Your Wellness Visit Should Include a Cognitive Assessment

 

Medical experts have found that many older adults are not being screened for cognitive decline during routine physical exams, and say it would be a good idea to do so. While many of us would be shocked to hear devastating news that we have early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, doctors say it is important to identify memory loss issues early as available treatments are more effective early-on. Moreover, if it is determined you do have some memory loss, there are steps you can take to help slow down or mitigate the risk.

Additionally, if you are wondering if a cognitive test is expensive, Medicare does pay for an annual “wellness visit,” which is supposed to include a quick cognitive assessment to help identify some early warning signs of dementia. From there your doctor can recommend a more thorough examination. However, according to a recent Alzheimer’s Association survey, over half of the respondents said their healthcare provider has never asked about their cognitive health, let alone administered a test. Less than a third said they had discussed memory and cognitive issues with a doctor. Joanne Pike, an Alzheimer’s Association chief program officer, says while, “Many older adults say they’ve noticed changes in their mental abilities, “the majority of the time seniors are waiting for the physician to bring it up.”

So what does a cognitive assessment include? To start with your doctor will ask you directly if you have noticed any changes in your memory recently. If you have a family member with you, the doctor may ask them if they noticed any problems. You may be asked to take a short test, but often the assessment includes the doctor asking questions regarding your activities, your interests and how well you are functioning at home. In fact, you may not even realize you are being cognitively assessed.

At MorningStar of Beaverton, our assisted living facility includes 38 secure suites offering individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a team of individuals who understand the unique needs of each resident and delivers that care with compassion and thoughtfulness. Please visit our website or contact us for more information.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique 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. Please visit our website to discover why MorningStar is a step above an ordinary assisted living facility.

Enjoy Life to the Fullest by Adopting a More Positive Outlook

 Now that we have finally put 2020 behind us and are ready to move forward, why not do it with a more positive attitude?  Experts explain that developing and maintaining positive energy involves “more than merely thinking happy thoughts.”  It should include things like a belief that our problems will work out and that we can expect good results.      

The Mayo Clinic divides people’s thinking into the age-old adage of the glass half empty, half full and says that a number of studies show that an optimistic or pessimistic belief can affect many areas of our health and wellbeing.  For example, those with optimistic outlooks tend to manage stress better, which we know can be bad for blood vessels and heart health as well as cause insomnia, anxiety and more.  Being an optimist can increase our longevity, reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and endow us with better coping skills during challenging times.  

Experts suggest in order to cultivate more optimism in our day-to-day thinking, we should practice positive self-talk.  This means talking as kindly to ourselves as we do with other people.  They also say it is helpful to be surrounded with positive people and to follow a healthy lifestyle including eating well and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days.  Another powerful tool is to embrace humor.  Let yourself laugh, smile at others and try to find humor even in difficult situations.    

At the MorningStar of Arvada senior living community, we specialize in offering carefree retirement years with 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites in various configurations including spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans.  If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, we also provide 29 secure suites that are staffed by a team of compassionate dementia care specialists.  Please visit our website for availability and pricing.    

MorningStar of Arvada offers the very best in senior living with a unique 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 as we work toward creating a true home for residents amidst a serene setting.  Visit our website to learn more about the finest, unrivalled independent living, assisted living, and memory care Arvada, CO offers.    

Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

The Pandemic May Have Strengthened Our Relationship with Nature

 

A recent survey by the University of Vermont reports people have gotten out in nature much more during the pandemic than in prior times. The online survey found that 3,200 Vermonters between May 3 and May 19, 2020, who were at the time under the State’s strictest quarantine rules, not only got out in nature more but felt better for doing it.

As many as 70 percent of participants reported they were walking more, and 64% percent said they were spending more time wildlife watching. Relaxation accounted for 58% of the reason people got out in nature, and taking photos or creating art increased by as much as 54 percent.

All told, 60 percent of those surveyed said they felt that simply getting out in nature improved their mental health and wellbeing. While 29 percent said they got out mainly for exercise, another 29 percent reported appreciating nature’s beauty and 22 percent felt connect to something bigger than themselves.

