MorningStar at Arcadia Offers Dementia Care Under a “Lavender Sky”

Along with Phoenix assisted living, MorningStar at Arcadia provides 30 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of those with memory impairment caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to accommodate the needs of our residents and encourages and supports their independence while keeping them safe.  

Our holistic approach to dementia care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of dementia.  Providing loving support for our residents, we enter with insight and intentionality as we step into their “purple world” and cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. 

We also embrace the world of dementia, which begins with accepting the diagnosis, as difficult as this can be.  Utilizing MorningStar’s extensive experience, we have developed a deep understanding of the brain disease, regardless of the type of dementia, and embrace the changes needed to ensure the finest care.  This includes embracing our own communication style to calm or stimulate and physically embracing our tender residents as we recognize the power of touch. However most importantly, we embrace hope. 

Lavender Sky’s last component is exploration, and is approached each day with a wide range of purposeful, individualized solutions.  Acknowledging that the essence of the person lies beneath the fog of the disease, we explore a person’s life, history and preferences to create a personalized care plan.

At MorningStar at Arcadia, we also feel it is our job to help support our residents’ families.  Along with education, we show them how to follow our lead and enter into the world of their loved ones.  Please contact us for more information about our experienced, compassionate memory care. 

MorningStar at Arcadia represents the best in Phoenix assisted living and memory care 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.

MorningStar Recognizes Good Nutrition is Vital to Seniors’ Health

The National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Aging states that, “1 in 4 older Americans have poor nutrition.”  They explain that malnutrition puts them at risk of becoming overweight or underweight as well as cause weaken muscles and bones. 

Poor nutrition also leaves you more vulnerable to disease and makes it harder to manage the diseases you may already have such as heart disease and diabetes.  An unhealthy diet can even jeopardize a senior’s immune system and make them more susceptible to colds and flus.    

Furthermore, as many seniors experience a decrease in their appetite, they need to increase the nutrient density of their food, not necessarily portion size.  This means eating a well-balanced diet chock-full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients as well as more fiber. Avoid foods high in processed sugars, saturated and trans fats, and salt.  Eating alone can also decrease a senior’s appetite so make meals a more social occasion and serve foods that taste as good as they look and smell.

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we are committed to provide the best senior living Albuquerque offers.  We recognize that good nutrition is vital to seniors’ health, which is why we put such an effort into the food we serve our residents.  Starting with having our own Executive Chef, our 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. Furthermore, meals are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room, which is an ideal setting to socialize and enjoy a meal together.   

Please visit our website for more details on all of the amenities and services offered at MorningStar of Albuquerque.  We suggest you schedule a tour to see our beautiful community in person rather than just relying on our pictures.  

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.

Source: healthline.com/health/healthy-eating-for-seniors

Community Living May be a Safer, Healthier Option

Since most assisted living communities offer access to 24-hour personal care, along with nutrition and wellness services targeted specifically for the needs of older adults, they may present healthier, safer options for some seniors so says A Place for Mom.  Residents are able to enjoy healthy social connections as well as peace of mind knowing the support they need to help maintain their independence is available 24/7. 

In fact new research suggests that the support services and programs provided by assisted living communities help seniors to avoid many of the mishaps and problems that are commonplace in the elderly.  One such problem way too common in seniors is failing to take medication as prescribed.  Skipped doses or too much medication can result in deadly consequences. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” with their prescription drugs orders, and many are hospitalized each year due to adverse reactions. 

Dehydration is another commonplace problem experienced by the elderly.  As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, which means older adults need to remember to drink even when they are not thirsty. Also some medications may be diuretic, while others cause a person to sweat more, which can result in dehydration. 

In addition, poor nutrition is one more problem many seniors face.  Some research even suggests loneliness is a significant predictor of malnutrition in the elderly.  It can be difficult for older adults who live alone to prepare good, nutritional meals or for their loved ones to supervise daily eating habits.   

MorningStar at Arcadia is committed to be one of the best assisted living homes Phoenix AZ offers, and we provide the support services and physical environment to help seniors live as comfortably and safely as possible.  All of our assisted living suites are equipped with full handicap-accessible bathrooms. Furthermore, residents are served three, delicious meals a day tailored to the changing health needs of older adults.   Also, we provide 24/7 Care Managers, licensed nurses, scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations and Care Plan reviews, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. For more information, please see our website.

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 has to offer.

Source:  aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/

The Benefits of Assisted Living Communities

Many seniors are pleasantly surprised to discover that assisted living is not such a “terrible place” after all but rather a true home that offers many benefits.  Several studies also back up this assertion and have found that for many seniors, community living is a healthier, safer and more agreeable alternative to living alone. 

Initially it can be difficult for seniors to leave their familiar family home and often mistakenly think moving into an assisted living community will mean the end of their independence.  Actually, the opposite ends up being true as when a senior receives the proper care he or she needs, they are able to lead a fuller life. 

Another reason some seniors may be reluctant to make the move is they do not realize that assisted living communities of today are not anything like nursing homes.  As a resident of an assisted living community, you not only will have you own private suite but an array of care options and amenities that are designed to provide your utmost comfort and security.    

In many cases assisted living is a much better option than trying to patch together the range of services the senior needs from in-home care providers.  Furthermore, assisted living communities are already set up to accommodate those who may have mobility difficulties, and it can be expensive to retrofit a private home to make it safe enough for a senior with physical limitations.  In addition, senior living communities such as MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks provide 24/7 care and offer assisted living residents as well as their families the peace of mind knowing help is close at hand in an emergency.  

If you are looking for the best assisted living Reno or Sparks offers, we encourage you to visit our website to learn why our residents are proud to call MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks “home.”

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. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer.

Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/   

Things to Consider When Visiting a Loved One in Senior Living

Especially during the holiday season, many of us wish to brighten the day for a loved one in assisted living by letting them know them are very special to us.  To help make our visit more meaningful, experts provide some tips to keep in mind when we visit. 

You may want to plan in advance an activity your loved one would enjoy doing with you during your visit.  Examples include bringing along a puzzle to work on, a Scrabble board or a trivia game. You could get prints of current photos of the family made to add to an album or to start a new one.  If they are a music lover, bring some new music to enjoy together. If they love listening to stories, get an audiobook to listen to or buy a favorite family movie to watch together. If they love sending greeting cards to family and friends, buy a box of cards and help them get them ready to mail.   If they love to be pampered, bring along the supplies to give them a manicure.  

If the weather is cooperative, take advantage of the community’s outdoor area to soak up the sun or take your loved one to a local park and plan to share a simple meal of sandwiches and a drink.  Bringing the kids along automatically provides a more cheerful energy and will even give the resident some bragging rights long after the grandkids have gone home. However do keep in mind that too many visitors at a time can be hectic and it may be better to spread out the visits.   

If you do want to bring gifts, remember the person most likely does not have a lot of extra room for anything too big.  Gifts of food are generally welcomed and can be shared with others in the community. Other tips include not visiting when you are ill, and be sure to wash your hands when you first come in to avoid spreading germs.  

At the MorningStar of Santa Fe assisted living and memory care community, we provide lots of activities and programs for our residents but we know they always look forward to seeing their family.  Please visit our website to learn more about our community, our amenities and care services. 

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 for more details on the finest senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

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.