well as implement steps that enhance brain performance. Connect with one of our caregivers to learn more about the highly-rated memory care services provided at our assisted living facility.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS YOUR SENIOR LOVED ONE CAN READ TO YOUR CHILDREN

The close relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent leaves behind memories that both cherish for a lifetime. From going on nature walks on sunny days to solving jigsaw puzzles on days when it rains, the bond between grandchildren and their grandparents is as strong of a bond as it gets.

One of the ways a grandparent connects with a grandchild, especially a younger one, involves reading books together. As a parent, you welcome the social and educational benefits that develop from your child reading with a grandparent. Research has discovered that reading to children of all ages enhances the communication skills of kids that they carry with them into adulthood. 

The question is not whether a grandparent should read to your child. Instead, the question is what children’s books can your senior loved one read to your child?

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arcadia in Phoenix, Arizona, we provide our residents with a place to call home that welcomes guests such as grandchildren. With National Grandparents Day only a few months away on September 11, we have compiled a list of children’s books your senior loved can read to your children. A list of great books for kids includes timeless classics such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Pat the Bunny, as well as the entire Sesame Street collection. For our list, the books feature the close bond formed in grandchildren-grandparent relationships.

Here Comes Grandma!

This popular book follows the journey of a grandmother and her small dog that travel by car, horse, train, and even skis to see grandma’s grandchild. Written for grade school-age children, the book playfully highlights the positive trait of perseverance.

Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa

Winner of several literary awards in the children’s category, this book describes the special bond forged between grandchildren and grandparents. The book also addresses the issue of separation, as the lead character Emily deals with separation anxiety every time the visits with her grandparents end. Her grandparents explain to Emily how her imagination keeps the relationship close by remembering all the good times they spent together.

Old Bear

During winter when bears hibernate, Old Bear falls asleep and begins to dream of becoming a cub once again. Children enjoy the Old Bear’s vivid dreams and grandparents relate to Old Bear’s memories of his youth and the joy of waking on a beautiful spring day. Old Bear’s description of the four seasons offers an educational moment for your child, while your parent discusses what it is like to grow older.

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Children’s books that are told from a child’s perspective especially capture the attention of children. The young girl in this book tells the story of what happens when her grandparents babysit her. This book is perfect for grandchildren and their grandparents to read aloud together.

Me with You

Told in a simple rhyme, this book captures the close bond established between a granddaughter and her grandfather. It is a book dedicated to the positive influence grandfathers have on their grandchildren that is written in an appealing format for grandchildren of all ages

“To honor, to value, to invest” is the mission statement at our senior living facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Our loving home for seniors provides resort-style amenities surrounded by spectacular views of natural splendor. Learn more about MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arcadia by connecting with one of our representatives.

Trusted Memory Care at MorningStar of Albuquerque

Along with assisted living, Albuquerque, NM’s MorningStar community provides experienced care for seniors suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementia-related diseases. MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available.  We are different from other senior communities in that every aspect of our care is designed to accommodate those with memory impairment. 

MorningStar of Albuquerque is equipped to care for individuals from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  While a secure area, our Reflections Neighborhood encourages independence with clear wayfinding and inviting common areas including an enclosed courtyard. Suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. Other amenities include housekeeping and laundry services as well as scheduled transportation for doctor’s appointments and special outings. 

Care in our Reflections Neighborhood begins with a high staff to resident ratio. All team members are trained in our “Lavender Sky” program that encompasses our philosophy and approach.  This training gives employees a better understanding of the disease and more tools for effective, compassionate treatments. In addition, residents receive daily health monitoring with access to licensed nurses and other third-party service providers.

Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort whatever the extent of memory loss.

Once a family decides MorningStar is a good fit, we start the process to learn as much as we can about your loved one’s background, talents and personal preferences using a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” This allows us to create a specialized, individualized service plan that calms or stimulates as each unique situation suggests.  Contact us for more information about compassionate and loving memory care in Albuquerque.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.

