Depression in Older Adults

Depression can affect people at any age including senior citizens.  According to Web MD, “Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older, but only 10% receive treatment for depression.”  They suggest the reason for this may be that the symptoms seniors display are often ignored or assumed to be a result of illnesses and medications or just a normal part of growing older.  

There are many reasons why seniors suffer from depression including major changes in their lives such as retirement, the death of a spouse, illnesses, disabilities and social isolation.  People suffering from very painful, disabling, or life-threatening illnesses are especially vulnerable to depression or the worsening of symptoms.  Furthermore, depression can be caused by medications that are commonly prescribed to the elderly including blood pressure medication, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, calcium-channel blockers and medication for Parkinson’s as well as others. 

Suffering from depression prevents seniors from enjoying life as they used to and can be the cause of a change in appetite, problems sleeping and impact physical health.  HelpGuide.org says, while sadness is one sign of depression, some seniors do not recognize or admit to feelings of sadness.  Rather someone may “complain instead of low motivation, a lack of energy, or physical problems.  In fact, physical complaints, such as arthritis pain or worsening headaches, are often the predominant symptom of depression in the elderly.” 

All too often seniors just accept depression as a part of the aging process but there are steps you can take to help yourself or your loved one.  You first need to talk to your health care provider to rule out other problems, and then perhaps you need to make changes in your lifestyle.  Experts suggest that isolation and inactivity can make depression worse and they recommend getting involved in physical, mental and social activities.  

This post is for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking medical advice. 

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:webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-elderly

helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-in-older-adults-and-the-elderly.htm

A Trusted Choice for Memory Care

While there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s and many other dementia-related diseases, it is important to provide the person with the proper level of care.  MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks is committed to do just that.  Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional care to our residents, and give families the peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving the very best care available.  

Our Reflections Neighborhood has 32 secure suites that are completely devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  We are proud of our staff that is trained in progressive therapeutic approaches to palliate symptoms for our special residents. 

One of the important aspects of our program is to provide plenty of recreational and purposeful activities such as music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise.  To ensure our residents safety and well-being, services include daily health monitoring and around-the-clock staffing as well as a secure courtyard for the exclusive use of our memory care residents. 

Also bear in mind that we accept residents in the earliest stage of the disease right through to those in more advanced phases that require the highest level of care.  As a way to calm and awaken memories as well as support and encourage residents’ capabilities, our professional methods include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy.  Furthermore, everything we do is in a loving environment that affirms the dignity and value of the individual.  In fact one of our mission statements is to value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals, and from this precept, comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences of each resident. 

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.

 

MorningStar’s Signature WellStar Program

All of our MorningStar communities, including MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, provide our residents with our signature wellness program, WellStar.  Offering an array of creative and enriching ways to stay active and productive, our programs integrate different modalities and senses for both the body and the mind.  WellStar has five wellness components – physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, and food philosophy. 

One thing that sets MorningStar apart from other senior living communities is that our entire team works together to build a true community and our WellStar programs exemplify that philosophy.  Each day, our Wellness and Life Enrichment team offers purposeful activities that are aimed to elevate the mood of our residents, reduce pain and to help them rely less on medications.    

Our daily assortment of physical wellness activities are designed to meet a range of capabilities as well as a variety of interests.  We also recognize meeting the spiritual needs of our seniors is vital to their wellbeing, and as such, our chapel is open to all faiths.  MorningStar also offers non-denominational services on a regular basis along with bible study, hymn singing and group prayer.      

In terms of intellectual wellness, we understand that it is important for seniors to continue to stimulate their brains, and we offer a daily dose of brain calisthenics designed to introduce new ideas and practice cognitive skills.  Furthermore, we do not neglect the importance of social wellness.  Almost everything we do at MorningStar of Sparks enriches our community and advances our goal of building a family for life.  Socializing comes in the form of organized events and activities or just informal gatherings discussing the day’s topics. 

We also do not forget the philosophy that healthy, nutritious food is the centerpiece of wellness and it becomes even more critical as we age.  Our daily meals include the addition of foods that new research finds has tremendous healing power such as: berries, chocolate high in cocoa mass, Omega 3 fats, turmeric, and dark leafy greens.  Visit our website or give us a call to learn more.   

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 visitto learn more about our exceptional senior living.

 

Tips for a Hospital Stay

Many of us get anxious when looking toward a medical procedure that will require hospitalization.  There is preparation you can do beforehand for yourself or your loved one to make things easier.  We have provided some tips to relieve the worry and stress associated with hospitalization and allows you to focus on your recovery. 

Important steps to take to insure your safety and well-being while in the hospital:

• Bring with you a list of all your medications including vitamins, information regarding any food or drug allergies, and records of past surgeries or treatments.  Include a copy of your living will.
• Have a family member or friend act as your health advocate and have them available 24 hours a day.  Make sure they have access to your medical information while you are in the hospital.
• Keep notes and ask questions in regards to medications you are given and treatment plans you are directed to follow. Since the nurses are given your daily schedule, discuss with them as well as your doctor any concerns you may have.
• Identify which doctor is in charge of your care.  Ask when he/she does rounds and how can you get a hold of them at other times if you need. 
• Make sure you know what your discharge instructions are and what your home care will require.  Fill prescriptions immediately upon release and discuss with your doctor whether you should continue taking your previous medications.

Also remember to leave your valuables at home.  Pack items such as reading glasses and hearing aids and anything else that will ensure your comfort during your stay.  Be sure and check with the hospital to see what their cell phone policy is.  Many hospitals allow patients to use their own cell phones while on the premises.