The Harvard Publishing Health journal also recently reported on an emerging scientific field called ecotherapy, which finds a strong link between time spent in nature and a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression. In a 2015 study, researchers report that “those who did a nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is active during rumination — defined as repetitive thoughts that focus on negative emotions.” So no more excuses; head out to a local park and start enjoying nature as it is not only good for your physical health but your mental health.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community is situated on 8.8 acres and offers seniors a welcoming, comfortable home for carefree retirement years. In addition to independent living and assisted living, we also provide compassionate, holistic memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. We also want new residents to know that they will have priority access to the COVID vaccine. Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’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. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s most trusted independent living & assisted living.

Source:

medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-has-the-pandemic-influenced-our-relationship-with-nature#The-benefits

health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature

Are You Ready for Retirement?

 

 

 

If you are thinking about retirement, you may be wondering if you are ready. One concern many older Americans have regarding their retirement is whether they have saved enough money. On this score, experts state you don’t need enormous wealth to be happy in retirement, but just need enough.

So how much is enough for you to live well in retirement? Again financial planners say you do not have to match your annual income to be comfortable as you will not be paying for commuting costs or paying into Social Security and Medicare. You will also not be putting money into a retirement account. One guideline suggests you may want about 80 to 85 percent of your preretirement income, and perhaps less is you have a paid-off mortgage.

Another thing to remember is your time is worth a lot and retirement does not have to be about expensive vacations and entertainment but rather giving you the time for the little things in life. Enjoying dinner with our family, spending time with friends, or playing with our grandkids have all become more precious during the pandemic and most of us cannot wait until we have the opportunity to do these things again.

Making your health a priority is also important and while we cannot control our genetics, we can do some things to help improve our health including getting more exercise and enough sleep. Keep in mind that doctors say any exercise is better than none. In fact, a large survey of 334,000 Europeans found that “the biggest beneficiaries of exercise — those who went from inactive to moderately inactive — had a 16 to 30 percent drop in premature death risk.”

Other tips to enjoy your retirement years more fully is to have a purpose. Maybe you always wanted to donate time to a charity, work in local youth programs, or organize fund-raising activities for your church; retirement is a great time to start. Moreover by this summer, hopefully most of us will be vaccinated and leading more normal lives so be ready to get out and really start living yours!

At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, we are proud to offer the area’s finest independent living, assisted living and memory care. We accomplish this with the help of a dedicated team of individuals who understand it is a privilege to serve seniors. Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’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. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living & assisted living in Peoria, AZ.

Source:

aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2020/5-secrets-to-retire-happy.html

A Senior Living Community that Feels like “Home”

 

Throughout the MorningStar Senior Living communitiies across the Western US, a radiant spirit inspires our remarkable residents to lift their spiritis. While some of our actual physical closeness may have decreased due to the pandemic, our residents, their families, and team members have realized that “real community” is about much more. It it a sense of belonging, of family, and looking out for the wellbeing of others.

At MorningStar of Golden Ridge in beautiful Peoria, AZ, we are honored to have attracted a staff of individuals with big hearts who feel privileged to serve and lovingly treat our residents like they do their own moms and dads. In fact, virtues like character, kindness and selflessness are one of the first things we look for upon hiring team members. Then we provide guidance with training in MorningStar’s Service Excellence brand called “Radiance,” which cultivates an attitude of selflessness that issues from a deep and sincere place.

We attribute much of our company’s success and growth to God’s grace and to staying true to a mission of servant-leadership. In addition we recognize that MorningStar’s brand of being “radically relational” is advanced only insofar as individual team members adopt our core values of love, respect, honesty, goodness, kindness and fairness, and choose to embody our culture of Radiance.

Serving seniors has given us a deep respect for the many challenges and truimphs they have gone through during their lifetime; and is why we feel seniors are true heroes. MorningStar of Golden Ridge’s large campus includes a beautifully-designed building for assisted living and memory care residents as well as seniors looking for carefree independent living. We also offer 38 “Casitas” tucked into their own private neighborhood for active seniors who love the idea of the many conveniences independent living offers.

We are now safely accepting new residents, and once you join our community, you will have priority access to the COVID vaccine. Also in case you wondered, we are pet friendly.

MorningStar of Golden Ridge’s unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We are set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted assisted living & independent living in the Peoria area.