When to Consider a Memory Care Community

A Place for Mom’s website explains how many people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can live independently with or without the help of in-home caregivers or family members. However, they also stress there may come a time when the disease progresses to a stage where the person’s safety and physical well-being is in jeopardy and more care is needed. 

As a person with Alzheimer’s may have good days and bad, it can be hard to tell if they would be better served in a memory care community. Experts say signs include: has their appearance changed? Do they look unkempt and have they lost weight due to forgetting to eat? Do they appear agitated and confused? Are they unable to carry on a conversation?  

Your loved one’s healthcare provider can help you decide if it is time for memory care. Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says, “When talking about memory care, or some form of a different living arrangement, I’ll center the talk around their ability to perform the activities of daily living and safety.” 

A Place for Mom says to gauge a senior’s abilities and safety, your doctor may ask if they:

• Get lost on routes they take frequently, such as going to the grocery store or taking a walk around the neighborhood

• Have trouble remembering to eat or drink

• Are forgetting to take their medication appropriately

• Are struggling to bathe regularly or get dressed as usual

• Had a fall or been to the emergency room recently

• Leave the stove on after preparing food​

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best senior housing Santa Fe, NM offers, which includes compassionate memory care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia to the most advanced stages.  Our holistic approach to care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes.  Beginning with dedicated caregivers to activities, programs and meals tailored to our residents’ special needs, we bring a deep understanding of the disease to our care.  Please see our website for more information about MorningStar of Santa Fe.
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MorningStar of Santa Fe’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other senior housing Santa Fe, NM has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/is-it-time-for-memory-care

How to Avoid Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke for Seniors

It's essential to address heat-related concerns regarding senior health and wellness. With the summer quickly approaching, it’s important to be observant of the symptoms and warning signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke in seniors. Assisted living communities like MorningStar Senior Living offer a safe and comfortable environment for seniors during the summer by addressing these worries so that seniors and their families can enjoy a worry-free and enjoyable summer season.​

Seniors are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. As people age, their ability to regulate body temperature decreases and the body's natural cooling mechanisms, such as sweating, may not be as efficient in seniors. Because of this, it’s harder for seniors to cool down in hot weather. Make sure your loved one is staying hydrated and taking many breaks if they are outdoors this summer. Try to bring shaded protection if you’re worried about your parent or loved one getting too hot on walks or other outdoor activities.

Seniors often have underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory problems that may make it difficult for seniors to regulate their body temperatures. These conditions can affect the body's response to heat and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Additionally, certain medications like diuretics, beta-blockers, and antihistamines can interfere with heat regulation and hydration. MorningStar’s 24/7 on-site senior living staff are skilled in observing the early signs of heat exhaustion in seniors and are aware of the medications seniors may be taking that could hinder their ability to stay out in the sun for long periods of time.

Given these factors, it is crucial to take proactive measures to protect seniors from heat-related illnesses. This includes ensuring proper hydration, providing a cool environment, encouraging frequent breaks in shaded areas, and monitoring their well-being during hot weather. Assisted living communities like MorningStar Senior Living prioritize the safety and well-being of seniors, implementing strategies to prevent heat-related illnesses and providing necessary support to residents.

Contact us today if you want to know about the best senior living community with built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and modern memory care Nevada has to offer. MorningStar Senior Living Retirement Homes in Sparks, Nevada takes care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing seniors more time to do the things they love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our memory care community near you. 
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To learn more about MorningStar’s Senior Living in Reno, contact our staff who are happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision and what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Nevada. We encourage you to see for yourself the most exceptional and dependable memory care Sparks, Nevada has to offer.

MAKE SURE YOUR SENIOR GETS ENOUGH REST EVERY NIGHT

Did you know that we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, or at least that is how much time we should spend in slumber to maintain our health and well-being? A good night’s sleep is one of the successful ingredients for the recipe to aging successfully. According to the National Sleep Foundation, seniors should sleep at least seven hours of sleep each night to stay both mentally and physically strong as they age.

Unfortunately, far too many seniors carry poor sleeping habits into their Golden Years.

What Are the Common Sleep Issues for Seniors?

Research studies indicate that as many as 70 percent of seniors have chronic sleep issues, with nearly 50 percent of the cases remaining undiagnosed. Several types of sleep issues diminish both the quality and quantity of sleep for seniors.

First, pain and discomfort represent one of the most common sleep issues faced by seniors. Second, many seniors have to deal with nocturia, which causes frequent nighttime urination. Up to 80 percent of seniors have to deal with the sleep disrupter called nocturia. Third, insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep, can be treated by different methods. Fourth, sleep apnea leads to fragmented sleep in which a senior wakes up frequently during the night. Finally, restless leg syndrome, which is the urge to move the legs while sleeping, impacts more than 20 percent of seniors.

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia helps our residents identify and then address sleep issues before they become major health problems.

Tips for Seniors to Sleep Better

One of the most effective ways to develop better sleep habits is to go to bed at the same time each evening. The body works on a schedule, and following the schedule can help your senior get enough rest every night. Another important tip concerns turning off all sources of stimuli at least one hour before bedtime. This includes turning off your senior’s computer, television, and smartphone. The bedroom should be dark, quiet, and exude a relaxing ambiance. Listening to audio that promotes a relaxing environment represents a good way to unwind. 

Exercise during the day can help a senior fall asleep, but your senior should stop giving the body a workout at least two hours before bedtime. Your senior should not consume a large meal before bedtime, as well as limit or eliminate caffeine from the daily diet.

Why Does Sleep Matter?

Getting enough sleep boosts mood, and thus, reduces the likelihood of your senior developing a mental health condition such as depression and/or acute anxiety. Lack of productive sleep can lead to the development of diseases like diabetes, as well as contribute to the development of high blood pressure. A well-rested senior’s body maintains the proper weight, as well as supports the ideal metabolism rate. A good night’s sleep enhances memory and concentration, both of which deteriorate with the onset of dementia.

One of the lesser-known benefits of proper sleep for seniors concerns the removal of harmful toxins. The brain remains active during sleep and the toxins released need to be cleared by getting enough healthy sleep. According to Dr. Maiken Nedergaard of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, “Sleep is critical to the function of the brain’s waste removal system…These findings also add to the increasingly clear evidence that quality of sleep or sleep deprivation can predict the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

At our senior and memory care facility in Phoenix, Arizona, we dedicate both time and resources to help our residents develop the healthiest sleep habits. Learn more about the warm, loving environment at MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia by submitting the short Contact form.

LOOKING FOR MEMORY CARE NEAR PHOENIX, AZ?

Are you looking for memory care near Phoenix, Arizona? At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia, we are here to help your senior loved one address memory loss issues in a warm, welcoming environment.

Taking care of a loved one who develops the symptoms of dementia can be difficult to do. From handling the emotional roller coaster ride to keeping your senior on the right path for treatment, the stress of taking care of a loved one who has developed memory loss symptoms can become overwhelming. However, relying on a team of memory care specialists to provide assisted living services for your senior loved one should alleviate the tremendous burden that you carry on your shoulders.

A highly-rated memory care facility not only assumes the responsibility of encouraging independent living for your senior, but it also ensures the comfort and safety of your loved one to give you the ultimate peace of mind. The question is not whether you should find the right memory care facility for your loved one. Instead, the question should be, what do you look for in the right assisted living facility in Phoenix, AZ?

Home Sweet Home

Moving your senior from the comfort of a home environment to an unknown facility can trigger a wide variety of negative emotions. The first factor to consider when choosing the best memory care facility in Phoenix, Arizona involves finding the venue that reminds your loved one of home. Stay away from facilities that present an austere ambiance, such as one that includes harsh fluorescent lighting and/or white linoleum floors. A facility that exudes charm, while projecting a social ambiance, is a good choice for your senior loved one.