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 Make Your Senior Years Healthy Ones

While it is true that we are all living longer, there are some steps you can take to help make those years healthier than ever.  The National Institute of Health recommends that seniors incorporate the following habits into their daily lives: eat a balanced diet; keep your mind and body active; do not smoke; get regular checkups; and practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls. 

The Family Doctor website also offers some commonsense advice on how even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health even if you are already a senior.  Their primary recommendation is to add physical activity to your daily life and eat food that is enriched with fiber.   

By increasing your daily physical activity, it will help improve the strength of your bones and muscles.  In addition we know that stronger muscles can help to prevent falls, and in the event you do experience a fall, those stronger bones are less apt to break. 

Another benefit to daily physical activity is that your brain also benefits.  The article cites studies that indicate people who regularly exercise are better able to make decisions.  Furthermore, even if you have never exercised on a regular basis, the experts say the benefits outweigh the risk of an exercise-related injury.   By daily exercising, you can help improve many chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.   

Seniors new to exercising should consult their health care provider before they begin.  Once they are given the go ahead, they need to start slowly.  Walking is one of the easiest exercises to do and experts recommend breaking up 30 minutes of daily activity into two or three increments.  Consider walking for 15 minutes twice a day or do 10 minutes 3 times a day.   Strength training also offers seniors benefits but again the suggestion is to begin slowly.  Start with 1 or 5-pound weights and do a few exercises at a time.  Resistance bands are also easy to use and can help to strengthen upper arms and leg muscles. 

Lastly the article suggests increasing the fiber in your diet; it can improve your health in a number of ways.  Fiber gets your colon working better and reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.  In addition it may help to lower cholesterol levels. 

This post is for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking medical advice. 

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:nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthyaging.html, familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html

Eight Signs of Health Problems in Aging Parents

Being aware of changes in our loved ones’ health can be a first step toward addressing the issue.  Since we know that catching problems early can be instrumental in preventing more serious problems later on, it is worthwhile to know some of the warning signs that indicate changes may be occurring. 

The Mayo Clinic has put together 8 signs for children (and caring relatives) to look for in regards to potential health problems with their aging parents.

• Are your parents taking care of themselves? 
  Pay attention to your parents’ appearance to determine if they are neglecting their personal hygiene.  Also look at the condition of their home.  Is it being kept up?  A home neglected and in disrepair can be a sign of dementia or depression.
• Are your aging parents experiencing memory loss?
  Memory loss is a normal part of aging but there is a difference between forgetting keys or an appointment to serious problems that interfere with peoples’ lives.  More concerning would be your parent forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in their own neighborhood, or not being able to follow directions.
• Are your aging parents safe in their home?
  Inspect the home for unsafe conditions that may exist.  Has either parent fallen recently?  Are they still able to read directions on their medicine containers?
• Are your aging parents safe on the road?
  Does either parent get confused while driving?  If you are concerned and think they should be off the road, provide the information for other means of transportation.
• Have your parents lost weight?
  Losing weight without trying can be a sign that something is wrong.  It may be a symptom of an underlying health problem.  Also a loss of smell or taste can interfere with the pleasure of eating or it may be they are having trouble cooking and preparing food.
• Are your aging parents in good spirits?
  Have you noticed a marked change in your parents’ mood and outlook?  Ask how they're feeling. A significant change in attitude about life could be a sign of depression or other health concerns.
• Are your aging parents still social?
  Are they keeping up with friends? Are your parents still interested in hobbies and/or involved in organizations or clubs?  If a parent gives up social ties it could be a sign of a problem.
• Are your aging parents able to get around?
  Do your parents have difficulty walking any kind of distance?  Would they benefit from a cane or walker?  Do they have problems with their knees or hips?  Are your parents unsteady on their feet and at risk of falling?  Falls are a major cause of disabilities for seniors.    
   
  Communicate with your parents that you care about their wellbeing and want what is in their best interest.  Encourage them to talk to you about any problems they may be having and make sure they see their doctor for regular check-ups.  If you have found problems with their living conditions, address them.  If it seems like your parents need more assistance than you are able to provide, consider looking into an assisted living community.

MorningStarof 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/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/aging-parents/art-20044126

Visiting Your Loved One in a Memory Care Community

MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks emphatically agrees with the Alzheimer’s Association about the importance of visiting your loved one in a memory care community.  While it can be hard to see your parent or family member struggling with memory loss, many times they are aware that they have a visitor even if they do not know your name. 

The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to remember that you are an important link to your loved one’s identity and to keep in mind that there is more to them than just their memory.  They recommend keeping visits simple and to try to limit distractions and excess noise.  In addition they remind visitors that they may have to adjust their expectations and to not take it personally if your loved one becomes angry or upset with you.  It is also helpful to know as much about the disease as you can as it will help you to better understand the struggles of memory loss.

Jolene Brackey also shares some tips from her book, Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s Disease, to help family members when visiting.  She suggests you begin your visit by introducing yourself, and to use their given name rather than calling them “mom” or “dad” as they may have forgotten that their kids are already grown.  If your loved one has a familiar nickname, you can use that.   

Ms. Brackey also recommends that you visit “one on one” or in small groups, and to bring the conversation around to pleasant memories from their past.  If you do get them talking, give them plenty of time to respond to a question or to follow directions.    

MorningStar of Sparks reminds family members that a new voice is always a welcome change and a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers can lift the spirits of someone struggling with dementia.  Your friendly, loving visit can have a positive effect on your loved one for the rest of the day. 

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:  alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf