Using Music and Art to Improve the Lives of Those with Dementia

Multiple studies report on the benefits of using music and art to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Experts explain they help encourage engagement and self-expression even in more advanced stages.  

Professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients say music seems to decrease agitation and improves behavioral problems common in the middle stages of the disease. Patients in later stages may even be able to sing a song they knew from childhood or tap a foot to the beat even after other forms of communication are difficult. Dancing or gently moving to a rhythm helps coordinate motor movements as well as allows the person to express emotions. Research shows “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” 

If you wish to use music to calm and soothe, choose peaceful, tranquil pieces. If you want to boost spirits and bring back happy memories, use livelier pieces. Experts say to turn off other distractions like a TV and close windows if there is outside noise. Music may be more enjoyable to the person if it is something they are familiar with from their earlier life. 

Art can also be an outlet for self-expression and give a person with Alzheimer’s a sense of purpose and accomplishment in creating their own work. Experts recommended avoiding any project that seems childlike and demeaning. Use safe, non-toxic materials, and if they need, take their hand and guide it on the paper to get them started. Moreover, remember there is no need for the person to finish.  

MorningStar of Albuquerque’s goal is to provide the best senior living Albuquerque, NM offers, which includes compassionate care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. A resident’s day is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Please visit our website to learn more about our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.  

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 Albuquerque has to offer.

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music

Companion Living Available at MorningStar’s Community in Phoenix

MorningStar at Arcadia recognizes that for some, assisted living can seem out of reach for them financially, which is why we strive to help families find ways to make it affordable. One of the solutions we offer is “Companion Living.” This is where two unrelated people of the same sex share a suite, whether in assisted living or memory care.

Obviously, it is ideal if you have a relative, friend or acquaintance that is looking for the same type of situation and you can pair up to share a suite with them. However, we know that option is not always available, so we step in and help find a suitable companion for you. We carefully pair residents together based on common backgrounds and interests as that provides a good basis for building a friendship. With this living arrangement, the rent of the shared suite is split.

Beyond the financial advantage, companion living can help ease the transition to a senior living community. The presence of a roommate can encourage more confident socialization with the broader community, and having someone around who knows the ropes is always helpful. Also, you can look out for one another’s interests and most likely be the first one to notice a change in the other’s health or abilities. As we all know, when a friend is present, everything else suddenly feels that much better.

MorningStar at Arcadia offers residents an engaged lifestyle that includes a wide range of programs and activities as well as nutritional daily meals. Our many onsite amenities include a bistro, chapel, theatre, library, salon, fireside courtyard, general store, and a fully equipped fitness room. If you are looking for a community with an exceptional memory care team along with amenities and services unmatched by other senior living in Phoenix, please visit our website to learn more about 

MorningStar. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer.

Learn More About MorningStar of Albuquerque

For exceptional memory care or senior living, Albuquerque, NM’s MorningStar community offers residents a home that is not only beautiful but designed to accommodate their every need.  Our community offers 48 assisted living suites, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Within our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 21 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment.  To ensure residents’ every need is met, we offer a broad range of amenities, wellness programs, care services and more.     

For a deep dive into our community, our website is a good place to start as it is loaded with information including suite plans, a list of amenities, pictures, and background on the MorningStar Senior Living Company.  We explain more about what the difference is between independent living, assisted living, and memory care, along with a decision guide to help your family determine if assisted living is the right choice for your loved one.  You will also find links discussing affordability and Aid & Attendance for veterans as well as other options such as companion living.  

Our website’s FAQs are handy as they go over a whole range of topics to many of the questions you most likely have. This includes information on how prices are structured, how the level of care is determined in assisted living, our transportation services and pet policy.  Other popular questions regard our dining program and medication management services.  

While this is just a portion of the extensive information on our site, we are also ready to answer any other questions you may have through a phone call, email, Facebook, or use our Virtual Assistant that lets you start a live chat.  We look forward to hearing from you and are ready to serve.  

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.

Have Questions About MorningStar at Arcadia?

MorningStar at Arcadia’s goal is to provide the best assisted living Phoenix offers, and we understand that deciding which community is right for you is a big step for a senior.  This is why we encourage interested families to give us a call to discuss any questions you may have and/or to inquire about availability.  In addition, our website is filled with lots of pertinent information regarding amenities, services, floorplans, enrichment programs and more.  

Our website even has a dedicated page for FAQs under our “First Steps” tab.  Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions such as age requirements (in our assisted living and memory care suites, you must be at least 55 years old).  You will also discover important information on how a resident’s level of care is determined and our pricing structure.  