Compassionate and Knowledgeable Staff

Every staff member at a memory care facility should possess the knowledge required to provide the highest quality of dementia care. Ask the facility manager how much training each staff member receives, as well as how long they receive updates on the latest proven techniques for treating and managing memory loss symptoms. Although staff knowledge is one of, if not the most important factor to consider before choosing an assisted living facility, you also should ensure the staff members at a facility display compassion for the residents. You cannot measure compassion as accurately as measuring knowledge. 

Nonetheless, spend plenty of time with the staff members responsible for providing memory care to gain insight into their empathy for residents.

Active Social Calendar

One of the most effective tools assisted living facilities use to attract residents involves promoting their social calendars. Social interactions with other residents should boost the awareness of your senior loved one. Activity calendars should include programs that keep residents busy not only during the week, but on weekends as well. Providing your senior loved one with numerous opportunities to engage with other residents empowers your loved one to remain busy, which stimulates both the mind and body.

Around-the-Clock Registered Nurse Availability

Seniors that suffer from memory loss require constant monitoring to ensure optimal health. Unfortunately, many memory loss facilities retain the services of a registered nurse during normal business hours, while CNAs take over healthcare responsibilities for the remaining hours of the day. Make sure any assisted living facility in Phoenix, AZ on your shortlist of candidates spends the money required to retain the services of at least one registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Submit the brief online form to learn more about how MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia can help your senior loved one address memory loss issues.

4 NUTRITIOUS MEALS SENIORS LOVE

“You are what you eat.”

You have heard the expression at least one time, but what exactly does it mean? Perhaps a better expression is “Your health depends on what you eat.” This is especially true for seniors who tend to lose interest in cooking as they reach their golden years. However, getting enough minerals and nutrients, as well as remaining properly hydrated, are the key to enjoying a healthy senior lifestyle.

Getting enough minerals and nutrients also is a plus for promoting robust brain power. Certain vitamins enhance the functioning of the brain, as well as improve the cardiovascular system. Each of the following four nutritious meals seniors love can be called both brain and body food that keeps your loved one healthy.

As the best memory care facility in Phoenix, Morningstar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia ensures our residents receive the right amounts of healthy foods such as the following four nutritious meals provide.

Salmon and Vegetables

This recipe, which showcases salmon and vegetables, is easy to complete. Salmon represents a low-calorie protein that is a rich source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and energy-producing B vitamins. You also can cook trout or tilapia instead of salmon to benefit from heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Saute the veggies of your choice in olive oil, while baking the salmon filet in a 450-degree oven. Finish the veggies in the oven with the salmon until the salmon turns flaky and presents an opaque appearance.

Berry Chicken Salad

Your senior loved one does not have to develop award-winning culinary skills to create any of the four dishes on this list, but the berry chicken salad is an especially easy recipe to complete. This recipe calls for cooked chicken, which can be the leftovers from another meal. Mix mayo, sugar, and tarragon in a salad bowl before adding blueberries and strawberries. You also should consider adding both peas and celery for both nutrition and texture reasons.

Blend the chicken in last and store the salad in the refrigerator until it is time for lunch or dinner.

Veggie Stir-Fry

This is another popular dish that takes more time to prepare than to cook. Select your favorite veggies and then dice or slice each one before setting them in a bowl where olive oil waits for coating. The sauce includes water, honey, orange juice, fresh ginger, and low-sodium soy sauce. Saute the veggies in the olive oil coating before adding the sauce to cover both the veggies and the protein of your choice, which can be shrimp, chicken, or heart-healthy tofu.

Quiche

As one of the most versatile types of nutritious meals seniors love, quiche can be served at any meal. The relatively inexpensive nutritious meal for seniors includes a leafy green such as spinach, which provides iron, magnesium, and manganese, as well as heart-healthy like vitamins A, C, and K. Your senior loved one can find an appealing quiche recipe in most cookbooks, as well as online at food-centric websites.

