Are You or Your Senior Parent in Need of an Attorney?

There are some legal problems unique to older adults that many attorneys are not equipped to provide accurate advice about such as Medicaid, Social Security or disability claims, trusts or estate planning, or issues regarding long term care.  When an elderly person requires the services of an attorney to protect their financial interests or to solve legal issues, experts recommend hiring an elder law attorney who specializes in advocating for the elderly and their loved ones. 

The FindLaw website explains, “Most elder law attorneys handle a wide range of legal matters affecting an older or disabled person, including issues related to health care, long term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and other important matters.”  However remember that as with all attorneys, elder law attorneys also specialize in specific areas of the law so look for one that has the expertise you need. 

Many families find it makes good sense to hire an elder attorney to protect and preserve their loved one’s assets when they sell their home to move into senior housing.  This is a case where you would want to find one that specializes in financial and estate planning.  The elder attorney also can assist with legal issues that arise with the actual care of the senior including helping to sort out supplemental and long-term health insurance problems.  

An elder attorney can draw up a durable power of attorney as well as draft a living will, living trust or other advance directives, or set up conservatorships and guardianships.  They can help answer questions regarding nursing home resident rights and other patient rights, 

To find an elder law attorney, experts recommend asking friends, family members or other business connections for referrals.  Findlaw.com says you can check online and read through websites or use their online attorney directory.  


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 visit our website for contact information on the area’s foremost senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Common Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

While we have all heard a lot about Alzheimer’s and may even know someone suffering from the disease, we may not be aware of the common signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s.  Many people think that forgetting things is a sign of Alzheimer’s, while others too readily accept certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s as just getting older.

The Alzheimer’s Association has a website full of useful information and resources for families dealing with the disease and publishes a list of the 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's.  One of the first signs they say is a symptom of Alzheimer’s is not occasional forgetfulness but forgetfulness that disrupts daily life.  For example the person is having problems retaining recently learned information and trouble remembering important dates or events, or they are asking the same questions over and over again.  

People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may have more difficulty doing things they used to do easily such as paying bills or following recipes.  Even driving to well-known locations or remembering the rules of a favorite game can be troublesome. Other signs include feeling confused about the passage of time and finding it harder and harder to keep track of dates, time and seasons. 

Experiencing vision problems such as judging distances and determining color or contrast as well as problems following or partaking in a conversation are also common signs of the disease.   Other signs can include changes in personality and mood, and withdrawing from social activities the person used to enjoy. For the full listing and description of the 10 Common Signs of Alzheimer’s, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website. 

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, our mission is to provide the best senior living Albuquerque offers, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our community cares for those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

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 learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque NM has to offer.

Tips to Help Improve Your Cognitive Aging

Researchers says that even if we are not developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, as we grow older, our memory, decision-making, and ability to learn simply begin to wear down.   This process is referred to as “cognitive aging” and doctors now say there are evidence-based steps we can take to improve our cognitive functioning.  

The recently published study from the Institute of Medicine titled “Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action,” detailed three way we protect and bolster our aging brain.  The study’s authors are Dr. Dan Blazer, chair of the report and professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, and Dr. Valentin Fuster, director of Mount Sinai Heart and physician-in-chief at the Mount Sinai Hospital.  The report is intended to provide relevant information to both physicians and patients. 

According to the study, the first thing we can do to help keep our brain healthy (and other parts of our body) is to engage in light exercise every day.  Activities such as walking, gardening, swimming or biking help increase the blood flow to the brain, which helps to maintain and improve its functioning.  

The Cognitive Aging report also found that in order to reduce our risk for or to better manage cardiovascular disease, we need to eliminate unhealthy habits such as smoking and maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.  It recommends that if you do have high cholesterol, you follow your doctor’s instructions and continue to have the necessary blood tests done.  

The third key to improving and maintaining good cognitive functioning is to consult with your doctor to review the list of medications you are currently taking.  Dr. Blazer explains that, “Older adults are sometimes on more medications than they need to be on." He adds, “Many, if not all of them, can potentially affect your cognitive functioning.” 

At the MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community, our 24/7 care services include medication care managers/QMAPs, who administer and document regularly prescribed medications per the Medication Administration Record and physician orders.  All of our care services, wellness programs and amenities are designed to support the whole person: body, mind and spirit and make MorningStar the perfect place for successful aging.   

This blog is for informational purposes only, please consult with  
your healthcare provider for any medical problems


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.   Please contact us to learn more about compassionate senior housing in Santa Fe, NM.

Dealing with a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is devastating for everyone in the family and an uncomfortable, difficult topic for people to talk about.  In some cases, even physicians do not discuss the disease with their patients, and sometimes a person is unaware of the diagnosis.  Others may try to hide their memory problems, and as a result, end up with little time to put their affairs in order and plan for the future. 

However experts say it is important to discuss the diagnosis and its ramifications with your family in order to make your wishes known regarding your care.  One of the things you will want to do is to designate a family member to make decisions on your behalf once you are unable to do so. With the help of your family, you will also need to make financial decisions such as setting aside assets to pay for long-term care in an assisted living facility or for home care.  Keep in mind that planning ahead also gives your family peace of mind as they will know they are following your wishes.
Another one of the recommendations from experts who work with Alzheimer’s patients is to have the person tell their life story.  This can be in a journal form or recorded and provides a meaningful way for the family to bond together. Furthermore, it helps to make the person feel that they are a valued member of the family.  

