Memory Care at MorningStar of Santa Fe

At MorningStar of Santa Fe, 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. In addition, we offer SafelyYou technology, which can detect and prevent falls for residents with (AI) Artificial Intelligence.

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 housing in Santa Fe, NM.

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us for more information about the finest senior housing Santa Fe, NM has to offer.

Visiting Your Doctor for Memory Loss

If you or a loved one is experiencing troubling memory problems, it is important to see your healthcare provider. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, there are steps you can take to mitigate or delay the onset of the disease. 

The Alzheimer’s Association explains, “Physicians and other medical professionals are a central part of the care team of a person living with dementia. Along with other members — which may include family, friends or others — they work to provide support throughout the course of the disease.” Therefore, one of the best ways to ensure optimal care is to honestly communicate with your physician.  

To establish a good relationship with the doctor, a person or family member should take some time to prepare for the visit. Helpful tips from the Alzheimer’s Association include:

• Document any changes in your health, including your mood, memory and behaviors.

• Make a note of any changes you’ve noticed since your last appointment.

• Create a list of current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

• Write down any vitamins or supplements you’ve added to your medication regimen.

• Make a list of questions you want to ask.

Writing down questions you have beforehand makes sure you don’t forget them, and don’t be reluctant to ask questions if you don’t understand something. The Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, made up of men and women in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, put together a list of questions to help others make the most out of a doctor’s visit. Questions range from asking about the type of tests used to make a diagnosis, what to expect from the disease, and what type of treatments may be used. When seeing a specialist, ask how familiar they are with caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. 

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we offer 41 assisted living suites and 21 suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in our distinct Reflections Neighborhood. Our holistic memory 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.  Visit our website for more information about trusted 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 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/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-communicating-doctor-health-care-pro-ts.pdf

Hearing Aids are Now Available Without a Prescription

Did you know the FDA has made changes to regulations regarding hearing aids, which now makes it possible to buy an FDA approved device over the counter (OTC)? While many of us have heard about the high cost of prescription hearing aids and that Medicare typically does not cover them, you may want to know whether the experts think an OTC purchase is a good idea. 

The Harvard Medical School went to Dr. James Naples, assistant professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to see if it is a viable option and to explain potential pros and cons. He explains that despite there being several types of hearing aids, they all amplify sound and use a combination of signaling processing and directional microphones to filter out background noise. However, he warns against confusing personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) with hearing aids as they only amplify sound. 

To determine your level of hearing loss, experts recommend you start by getting a hearing test from an audiologist like you would get an exam from an optometrist when buying eyeglasses. This is especially necessary for severe hearing loss, as OTC devices are not appropriate for all types of hearing loss. For mild to moderate hearing loss, it may be possible to get good results by purchasing an OTC device without a hearing exam and fitting by an audiologist. 

The next question routinely asked is if you will save money by purchasing an OTC hearing aid and the answer is most-likely yes as a single hearing aid’s average cost is $2000, and age-related hearing loss may be in both ears. OTC also helps reduce the price by eliminating the added expense of the hearing test along with the actual device being substantially lower. Doctors say the new regulations should increase competition and some estimates indicate prices could drop by as much as $1,600. 

Dr. Naples cautions that just as drugstore readers are a great option for many, some individuals have more complicated issues that require more precise solutions. Hearing aids are the same. The doctor states the safest bet is to get a hearing test to confirm an OTC device is right for you. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community provides a full range of care and hospitality services as well as luxury amenities. We also offer a complement of wellness programs and activities to help residents stay engaged physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. Contact us to learn more about exceptional senior living in Santa Fe, 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 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 the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Source: health.harvard.edu/blog/should-you-get-an-over-the-counter-hearing-aid-202211162852

Medication Safety Tips

It may surprise you to know that according to the Department of Health and Human Services, each year fifty-five percent of seniors are non-compliant with prescription drug orders and do not take medication as prescribed by their doctors. It is a serious problem as approximately 200,000 older adults are hospitalized annually due to adverse drug reactions. 