After mixing the ingredients, which consist of eggs and some type of protein, place the quiche in an oven set at the temperature listed in the recipe.

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia offers a warm, loving atmosphere, as well as spectacular scenery and resort-like amenities. Our foundation values include a commitment to honoring God and serving the residences of our highly-rated community. Get the answers to your senior living in Phoenix questions by submitting the convenient form found on our website.

MorningStar of Santa Fe Offers Memory Care

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Santa Fe offers experienced memory care. Our Reflections Neighborhood has memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   Our compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.  

The Reflections Neighborhood is designed in full consideration of the dispositions and behaviors of those with memory impairment and encourages independence for our most tender residents with clear wayfinding; and safe, inviting common areas. Residents receive daily health monitoring and 24/7 care along with access to a licensed nurse and more supportive third-party service providers. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms.

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call “Lavender Sky.”  By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  

All our employees, regardless of their position, will receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training include the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.  

Through Lavender Sky, our caregivers thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the “purple world” of dementia as they cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. By exploring each of our residents’ life stories including their history and preferences, we create an individualized care plan. We also involve and engage family members in how to follow our lead.  

Please contact us for more information about MorningStar’s senior living in Santa Fe, NM and all the amenities and services we provide. We look forward to hearing from you.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Memory Care at MorningStar of Albuquerque

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating and we want families to know we are here to help. Our community offers loving, compassionate care to those with memory impairment in our Reflections Neighborhood. The MorningStar Senior Living company brings 20 years of experience to memory care in senior communities across eleven states.  

MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available.  We are different from other communities in that every aspect of our memory care is designed from the ground up to accommodate residents. Secure and inviting, the Reflections Neighborhood gives residents as much freedom as possible. 

Through the rigors of MorningStar’s Lavender Sky training, our staff truly understands Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-loss conditions; and after a family decides to place a loved one in our care, we get to work. This starts by learning as much as we can about the person’s background, talents and personal preferences through a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” Using this information, we create a specialized, individualized care plan that helps to calm or stimulate as a particular situation needs. 

Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort, as we focus on residents’ unique needs.         

Along with memory care, we offer assisted living as well as respite care and short-term stays (from one week up to a full month). Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted seniors living in Albuquerque.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque offers.

Help Aging Parents Manage Their Medications

Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking at least one or more prescription medications daily.  In fact, the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.”  Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interactions, an area of special concern for the elderly.  

Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state almost 450,000 older adults (65 years old or older) visit the emergency room each year because of adverse, or harmful, drug events.  Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “take on an empty stomach,” and the adverse side effects. 

Experts say to help a parent get organized, write down the names of all of the drugs they are taking, the dosage, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them.  Include any herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs.  The next time they see their primary care doctor, take your list and discuss the reasons for each drug, how long they will be on it, and if any of the drugs are dangerous taken together.  Whenever a new drug is prescribed, ask what it is for and how it should be taken, and read through the paperwork.   

Store medications together in a cool, dry location (not the bathroom), discard old, expired medications, and find a pill organizer that makes sense for your parent’s needs.  If they are forgetful, they may need a reminder system.  However, if a parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, they should be carefully monitored. 

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, our residents’ wellbeing and physical health is our primary concern.  This is why one of our many services is medication management that ensures residents take medications properly, and as we even order medications, there is no danger of them running out.  Please visit our website for more information about our exceptional memory care and assisted living in Albuquerque, NM.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver memory care services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.

Exceptional and Personalized Senior Care Near You

Your parents or loved one in need of assisted living may worry about losing their independence, privacy, and their sense of autonomy as their need for senior care increases. However, there are options for assisted senior living that encourages independence through personalized senior care. MorningStar offers the most personalized assisted living Nevada has to offer. This senior living community dedicates its time and attention to ensuring that your parent or loved one receives the senior support they need while maintaining their independence and autonomy.