FAQs include practical queries such as, yes, we will help you find a physician if you need one whether it is a primary care doctor or a specialty healthcare provider like an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist. And yes, we do provide transportation to doctor appointments as needed, and our transportation vehicles can accommodate a walker or wheelchair. 

You and your family may also want to know about the type of training our staff receives, and we go over that too.   Care Managers complete an orientation program (including a three-day shadow), Radiance culture training, 8-hour dementia training, and ongoing training in specific care needs.  Each of our Medication Managers (QMAPs) is additionally trained in medication administration.   

FAQs go over senior housing options such as Companion Living that allows two unrelated adults of the same sex to share a suite, and of course, married couples are welcome!  MorningStar at Arcadia also offers short-term stays based on availability that allows someone to get an idea of whether senior living is right for them.  

Please visit our website for contact information, to set up a tour, or to get answers to any other questions.  We look forward to hearing from you.  

MorningStar at Arcadia proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Phoenix has to offer.

The Dining Experience at MorningStar of Santa Fe

If you are looking for the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Santa Fe. Our beautiful pueblo-styled community is located on the city’s west side and is ideally situated for mountain views. We are one of 40+ MorningStar Senior Living communities either operating or under construction in 11 states.

As a MorningStar resident, you will be treated to a whole host of resort-style amenities and care services including a five-star dining experience.  All residents are treated to three daily meals prepared under the supervision of our Executive Chef and served restaurant-style in our attractive dining room.  We understand that food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of living.  We also know food always tastes better and is enjoyed more when shared in community and breaking bread together helps to bond us as a family and as friends.  

Our meals are prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients from the highest quality local producers.  MorningStar’s Chef looks forward to feedback from residents and is open to suggestions.  At each meal, residents have choices to self-manage their dietary restrictions such as low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low-fat dishes.  

We also believe in BrainWise foods and use ingredients known to support brain health with their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.  Thus, as the MorningStar’s culinary team strives to create meals that delight the eye and palate, they also leverage the phenomenal benefits of superfoods such as Omega 3 fats, acai berries, dark chocolate and dark greens.

Our community offers 56 private assisted living suites as well as 29 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  While residents’ apartments are their own private nest, our community also has inviting common areas both inside and out that are designed to encourage residents to sit and relax with friends.  Please contact us for more information.      

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Six in 10 People with Dementia Will Wander

The Alzheimer’s Association says that six in 10 people with dementia will wander.  The danger with this is someone with Alzheimer’s disease may not remember their name, their address or how to get home.  Furthermore, the more agitated the person becomes when they feel lost and disorientated, the less able they may be to tell someone something that could help get them safely back home.  

Experts say anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia that is mobile is at risk for wandering.  Even if the person is in the early stages of the disease, they may still get disorientated; but thankfully there are strategies to help keep your loved one safe.  

It is important to have a plan in place in the event that it should happen to your parents or another loved one.  Find out if your area has a “Safe Return Program” and enroll them in it and have them wear a GPS locating device at all times.  Also, learn to recognize the warning signs of potential wandering such as: has the person forgotten how to get to familiar places, talks about going home even when they are home, gets confused as to where familiar places in the home are, and acts nervous or anxious in crowded areas.  

Tips to help prevent wandering include creating and sticking to a routine, identifying the times when wandering is most likely to occur, and trying to make sure all of the person’s needs are met so they don’t feel the need to go out.  In addition, reposition door locks out of the line of sight and make sure car keys are not left out.  You can buy a device that sounds an alarm when a door or window is opened; and never leave the person locked in at home or in a car alone.   

Along with assisted living, Albuquerque NM’s MorningStar community offers memory care in a secure environment that allows residents to safely explore their surroundings, including an enclosed patio and courtyard. In addition, our dedicated staff is trained to keep residents engaged and safe. Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar of Albuquerque and our compassionate, loving memory care.

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 retirement homes and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.

Sources:

alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering 

agingcare.com/articles/when-is-it-time-to-place-a-loved-one-with-dementia-188309.htm

Simple Stretches Can Increase Flexibility, Improve Balance and Relieve Pain

For many years, people thought stretching exercises were done mainly to help athletes avoid injuries. Research now shows the value of stretching for older adults. The Harvard School of Medicine’s journal reports that doing “simple stretches just two or three times a week can dramatically help anyone increase flexibility, improve balance, and relieve the pain caused by muscle and joint stiffness.”