Medical professionals say there are steps seniors and those who care for an elderly loved one can do to help lessen the problem. To start with, take medications as prescribed including the correct dosage and time, with or without food, and never crush a pill into a powder. Especially if you see multiple doctors, be sure to always bring a list and dosage of all medications you are taking including non-prescription and herbal supplements. 

Experts say using the same pharmacy can help reduce drug interactions, and to be sure to read the warnings regarding adverse reactions. Periodically review your prescriptions with your doctors to make sure you are taking the right dosage and still need the medications. To see if any meds you take have a warning for usage in the elderly, check the American Geriatric Society’s Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. It is also recommended you properly dispose of older medications and drugs you no longer take.  

If you are on medications to treat diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to continue to test your glucose level and BP numbers. Other drugs may be prescribed with the understanding you will have your blood tested periodically and it is important to follow through as too high or too low of a dosage can cause problems.  

MorningStar of Albuquerque is a 55+ community on the popular northeast side of town between Paseo del Norte and Palomas Ave. NE. We make it easy for your retirement years to be carefree with a full range of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities as well as a responsive, loving staff.  Care services include medication management by certified Med Care Managers. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about Morningstar’s 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 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.

Source: seniorsafetyreviews.com/13-medication-safety-tips/

MorningStar of Santa Fe is Designed to Meet the Needs of Our Residents

If you live alone, no longer drive, have problems with mobility, and feel like you would welcome more social interaction into your life, please consider community living. Homes like MorningStar of Samta Fe provide residents with all the services, amenities and wellness programs to help them comfortably and safely age in place. Moreover, as one of our cherished residents, you get peace of mind knowing help is at hand whenever you need it. 

Right from the ground up, our home is designed to meet the needs and comfort of our residents.  We offer beautifully appointed common areas including inviting gathering areas, bistro bar, salon, fitness room, chapel/theatre, and an attractive dining room for all-day, restaurant-style dining. Residents also enjoy the outdoors with a fireside patio and all-season porches.

At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we recognize that good nutrition is vital to seniors’ health, which is why we put such an effort into the food we serve. Our Executive Chef inspired meals are largely prepared from scratch and include the freshest ingredients.  In addition, we offer a range of nutritional choices including low sodium, sugar-free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat so residents can self-manage their diet.  MorningStar’s Chef even uses “super foods” such as acai berries, Omega-3 fats, dark chocolate, and leafy, dark greens. 

Too often seniors assume assisted living means an end to their independence, but studies show the opposite is true. When older adults get the daily personal care they need, it helps to restore their confidence and frees them up to move forward with living life to the fullest. At MorningStar, we help you do so with extensive support services, wellness programs and activities. Our contemporary suites are move-in ready and just require your furnishings and personal items. For your safety and wellbeing, each suite is equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. We are also pet friendly!

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers 56 assisted living suites with the choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood has 29 memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us or visit our website to learn what sets us apart from other senior living in Santa Fe, NM and why MorningStar is such a great place to call home.

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 Santa Fe, NM offers.

Is Mom or Dad Doing Well Living Alone?

Over the summer many adult children spend more time visiting with their parents in person rather than on the phone or over a video call. It is also the time when many families discover mom or dad living on their own isn’t working, and they are not actually doing as well as everyone thought. 

Experts say there are some signs to look for when visiting an elderly parent to determine if they need more help in their day-to-day life. One cause for concern can be if they have had an unintended change in their weight. Experts say weight loss is a common sign of a senior not doing well on their own. The same goes if they appear to have had a change in their balance and mobility such as difficulty getting up from a chair or walking up or down stairs, which could result in a higher risk of a fall. 

Another component of an older person’s wellbeing includes their emotional state. Do they have opportunities to get out and about and socialize or are they spending a lot of time alone and showing signs of forgetfulness or confusion? Is your formerly neat as a pin mother now living in a home that looks neglected and untidy or is she herself looking ungroomed?

Senior living specialists explain an elderly person’s physical and mental state can decline quickly and often catch families by surprise. If you find yourself in such a situation, it may be time to have a conversation with your parent regarding in-home help or a move to an assisted living community. Homes such as MorningStar of Albuquerque offer area seniors a wide array of amenities, care services, wellness programs and activities that help nurture residents’ independence for the best quality of life.  

We consider serving seniors to be our calling and gladly help guide families throughout the move-in process and transition to community living. Please visit our website for more information about luxury assisted living in Albuquerque, NM.  We look forward to hearing from you. 

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none. Contact us for more information about the finest assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.

Trusted Assisted Living Care for Seniors in Reno

Moving to a new senior living community can be overwhelming for seniors. Especially if they are in need of assisted living care. If your parent or loved one is used to receiving senior care within their home, adjusting to a new assisted living community near you may be an adjustment. But when you are being welcomed by an active community of seniors in quality care, the worry starts to lessen.

At MorningStar, you will quickly adjust to our welcoming environment with trusted care providers and team members. The staff members at MorningStar ensure secure Assisted Living that families can rely on. MorningStar’s staff members and care providers are trained to provide specialized care to residents with even the most complex medical needs. Find out why MorningStar has the most trusted assisted living care for seniors in Reno. 

At MorningStar, our assisted living community incorporates personalized care plans for senior care. This means that each resident receives care that is tailored to their unique needs, preferences, and abilities. You can find Assisted Living support at various levels at MorningStar.

Around-the-clock Care Managers are on-site and at the ready to ensure the comfort and safety of our residents. The care plans are developed in collaboration with residents, their families, and their healthcare providers to ensure that they receive the care they need to maintain their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Find assisted living near you that has a team of trained and experienced staff members who are dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care to residents. At MorningStar, our personalized care staff are knowledgeable about the best practices in holistic senior care and are committed to providing high-quality care to each resident.

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. 

Find Trusted Assisted Living Near You

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. 

Luxury Senior Living Options Near You

Senior living options are abundant these days. It may feel overwhelming to explore all the senior living choices Google recommends. Most senior and assisted living communities offer apartment living, daily meals, amenities, and necessary services. However, modern, luxury senior living communities offer amenities and services that let you retire in comfort and style, without sacrificing care and safety. 

Modern, luxury senior living options have much to offer older adults who want to experience all aging has to offer. Assisted living at MorningStar offers stylish and holistic luxury senior living in Sparks, Nevada. 

Assisted living communities should be crafted to offer seniors the freedom and safety to enjoy a comfortable retirement. In our senior living community, residents enjoy on-site shopping, dining, activity classes, pampering in the salon, and relaxing in the movie theatre or library.  Conveniently located east of Reno in the Sparks neighborhood of Wingfield Springs, our community provides residents with freedom and choices, resort-style amenities, maintenance-free living, and best-in-class dining and hospitality.

Finding active senior living is important. But, so is enjoying a relaxing, modern home. After you’re done socializing at the downstairs bistro or Fireside Patio, put your feet up in one of our carefully designed senior living apartment options including 128 bright suites for independent living and 80 for assisted living. These floor plans are crafted with easy routing and give plenty of space to fill with all your favorite things that feel like home. 

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. 

Find Luxury Style Assisted Living Near You

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. 

4 Ways to Treat Your Senior with Something Special

Every year on August 21, we celebrate the lives of our loved ones on World Senior Citizens Day. The special day highlights the achievements and contributions of seniors, as well as promotes their rights. Although August 21 has passed, you can celebrate the special day by treating your senior to something special.

At our senior living facility in Phoenix, Arizona, we help residents with daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Meeting our mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest” also involves helping seniors feel engaged and fulfilled during their golden years. On behalf of celebrating World Senior Citizens Day regardless of the time of year, let’s take a look at four ways to treat your seniors to something special.