Our Beautiful Phoenix Communities are Seeking Housekeepers

 If you are the type of person who enjoys seniors and takes pride in doing an excellent job, we invite you to apply for one of our housekeeping jobs in Phoenix and the surrounding area.  MorningStar Senior Living’s Phoenix communities are not only beautifully designed but have earned a reputation for offering the area’s highest standard of senior living. 

As a MorningStar housekeeper, you will join a team of dedicated professionals who feel privileged to serve seniors and willingly go the extra mile to help a resident or another team member.  Indeed, we are incredibly blessed to have a staff with a felt calling to serve and who share our core values of love, kindness, honesty, fairness and respect.  

While keeping our gorgeously-appointed surroundings spotless, you will also have the opportunity to get to know our residents better while you are cleaning their homes.  Your responsibilities will include performing assigned tasks in accordance with established housekeeping procedures and keeping your work area maintained in a clean, safe, comfortable and attractive manner.  In addition, you will be charged with maintaining the confidentiality of resident-care information and respecting residents’ personal property.  

While we prefer experience, most importantly we are seeking individuals who want to be a part of our MorningStar family and to work as a team to work toward our success.  At MorningStar Senior Living, we are proud to create a work environment where life is enriched, stories are shared and lives are cherished.  

Morningstar is proud to support our valuable team members with a very generous benefit package.  Our benefits start with competitive wages, plus bonus and incentive opportunities in some positions, and extend all the way through comprehensive insurance, training, and employee leave and support programs.  Please visit our website for more information regarding rewarding housekeeping jobs as well as other openings in our loving Phoenix area communities. 

At MorningStar Senior Living, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  We are committed to a foundation built upon honoring God and valuing all seniors, and are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve seniors.  For a rewarding career, please visit MorningStar’s Join Our Team page for details regarding housekeeping jobs in Phoenix.

How Life May Look in 2021

 Most of us were happy to say goodbye to 2020, and we all look forward to a better, brighter 2021.  We long to get back to spending time in the company of our loved ones, and while we realize life may be a somewhat “new normal,” we are ready for a more positive future.     

A recent article on AARP’s website asks medical professionals to weigh in on the changes we can expect in the coming year along with some of the things that may not change.  One of the first points that experts agreed on is that we will have better treatments available for COVID-19.  Along with remdesiver, which has already been approved by the FDA, there are several other antivirals being tested to determine if they are even more effective.  

Another line of treatment includes monoclonal antibodies, which imitate the body's immune response to a disease.   While currently in short supply and only approved for emergency use, doctors hope if they prove effective they will be available to the general public.  Edith Parker, dean of the University of Iowa College of Public Health, believes they may be groundbreaking in terms of treating COVID.  She adds that the development of monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 “may be one of the positive things that have come out of the pandemic.”    

Other positive signs include administering treatments more effectively.  For instance, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, M.D., a professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist with UT Health in Houston, says there may come a time in the near future when a patient is confirmed to have COVID, they will receive a prescription that can be taken at home.

Other hopeful advances are enhanced testing including at-home test kits that will provide results within a few minutes.  Also doctors are learning more and more about how best to treat patients.  Lastly experts say vaccines should be widely distributed by mid-year.  Health professionals caution that what will remain the same is the fact that we will need to still wear masks, wash our hands, and yes, for a while at least, practice social distancing.

MorningStar of Arvada offers the very best in senior living with a unique 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 as we work toward creating a true home for residents amidst a serene setting.  Visit our website for pricing and availability at the most trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada, CO offers.   

Source:  

aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-2021.html

How We Care for Residents at MorningStar of Beaverton

 

MorningStar of Beaverton is a beautiful senior community that offers assisted living as well as memory care. Our exceptional team is experienced in serving seniors and understands what it needed to provide our residents with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.

In fact, all facets of our community were designed from the ground up to compassionately and professionally serve our residents and we start with 24/7 care managers and access to licensed nurses and certified medication care managers/QMAPs. MorningStar’s care managers help our assisted living residents retain their independence by providing help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting and eating as well as other medical assistance. These dedicated individuals were hired for their big hearts and a desire to serve seniors.

MorningStar’s medication care managers/QMAPs also play an important role based on statistics from a National Institute of Health study. It reports that 40% of seniors aged 65 and older take five or more prescription medications, and 90% take at least one prescription. In addition, it found that 55% of those seniors are improperly taking their medications. Our certified med managers oversee both the ordering and dispensing of medications to our residents.

For residents’ safety, our entire community is handicap accessible with wide doorways, spacious common areas and hallways, and each suite is equipped with handicapped-accessible bathrooms. In addition, all 66 of our bright assisted living suites have a 24-hour Emergency Call System. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 38 secure suites devoted to caring for those with memory impairment and is designed to encourage our tender residents to easily and safely explore their spacious surroundings.

Finally, MorningStar wants you to know that during the coronavirus outbreak, our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents, their families and our staff; and we could not be more vigilant in our defensive approach. We are still accepting residents during this difficult time, confident in our protective protocols. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar of Beaverton’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 exceptional assisted living and memory care in Beaverton, OR.

We Provide Lots of Support during Your Loved One's Move-in Process

 MorningStar of Arvada is one of the premier senior living communities in the area and provides the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada offers.  Situated on 1.5 acres and encircled by historic Golden and the nearby Arvada Reservoir, our gorgeous community provides an extensive range of amenities, wellness programs, care services and more.   

When a loved one needs more care than they can get in their own home, it may be time to start thinking about a move to assisted living.  If your family is new to the concept of senior living and all it means, please know that MorningStar of Arvada will work with you each step of the way to help you make informed decisions, and make the eventual move-in process easier.  

To start with, we understand that for your parent or elderly relative, the move is a major lifestyle transition, which is why we approach each move-in with great sensitivity.  One way we do this is to try and nurture a relationship from the start that reinforces the positive aspects of community life and tries to help the person envision the many possibilities of a new adventure.  

Once your family puts down a deposit to secure a chosen suite, our “House to Home” plan goes into full swing.  This starts by collecting pertinent information, agreements and permissions inherent to the move-in including a medical assessment and physician’s care plan for each new assisted living and memory care resident.     

On a more practical level, we offer packing tips including what items are most important to bring such as furnishings and personal belongings that are most significant emotionally, nostalgically as well as functionally.  We want the resident’s new “home” to bring them comfort and joy, which is why we suggest if possible to arrange furnishing similar to their prior residence.  Keep in mind; it is especially helpful to those with low vision or cognitive impairment.     

This is just a start of the on-going support we extend to new residents and their families.  We are ready to answer any questions you may have and direct you to our website for contact information as well as other pertinent details.  MorningStar of Arvada’s entire team is engaged in finding ways to build a true family, one loving relationship at a time. 

MorningStar of Arvada offers the very best in senior living with a unique 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 as we work toward creating a true home for residents amidst a serene setting.  Visit our website for more information on the area’s most trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO. 

Are You Considering Memory Care for a Loved One?

 

 

Are you considering a community setting for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? Experts say the first and most important thing to learn about an assisted living facility offering memory care is whether or not they are up to the task of caring for your loved one. Do services align with their needs and is the home capable of advanced care down the road? A Place for Mom’s website says by asking the following questions, you should get the answers you need.

Before you begin your search, they suggest taking a few minutes to think about the needs of your loved one. Do they have a tendency to wander or exhibit aggressive behaviors? Do they require help with eating and drinking? Are they mobile or use a wheelchair or walker? Other information to relay is if they need help toileting, require 24/7 supervision, or care for medical conditions such as diabetes?

Once you establish that a memory care community is equipped to care for your loved one, now ask your questions including how experienced is the staff; and do they have any special training. If so, is it on-going? Will your loved one have an individualized care plan? Also what is the staff-ratio during the day and at night?

Inquire about safety protocols starting with secured doors, courtyards, and grounds as well as an emergency call system. Are hallways color-coded as this makes it easier for residents to navigate about more independently? Is there a nurse on duty, and how extensive are medical services? Also ask about the type of memory care activities and treatments available. After you have learned what you can, experts say the final decision will most likely come down to your peace of mind.

At MorningStar of Beaverton, we offer individualized, specialized dementia care for those at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages. Our holistic approach to care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes. Beginning with compassionate caregivers to activities, programs and meal services tailored to our residents’ special needs, we bring a deep understanding of the disease to our care. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique 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. Please visit our website to discover why MorningStar is a step above an ordinary assisted living facility.

Source: aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/memory-care-facility-checklist