Should You Have a “Medical Power of Attorney?”

A power of attorney is simply a directive that names someone you trust to act as your agent in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself.  A medical power of attorney, also called an “advance directive,” names someone to specifically act on your behalf in regards to any medical matters. 

If you or a family member is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, it is important to have a medical power of attorney.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the kinds of medical decisions covered by a power of attorney for health care includes: doctors and health care providers, types of treatment, and care facilities.  The designated medical power of attorney may also need to make some end-of-life decisions such as issuing a “do not resuscitate” (DNR) order or not consenting to a feeding tube when a person reaches the later stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. 

The website, WebMD suggests that a person entrusted to be your medical power of attorney should be someone “who is not intimidated by medical professionals and is willing to ask challenging questions,”   They also add that the person needs to be able to put aside their own feeling about a medical option and be ready to carry out your wishes. 

Drawing up a legal power of attorney for health care does not require an attorney, and if it is appropriate, the same person can be named as your financial and medical power of attorney.  As forms are state-specific, be sure to use the right form for your state.   Once you have filled it out, it will probably need to be witnessed, and in some cases may also need to be notarized.  When you have completed the process, let your family and anyone else involved in your care, including your doctor and hospital, have a copy of the form.  

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: 

alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-legal-documents.asp

webmd.com/palliative-care/advance-directives-medical-power-attorney 

Bring Your Pet to our Assisted Living Community

It was not that long ago that seniors moving into an assisted living community had to leave behind an important companion, their pet.  Today however, more and more retirement communities are recognizing the benefits of pets to the elderly, and many such as MorningStar of Sparks, allow residents to bring their pets with them. 

There has been a lot of research that validates the benefits of pets in seniors’ lives.  In fact, A Place for Mom website reports on a study that shows, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.”  They go on to say that interactions between pets and humans can “lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke.”

Another reason pets can be good for the elderly is that animals live in the here and now and do not think about tomorrow, which for some seniors, can be worrisome.  In addition animals offer unconditional love, emotional support and affection.  This is one reason why pet therapy programs are used in convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers and children centers.  Many people participating in such programs experience an improvement in appetite as well as “more social interaction and tactile and cognitive stimulation after interactions with pets.” 

There is even research that indicates pet therapy is beneficial for those suffering from dementia diseases such as Sundowners Syndrome and Alzheimer’s.  The animal’s complete acceptance and non-verbal communication has proven to be soothing for patients.  

Please contact us to learn more about the MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks community.  We are conveniently located east of Reno in the Sparks neighborhood of Wingfield Springs. The Reno-Sparks area is just 59 miles from Lake Tahoe and adjacent to Sun Valley, Nevada.

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: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living   

agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm

Memory Care that Offers a True Home

While it is difficult to select an assisted living community for a parent or loved one, it is even harder to decide on memory care for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  However, there are a few things you should know that will help to make your decision easier before you move your parent or loved one into a community.   

To start with, it is important to visit the communities you are interested in at least once before you make a decision as you will want to see firsthand what the place looks and feels like and not just rely on their advertisements.  When looking for the best memory care, it is important to know if the community is equipped to handle residents in the early stages of the disease as well as in the most advanced stages.  Furthermore, ask if your loved one will have a written care plan, and what methods are used to assess each resident and how often are they updated.

Other questions that are important to know include the level of care a resident will receive at the community.  Is there assistance with daily personal care and, if needed, will your parent receive help with meals?  You will also want to know if the lay-out of the facility is specifically designed to accommodate those with memory loss as well as offer secure outdoor spaces.  Does the community provide recreational and purposeful activities such as music, life skills, art, entertainment and physical exercise?  Most importantly does the staff appear to be compassionate and caring as well as knowledgeable about the disease?  

If this sounds like something you want for your parent or loved one, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks.   Our community has 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases.  We leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to heal and comfort residents, while taking into consideration the uniqueness of each person.

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: caring.com/articles/checklist-choosing-memory-care-facility  

Bring Your Pet to our Assisted Living Community

It was not that long ago that seniors moving into an assisted living community had to leave behind an important companion, their pet.  Today however, more and more retirement communities are recognizing the benefits of pets to the elderly, and many such as MorningStar of Sparks, allow residents to bring their pets with them. 

There has been a lot of research that validates the benefits of pets in seniors’ lives.  In fact, A Place for Mom website reports on a study that shows, “just 15 minutes bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.”  They go on to say that interactions between pets and humans can “lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke.”

Another reason pets can be good for the elderly is that animals live in the here and now and do not think about tomorrow, which for some seniors, can be worrisome.  In addition animals offer unconditional love, emotional support and affection.  This is one reason why pet therapy programs are used in convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers and children centers.  Many people participating in such programs experience an improvement in appetite as well as “more social interaction and tactile and cognitive stimulation after interactions with pets.” 

There is even research that indicates pet therapy is beneficial for those suffering from dementia diseases such as Sundowners Syndrome and Alzheimer’s.  The animal’s complete acceptance and non-verbal communication has proven to be soothing for patients.  

Please contact us to learn more about the MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks community.  We are conveniently located east of Reno in the Sparks neighborhood of Wingfield Springs. The Reno-Sparks area is just 59 miles from Lake Tahoe and adjacent to Sun Valley, Nevada.

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: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/pet-friendly-assisted-living   

agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm