Considering a Memory Care Community?

If your parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, at some point, you may need to find a community that specializes in caring for them.  Given the progression of the disease, your loved one may eventually require 24-hour supervised care that is specifically designed to provide the level of safety and care they need.   

What important questions should you ask when looking for specialized care for a family member with a dementia related disease?  One of their first recommendations is to make sure that the memory care community you are considering is fully equipped to care for the needs of your loved one.    

In order to determine the level of care your parent or spouse requires, they suggest making a list of their medical and physical needs starting with their level of mobility and do they use a walker or wheelchair?  Also besides dementia, what other illnesses or health concerns do they suffer from?  It is important to explain any issues your loved one may have regarding aggression or other behaviors. 

Next you need to ask the community some questions beginning with the staff to resident ratio during the day as well as at night and what type training does the staff go through.  Be sure to ask whether there is a nurse on staff and if the place has a visiting physician.  Also are residents given an individualized plan?  Furthermore, what are the living arrangements and security measures in place to ensure the safety of residents?  Do residents have a separate dining area and a safe outdoor space?  

Now ask questions about the community’s treatment plans and the type of care they provide to residents.  Do they engage in programs such as pet, music and/or reminiscence therapy?  Are residents grouped according to cognitive level and is there a place for those in the early stages?  Finally, after thorough consideration, you may just need to trust your instincts and choose the place you feel will provide the best care for your loved one. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have 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.

Source:aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/memory-care-checklist 

Selling the Family Home

The time may be right for you or your parents to move into a senior living community but you are concerned about selling the house.  We are all aware that the housing market has recovered from the poor market of a few years ago but finding the right buyer can often still be a challenge.  

There are some things you can do to give yourself an edge over the competition.  The most important thing is to set the right price as a house priced too high is just not going to sell in any market.  Be sure to take condition of your home into account and sale prices of comparable houses in the area.  Do not assume the price necessarily reflects the assessed value.   

If your house has been on the market for a while, re-evaluate what is going on and discuss with your agent any feedback he is getting from prospective buyers.  It may be some repairs and upgrades are advisable and could make a difference.  Ron Phipps, a principal broker with Phipps Realty and Relocation Services in Warwick, R.I., say, “If the house looks 40 years old with 40-year-old paint, 40-year-old appliances and 40-year-old carpet, that's a hard sell”.  Remember that an old house can just look old, or with a few well-placed updates, you can transform it into a classic.

Steps to staging your home to get ready to sell:

Clean everything inside and out.  Do not forget windows and steam clean the carpets.  Make sure to eliminate any pet or cigarette odors.  Paint walls that are dirty and replace stained or worn out carpet (consider putting in wood or tile floors).  Stick to neutral colors.

Fix anything that is broken or damaged.  You could consider having a home inspection done as a buyer will probably do one anyway.  It allows you to take care of repairs beforehand.

Get rid of clutter throughout the house and do not forget countertops.  Removing as much as possible will help to give the impression of more room. 

Take down anything that could be offensive and put away personal items and mementos.  The idea is to let a prospective buyer picture living there. 

Open blinds and windows to give more light and let fresh air in if the weather is cooperative.  Set out a vase of cut flowers.

Sometimes seniors think it is better to modify their current home and postpone moving into a senior living community.  Studies show that making even small modifications can negatively affect home equity down the road when someone wants to sell.  People can feel disconnected to a house that looks like an “old person’s” home.    

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.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) most often occurs in people age 50 years and older (the average age of onset is 60) and is a progressive, neurodegenerative, movement disorder.  The symptoms manifest differently from one person to another and often early symptoms go unnoticed.  The progression of the disease also varies with each individual.      

If you suspect you have PD, you will need to see a specialist for a thorough examination as there is no specific test to diagnosis the disease and it can easily be misdiagnosed.  While there is currently no cure for PD, there are several medications that can help manage your symptoms.  Additionally some people undergo surgical therapies that regulate certain regions of the brain and help to ease symptoms.  

Parkinson’s can affect an individual’s balance, movement, breathing, and heart functions.  It usually starts on one side of the body but over time it moves to other side, however, the disease is typically worse on the first side affected.  The Michael J. Fox Foundation lists the common motor symptoms associated with PD known as "cardinal" symptoms.  These include:

• Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) -- slowing down and loss of spontaneous and voluntary movement
• Rigidity -- unusual stiffness in a limb or other body part
• Resting tremor -- an uncontrollable movement that affects a limb when it is at rest and stops for the duration of a voluntary movement

• Postural instability -- problems with standing or walking, or impaired balance and coordination
• Other physical symptoms, such as gait problems and reduced facial expression, may also occur due to the same disruption of movement that causes the better-known tremor and slowness

Today doctors recognize that PD also causes other symptoms known as "non-motor symptoms" or "dopamine-non-responsive."  They include cognitive impairment, mood disorders, constipation and problems with swallowing and speech as well as sleeping.  

 

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.

Sharing Meaningful Activities and Special Events

At MorningStar of Sparks, our residents and staff work hand-in-hand to create a loving, warm community.  Part of our family-like atmosphere comes from making memories and celebrating life’s special moments together.  Each month our calendar is filled with daily activities as well as an array of special programs.   

To help raise awareness for the memory-impaired, our community recently took part in the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Longest Day of the Year - Up with Hope, Up with Awareness, Up with Compassion” event.  While the summer solstice in 2017 was officially June 20, we celebrated on June 21 with fundraising by way of a memorable music concert and yard sale.  Another meaningful activity our community recently participated in was the Optimism Walk to support the American Parkinson Disease Association. 

Another example of recent special events at MorningStar was our annual Luau! Residents wearing aloha shirts and leis enjoyed fresh Hawaiian cuisine in the courtyard transformed into a South Pacific getaway.  Two dancers took us on a tour through the islands of Polynesia, teaching Assaad, our Executive Director, a thing or two about rhythm. 

And who knew how much artistic talent was hiding in our community? Our second annual Resident Art Show was a huge success. The Dining Room was decorated with original watercolors and oil paintings: family portraits, stunning vistas and ingenious abstractions.  

If carefree retirement years amid beautiful surroundings, resort-style amenities, and fun-filled and meaningful activities sound good, MorningStar of Sparks is the place for you.  We encourage you to schedule a visit to our community to find out for yourself why our residents are proud to call it home.   

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.

Help Prevent Falls with Balance Exercises

We know that each year more than one-third of people age 65 or older suffer a fall and many of those incidents cause serious injuries or in some cases even death.  This is why preventing falls is extremely important for the elderly, and balance as well as strength excises can help to prevent falls.     

The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends 5 simple exercises that do not require any special equipment other than a chair (and someone to assist you if needed) that can improve balance and increase lower body strength. The series of exercises include the following:  standing on one foot; walking heel to toe; balance walk; back leg raises; and side leg raises. 

These easy-to-do exercises can be done throughout the day and only take a few minutes to do each of them.  For further instructions on how they should be done, the NIH website offers a video on each exercise.  In addition the NIH recommends that seniors try to do three other types of exercises that focus on improving endurance, strength and flexibility.

At MorningStar of Sparks, we recognize the importance of exercising, and as such, provide our residents with a full calendar of daily activities that includes a variety of well-designed exercise programs.  With our large range of classes, there is something that is sure to please everyone. We encourage you to take a look at our fun-filled calendar to see all of the different activities and outings MorningStar residents participate in.       

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Before beginning any exercises, please consult with 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:nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseandphysicalactivityexercisestotry/balanceexercises/01.html

Finding the Best Memory Care

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, our Reflections Neighborhood is an outstanding example of a community devoted to the care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related disease.  So what do memory care communities like MorningStar’s Reflections Neighborhood offer families searching for solutions for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?  

To start with, the best memory care communities are designed to provide residents with a safe and secure space to freely move about in their surroundings.  For example in our community, we have a secure courtyard for the exclusive use of our memory care residents. 

Another thing memory care provides is to not only meet the daily personal care needs of a resident but also to offer specially trained staff to provide a therapeutic approach to care.  At MorningStar of Sparks, our resident-directed approach uses music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals as a way to heal and provide comfort for our residents. 

In fact A Place for Mom website notes that memory care programs report “a higher quality of life in a number of different areas, including reduced medication and medication side effects; fewer falls, injuries, and hospital visits; increased nutrition and wellness; and greater independence and social interaction.”  They add that seventy-five percent of residents experience an “improvement or maintenance of mental functioning.” 

Finally memory care provides the families of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia peace of mind knowing that their loved one is being cared for in the best possible way.  Please call or schedule a tour to discover more about the finest memory care the Reno–Sparks area has to offer. 

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:aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-11-4-memory-care/

Finding the Right Gift for a Senior

It can be difficult to find the right gift for an elderly parent, grandparent or relative living in an assisted living community.  We recognize that they have had a lifetime of gifts, and as they are no longer running their own household, they not only do not need as much but have a limited amount of space.   

The A Place for Mom website has a few suggestions for gifts that are sure to please.  One suggestion is to give them a blanket or throw as seniors often suffer from the cold.  However if you want to personalize your gift, there are several companies that will create a cozy throw using one of your family photos.  A talking photo album also lets you create memories through family pictures and when it has recorded voices of the grandkids, it is really special.  

Another idea is to give them a lap desk that allows them to easily read a book or to write a letter from the comfort of their chair.  You could add a couple of adult coloring books illustrated with things they enjoy or places they have been along with some colored pencils and markers to complete your gift.   

A personalized gift basket can be filled with all kinds of things such as their favorite soaps, lotions and perfumes or colognes.  You can also fill a basket with special treats including chocolates, cookies and a small plug-in teapot and tea bags, or do one up with slippers, grippy socks, and a couple of pairs of fashionable compression socks.  

Furthermore, tablets and iPads make good gifts as their touch-screen technology and large print options make them easy for seniors to use.  If your loved one is not tech savvy, set up the tablet before you give it to them with their email address, facebook page and other personal items.  It may be fun to pre-load a few games that you think they would enjoy and add some photos of the family.  Include with the gift the offer to be their “tech support” if they have any problems.   

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: aplaceformom.com/blog/12-18-2012-top-gifts-for-seniors/