MorningStar of Santa Fe’s Memory Care

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Santa Fe, our Reflections Neighborhood will be 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.

  

Opening in the fall of 2018, 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.  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.  Our team is committed to work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of our special residents.

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.

Right from the start, our goal is to create a true “home” for our residents and our staff will consist of individuals who feel privileged to serve seniors and come to work each day with a smile on their face.  Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar of Santa Fe’s Reflections Neighborhood as well as our full assisted living community. 

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Situated on the west side of town, we invite you to drop in to our Information Center or give us a call to learn more about our exceptional community.

We Welcome Your Pet at MorningStar at Arcadia

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia, we understand that your pet is an important part of your family and you would not wish to move somewhere that he or she was not welcome.  If you decide to choose our beautiful senior living community for your new home, no worries – we are pet friendly! 

More and more research seems to bear out that owning and caring for a pet can actually be good for seniors’ health and wellbeing.  One such study reported on by A Place for Mom’s website suggests that, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.” 

Researchers found that interactions between pets and their owners can help to fight off depression and lower cholesterol levels.  There is even some evidence to suggest the relationship may help to protect against heart disease and stroke.  Scientists’ reason that pets may help the elderly to feel more connected to the here and now as the pet requires daily attention and care.  Furthermore, the animals themselves offer unconditional love, unending affection and emotional support. 

Pet therapy programs are growing in popularity and used in settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, convalescent homes and child centers.  Studies show that many people who participate in pet therapy programs have an improvement in their appetite as well as improvement in their social interactions and cognitive skills.  In addition the acceptance and non-verbal communication of animals can be soothing for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we offer our residents the best assisted living in Phoenix.

Sources: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living   

agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm

Great Reviews About MorningStar of Sparks!

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, our staff has perfected the art of anticipating needs and going the extra mile.  Our carefully selected team consists of people that serve our residents with excellence and empathy and consider it a privilege to work with seniors.  For this reason, we are always pleased to get positive feedback from our residents and their families as it reaffirms the job are dedicated staff is doing. 

 

One recent comment from a resident living at MorningStar of Sparks was particularly gratifying to read.  She explained what a great experience it has been and how happy she and her husband were living at MorningStar.  Although her husband has now passed away she still finds that the “caring staff are there for me when I need them and feel that they truly care about my feelings.”  She goes on to say “I just cannot say enough good things about living here.”

Another comment that touched our hearts was from a resident’s son.  He writes, “Our family would like to express its sincere appreciation for the outstanding kindness and care provided by MorningStar. Without exception, they were proficient and compassionate. They did a superb job in caring for our mother, and we are deeply grateful.”

One resident described MorningStar of Sparks as having “great service.”  She adds that, “Everyone is extremely responsive and accommodating. All the employees are professional, courteous, and pleasant. I have not had any major problems and am happy with the service that they provide.”

Please visit MorningStar of Sparks’ website to read more reviews from actual residents or their families while you take the time to learn about our community.  We offer a variety of living options including independent living, assisted living and memory care. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar 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 Reno, NV.

Moving Your Parents into Senior Living

If your parent has reached the time in their life where they no longer wish to maintain a home or need help with daily personal care activities, moving into senior living is the perfect solution. You will have peace of mind knowing their needs are being met and they are safe and comfortable.  However as much of the task of helping them move will likely fall on your shoulders, you have probably begun to realize that paring back a lifetime’s worth of possession is a bit overwhelming.  Not to worry, there are many good books on the topic as well as useful tips on the Internet.  

Organizing experts caution that the job can be complicated and fraught with emotion because as you see a pile of stuff to sort through and toss; your parent sees treasures and memories.  Begin by creating a list of things your parent will need at their new place (keep in mind the size) and adding in the treasured items and personal belongings they want to keep.  If something is hard for them to part with, help them to think of a family member or friend they would like to give it to.  Also remind them if they sell the item, they can use the money toward something better suited for their new home such as a smaller couch or coffee table.    

Now the experts recommend going from room to room and to start sorting by keep, toss, or donate piles.  In addition, rather than always asking your parent what they want to keep or get rid of, winnow down the selection, and then ask them yes or no questions.  Presorting items also helps to avoid keeping lots of multiple items. 

