Engaging Activities that Promote Brain Health in Seniors Dealing with Memory Loss

When memory loss begins to happen, some of the first signs of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases may appear to be the struggle of completing tasks or activities that one once enjoyed. Perhaps your close relative or loved one can no longer remember how to perfect a favorite recipe, crochet a special knot, or paint in the same usual stroke. While they may struggle, this does not mean that they have lost interest or ability to do their activities, but that they may require extra support to complete these tasks while adjusting to memory loss.

Making the choice to acclimate your loved one to an assisted living facility that specializes in memory care may be the best decision in order to ensure that they are continuing to participate in their usual enriching activities in a safe environment. While many senior living facilities that deal with memory care differ, MorningStar at Beaverton recognizes the importance of encouraging our residents to participate in activities that are familiar and echo a sense of control over their changing health needs.

While there is an array of amenities and activities that MorningStar offers, a popular one that actively promotes brain health in our residents dealing with memory loss includes the attraction of our grand piano. There is growing research that shows that music can have a profound impact on individuals with memory loss, according to the Alzheimer's disease research center. The piano is open to our residents and we encourage them to practice or show off their skills. However, if your loved one is no longer able to fully participate in playing piano, listening to another play still encourages brain health and can promote more memory recollection.

We like to have a hands-on approach to the specialized memory care needs of our residents dealing with memory loss. This means that it is not uncommon to see these residents working alongside the chefs in the kitchen, helping employees with clerical work, or tending to one of our gardens. Participating in familiar activities such as these promote overall brain health, memory, and enrichment and allows us as caregivers to oversee your loved one while they continue to participate in the things they enjoy.

To learn more about our other memory care amenities within our senior living facility, please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Beaverton, Oregon offers.

 
MorningStar at Beaverton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Beaverton, Oregon has to offer.

Comforting Father’s Day Gifts For Your Loved One in Memory Care

Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 19th this year. If you haven’t begun planning, it may be time to decide on a gift for your parent or loved one that is struggling with Dementia or another memory loss disease. Figuring out what is the most beneficial gift for someone in memory care can be tough, especially if they are in a community that supplies a lot of enrichment and activities. You don’t want to confuse your loved one with a difficult gift, so it’s best to stick to what is familiar and recognizable to them.

MorningStar in Arvada, Colorado offers a rich environment for its residents living in memory care. There is often calm music playing, open activity rooms, and a dining room that is equipped to serve healthy meals and sweet treats. What your senior living facility cannot supply, however, is a gift from your heart completely tailored to your parent or loved one that would help better connect them to you.

Bringing along your loved one’s favorite meal or snack is a simple, but great Father’s Day gift for someone struggling with memory loss. When our senses, such as taste or smell, are induced, memory recollection is stronger. If there was a special meal you all once shared together often, perhaps bringing that in during your visit could entice some memories to be shared between you two.

Simple, but effective, gifts are board games if your loved one is struggling with symptoms of Dementia and memory loss. Games such as checkers, Connect-Four, or bingo will help in keeping your dad’s mind active and the familiarity of these games may spark more memories and comfortability. Try to stay away from games that are too intricate, like large puzzles or monopoly, as they may lead to frustration and confusion.

To learn more about our specialization in memory care in Arvada, Colorado please contact us. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other memory care facilities in Arvada, Colorado.

MorningStar at Arvada proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Arvada, Colorado has to offer.

Helping a Parent Transition to Assisted Living

No matter how old we are, change can be difficult and the bigger the change, the more challenging. For the elderly, change can signal an end to a way of life they are most familiar with and cause a range of emotions from mourning a loss of independence to feelings of helplessness. Hopefully it also offers a spark of excitement at starting a new adventure. 

If you are an adult child of a senior who is in the process of transitioning into assisted living, experts offer tips to get through any rough patches. To make the move more successful, they recommended working as a team: the senior, the family, the new home and their doctor. As family members, it is important to recognize how intimidating the move can be in the eyes of your loved one as they are moving to a new environment with all new people. Experts say the adjustment period typically lasts for 30 to 90 days.  

A senior can make it easier on themselves by keeping an open mind and realizing it will take a little while to adjust. Try to get out and enjoy your new environment rather than staying behind closed doors in your suite. If you are unsure how something works, ask questions. If you are having problems getting answers, talk to the management or ask your family to intervene. 

Families can help the senior to set up their new apartment with familiar items and family memories including pictures and other favorite knick-knacks. Once they are settled, experts say don’t desert them but don’t overdo the visits. Allow them to find their own way and perhaps start making a few friends. If the community has family-friendly activities, join in when you can.  

MorningStar at Golden Ridge is a senior community in Peoria, AZ offering 65 private assisted living suites and 35 secure memory care suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s or dementia-related diseases.  For independent seniors, we also have 38 Casitas with attached garages.  We are located at North 67th Avenue and West Golden Lane on an 8.8-acre campus, convenient to banks, hospitals, medical facilities, shopping, and restaurants.  Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at Golden Ridge 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. We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.

What is Dementia?

Many of us, especially seniors, have heard or known someone with Alzheimer’s disease and have an idea of the devastation it causes. While there are other types of diseases categorized as dementia, Alzheimer’s is by far the most common form of dementia accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. You should know dementia is not actually a specific disease but refers to a decline in a person’s mental ability to such a degree it interferes with their daily life.    

It is also important to understand dementia is not a normal condition of aging but rather caused by damage to brain cells that affect a person’s memory, reasoning and other cognitive skills including an ability to communicate. There are several types of clinical dementia including: Alzheimer’s disease; vascular dementia; dementia with Lewy Body; and frontotemporal dementia. Mixed dementia is the term used when a person has both Alzheimer’s and another form of dementia, which is causing their mental decline. 

The Alzheimer’s Association says the “most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.” As the disease progresses, the person is robbed of many other abilities such as speaking, swallowing and walking. 

To help get the proper diagnosis and rule out other causes that may be treatable such as side effects from a medication, it is important to see your doctor. If warranted, they may have you see a specialist that can do further testing.      

Along with independent and assisted living, MorningStar at Golden Ridge offers care to those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We are a team of compassionate, professionals who feel privileged to serve our most “tender residents.”  We also consider supporting family members as part of our job and recognize that a diagnosis of dementia is traumatizing for all involved. Contact us or visit our website for availability, pricing information and to schedule a tour.  

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’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 outstanding independent living, assisted living and memory care. 

Source: alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s

Learn to Live with Less

Known as the “Minimalists,” Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn spend their time helping people to learn to live with less. They say a typical house contains as many as 300,000 items; and their advice is to rid yourself of items that do not add value to your life. While obviously easier said than done, if you are an older adult who is trying to downsize for a move to senior housing, the following tips may help.  

One suggestion is to start by decluttering; not only does it give you more space in your new home but living around clutter has been linked to anxiety and stress. When you throw away or donate stuff cluttering up your home, it gives room for the things you really like. Less stuff lightens your load and helps you get into the habit of not buying things you don’t need. Not only does this mindset save money, but Fields Millburn explains, "Understanding the why behind simplifying gives us the leverage we need to begin to let go and helps us understand what is excess.”

The Minimalists recommend letting go of items you are hanging on to under the “just in case” category. Remember most things can be easily replaced if needed and in the meantime your load will be that much lighter. 

Other suggestions include getting rid of blurry or duplicate photos, junk mail, documents and paperwork no longer needed, and old magazines and newspapers. If you want to further reduce your physical load, scan photos as well as paperwork you wish to save. Throw away broken or damaged items, or missing parts. If you have two hair dryers, choose one to keep and one to donate. Do the same with other duplicates. Get rid of books you will never read, clothes that don’t fit or are uncomfortable, and stuff you never use. Do the same with supplies and equipment from hobbies or sports you are no longer interested in; and if you are retired, downsize your professional wardrobe. Use this mindset when going through the rest of your household items.  

MorningStar at Golden Ridge in Peoria, AZ is a beautiful senior living community offering older adults a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. We have 38 Casitas for independent living (quadruplexes with attached garages) and 65 private assisted living suites in a range of floor plans as well as compassionate memory care. Remarkable for our exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we are most proud of our dedicated team who understands it is a privilege to serve seniors.  Please visit our website for more.

MorningStar Senior Living’s independent and assisted living communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. If you are looking for the finest senior living in Peoria, AZ, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Golden Ridge. 

Source: aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/things-to-throw-away.html

Learn More About MorningStar at Golden Ridge

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, our goal is to provide the best senior living in Peoria, AZ. We attribute our company’s success to God’s grace and to staying true to our mission of servant-leadership. To help us accomplish these lofty goals, we are blessed to have a team of individuals with big hearts and a true love for seniors. 

Our founding principles are based on “casting a new light” on senior living and treating each resident with the utmost respect and dignity. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and contribute is ageless; and we act upon this truth daily as we care for, inspire and love the residents under our roof. At MorningStar, we want seniors to recognize they are never too old to set a goal or to dream a new dream.

We take great pride in a reputation for excellence and authenticity in both how we serve and why we serve throughout our MorningStar communities across 11 states. Specializing in compassionate care delivered by our distinguished team and guided by our proprietary program “Radiance,” we know the highest expression of living is when we are fully engaged in sharing with others our talents, time and energy. 

As people are living longer than any other time in history (by 2055 90 million Americans will be 55+ and the number of people 75 to 85 is set to triple), senior living is quickly becoming a popular option for older adults. Residents appreciate predictable budgeting, resort-style amenities and services, companionship and a home where they can safely age in place.

Seniors’ wellbeing, comfort and safety are something MorningStar at Golden Ridge takes very seriously.  Our beautiful community has 38 graciously appointed Casitas for independent living, featuring attached garages and premium upgrades. For those who require help with personal daily activities, we offer 65 assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans.  In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 35 secure suites for residents with memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please contact us today to learn more. 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’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 outstanding independent living, assisted living and memory care. 

As You Age, it Takes Longer to Process New Information

Many of us find ourselves wondering if our brain is working as efficiently as it did when we were younger. Research shows most likely it is not. Various studies suggest memory problems often “reflect a slower processing speed and poor encoding and retrieval of new memories as a result of diminished attention.” However, while normal aging causes seniors to process new information slower; judgement and reasoning powers remain largely intact. 

Researchers say in the same way we cannot jump as high or run as fast as we did when we were children; our thinking process also begins to slow down. By the time we are in our 50s or 60s, this can interfere with remembering things, solving problems or learning new information. Structural changes in the brain regions involved in memory processing such as the hippocampus and the frontal lobes all experience anatomical and neurochemical changes as we age. Concentration can be affected by the natural loss of receptors and neurons. Outside factors such as not getting enough sleep or a hearing loss can exacerbate the problem, and daily aches and pains can impact our ability to concentrate as do the medications we take to ease the pain.

If an older person does not make a point to really concentrate when taking in new information, it can cause problems with recall as they never really learned it in the first place. Experts offer practical, commonsense tips to help you more reliably process information and improve your ability to focus. Examples include playing brain games, physical exercise (it helps send more blood flow to the brain), getting out in nature, listening to music, sleeping at least seven to eight hours a night or using relaxation techniques such as meditation or mindfulness. 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge, a senior living community in Peoria, AZ, offers independent living and assisted living as well as experienced memory care. Our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities as we create a true home for our residents. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar Senior Living 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 independent living, assisted living and memory care in Peoria, AZ.

Source:  health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-aging-affects-focus