A Holistic Approach to Memory Care

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia, our Reflection Neighborhood is dedicated to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  We take a holistic approach to our care, which starts with the utmost respect and compassion for each resident, borne out of a deep understanding of the many pathologies known collectively as dementia, including the most prevalent, Alzheimer’s disease.

  

Our secure and loving memory neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.  The creative side of our care begins with learning about each resident.  We interview the family to get a thorough understanding of a person’s history and use that knowledge to aid in their care and to develop a trust between the resident and our staff.  To help control adverse behaviors associated with the disease, we use a variety of multi-sensory cues, including aromatherapy, to calm and to awaken memories, to support capabilities and to affirm the individual’s dignity and value.

We know a prognosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia is frightening, which is why we work closely with our families to help them understand what is happening to their loved one.  Teresa Jones, Wellness Director of MorningStar at Arcadia, explains that, “Central to my responsibility (and joy) at MorningStar is caring for the family members. My door is always open to them, day or night. When they come into my office, everything else stops. ‘How are you feeling after today’s visit? Was it a good moment, a bad one?’ I want to be there to comfort and advise.”

Our team at MorningStar at Arcadia works every day to make a difference in the lives of our memory care residents.  Please contact us to learn more about our Reflections Neighborhood as well as our full MorningStar at Arcadia’s assisted living community. 

  

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best senior living in the Phoenix area.

Does Your Parent Need More Help?

Adult children are often surprised to discover that a parent is not doing well and that they may require additional assistance to ensure their continued safety and comfort.  According to the experts, there are several sign to look for to help determine if assisted living is the right answer for your mom or dad. 

The website Caring.com recommends that you consider assisted living if your elderly parent has recently experienced a fall or has had a medical emergency and did not receive the immediate help they required.  Also it may be time to think about it if they suffer from chronic health problems that are getting progressively worse such as COPD, congestive heart failure or dementia?  Furthermore, do they take a long time to recover from an illness? 

Other indications that your loved one is not getting the care they need at home are signs of weight loss and a more frail appearance or if they are neglecting their personal hygiene and are not as well-groomed as they used to be?  It may simply be that preparing meals and taking care of day-to-day personal activities have become too difficult for them.  An empty refrigerator, stacks of unopened mail, and new dents in the car could all be warning signs that your parent would benefit from having more assistance.  

Another advantage to assisted living is that it can also provide your loved one with social activities and companionship.  Often seniors live alone, and as many stop driving, they do not get out on their own.  Assisted living communities provide seniors with an opportunity to live comfortably and securely as well as to enjoy a range of activities and the company of others.  We encourage you to plan a visit to MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia to discover the carefree lifestyle we offer. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community.

Sources:helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/assisted-living-facilities.htm caring.com/articles/signs-its-time-for-assisted-living

Weekly Calendar Loaded with Meaningful Programs and Activities

If you are looking for the best assisted living community in the Phoenix area, you will definitely want to take a look at MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia. We offer seniors a choice of configurations in 80 private assisted living suites, and devote 30 suites in our Reflection Neighborhood to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  

As a resident of our community, you will have a wide selection of meaningful wellness programs as well as creative and social activities to participate in.  Our programs include a variety of exercise options, morning hymns and worship, Catholic communion, reading groups, word games and puzzles, flower arranging, trivia, Bingo, movie night and much, much more.   

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself,” and that “even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging.”  At MorningStar we could not agree more, which is why we offer scheduled exercise every morning with programs such as: Group Exercise, Morning Stretches, Be Fit, Balance and Posture, or Relaxation.  

Another popular activity with our residents is our word, board, and trivia games.  Each monthly calendar is filled with various games such as crossword puzzles, Yahtzee, trivia, Jeopardy, Bingo, The Price is Right, and Uno.  Our wide scope of activities means that regardless of your interest, you are sure to find something of interest.  Whether it is joining the reading group, learning to knit, or having the opportunity to attend morning hymns, MorningStar is a great place to call home.  Please contact us today to schedule a tour to discover for yourself all that we offer. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to give us a call and schedule a tour to learn more about Phoenix’s best assisted living community.

Source:nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html

What is “Assisted Living?”

Many people mistakenly assume that “assisted living” is just another term for nursing homes.  In fact, nursing homes are intended for people that require long-term, around-the-clock medical care and supervision and should not be confused with assisted living, which provides residents support for daily care activities.  At an assisted living community, you will receive the care you need to live comfortably and safely while still retaining your privacy and as much independence as possible. 

Assisted living is ideal for anyone who does not require 24-hour skilled medical care but rather just needs more personal care than they can get at home or at an independent living retirement community.  Meals and transportation are provided, and if needed, residents can get help with activities such as showering dressing, and etc. For the family, they rest easy knowing that a trained, caring staff is available to help whenever a loved one needs it.  

Many assisted living communities offer the privacy of individual suites, while also providing their residents with the security and safety of 24-hour support and quick access to care.  In addition communities generally provide residents the opportunity to participate in social and recreation activities along with wellness programs.  Residents usually eat their meals in a communal dining room and have housekeeping and laundry services available. 

If you would like to see what the best assisted living community in Phoenix offers, we invite you to take a look at the gorgeous MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia.  Our community provides various levels of assistance with daily living activities as determined after a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director and in agreement with the senior and their extended family.  For all of our residents, MorningStar’s around-the-clock Care Managers are there to meet needs and to ensure the upmost safety. 

  

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best assistant living in the Phoenix area.

How to Find the Best Assisted Living Community

Searching for an assisted living community for yourself or a parent can feel like an overwhelming task.  We know you want to make the best choice and there are a couple of things you may want to consider before you take such an important step. 

First, you will want to research the various options in your preferred area.  The Internet is an efficient and easy way to discover what is out there, and you will find several websites that offer a search directory of facilities.  Also you can check with your health care provider for any recommendations they may have. 

Once you have narrowed down your list to several communities in your target location, give them a call to set up a tour.  While on the phone, have a list of questions handy such as are there immediate openings available, and if not, how long is the wait, the price range and what will you see on the tour as well as how much time it will take. 

A community tour is your best opportunity to get a real feel for the place.  You want your future home to have a caring and warm staff and residents that are friendly.  If you are looking for assisted living for a family member that is not very mobile, you can tour a few and narrow down the selections so they only tour the top choices.  The Caring.com website has a checklist available for researching and touring a community that you may find helpful. 

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia, the thing we brag the most about is our atmosphere of love and community that is built on one relationship at a time.  We are conveniently located in the heart of the Valley, adjacent to the popular neighborhoods of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, and offer a choice of 80 private assisted living suites on three levels.  Our Reflection Neighborhood has 30 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with memory impairment.  Please call us for more details. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  Set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Arcadia invites you to schedule a tour or give us a call to learn more about the best Phoenix area assisted living community.

Source: caring.com/articles/assisted-living-facilities-choosing-the-right-one