MorningStar of Sparks is set apart from other assisted living communities by their commitment to exceptional and personalized senior care. Every resident receives a personalized care plan upon their move-in that considers their unique needs, preferences, and interests. We tak with their caregivers to make sure a plan is created that represents their daily lifestyle and comfort. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it continues to meet your loved one’s changing needs throughout their stay at MorningStar. This attention to detail should help you remain assured that your parents are being properly cared for and kept happy and healthy.

Our staff recognizes that every resident is unique and deserves personalized attention and care, but also privacy. This is why they offer a range of services that can be tailored to each resident's individual needs and we do not over extend our services if not needed. This personalized care extends far beyond just medical and physical needs. Our caretakers dedicate their time to getting to know each resident, their likes and dislikes, their hobbies and interests, and their personality. This helps us provide personalized social and recreational activities tailored to each resident's needs and preferences.

Contact us today if you want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and memory care Sparks NV has seen. MorningStar Assisted Living Retirement Homes in Nevada takes care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our memory care community near you. 

To learn more about MorningStar’s Senior Living in Sparks, contact our staff who are happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Nevada. We encourage you to see for yourself the most exceptional and dependable memory care East Reno, Nevada has to offer. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe Offers Experienced Memory Care

MorningStar of Santa Fe is proud to offer exceptional assisted living and memory care.  Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates senior living communities throughout the Western U.S.  This means MorningStar of Santa Fe benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained in their 19 years of operation regarding all facets of senior living, including a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  

MorningStar has earned a reputation as trusted dementia care specialists, and we feel it is our calling to provide care to our most special residents.  By devoting a distinct area to memory care called the Reflections Neighborhood, residents are encouraged to be independent with clear wayfinding and inviting common areas.  To ensure our residents’ safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure courtyard to allow them to enjoy being outdoors.

Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we meet with them and their family to get to know as much as we can about them including their history, vocation, talents, and preferences. From there we create a daily routine designed to stimulate or calm as a situation requires. Residents are also treated to tempting meals consisting of finger foods and family-style dining for a stress-free, companionable dining experience. 

Our holistic approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of dementia.  Providing loving support for our residents, we enter with insight and intentionality as we step into their “purple world” and cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us.  We also feel it is our job to help support our residents’ families.  Along with education, we show them how to follow our lead and enter into the world of their loved ones.

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.  Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual.  For trusted senior living in Santa Fe, NM, visit our website or contact us for further information.
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MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Memory Loss That Impacts Your Day-to-Day Life is Cause for Concern

Growing older can bring with it a variety of problems including worrying about your ability to remember things or the fact that it now takes you a lot longer to learn something new. While you may be concerned about forgetting where you put your glasses or the date of your next doctor visit, or even forgetting to pay an occasional bill, experts say most likely it is just normal aging.

So, what are the differences between normal forgetfulness and signs of a deeper problem? The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says it is about the degree of forgetfulness. While mild forgetfulness may be normal, memory loss that impacts your day-to-day life is a cause for concern and includes things like forgetting how to get home, or problems driving or using your phone. 

The NIA says this is the time to have an honest discussion with your doctor as he/she can help determine whether it is normal aging or something else that is causing the problem. If indicated, they can do a series of cognitive and medical tests to narrow down the problem. It is important to remember not all memory loss is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia but may be the result of a medication you are taking, depression, infection or a medical problem. 

Doctors say it is important to get a diagnosis because if it is dementia there are medications and treatments that can help. A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) means a person is considered to have more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age. If a person does have MCI, typically they can still care for themselves and do their normal activities. While it can be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease, the NIA says not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer’s disease. 

Along with assisted living, Albuquerque NM’s MorningStar community offers specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Every aspect of our care addresses the needs of our residents starting with the very design of our Reflections Neighborhood to a wide range of wellness programs, activities and healthy, delicious meals.  Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar of Albuquerque’s compassionate, loving memory care.  While you are there, use our Community Assistant (in the lower right corner) to inquire about pricing and set up a tour.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.