At MorningStar at Arcadia, our mission is to provide the best senior living Phoenix has to offer, which includes compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  We treat each of our residents with dignity and respect and find ways to connect with and nurture their very essence.  Our memory care is based on our extensive knowledge and experience with dementia-related diseases and we support residents from the early onset of the disease through the final stages.  Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix offers.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-06-26/5-steps-to-ending-the-stigma-surrounding-dementia

Things to Think about After a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s

In this year alone, approximately 500,000 people in the U.S. will receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia such as frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body disease and others.  Moreover even though many families have come to suspect a problem and may not be all that surprised to hear the diagnosis, it is still a devastating blow.     

However please remember if you or a family member is experiencing confusion and/or memory loss that there are other factors that can masquerade as dementia.  For example, lack of sleep and/or depression and anxiety can result in feelings of confusion.  Also certain medications and medical conditions can have side effects that mimic some of the symptoms of dementia.  

The U.S. News & World Report cautions families that if a loved one is not as sharp as they used to be to make sure that they are protected against scams from unscrupulous people.  You may want to have a family member, trusted friend, or a professional financial advisor help to oversee the person’s finances.  

Another thing you can do to help yourself and your family feel more prepared for what the future holds is to investigate the extend of your community’s resources.  This may include looking into options for in-home care as well as senior living communities that specialize in memory care.  

Experts say one of the most important things to avoid doing after getting a diagnosis of dementia is to assume your life is over.  They stress you need to find reasons for hope and to think about ways to bring joy into your life. Tia Powell, M.D. writes that “music is one wonderful avenue for delight. Your brain's capacity for music is unusually sturdy; the ability to sing, play and enjoy music often outlasts many other skills.” 

At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we provide area seniors with compassionate assisted living as well as specialized, individualized memory care to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  As dementia care experts, each day our energies are put toward continuing to find ways to celebrate and elevate life. Please contact us with questions.  


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.  For compassionate, loving care, entrust your loved one to the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Tips to Avoid Drug Interactions

Often seniors take multiple medications daily that in some cases have been prescribed by a couple of different doctors for different conditions.  In addition, they may also be taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications. All of this can lead to problems with drug interactions and side effects that range from mild to severe including death.

In a report by the US News & World Report, it cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest each year there are four visits to the ER per 1,000 adults attributed to adverse drug effects.  First published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, statistics find that almost 60 percent of Americans take at “least one prescription drug, and nearly 20 percent are taking more than five prescriptions medicines.”  The study also looked at OTC medications and warns that there is a huge potential for “side effects, drug-drug interactions and negative outcomes.” It also states that for the elderly, the possibility of dangerous drug interactions is even greater. 

One of the most important things that a patient or family member can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to communicate with all of your health care providers about the prescription and OTC medications that you take.   It is a good idea, especially if you take more than one medication, to write down the names of the drugs and the amount you take each day and carry it in your wallet. You can also take a picture of the list of medications with your cell phone so you always have it handy.  Another tip is to fill your prescriptions at the same drug store and to build a relationship with the pharmacist as he or she can help to spot potential problems involving drug interactions.  
Annually review the need for each medication with your health care provider and discuss how long you will need to take the drug.  Lastly be sure to check each new prescription container for accuracy as pharmacies sometimes do make mistakes. 

At MorningStar at Arcadia, one of the top senior living communities Phoenix has to offer, we provide a range of services and programming that supports the whole person – body, mind and spirt.  One of our services is medication management by Certified Med Care Managers to keep our residents safe and healthy. See our website for more information.

MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Call to schedule a visit to one of the finest senior living communities Phoenix offers.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-01-13/the-dangers-of-medication-mix-ups-at-home

Get to Know More about the Newest Senior Living in Santa Fe, NM

Have you heard that the MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community opened to residents a few months ago?  If not the MorningStar name may still be new to you, and as such, you are unaware of the extensive amenities, wellness programs and care services we offer.  You also may not know that MorningStar already has a highly respected community in Albuquerque as well as the soon to open, MorningStar of Rio Rancho in Rio Rancho.   
  
There are several ways to keep up with the goings-on at MorningStar of Santa Fe including visiting our website periodically.  Right on our home page, we have up-coming events and links to our monthly newsletter and monthly calendar along with a map and directions to our community.  We also have direct links to our amenities page as well as one to our suite features and various floor plans and a gallery of pictures. If you wish to set up a tour or learn more about pricing and availability, you can do it through our online forms.  

Another convenient way to learn more about our community or to keep in touch with us is to sign-up for our EVENTful Blog to hear about upcoming events and our newest offers.  All you need to do is to fill out your email address and let us know if you are a senior or the family of one; or a health or business professional, and we will send you weekly updates.  

MorningStar of Santa Fe is staffed by a team of compassionate caregivers who consider seniors to be heroes and feel privileged to serve them.  While luxurious and beautiful, our mission is to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. MorningStar is committed to creating a home for our residents that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while at the same time, providing security and independence.   Visit our website to learn more. 


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 set up a tour of the area’s finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM.