Does Your Elderly Parent Need Help Organizing Their Medications?

 

Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking at least one or more prescription medications on a daily basis.  In fact, the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.”  Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interactions, an area of special concern for the elderly.  

Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state approximately 350,000 people are hospitalized each year after visits to the emergency room because of adverse, or harmful, drug events.  Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “take on an empty stomach,” and the adverse side effects.  

Experts say to help a parent get organized, write down the names of all of the drugs they are taking, the dosage, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them.  Include any herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs.  The next time they see their primary care doctor, take your list and discuss the reasons for each drug, how long they will be on it, and if any of the drugs are dangerous taken together.  Whenever a new drug is prescribed, ask what it is for and how it should be taken, and read through the paperwork.   

Store medications together in a cool, dry location (not the bathroom), discard old, expired medications, and find a pill organizer that makes sense for your parent’s needs.  If they are forgetful, they may need a reminder system.  However, if a parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, they should be carefully monitored. 

At MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living and memory care community, our residents’ wellbeing and physical health is our primary concern.  This is why one of our many services is medication management that ensures residents take medications properly, and as we even order medications, there is no danger of them running out.  Please visit our website for a virtual tour of our beautiful community and use our email link to inquire about availability and pricing.

MorningStar at Arcadia offers the very best in Phoenix assisted living and memory care 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 give us a call or visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community. 

Eating Healthy is More Important Than Ever

 

Right now, we are all looking for ways to help keep our families healthy.  In addition to practicing social distancing and washing our hands, experts remind us that eating healthy is more important than ever as it provides our bodies with the key nutrients that boost our immune systems.  This is important as a strong immune system defends us against the viruses that cause colds and flus as well as the coronavirus.  

Foods that are vital to maintaining a healthy immune system include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  One vegetable especially nutrient-rich, readily available, and easy to cook is broccoli. It contains vitamin C and beta-carotene as well as “sulfur compounds that research suggests may boost production of glutathione, an antioxidant compound. In terms of immune support, glutathione works by attacking free radicals to minimize their potential damage.” 

Another good source of vitamin C, which plays a role in keeping our immune systems healthy, is fortified orange juice and just one cup gives us 100% of our required daily dose. Fortified OJ also has vitamin D as do eggs, cheese, tofu and mushrooms that help make us more resistant to illnesses.  Beans, nuts, cereal and seafood all contain zinc which research has found may shorten the duration of the common cold.  Other foods high in nutrients include spinach, salmon, lean beef, and yogurt.  

At MorningStar at Arcadia, a Phoenix assisted living and memory care community, we provide a 5-star dining service to our residents that starts with meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients.  We also use ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds known to support brain health and aptly named “Super Foods.”  These include items like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens. 

Our team is dedicated to providing residents a safe, comfort environment where they can safely enjoy their well-deserved retirement years.  Currently we are safely accepting new residents, and are confident in our protocols and procedures in fighting the coronavirus. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar at Arcadia offers the very best in Phoenix assisted living and memory care 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 give us a call or visit our website to learn more about our exceptional community. 

Source: allrecipes.com/article/foods-that-boost-immune-system/

Senior Housing Designed for Your Utmost Comfort & Wellbeing

 

The MorningStar of Santa Fe senior living community is committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our remarkable residents.  To accomplish this lofty goal, our approach takes into account every aspect of senior living from the design of our gorgeous community to a broad range of care services, amenities, and wellness programs.  In fact Ken Jaeger, MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder, had specific ideas on how to foster the ultimate environment for the wellbeing of seniors and it is the guiding spirit in which our community operates on.

Add to that, our dedicated team members who are the heartbeat of our community and the kind of people who come to work each day with a smile on their face.  They understand it is a privilege to serve and many come to know and treat our residents as they do their own moms and dads.  In fact our Executive Director, Susie Peterson, speaks for many of us when she says, “I’m passionate about serving seniors and to making each day special for them.”   As a true home, we consider our residents, their families and team members to be part of the MorningStar of Santa Fe’s family.      

And as a loving home, we don’t want you to think that with everything going on in the world, we have forgotten how to have fun.  Nothing could be further from the truth as you will see when you take a look at our home page or Facebook.  For example a few weeks ago we were keeping things fun with a 1950’s Spirit Day that included a homemade chocolate Bundt cake, round-after-round of 1950’s trivia, and topped off with some bowling.  

MorningStar of Santa Fe offers 56 private assisted living bright suites and 29 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our intention is to provide a loving environment where seniors can safely and comfortably age in place.  We look forward to hearing from you.  

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 exceptional senior housing in Santa Fe, NM.

Planning for Long-Term Care

 

As we grow older, we start to think more and more about “what if” this or that happens.  Many of us worry about getting a disease or disability that could make it difficult for us to care for ourselves, and many worry about having the financial means to get the long-term care we may eventually need.  

Financial advisors say one way to give ourselves peace of mind is to purchase Long-term Care insurance (LTC).  While a LTC policy can be expensive, experts say you need to remember that trying to pay for long-term care can jeopardize your financial wellbeing as well as that of your spouse, children and even grandchildren.  Many of us have worked our entire lives to provide our families with financial security and would hate the thought of them shouldering the economic and personal responsibilities related to our long-term care.   

