LOOKING FOR MEMORY CARE NEAR PHOENIX, AZ?

Are you looking for memory care near Phoenix, Arizona? At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia, we are here to help your senior loved one address memory loss issues in a warm, welcoming environment.

Taking care of a loved one who develops the symptoms of dementia can be difficult to do. From handling the emotional roller coaster ride to keeping your senior on the right path for treatment, the stress of taking care of a loved one who has developed memory loss symptoms can become overwhelming. However, relying on a team of memory care specialists to provide assisted living services for your senior loved one should alleviate the tremendous burden that you carry on your shoulders.

A highly-rated memory care facility not only assumes the responsibility of encouraging independent living for your senior, but it also ensures the comfort and safety of your loved one to give you the ultimate peace of mind. The question is not whether you should find the right memory care facility for your loved one. Instead, the question should be, what do you look for in the right assisted living facility in Phoenix, AZ?

Home Sweet Home

Moving your senior from the comfort of a home environment to an unknown facility can trigger a wide variety of negative emotions. The first factor to consider when choosing the best memory care facility in Phoenix, Arizona involves finding the venue that reminds your loved one of home. Stay away from facilities that present an austere ambiance, such as one that includes harsh fluorescent lighting and/or white linoleum floors. A facility that exudes charm, while projecting a social ambiance, is a good choice for your senior loved one.

Compassionate and Knowledgeable Staff

Every staff member at a memory care facility should possess the knowledge required to provide the highest quality of dementia care. Ask the facility manager how much training each staff member receives, as well as how long they receive updates on the latest proven techniques for treating and managing memory loss symptoms. Although staff knowledge is one of, if not the most important factor to consider before choosing an assisted living facility, you also should ensure the staff members at a facility display compassion for the residents. You cannot measure compassion as accurately as measuring knowledge. 

Nonetheless, spend plenty of time with the staff members responsible for providing memory care to gain insight into their empathy for residents.

Active Social Calendar

One of the most effective tools assisted living facilities use to attract residents involves promoting their social calendars. Social interactions with other residents should boost the awareness of your senior loved one. Activity calendars should include programs that keep residents busy not only during the week, but on weekends as well. Providing your senior loved one with numerous opportunities to engage with other residents empowers your loved one to remain busy, which stimulates both the mind and body.

Around-the-Clock Registered Nurse Availability

Seniors that suffer from memory loss require constant monitoring to ensure optimal health. Unfortunately, many memory loss facilities retain the services of a registered nurse during normal business hours, while CNAs take over healthcare responsibilities for the remaining hours of the day. Make sure any assisted living facility in Phoenix, AZ on your shortlist of candidates spends the money required to retain the services of at least one registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Submit the brief online form to learn more about how MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia can help your senior loved one address memory loss issues.

6 GOOD BRAIN GAMES FOR SENIORS

When you think of exercise, you probably think about the many options you have to work out the body. As we age, physical exercise becomes even more important to help us maintain strength and agility.

Did you know that exercising your brain is just as important as exercising your body?

According to the National Institutes of Health, exercising the brain can improve memory, reasoning, and the speed of processing information. Other studies show that seniors who exercise the brain enjoy greater independence and a lower risk of developing dementia. One of the most effective ways to exercise the brain involves playing what mental health experts call brain games.

If you are searching for an assisted living facility in Phoenix, Arizona, you should verify that any of the senior housing facilities on your shortlist promote healthy brain games for their guests.

Let’s look at six good brain games for seniors.

Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles do a great job of exercising the brain because they require developing keen foresight to see how words form several steps before the time comes to create them. Your senior loved one can find crossword puzzles in a wide variety of print publications. Crossword puzzles do not require the participation of another person, which means your senior loved one can work on one at any time during the day.

Bingo

We go from crossword puzzles that can be done alone to a good brain game that requires the participation of dozens of other people. Many assisted living facilities host bingo night, which attracts a large group of residents. Bingo requires staying on top of the numbers you have in front of you, as well as reacting quickly whenever one of your numbers gets called out. Senior centers typically put on a bingo night once a month as well.

Checkers

The next two good brain games provide the ultimate tests of exercising brain power. Checkers is a fun game to play, as well as a relatively easy one to learn for seniors. This good brain game is less about developing strategy and more about the process of making logic-based decisions and improving hand-eye coordination. Games sets come in a wide variety of sizes to accommodate the vision needs of seniors.