Improving balance and increasing flexibility helps seniors retain the ability to do the things they need to do to remain as independent as possible. Studies show stretching can also improve circulation, muscle control and coordination. In fact, the Journal of Gerontology reported on the results of a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults, which found participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also reported a decrease in pain.

It is important to talk to your doctor before you begin any new exercises including stretching. Once you get the go-ahead, experts say stretch at least 10 minutes twice a week; and do it after a five- or ten-minute walk or jog to warm up your muscles if possible. They say to take a deep breath, and to slowly exhale while holding the stretch for 30 seconds. Be sure not to stretch too far as to cause pain. For recommended stretches for seniors, check with your physical therapist or physician, or visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.

MorningStar at Arcadia has 80 assisted living suites, and another 30 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our beautiful community provides tasty, nutritional meals as well as suitable exercise programs and activities to meet the needs of residents physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. If you are looking for a senior living in Phoenix, we encourage you to consider 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 true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix offers.

How to Have Successful Aging

American society is greatly concerned with aging. While some fads are simply aesthetic and vapid, other concerns are valid. In terms of senior health, assisted living facilities should see wellness as a dynamic process of change and growth that optimizes every aspect of a resident’s life during their stay in a senior living community. MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks defines wellness as a comprehensive, holistic strength. Whether in clinical matters or life enrichment. Find out how senior living at MorningStar in Greater Reno has optimized assisted living with creative solutions that benefit the health and longevity of seniors.

To strengthen the independence of residents, MorningStar senior living of Sparks partners with ONR or, Orthopedic and Neurological Rehabilitation, to provide expanded services in integrated wellness. Every community team has a full-time Director of Rehab who oversees ONR Touch, a concierge-style program offering education; fitness, and wellness classes; rehabilitation services inclusive of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy; and other therapeutic solutions to help heal arthritic pain, or issues surrounding cardiac/respiratory health concerns, or osteoporosis.

Care levels is a special process for assisted living residents at MorningStar senior living that determines the amount of individualized care a resident requires through a simple point system that considers the cost and time of providing each service such as grooming, bathing, ambulation, and medical assistance. The cumulative score determines the level of care, resulting in an individualized assisted living service plan within your senior living facility that offers the right amount of help to keep you comfortable and safe.

MorningStar of Sparks in Greater Reno is dedicated to creating a true home for its residents and helping both them and their families adjust to their new lifestyles. Contact us today to learn more about our senior living options in Sparks, Nevada. Our staff is 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 senior living facilities in Nevada.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other retirement 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, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Sparks, Nevada.

When to Consider a Memory Care Community

A Place for Mom’s website offers some advice to families regarding the need for memory care for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. They explain early-on in the disease, many individuals are capable of living independently with family members overseeing some of their care. However, they also warn symptoms can vary from day to day and it can be difficult to know exactly when a person requires more supervision for their safety and wellbeing. 

Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says when speaking to families, he centers the conversation regarding additional care for their loved one on the “ability to perform activities of daily living and safety.” ADLs include things like dressing, bathing, eating and toileting. 

Other questions doctors may ask to evaluate a person’s ability to live on their own include: is he or she having trouble finding their way back home from familiar neighborhood routes? Are they forgetting to eat or drink and take medications? Is the person’s safety at risk? Have they left the stove on, have unexplained bruises, or had several falls recently?

Medical experts say it is important to let the person’s healthcare providers know as soon as you suspect a problem. They can do tests to rule out other conditions that may be causing the confusion or memory loss; and take a look at the person’s medications to see if they are the problem. Also, if a diagnosis is made early-on, the person has the chance to weigh-in regarding care options down the road. 

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Santa Fe has 29 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation.  Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.  For trusted senior housing Santa Fe, NM families can count on, visit our website or contact us for further information.

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 housing Santa Fe, NM offers.

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

Having Surgery? Tips to Help Your Recovery

Medical experts say there are things we can do before and after that may help encourage our recovery from surgery.  One of the first things Dr. Charla Fischer, an orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Spine Center in New York City, is to think of surgery not as a sprint but rather as a full marathon or race.  She explains, "The surgery itself is just the first part of the race – there is also the recovery after. You want your body to be as prepared as possible, and exercise and good nutrition before and after surgery are part of this."

Before your surgery, your doctor may have you screened for a series of health problems including malnutrition, anemia, diabetes and pain, and then take steps to address them.  As exercise is another important part of getting in shape, you should talk to your surgeon about what is safe for you to do.  If you feel you need more guidance, ask if you are a candidate for a pre-habilitation program as it can show you the best type of exercise to safely strengthen your body in readiness for surgery.  Also, be sure to ask about what kind of exercise is safe to do after the surgery.  Doctors say typically the quicker you are to move, the quicker you get your strength back.   

If you find yourself suffering from preoperative anxiety, ask your surgeon to walk you through the experience so you know what to expect including “pre-surgery, during surgery, the hospital stay and recovery after surgery," Dr. Fisher explains.   Your post-surgery diet should be rich in protein, and avoid sugary and processed foods.  Also stay hydrated.  Quitting smoking is another thing that offers big benefits in post-surgical outcomes as “smoking increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen to the tissues that need it and increases stress on the heart.” Finally, if something doesn’t seem right about your recovery, contact your surgeon.   

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we provide high-quality assisted living and memory care as well as respite care.  Respite or temporary care is a great option for seniors who are recovering from surgery or an illness and require some day-to-day support services.  Along with providing a fully furnished suite, our respite residents are treated to three healthy and delicious daily meals created by our Executive Chef, 24-hour care and medication management.  Contact us to learn more about exceptional senior 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 true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque has to offer.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/tips-for-recovering-from-surgery

You’ve Made the Hardest Decision of Your Life

As adults, our lives do not fall short of requiring us to make difficult choices. That doesn’t stop some from feeling tougher than others. If you have recently made the decision to move your parent or loved one into assisted living or memory care, you are probably dealing with emotions of shame, guilt, and worry. Unfortunately, the reality is that even if this is the best decision for their health and yours, the guilt and sadness can still feel looming. If you’re adjusting to this new reality, it’s important to understand why you’re feeling this way and where this guilt may have come from to better heal and accept your loved one’s new transition in life.

If you feel as though you’ve failed to care for your parent or loved one by moving them into assisted care, that simply isn’t true. You have had to make a difficult decision that required prioritizing two different levels of need. Accepting help from a facility that is suited and more knowledgeable in senior care is more selfless than you may be feeling. In assisted living, your parent or loved one will be able to have supervision, help with everyday tasks, communicate with their neighbors, and receive healthy meals all without fail. At home, you may have had to cut corners or other things seemed to fall by the wayside, leaving you to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Assisted living allows both you and your loved one to be cared for and experience relaxation.

Your parents don’t hate you. Perhaps when you were younger, they expressed the desire to never be in a nursing home or under supervised care. This sentiment may now be leaving you to feel guilty for going against their wishes. The truth is, while they may have never seen themselves within assisted care, they certainly wouldn’t want to feel like a burden to you or other family members, either. They couldn’t predict the future, and while they may be feeling a range of emotions and taking some time to adjust, they will come to understand that you made the right choice for them and you.

MorningStar of Sparks in Greater Reno is dedicated to creating a true home for its residents and helping both them and their families adjust to their new lifestyles. Contact us today to learn more about our senior living options in Sparks, Nevada. Our staff is 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 senior living facilities in Nevada.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks “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, we encourage you to see for yourself our exceptional offering for independent and assisted living in Sparks, Nevada.

It May be Time to Consider Assisted Living

For many seniors, there comes a time when they feel they are not living life on their own terms, and routine, day-to-day activities start becoming more difficult. To determine if assisted living is the right choice for a parent or spouse, experts say you need to consider the amount of care they require on a daily basis. If it is more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) with in-home services or in an independent living community, yet they don’t need 24-hour medical care and supervision, assisted living is the ideal option.  

People often confuse assisted living with nursing homes; however, they are not the same thing. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care while assisted living provides help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) to enhance residents’ quality of life within a residential setting.

While some families may experience sticker shock when first learning the cost of assisted living, you need to consider everything it includes. For example, MorningStar of Albuquerque’s monthly fee includes property taxes, utilities, security system, and the cost of maintenance inside and out. Daily meals are included in the fee as is housekeeping, scheduled transportation and an array of activities, entertainment and outings. 

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we like to think of assisted living as providing seniors “a little help from friends” to enable them to live life as independently as possible. Our beautiful community on the northeast side of the city offers assisted living suites in a choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans. Onsite amenities include a full salon, bistro, theatre, fitness room, massage room, and fireside patio. For seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to meet the needs of our most tender residents. 

Along with assisted living and memory care, we also offer respite care (short recuperative stays) or trial stays (up to a full month) so you can see if we are a good fit. For trusted assisted living Albuquerque, NM seniors can count on, visit our website or contact us for further information.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.