Medication-Free Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and up until recently offered few options in terms of treatment.  Typical treatments included prescription drugs to help alleviate symptoms and/or a special device implanted in patients, used to help control tremors. 
However since Parkinson’s affects the whole body, doctors and researchers have been looking at different complementary and alternative methods to treat the many symptoms of the disease.  The U.S. News and World Report published an article describing some of those different methods of treatment.  

As Parkinson’s occurs when dopamine-producing cells in the brain stem die off, doctors say exercise is key to managing some of the effects of Parkinson’s.  Dr. Dean Sutherland, a neurologist and Parkinson’s disease specialist in Sarasota, Florida, explains, “Exercise releases dopamine into the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by taking medication. That helps with motor issues like stiffness, tremors and muscle freezing.”

Other activities that appear to help patients with Parkinson’s Disease include massage therapy to help alleviate stiffness and pain; and acupuncture, which helps some people reduce tremors and also relieves stiff muscles and pain.   Physical therapy appears to help patients improve balance and gait as well as flexibility. There are even programs specifically targeted to Parkinson’s patients that focus on teaching them to take bigger steps to avoid common walking problems such as shuffling.  

In addition, people with Parkinson’s are discovering that alternative treatments such as singing can help improve voice volume, which in turn, can improve their social interactions.  When you can control the volume of your voice to be heard by others, you are more likely to feel comfortable interacting socially. Another thing proving to be helpful to people with balance problems is aqua therapy.  Parkinson’s patients have found that being in the water gives them the freedom to move about without the fear of falling. And finally as swallowing can become difficult for some people with Parkinson’s, swallowing therapy is also recommended. 

MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living community, offers a wide range of care services including physical, occupational, respiratory, speech, and massage therapy.  We offer 80 suites for assisted living and 30 suites dedicated to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.  Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted 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 tour of our exceptional community.

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2019-01-11/medication-free-ways-to-treat-parkinsons-disease

MorningStar at Arcadia’s Beautiful Assisted Living Suites

At MorningStar at Arcadia, our goal is to provide one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ has to offer.  Starting with a full array of amenities, services and fine dining along with entertaining and enriching activities, we provide residents with a carefree lifestyle.  Whether you are relaxing in our spacious common areas (inside or out) or in your own private suite, you will be proud to call MorningStar at Arcadia home. 

You will find our gorgeous selection of assisted living suites are designed to please the most discerning seniors.  Available in a range of configurations including studios and one- and two-bedroom floorplans (including penthouse suites), each one is ready to move into and just requires your furnishings and personal items to make it feel like home.  Beautifully designed with high ceilings, wall-to-wall carpeting, large windows, mini-blinds, and lots of lighting, our suites also offer safety features such as an emergency call system and handicap-accessible bathrooms. To ensure your apartment’s temperature is set for your personal comfort, your suite will have its own heating and a/c system. 

Furthermore, even though we provide delicious, nutritional meals each day, your assisted living suite is equipped with a kitchenette with refrigerator for the times you want to prepare your own snacks or meals.  Housekeeping and laundry and linen services are provided weekly and we do daily spot cleaning and trash removal. Most importantly we have a team of loving caregivers that are the type of individuals who feel privileged to serve and consider seniors to be heroes. 

As you can see, MorningStar at Arcadia offers residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Please visit our website to learn more about our community and to inquiry about availability and pricing.  In addition to assisted living, our Reflections Neighborhood provides compassionate, loving memory care to those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. 

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

MorningStar of Albuquerque Offers Support to Both Residents and Families

MorningStar of Albuquerque understands you may feel guilty about moving your spouse or parent into assisted living.  If you are the adult child of the senior, you may worry you have let them down by not having them move in with you even though you know your other commitments make it impractical.  Or you may already be the caregiver and realize the job is becoming too big to continue caring for your loved one properly at home. 

If any of this sounds familiar, you need to know you are not alone.  At MorningStar we understand the mixed-emotions that come with such a big lifestyle change.   However just as we are committed to caring for our residents, the MorningStar of Albuquerque staff is there to offer support for the families of our residents. 

Also, when your parent makes their home with us, we are not replacing you in their life, but rather are providing the specialized care they need.  In fact, we think by letting us handle all of the caregiver duties, it frees you up to enjoy the time you do spend with your loved one and to start relaxing together and sharing memories or a laugh.     

Our experience has taught us it is best to introduce the idea of assisted living to your parent or spouse during a time and place when everyone is gathered and feeling relaxed.  Remember a decision does not have to be made all at once but typically it is better to let it come in stages. Sometimes a family worries they may get resistance to the idea but are surprised to find it is something the person has been thinking about for some time.    

Ultimately the decision should be a consensus among family members as well as the senior.  If you have questions or want to talk to someone about it, the MorningStar staff is here for you.  Please visit our website to learn more about the best senior living Albuquerque has to offer. 

MorningStar of Albuquerque 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 the finest senior living Albuquerque NM offers.

A Broad Range of Care Services to Live Life at its Best!

The MorningStar of Santa Fe senior living community is a true destination for successful aging.  By defining health and well-being holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit.   Together our Life Enrichment programs and our Wellness Care services complement one other to ensure each resident get the best care. 

As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health.  These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident.    

We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.  This centralized mobile station ensures accurate, onsite assessments, care planning, incident tracking, wound care, behavior management and eMARs (electronic medication administration records).  In addition record keeping is not only accurate but legible as well as offers complete demographic and medical information at hand. It also enhances confidentiality of residents’ data.  
Our broad care services include 5 levels of care for assisted living residents based on a point system and determined after a thorough evaluation with our Wellness Director, a licensed nurse.  Residents have 24-hour care managers; a CPR staff member on every shift and access to a licensed nurse either onsite or on-call 24/7. MorningStar’s services also include medication management by certified med care managers as well as care planning reviews and scheduled health and wellness evaluations. 

To address specific health needs, we offer mechanical lift assistance, oxygen administration, and diabetic management.  Furthermore we provide transportation to medical appointments as well as pharmacy services, onsite dental and podiatry services and more.   

Please visit our website for information on pricing and availability or to set up a tour to see firsthand the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM.  Our community includes 56 bright suites for assisted living and another 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

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 visit our website for more details on unsurpassed senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Independent Living at MorningStar of Sparks

At MorningStar of Sparks, our mission is to provide the best senior living Reno-Sparks has to offer, which includes an independent living option for seniors who seek a streamlined lifestyle free of the responsibility of private home ownership, but without the need of any care services. 

Our 128 spacious private independent living suites are available in several floorplans including one bedroom–one bath, two bedroom–one bath, and two bedroom-two bath configurations.  Each unit has high ceilings, large windows, wall-to-wall carpeting, ceiling lighting, and mini blinds as well as private heating & air conditioning controls, basic cable TV, utilities and much more.   All of our independent living suites are equipped with their own washer and dryer and full kitchens so you can prepare meals on your own whenever you like.  Also, we take care of all the maintenance, both inside and out, and offer weekly housekeeping, which allows our residents plenty of time to pursue their interests.

As a MorningStar resident, you will get resort-style amenities and lots of services including three daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef that are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room.  In addition, a range of convenient services including a full salon offering manicures and pedicures, a spa bath, fitness room, library, and bistro.  For entertainment, residents enjoy our on-site theatre, billiards and game room, and a full calendar of wellness programs and activities.  Other amenities include a fireside patio and all-season porches, strolling paths, full-time licensed nurse and a caring and responsive 24-hour staff. 

MorningStar of Sparks is the perfect place to call “home.”   With beautiful surroundings and a hospitality and care team who feel honored to serve seniors, we have succeeded in creating a life of comfort and community for our residents.  We would love the opportunity to tell you more. 

MorningStar of Sparks’ mission statement “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 the finest senior living Reno-Sparks offers.

Looking for Senior Living in Santa Fe, NM?

If you are searching for the finest senior living in the area for yourself or a loved one, we invite you to take a look at our MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community.  Every aspect of our gorgeous home, from the ground up, has been meticulously designed to ensure our residents the utmost comfort, safety and wellbeing. 

Just knowing a loved one is being cared for by the compassionate, loving staff of MorningStar is sure to give you peace of mind.  If it is you who is thinking of making MorningStar your new home, you will be surprised to find that once you get the daily assistance you need, you will not feel as if you lost your independent but rather be better able to lead a full life. As one MorningStar resident writes, “My wife and I were just existing in our former home, but we’re living here at MorningStar. It’s all in how you look at the changes in your life.”

One thing that sets MorningStar of Santa Fe apart from other senior living in the Santa Fe area is the fact that our team consists of the type of people who believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching.  They are individuals with big hearts who are drawn to the idea of serving seniors. They are also the kind of men and women that understand seniors are true heroes who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. 

If fact our community is not just a place for the elderly to live out their days, but a true home filled with love and laughter.  Along with 5 star dining and a whole list of resort-style amenities, we provide a wide range of care services and wellness programs.  Every day our calendar is filled with fun and meaningful activities that allow residents to expand their mind, enjoy the company of friends, and enhance their health and wellness.  After all when given the opportunity to learn and to contribute, it allows us to shine. Please visit our website to learn more about what the best senior living in Santa Fe, NM looks like!

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 encourage you to give us a call for more information on luxury senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Try Scrapbooking with Your Elderly Parent

If an elderly parent is in a senior living community and has limited mobility, you may feel it is difficult to think of things to talk about or to do when you visit.  By organizing an activity such as scrapbooking, it can help to keep everyone engaged as well as inspire your loved one to start sharing stories about the “good old days.”  As you start documenting their life story, it will likely bring back memories they may have forgotten and/or ones the rest of the family knows anything about. 

To get started, visit your local craft store or shop on the Internet for scrapbooking supplies that will help you create a book that is uniquely your parent’s.  Your next step is to help gather and organize the photos and materials in chronological order that will go into the scrapbook. 

If the project seems too overwhelming for your parent, have them pick a theme such as family vacations or weddings through the years, or do one that focuses on their childhood and early years.  Before you start to glue things in, take the time to layout the photos and mementos for each page; and most importantly, encourage and enjoy the stories and memories shared by your loved one. 

MorningStar of Sparks is committed to providing seniors with the best senior living Reno-Sparks has to offer.  Along with our resort-style amenities and beautiful private suites, we offer a whole range of wellness programs and activities including many arts and crafts projects.  Visit our website to learn more about availability and pricing. 

MorningStar of Sparks’ mission statement “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 the finest senior living Reno-Sparks offers.