Chess

Chess represents a much more complex game than checkers because of the multiple layers of strategy involved in moving the pieces around the board. However, learning chess is highly beneficial because it improves problem-solving skills, as well as enhances deductive reasoning. Chess even can improve your senior’s patience, which is something that often diminishes as we grow older.

Scrabble

As the classic brain game associated with seniors, playing Scrabble is an entertaining activity while at the same time giving memory a robust workout. Scrabble also is one of the best games for improving or restoring a senior’s vocabulary. This good brain game brings together seniors, which is a plus considering the isolation that can develop while living apart from family members.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Your senior loved one can work on a jigsaw puzzle alone or with one or more friends. Jigsaw puzzles strengthen problem-solving and strategy-developing skills, while also requiring your senior loved one to exhibit a high level of patience. This good brain game varies in complexity, depending on the number of pieces and the type of picture design.

At the MorningStar Arcadia assisted living facility in Phoenix, Arizona, our culture is “to honor, to value, to invest” in our residents. This type of culture separates us from other memory care facilities in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more about our beautiful community by submitting the online Contact form.

4 NUTRITIOUS MEALS SENIORS LOVE

 “You are what you eat.”

You have heard the expression at least one time, but what exactly does it mean? Perhaps a better expression is “Your health depends on what you eat.” This is especially true for seniors who tend to lose interest in cooking as they reach their golden years. However, getting enough minerals and nutrients, as well as remaining properly hydrated, are the key to enjoying a healthy senior lifestyle.

Getting enough minerals and nutrients also is a plus for promoting robust brain power. Certain vitamins enhance the functioning of the brain, as well as improve the cardiovascular system. Each of the following four nutritious meals seniors love can be called both brain and body food that keeps your loved one healthy.

As the best memory care facility in Phoenix, Morningstar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia ensures our residents receive the right amounts of healthy foods such as the following four nutritious meals provide.

Salmon and Vegetables

This recipe, which showcases salmon and vegetables, is easy to complete. Salmon represents a low-calorie protein that is a rich source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and energy-producing B vitamins. You also can cook trout or tilapia instead of salmon to benefit from heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Saute the veggies of your choice in olive oil, while baking the salmon filet in a 450-degree oven. Finish the veggies in the oven with the salmon until the salmon turns flaky and presents an opaque appearance.

Berry Chicken Salad

Your senior loved one does not have to develop award-winning culinary skills to create any of the four dishes on this list, but the berry chicken salad is an especially easy recipe to complete. This recipe calls for cooked chicken, which can be the leftovers from another meal. Mix mayo, sugar, and tarragon in a salad bowl before adding blueberries and strawberries. You also should consider adding both peas and celery for both nutrition and texture reasons.

Blend the chicken in last and store the salad in the refrigerator until it is time for lunch or dinner.

Veggie Stir-Fry

This is another popular dish that takes more time to prepare than to cook. Select your favorite veggies and then dice or slice each one before setting them in a bowl where olive oil waits for coating. The sauce includes water, honey, orange juice, fresh ginger, and low-sodium soy sauce. Saute the veggies in the olive oil coating before adding the sauce to cover both the veggies and the protein of your choice, which can be shrimp, chicken, or heart-healthy tofu.

Quiche

As one of the most versatile types of nutritious meals seniors love, quiche can be served at any meal. The relatively inexpensive nutritious meal for seniors includes a leafy green such as spinach, which provides iron, magnesium, and manganese, as well as heart-healthy like vitamins A, C, and K. Your senior loved one can find an appealing quiche recipe in most cookbooks, as well as online at food-centric websites.

After mixing the ingredients, which consist of eggs and some type of protein, place the quiche in an oven set at the temperature listed in the recipe.

MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care at Arcadia offers a warm, loving atmosphere, as well as spectacular scenery and resort-like amenities. Our foundation values include a commitment to honoring God and serving the residences of our highly-rated community. Get the answers to your senior living in Phoenix questions by submitting the convenient form found on our website.

Is a Loved One Having Memory Problems?

If your mom or dad or another loved one is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time.  Medical experts recommend doing some research on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is.  You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parents.  

Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms.  Therefore, you need to sit down and have a talk with your parents about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.   