The AARP says everyone should have a plan for long-term care, and as we are living longer than ever before, at some point we may need help with our day-to-day care.  As many LTC insurance policies cover some of the expenses your regular health insurance does not, it  is easier to “maintain your lifestyle if age, injury, illness, or a cognitive impairment makes it challenging for you to take care of yourself.”   Buying a LTC policy is also a good idea for those who do not have family members or others to care for them in the event of changing circumstances.   

If you are looking for memory care or assisted living, Albuquerque’s MorningStar community encourages you to contact us for more information about our beautiful home.  While we work hard to make our community affordable, we also help potential residents to find creative ways to help pay for senior living.  Long-term care insurance can help pay for senior care and protect personal assets by covering a variety services in senior communities that may not be covered through programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.  

MorningStar of Albuquerque proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers.

Source: nylaarp.com/Landing-Pages/LongTermCare

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Offer Big Health Benefits

 

For years most of us have heard we need to watch the amount of fat in our diet; however medical experts clarify that not all fats are the same. Bad fats, the ones to watch out for, include artificial trans fats and saturated fats that drive up our total cholesterol and LDLs, and cause clogged arteries, weight gain and an increase risk of certain diseases.

Good fats include unsaturated fats as well as omega-3 fatty acids that deliver lots of health benefits. Two important omega-3s, EPA and DHA, are primarily found in certain fish including: anchovies, bluefish, salmon, sardines, tuna, lake trout, mackerel, wild swordfish, and others. Doctors recommend eating these oily fish, non-fried, and twice a week, and to watch the amount of mackerel, wild swordfish, tilefish and shark you consume as they may contain mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), or other toxins.

ALA, (alpha-linolenic acid), is another powerful omega-3 fatty acid found in nuts and seeds such as walnuts, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, soybean oil and chia seeds. While oils and nuts are good for us, experts caution these foods are high in calories and to eat in moderation.

So what are the benefits of a diet rich in omega-3s and ALAs? Doctors say for one thing, it can help reduce triglycerides, which accumulate in the blood and lead to heart disease and stroke. You may also slow the development of plaque in your arteries and reduce the chance of an abnormal heart rhythm. In addition omega-3s and ALAs may decrease your likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.

The MorningStar of Sparks senior living community offers all-inclusive independent living and assisted living in the Reno area with a broad range of care service, resort-style amenities and wellness programs. This includes a full dining service featuring meals largely prepared from scratch using the freshest ingredients. In addition we include ingredients known to support brain health with their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Our Chef deliciously incorporates “Super Foods” like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens into many meals. Please visit our website for availability and pricing.

MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about exceptional senior living in Reno.

Senior Housing in Santa Fe Provides Experienced, Loving Memory Care

 

Are you the adult child or spouse of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia?  At the MorningStar of Santa Fe senior living community we understand the anguish and heartache that families go through seeing their beloved mom, dad, or spouse change before their eyes.  

If the diagnosis is recent, you are all most likely wrestling with lots of questions including what will the future bring and who will be there to provide the level of care the person will probably need.  We hear you and want you to know our experienced team is here to help with holistic memory care that focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss.  

Our 29 memory care suites are in a separate wing called Reflections Neighborhood that was designed from the ground up to give residents the freedom to safely explore their surroundings.  Once a family decides on our community, we personalized care by interviewing the senior and their family in order to learn as much as we can about the person’s background, their preferences, medical history, and other pertinent information.  Then we create a care plan that is design to stimulate or calm as a situation requires.   

Our assisted living and memory care community is located on the city’s west side near the intersection of St. Francis and St. Michael and offers serene mountain views.  As dementia care experts, we provide specialized, individualized care to each resident and are equipped to care for the person from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  Visit our website for contact info and give us a call, email, or use our Virtual Assistant for immediate help.  

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 information on compassionate senior living in Santa Fe, NM.

Assisted Living Offers 24/7 Care

 

If you or a loved one is in need of daily care to ensure your safety and wellbeing, you may be weighing options such as in-home care services versus assisted living.  Most experts suggest a good way to start is to make a list of all the areas in which you or your loved one needs assistance on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.  

From a strictly affordable standpoint (we know there is much more to it), the rule of thumb to determine if in-home care services or an assisted living community is less expensive is does the person require more than 40 hours of paid care a week?  If that’s the case, then assisted living is most likely cheaper.  

Also remember that in-home care is a piecemeal approach and each additional service you need adds to the cost of care.  Moreover, in an assisted living community like MorningStar at Arcadia, individuals receive 24/7 care from our compassionate, trained care managers in the activities of daily living (ADL).  Another benefit of our community is it is designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobile aids as well as has bathrooms equipped with handicap grab bars, and suites equipped with emergency call systems.  

Many people get sticker shock when they learn how much they will pay for assisted living, but you need to remember that virtually all your living expenses including food as well as care services are factored in.  No longer will you pay out-of-pocket for home insurance, property taxes, heat, electricity, trash pickup, cable, and Internet service.  In addition, you will not be hit with unexpected repair bills and routine upkeep on your home.  

If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Phoenix’s MorningStar at Arcadia encourages you to contact us or visit our website to learn more about our loving community. We provide all the amenities, wellness programs, and care services residents need for their comfort and wellbeing.  Our beautiful community offers 80 bright suites for assisted living in a range of configurations to accommodate residents’ preferences and needs.   In addition, 30 secure suites are devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.  

MorningStar at Arcadia’s mission statement of “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 beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer.