Assisted Living Services to Meet Your Every Need

MorningStar of Sparks’ assisted living is just the place for seniors who require a little assistance with their daily personal care and wish to live in a community with a home-like atmosphere.  You will find a wealth of amenities such as delicious, nutritional meals as well as an on-site chapel, theatre, library (including multiple computers and newspapers), salon, general store and much more.  Every day our residents are treated to a choice of daily activities that include games, scrapbooking, art classes, writing groups, flower arranging movie nights, sing-alongs, and a variety of physical activities to name but a few.    

In addition we provide a wide range of professional clinical services to meet your health needs like having a full-time licensed nurse on staff and 24-hour Care Managers.  Each shift also has a CPR trained staff member.  We have Certified Med Care Managers and each resident has their care plan reviewed periodically as well as scheduled health and wellness evaluations.   

The MorningStar community offers the convenience of pharmacy services and onsite dental and podiatry services.  Furthermore, we partner with home health agencies to provide our residents with nursing, therapy, and social work services if needed.  As a resident, you will have a choice of physicians and receive scheduled visits.  We also provide diabetic management, oxygen administration, and catheter and colostomy care as well as palliative and hospice care and much more.      

All of our resident-centered clinical assistance is done through the full authority of our license from the Department of Health with the goal of providing each resident with a higher quality of care at a lower cost.  Please visit our website for more information about the extensive services provided to MorningStar residents.   

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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Exercise May Help Slow the Decline of Alzheimer’s

A recent article from the New York Times reports on a study that achieved modest improvement in the physical decline and memory loss for some people in the early-stages of Alzheimer’s.  Conducted by the University of Kansas, it is one of the first studies to use physical activity as an experimental treatment for dementia and their results suggest frequent, brisk walks may help to “bolster physical abilities and slow memory loss”  

While the improvements were not universal in all study participants, researchers are now considering the question of why exercise helps some people with dementia and not others.  We know earlier studies support a correlation between regular physical exercise and improved memory and also find that active seniors are less likely to develop mild cognitive decline, which is a frequent precursor to Alzheimer’s.  This may be due to the fact that brain scans show physically active older people have more volume in their brain’s hippocampus (the part of the brain linked to memory function) than their sedentary peers. 

Until this study, most of the research has involved trying to prove whether or not exercise can help to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.   In this new research, published by PLOSOne, it considers whether or not exercise can help to improve the trajectory of the disease.  The participants were all older adults who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and were still in the early stages.  They also had the ability to walk well. 

The research “assessed the effect of 26 weeks (6 months) of a supervised aerobic exercise program on memory, executive function, functional ability and depression in early AD.”  The conclusion drawn from the study suggests that the exercise fitness gains produced not only improved memory performance but reduced hippocampal atrophy.  It is still unclear why only some of the participants’ fitness endurance and brain activity improved.  Researchers speculate that perhaps a specific exercise program may be more beneficial to a wider group of participants.    

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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Sources:nytimes.com/2017/03/01/well/move/frequent-brisk-walks-may-aid-those-with-early alzheimers.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fwell&action=click&contentCollection=well&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0170547

The Risk of Osteoarthritis Increases with Age

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition of the joints that affects over 30 million Americans, and while it can occur at any age, the risk of developing OA increases with age.  OA is caused by damage or breakdown of joint cartilage between bones.  It is believed there is a hereditary component that predisposes some people to OA, and that being overweight can contribute to the severity and early onset of the disease.

Cartilage is the firm, rubbery tissue that lines the joints and allows them to move smoothly as well as cushion the bones.  Stress placed on joints over the years wears away the cartilage causing stiffness, swelling, and pain.  OA most commonly affects hips, knees, hands, feet, and spine but can affect any joint.  Sports injuries and fractures can cause OA later on in life and certain jobs that are strenuous on joints (kneeling or standing for long periods of time) can put you at added risk. 

While there is no cure for OA, it is treated with pain management, strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint, and reducing the weight on the joints.  An occupational therapist can teach you ways to move to lessen the pain without adding more stress to the joint.  A physical therapist will show you the exercises to do to strengthen your muscles and work to improve things like walking and posture.  Some OA sufferers have turned to alternative therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, relaxation, and massage techniques. 

For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health. 

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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Sources: 

cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm

webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/osteoarthritis-basics#1

Seniors Believe Technology is a Positive Thing

Despite often stereo-typing seniors as not knowing how to use or even liking today’s technology, a recent study from the Pew Research Center shows that may not be actually true.  Monica Anderson, the lead author of the study, explains that, "Even though they might be less likely to use these forms of technology, they do believe that technology is a quite positive thing for our society."  Moreover there are several new technologies that seniors have happily embraced. 

According to the research that involved surveying 3,015 adults, one of the most popular tech items older adults have adopted are smartphones.  The Pew study reports that the number of people 65 years and older who now own a smartphone is more than double from what is was just three years ago.  The rate of ownership went from 18 percent in 2013 to 42 percent of seniors not only owning a smartphone but willing to learn new ways to use them.  In fact Sanette Chao, a spokesperson for Verizon, states that the majority of the people who attend their Intro to Smartphone sessions are seniors. 

Another tool that seniors are using is the Internet.  Compared to the 12 percent of seniors who used the Internet in 2000, two-thirds of them are now using it.  However the numbers do change when you start looking at older seniors as the majority of those over 80 do not use the Internet.   Tablets are owned by approximated a third of seniors 65 years and older and 19 percent of older adults read their books on an e-reader.  E-readers offer the advantage of downloading a book whenever you want as well as the ability to change font size, which is great for seniors who are visually impaired.  

Other new technologies being adopted by older adults include direct deposit and online banking.  More seniors are also using social media and the Pew study found that one-third of all seniors’ survey used facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.   

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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Source:money.usnews.com/money/retirement/aging/articles/2017-07-24/5-technologies-older-americans-have-embraced 

Assisted Living Offers Peace of Mind for Families

For family members, assisted living and memory care can offer peace of mind knowing that your parent or loved one is receiving the care and companionship they need to live safely and as independently as possible.  However we recognize that for some adult children or spouses, considering assisted living brings up feelings of guilt as you think you are not doing enough for them.   

As an adult child, you may realize that you have too many responsibilities already on your plate including your own children, a job and other constraints but still feel guilty about not offering your parent a home with you.  Even if you are a caregiver that has reached the point where you know the job is taking a toll on your own health and well-being and you are no longer able to provide the level of care your loved needs, you may still be hesitant to make changes.   

This is why assisted living and memory care communities such as MorningStar of Sparks offer the perfect solution.  Our purpose is not to replace you in the life of your aging parent or spouse but rather to assist you in your efforts to make their lives easier, safer and more comfortable.  

Our community was designed and built to accommodate the needs of seniors.  Every aspect of our interior common rooms and suites as well as the outdoor grounds is intended to make our residents feel like they are in a true “home.”  From beautiful, private suites that are just waiting for your personal furnishings, delicious three meals a day served restaurant-style, activities galore or companionship; we provide a lovely home.  Please contact us with any questions you may have or set up a visit to see firsthand our beautiful community.   

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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

 

Become Educated about Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association, heart attack warning signs involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes (or that goes away and comes back). They describe it like an “uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.”  Signs can also include discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.  Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or lightheadedness.  As heart disease is the number one killer for both men and women in the U.S. as well as globally, it is important to know the facts and a great resource for up-to-date information is the American Heart Association’s website.   

The site has lots of current information on the causes and treatment for atherosclerosis, which is the disease that develops when plaque builds up inside the arteries.  Once plaque has built up and narrowed the arteries, it is more difficult for the blood to flow through and increases the chance of a blood clot forming that can stop blood from flowing altogether.   Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease.     

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of strokes and occur when a blood vessel that feeds the brain is blocked (typically from a blood clot).  Hemorrhagic strokes are caused when weakened blood vessels rupture.  There are two types of weakened blood vessels that are typically responsible: aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).   

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should, and thus, not meeting the body’s blood and oxygen needs.  It is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in adults 65years and older.  Treatment includes medications, surgery and lifestyle changes.  If left untreated, the problem can worsen.     

Our post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical advice from your health care provider.

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 schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.

Source:heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#