Experts say when you are ready to have the “conversation,” be honest and try to keep your voice calm.  Pick a time and place where you will not be interrupted and be sure to include in your homework different care options in case they ask.  Also, be ready to talk less and listen more as they may have also been worried about some of the changes they have been experiencing.  However, keep in mind it is common for a person to be confused, in denial, and/or withdraw.  

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia related disease is devastating, and we want area families to know we are here to help shoulder the burden. Our goal is to provide the best assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers, which includes specialized care for those with mild to advanced memory impairment.  Our comprehensive care also includes assisting families to better understand and cope with the disease. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.

Have Questions About Assisted Living at MorningStar of Albuquerque?

MorningStar at Albuquerque’s goal is to provide the best assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers, and we understand that deciding which community is right for you is a big step for a senior.  This is why we encourage interested families to give us a call to discuss any questions you may have and/or to inquire about availability.  In addition, our website is filled with lots of pertinent information regarding amenities, services, floorplans, and more.  

Our website even has a dedicated page for FAQs under our “First Steps” tab.  Here you will find answers to commonly asked questions such as age requirements (in our assisted living and memory care suites, you must be at least 55 years old).  You will also discover important information on how a resident’s level of care is determined and our pricing structure.  

FAQs include practical queries such as, yes, we will help you find a physician if you need one whether it is a primary care doctor or a specialty healthcare provider like an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist. And yes, we do provide transportation to doctor appointments as needed, and our transportation vehicles can accommodate a walker or wheelchair. 

You and your family may also want to know about the type of training our staff receives, and we go over that too.   Care Managers complete an orientation program (including a three-day shadow), Radiance culture training, 8-hour dementia training, and ongoing training in specific care needs.  Each of our Medication Managers (QMAPs) is additionally trained in medication administration.   

FAQs go over senior housing options such as Companion Living that allows two unrelated adults of the same sex to share a suite, and of course, married couples are welcome!  MorningStar of Albuquerque also offers short-term stays based on availability that allows someone to get an idea of whether senior living is right for them.  

Please visit our website for contact information, to set up a tour, or to get answers to any other questions.  We look forward to hearing from you.  

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Albuquerque has to offer.

MorningStar of Santa Fe Offers Memory Care

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Santa Fe offers experienced memory care. Our Reflections Neighborhood has memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   Our compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety.  

The Reflections Neighborhood is designed in full consideration of the dispositions and behaviors of those with memory impairment and encourages independence for our most tender residents with clear wayfinding; and safe, inviting common areas. Residents receive daily health monitoring and 24/7 care along with access to a licensed nurse and more supportive third-party service providers. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms.

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call “Lavender Sky.”  By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families.  

All our employees, regardless of their position, will receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training include the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors.  

Through Lavender Sky, our caregivers thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the “purple world” of dementia as they cross over the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. By exploring each of our residents’ life stories including their history and preferences, we create an individualized care plan. We also involve and engage family members in how to follow our lead.  

Please contact us for more information about MorningStar’s senior living in Santa Fe, NM and all the amenities and services we provide. We look forward to hearing from you.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

Memory Care at MorningStar of Albuquerque

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating and we want families to know we are here to help. Our community offers loving, compassionate care to those with memory impairment in our Reflections Neighborhood. The MorningStar Senior Living company brings 20 years of experience to memory care in senior communities across eleven states.  

MorningStar’s holistic approach to memory care incorporates some of the most respected research-based care programs available.  We are different from other communities in that every aspect of our memory care is designed from the ground up to accommodate residents. Secure and inviting, the Reflections Neighborhood gives residents as much freedom as possible. 

Through the rigors of MorningStar’s Lavender Sky training, our staff truly understands Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-loss conditions; and after a family decides to place a loved one in our care, we get to work. This starts by learning as much as we can about the person’s background, talents and personal preferences through a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” Using this information, we create a specialized, individualized care plan that helps to calm or stimulate as a particular situation needs. 

Meals are attractively served, and tasty as well as nutritional. Many foods are easily eaten with fingers to accommodate those who may have trouble using a fork and knife. In addition, our wellness programs keep residents purposefully engaged and leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy and animals to heal and comfort, as we focus on residents’ unique needs.         

Along with memory care, we offer assisted living as well as respite care and short-term stays (from one week up to a full month). Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted seniors living in Albuquerque.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity, and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque offers.