Respite Care Available at MorningStar

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we provide high-quality independent living, assisted living and memory care as well as respite care.  Respite or temporary care is a great option for seniors who are recovering from surgery or an illness and require some day-to-day support services.  In addition communities such as ours allow recovering seniors the opportunity for socialization and meaningful activities.  

As a respite resident of MorningStar, you will receive a quiet suite and personalized care to comfortably recover your health, as well as companionship and community, which can just as important in the healing process.  Respite stays are typically 30 days or less and your spouse is welcome to join you.  Of course since our suites are subject to availability, it is important to contact us when you know you will require respite care in the foreseeable future. 

Respite or temporary care also offers a solution for seniors whose regular caregiver is taking a much needed vacation or is busy with other priorities.  However regardless of why you have come to temporarily join our community; we will make you feel right at home. 

Along with providing a fully furnished suite, our respite residents are treated to three healthy and delicious daily meals prepared by our Executive Chef, 24-hour care and medication management.  In addition you are invited to take advantage of MorningStar of Sparks’ on-going activities, entertainment and scheduled outings. 

We have our own onsite library, theatre, fitness center, outdoor strolling paths and courtyards as well as provide housekeeping and laundry services and group transportation.  For an additional charge, you can enjoy a private massage or visit our salon.  Contact us to learn more about our respite care services and how they can help you or your loved one to make a speedy recovery.   

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.

Discover our Broad Range of Special Events and Activities

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, our goal is to provide seniors a true home where they can enjoy their retirement years as carefree as possible.  As such, our community offers all kinds of activities and entertainment in an atmosphere that fosters companionship, socialization, and just pure fun.  

For example, by taking a quick look at the special events and activities that were held in June, you can see our residents had an opportunity to thoroughly enjoy themselves.  Early-on in the month, a group took a trip to the South Tahoe’s Historical Society. A few days later, residents joined the MorningStar team to participate in the annual Optimism Walk around Virginia Lake, sponsored by the American Parkinson Disease Association’s (APDA). 

Mid-month our community was visited by a local master falconer, Marie Gaspari-Crawford, who adeptly demonstrated to the delight of residents and staff alike, her birds various abilities.  She also provided us with an interesting insight into the ancient history behind the art of falconry. 

Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that our participation in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day event on June 20^th was a success.  As a part of the day’s activities, we released purple balloons into the sky to honor our memory-impaired residents and listened to music by Colin Ross.

Another special day for our MorningStar residents was an exciting trip to the rodeo.  We all had fun watching the extraordinary activities, which included barrel racing, bull riding, roping and much, much more.  

This is just a sampling of some of the special events that are in addition to our regularly scheduled activities that take place every month at MorningStar of Sparks.  We invite you and your family to schedule a tour to come and experience firsthand our gorgeous community and discover why so many seniors are glad 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.

The Top Healthcare Concerns for Seniors

The good news is that today’s seniors are living longer than ever before.  New data suggests that if you reach the age of 65 years old, you can expect to live on average another 20 years.  Another encouraging survey reports that as many as 41 percent of people over age 65 say that they are in very good or excellent health. 

However, experts want to remind seniors that by making some lifestyle changes, they can make their senior years even better.  Jeanne Wei, MD, the director of the Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, notes that, “You need to be physically active and eat a healthy diet." She further adds that individuals must “make healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking and losing weight, to avoid senior health risks.”  Furthermore, doctors recommend that if you are a senior coping with a chronic medical condition that a geriatrician may help you to better manage your disease and improve your quality of life. 

Arthritis, heart disease, and cancer are the three most common diseases facing seniors.  Dr. Marie Bernard, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland, reports that arthritis affects almost 50 percent of those 65 and over.  Also while the severity of the disease varies, for some seniors the condition and associated pain lowers their quality of life.  If you have arthritis, experts suggest that you work closely with your doctor to develop an activity and treatment plan.    

The CDC reports that heart disease is the leading killer of adults over age 65, and that 37 percent of men and 26 percent of women 65 and older are afflicted with chronic heart disease.  Dr. Bernard advises those with heart disease to “exercise, eat well, and get a good night’s rest.”  In addition she recommends maintaining a healthy weight.

The third most common disease among seniors is cancer, which is the second leading cause of death in individuals over 65.  The CDC reports that 28 percent of men and 21 percent of woman over 65 are living with cancer.  They recommend that seniors get routine screenings including mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin checks, as many cancers detected early are treatable. 

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: everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/    

Know the Facts about Prediabetes

The Mayo Clinic defines prediabetes as the condition where a person’s “blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.”  They go on to say that without intervention, a person is in danger of becoming diabetic in 10 years or less; however, there are steps you can take to help prevent this from happening.   

While it is not known exactly what causes prediabetes, we do know that family history and genetics play a significant role.  The Mayo Clinic explains that the genetic link has been confirmed by research with the discovery of some insulin resistant genes.  In addition studies show that excess fat; especially abdominal fat as well as inactivity are “important factors in the development of prediabetes.”

The job of glucose (sugar) in our bodies is to fuel the cells that make up our muscles and other tissues.  We get glucose from any food we eat that has carbohydrates and not just from sweets.  As our food is digested, glucose enters the bloodstream, and “with the help of insulin, it enters the body's cells where it is utilized as a source of energy.”   For someone who has prediabetes, it means they have stopped processing glucose properly, and it is building up in their bloodstream, no longer providing fuel for their cells.

To help prevent prediabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes, you need to make changes in your lifestyle.  A good way to start trying to normalize your blood sugar levels is to get plenty of physical exercise, make healthier food choices, and lose weight if you carry a lot of excess body fat.   

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: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/basics/symptoms/con-20024420 

Seniors Enjoy the Benefits of Senior Living Communities

As it turns out, many seniors are quite happy with their decision to move into an independent senior living or assisted living community.  In part, that may be due to the fact that typically today’s senior communities are loaded with numerous amenities and activities.   As a resident, you are provided with a lifestyle of comfort and community as well as a sense of safety and security.   

When seniors move out of their family home into a senior community, they find themselves freed from lots of responsibilities.  Owning a home requires routine care and maintenance such as mowing lawns, shoveling snow, pulling weeds, and other housekeeping chores. 

Furthermore, seniors often live alone and experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Also as people age, many are reluctant to drive, which means they end up spending a lot of time at home by themselves.  This is something that is not a problem in senior living communities.  While activities are optional, there is generally something of interest for everyone.   

For seniors who do not drive anymore, senior living communities usually offer some form of transportation.  In addition many communities routinely schedule day trips to activities such as plays, museums, shopping malls or other events. 

We also know that many seniors who live alone do not eat well.  In some cases, preparing food has become more difficult as well as grocery shopping.  Most assisted living communities make healthy, nutritious food a priority and serve residents three daily meals.  This is especially important for residents with dietary restrictions as most diets are accommodated. 

Another frequently overlooked benefit of seniors moving into senior living communities is they do not need to depend on their grown children or other family members as they did when living on their own.  This allows both parties to just enjoy one another again.  Grown children no longer find themselves in the position of have to parent their parent as the senior is getting needs meet at their “new home.”

Finally we cannot forget the importance of socializing and making new friends at any age.  Even for individuals who value their privacy, there is still the comfort of having other people around.  If the event of a fall or medical emergency, help is always close at hand for residents at an assisted living community.     

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we offer residents a safe and secure place to age in and to enjoy our many amenities and activities.  Contact us to schedule a tour and discover for yourself why our residents are happy to call MorningStar’s senior community “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.

Source:aplaceformom.com/blog/why-seniors-prefer-senior-living-communities/

The Benefits of Pet Ownership

Research continues to show a strong correlation between pet ownership and a number of benefits to seniors.  Everything from helping the elderly to stay physically active, to lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, providing companionship and making depression less likely are attributed to having a pet.  In fact there are several studies that indicate that patients with heart problems do better when they are responsible for a pet.

Not only do pets offer lots of affection and unconditional love but they can also help seniors cope with the loss of a loved one.  In an article from AgingCare.com, a New Jersey psychotherapist, Dr. Jay P. Granat, discusses some of the other intangibles that pets offer to the elderly.  He states that, "Dogs—and other pets—live very much in the here and now. They don't worry about tomorrow. And tomorrow can be very scary for an older person. By having an animal with that sense of now, it tends to rub off on people."

At MorningStar Senior Living ofSparks, we wholeheartedly agree that pets provide many benefits to seniors, which is why we are proud that our community is pet friendly.  Along with our residents’ pets, we also have a couple of special “house pets” that provide companionship and warmth throughout our entire community. 

Willow, an adorable Golden Doodle, is a gentle, loving dog who is a big hit with all of our residents and staff.  Additionally we recently welcomed Paradise, a Senegal parrot, into our family.  Senegal parrots are renowned for their calm, quiet disposition along with their intelligence and ability to learn complex tricks.  At just three months old, Paradise is already fully grown, and is content to spend the day perched upon any willing shoulder. 

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:petsfortheelderly.org/articles.html

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

The Importance of Seniors Staying Hydrated

According to the Mayo Clinic, the elderly are among one of the groups of people that are more susceptible to dehydration.  They cite the following reasons for this including the fact that a senior’s ability to conserve water is lessened while at the same time they experience a diminished sense of thirst.  Furthermore, a senior’s capacity to respond to changes in temperature is reduced and many do not adept well to extremely hot or cold weather.  These issues are often compounded by the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, dementia and kidney problems.  There are even certain medications that can contribute to the elderly being more susceptible to dehydration. 

As we age our kidneys’ lose some of their ability to concentrate urine and retain water during episodes of fluid deprivation.  Also a reduced sensation of thirst means that many seniors forget to drink enough fluids throughout the day.  Moreover disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia can create swallowing problems that make it more difficult to drink.  Other factors that can contribute to dehydration include a decrease in mobility and incontinence.     

The dangers of dehydration are many and often results in emergency visits and hospitalization and have even been associated with increased mortality rates in the elderly.  Additionally it is related to a range of health issues such as falling, constipation, and impaired cognition and confusion.   

So what steps should you take to ensure you or your loved one stays hydrated?  Experts advise that every time you take a pill to drink a full glass of water.  Also have healthy fluids readily available throughout the day and avoid sugar-laden drinks as well as salty foods. 

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.

Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/basics/risk-factors/con-20030056

aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-7-18-elderly-dehydration/