By measuring the size of your parent’s new suite, you can create a floor plan to realistically show how well their furnishings will fit.  Include the amount of cupboards and storage space they will have to help you know how much is too much.  Remember you do not want the new place to be so crowded that they can barely move safely about. 

Keep in mind that if your parent is moving into a community such as MorningStar of Sparks, we do the cooking and serve the food.  Also our well-designed suites come equipped with mini blinds, carpeting, and lots of overhead lighting.  Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful senior living community.      

The unique mission statement of MorningStar 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 NV.

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s WellStar Program

Once MorningStar of Santa Fe opens, we will lovingly provide our residents the amenities and services to ensure their comfort and to make them feel right at home.  We also will provide a range of activities including our creative and enriching WellStar program consisting of five wellness components – physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, and food philosophy.  Designed to help seniors stay active, engaged and productive, the programs integrates different modalities and senses for both the body and the mind. 

Introduced by our Life Enrichment coordinator, the activities will tap into the unique talents and experiences of our residents and includes encouraging residents to start and lead special interest clubs themselves.  Along with recognizing a range of capabilities and a variety of interests, the goal of our activities is to elevate the mood of our residents, reduce pain, and help them to rely less on medications.   

We know that physical exercise is imperative to seniors’ health and we offer a variety of activities for our residents’ enjoyment.  In addition meeting the spiritual needs of our residents is also important to their wellbeing, which is why a chapel, open to all faiths, is an integral part of our community.  We also offer intellectual wellness with entertaining daily doses of challenging brain games designed to practice cognitive skills and introduce new ideas.  In addition to all of this, is a natural, welcoming atmosphere that encourages socializing and helps to strengthen the bonds of our community. 

      

Last but not least our wellness program includes serving residents healthy, nutritional food.  This is why we have an Executive Chef on staff who will be preparing the tasty meals that are served in our beautiful dining rooms restaurant style.   

You will find the one thing that sets MorningStar of Santa Feb apart from other senior living communities is the fact that our entire team is working to build a true community and our WellStar programs exemplify that philosophy. Please visit our website to learn more about our new assisted living and memory care community.

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  We invite you to drop in to our Information Center or give us a call to learn more about our exceptional community.

Seniors at Greater Risk in Hot Weather

The U.S. News Health Care Report reminds seniors that they need to take extra precautions when it is hot outside.  Ronan Mangcucang Factora, MD, of the Center for Geriatric Medicine, Medicine Institute encourages elderly adults to stay active throughout the year and to spend time outdoors, but explains they need to be aware of the special challenges they face when exposed to hot weather conditions.  Seniors have a greater risk of dehydration, lightheadedness and dizziness, heatstroke and falls. 

As we age, the percentage of water in our bodies is reduced and causes us to lose the ability to regulate our body temperature as effectively as when we were younger. Additionally there are several medical conditions common to older adults that can also affect how well we regulate temperature changes in the body.  The problem is further compounded by the fact that many elderly adults have a reduced capacity to feel thirst so they may not remember to drink enough fluids throughout the day.  Medications such as diuretics intended to reduce excessive fluid in the body can also add to the problem.

Another reason that dehydration and heat-related problems are more common in the elderly is that older adults do not sweat as much as younger people.  This makes it harder for the body to cool down when needed. 

Dr. Factora points out a few commonsense suggestions for avoiding heat-related problems such as drinking fluids throughout the day and to check the color of your urine.  It should be a clear light amber/yellow color if you are getting enough fluids.  Another recommendation is to wear a hat when in the direct sun and to take lots of breaks in shaded or air conditioned areas.      

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  If you have any medical concerns please consult your health care provider. 

MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. 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 exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we offer our residents the best assisted living in Phoenix AZ.

Source:health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-08-12/warm-weather-safety-for-seniors

Does Your Parent Need Assistance with Daily Living?

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 & Memory Care of Albuquerque to discover the lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community we offer. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Albuquerque, “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 schedule a tour and see for yourself our exceptional community.

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