Ask for Help

One reason why seniors can become detached emotionally is they no longer feel wanted by their friends and family members. After years of providing primary and secondary care for family members, they lose their sense of belonging the minute they move into an assisted living facility. You can rejuvenate the sense of belonging by asking your senior loved one to teach you how to do something. Asking for help on a project is another way to treat your senior to something special. 

Just because your senior loved one needs a little help taking care of a few responsibilities does not mean you cannot complete projects together such as planting a garden or restoring an old piece of furniture.

Highlight History and Achievements

One of the goals of World Senior Citizens Day is to honor the history and achievements of older adults. You do not need the pomp and circumstance of a formally declared day to highlight the history and achievements of your senior loved one. Preserving your senior loved one’s history and achievements helps him feel appreciated. You can work together on a personalized scrapbook, as well as give her a do-it-yourself memoir journal such as The Story of My Life. Another great idea involves conducting an interview chronicling the life of your senior loved one.

Get Involved in Your Senior’s Life

Moving into an assisted living community can trigger a wide range of negative emotions, such as fear, stress, and anxiety. One of the most effective strategies to alleviate emotional distress for a senior is to get involved in her life. This can mean volunteering for the same organization, as well as donating financially to your senior’s favorite cause. You also can work together with your senior loved one, which should give him a sense of purpose and a feeling of worthiness.

Dine Together

One of the best ways to treat your seniors to something special is to enjoy meals together. At our memory care facility in Phoenix, we encourage family members to join us at mealtimes to provide emotional support for their loved ones. Dining onsite with a senior loved one helps you meet her friends, as well as catch up on what has unfolded since the two of you last interacted in person. We also encourage family members to take their senior loved ones out to their favorite restaurants, which is a clear sign that you are treating your senior loved one to something special.

The Bottom Line: Make Your Time Together Quality Time

As a family member, you might feel a sense of regret when your senior loved one moves into an assisted living facility in Phoenix, AZ. To compensate for the feeling of regret, you might try to make it up by visiting your senior loved one every day. It is not how often you treat your senior to something special. Instead, the quality of the special treat matters more than how often you treat your senior to a special event.

Discover why our memory care facility receives five-star reviews by scheduling a tour today.

How to Emotionally Support Your Senior When He’s Feeling Down

If you care for a senior loved one, you spend a considerable amount of time trying to meet the physical issues that often arise as we grow older. You implement steps to mitigate pain, ensure consuming food and beverages that deliver sufficient vitamins and minerals, and drive to different healthcare providers to address a wide variety of physical ailments. Although taking care of your senior loved one’s physical health is important, you should devote as much time and money to considering the emotional toll aging takes.

We fulfill emotional needs at every stage of our lives. As we grow older, our emotional needs change and the strategies used to meet those needs change as well. The key is to know how to support your senior loved one emotionally. You also should be able to identify the emotional needs of your senior loved one. A few of the most common emotional needs that senior loved ones need to meet include social interactions, developing meaningful relationships, and understanding what it takes to find a sense of belonging.

At our senior living facility in Phoenix, Arizona, our caregivers recommend four ways to support your senior when he’s feeling down.

Listen

When your senior loved one discusses feeling down, your role is to listen and understand what is said. You should not follow up with an immediate response, but instead, you listen to let your senior loved one know that what she said carries enough significance to warrant a little time of contemplation. When your senior loved one knows you have listened, you should be able to develop a stronger connection that provides emotional support.

Respect

Unless your senior loved one needs memory care in Phoenix, he is capable of expressing ideas that advocate a point of view. The last thing your senior loved one wants is to be treated like a child, which unfortunately, far too many family members do when they interact with an older adult. Your senior loved one wants to be in control of her life, which means you need to respect what he wants to do in terms of choosing an assisted living lifestyle.

Make Safety and Security a Priority

Safety and security represent two of the most important emotional needs for a senior. If your loved one does not feel safe and secure, she might not be able to generate the energy to have other emotional needs met. One of the most common reasons why seniors want to live in a facility with other seniors concerns the issues of safety and security. MorningStar at Arcadia installs safety and security measures such as advanced security systems and emergency call buttons to give residents peace of mind.

Participate in Activities

Assisted living facilities offer a wide variety of activities to keep residents engaged, as well as foster social interactions. The activities planned at our memory care community in Phoenix are not just for residents. To support your senior loved one emotionally, stop by our facility to join your senior loved one in an activity or two. We offer regularly scheduled activities such as yoga and tai chi, as well as special events like bus tours that take residents to area cultural and historical landmarks.

Professional caregivers represent the front line of defense to prevent the development of emotional issues such as fear and anxiety. Loved ones are the second line of defense, which means you should focus on ways to help your senior loved one feel valued, understood, and appreciated. At our assisted living community in Phoenix, AZ, we follow the mission of “to honor, to value, to invest” in our seniors. Learn more by contacting a resident care representative at MorningStar at Arcadia.

5 Important Supplements for Seniors

As we grow older, it is important to get the minimum daily requirement of vitamins and minerals in our bodies. From the quick rejuvenation of cells to enhancing the circulation of blood, vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in determining our health status. However, older adults tend to miss out on the daily minimum requirements for mineral and vitamin intake. They do not eat the right foods, which means seniors typically require the addition of supplements in their diets to bolster strength and fend off the development of debilitating diseases such as osteoarthritis.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 75 percent of adults at least 60 years old take at least one daily vitamin and/or mineral supplement. Adding vitamin supplements to your senior loved one’s diet might be the most effective way to prevent the development of diseases, while at the same time improving cognitive skills. At our senior living facility in Phoenix, Arizona, our team of nutritionists customizes diets for residents that often include taking at least one vitamin supplement.

Let’s look at five important supplements for seniors at our assisted living and memory care facility in Phoenix.

Calcium

As the most abundant mineral in the body, calcium is critical to help maintain healthy bones and teeth. Older adults are especially at risk for suffering the loss of bone and tooth density. Without enough calcium, seniors become much more vulnerable to sustaining bone fractures that take a longer than average amount of time to heal. You can find ample calcium in foods such as fish, milk, and dark-green, leafy vegetables. However, adding a calcium supplement to a senior’s diet ensures the proper amount of calcium intake.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, which is found in fish and fortified milk products, is an integral vitamin for seniors to have in their bodies. During spring and summer, just a daily 10-minute exposure to the sun can generate enough vitamin D. This vitamin is important for seniors to prevent the development of osteoarthritis and other types of bone diseases. Supplementing food sources like fatty fish with a daily pill can generate enough vitamin D for older adults.

Vitamin B12

The bones are not the only part of the body that benefits from the ingestion of vitamin supplements. Older adults also need to maintain the health of nerves and blood cells, which is the primary reason for taking a vitamin B12 supplement. As we enter our golden years, natural sources such as eggs, fish, and poultry of vitamin B become more difficult to absorb.

Vitamin B9

Also referred to as folate or folic acid, vitamin B9 can prevent or slow down memory loss in adults at least 60 years old. Vitamin B9 also plays an important healthcare role by converting carbohydrates into energy. Seniors who do not consume enough fruits like oranges and vegetables such as spinach are candidates for ingesting a vitamin B9 supplement.

Vitamin B6

Our bodies require vitamin B6 to form red blood cells, as well as maintain healthy connections between the brain and nerve cells. Far too many seniors do not get enough B6, which can mean the development of memory loss. Ingesting a vitamin B6 supplement can complement natural food sources such as potatoes and citrus fruits.

The team of nutritionists at MorningStar at Arcadia carefully plans meals for our residents to ensure they receive the right amount of vitamins and minerals. At our memory care facility in Phoenix, AZ,  vitamin and mineral supplements also play an important role in helping residents maintain strong mental and physical health.  Learn more about the five important supplements for seniors by scheduling a tour of our assisted living community.