Communication Tips for the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association has some effective tips for communicating with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.  As the ability to find the right words or to speak at all is one of the effects of the devastating disease, it is helpful to learn some tips to make the communication process easier.    

Typically in the early stages of the disease, individuals repeat themselves often and can easily lose their train of thought.  They may start to avoid speaking and have trouble following a conversation, and may even use gestures rather than words. Experts suggest at this stage that you make sure to address the person directly, don’t speak through a caregiver, and allow them plenty of time to answer you back.  

The middle stages of the disease can signal lots of changes and usually lasts the longest.  If you wish to speak with the individual, make sure to do it in a quiet space without any distractions.  Your questions should be short and only require a simple yes or no answer, and again, look directly at the person.  In addition you can demonstrate the task or give clear, step-by-step instructions. Also use a soft voice and calm demeanor, and above all else, be patient and loving.       

In the late stages of the disease, which can last from a few weeks to several years, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests using nonverbal forms of communication.  When entering the person’s presence, always identify yourself and use the sound of your voice to convey the meaning of your words.  Experts recommend using touch, sight, sound, smell and taste to communicate, and as always, treat the individual with respect and dignity.  

As one of the top assisted living companies in the nation, MorningStar’s goal is to create communities that are a true “home” for our residents.  In addition to assisted living, MorningStar of Boulder’s Reflections Neighborhood provides compassionate, loving memory care to those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Boulder, “to honor, to serve, to invest”, sets us apart from other assisted living companies. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the best assisted living in Boulder, Colorado.

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications

Learn More about the Revolutionary iN2L Technology

Among all of the numerous services and amenities we provide to our residents, MorningStar of Sparks is proud to offers the intuitive, user-friendly “It’s Never 2 Late” (iN2L) system.  Infused with innovative technology, the software makes it easy for everyone to enjoy using a computer regardless of prior experience.  Users can easily launch hundreds of applications, navigate the web and access their email with a simple press of a button.

The state-of-the-art engagement system combines touchscreen computers with intuitive, picture-based software.  Also with a library of 3,000 choices geared toward social and spiritual connection, intellectual and physical stimulation, emotional support, and vocational interest, activities are adapted to a resident’s unique abilities and interests. Examples of some of the content include online newspapers, brain fitness programs, inspirational videos and sermons, classic movies and TV shows, and virtual world tours.

In addition each resident has the opportunity to create a “My Page,” with their own personal profile including email addresses, family photos, favorite games and websites.  Residents can also Skype with family members and easily receive new photos of family activities.

The iN2L technology is also designed to be used by memory care residents and has content developed by dementia care experts to help engage people with dementia.  The software contains hundreds of entertaining, challenging and interactive games and puzzles, specifically designed for all levels of cognition.

Please visit MorningStar of Sparks website to learn about all of our amenities and services, and while you are there, take a look at our photo gallery.  However to really understand why our residents are proud to call MorningStar of Sparks home, we recommend that you set up a tour of our 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.

iN2L Technology at MorningStar

MorningStar of Sparks is pleased to offer our residents a state-of-the-art way to connect with the “It’s Never 2 Late” technology that combines touchscreen computers with intuitive, picture-based software.  The revolutionary engagement system contains a library of 3,000 ways to connect socially, spiritually, and intellectually and offers physical stimulation and emotional support.

The intuitive design provides numerous user-friendly components to ensure it is easy for all of our residents to comfortably use the computer program regardless of their abilities or limitations.  With a simple press of a button, the user can launch hundreds of applications designed for recreation or social connections.

The program simplifies email and offers webchats using Skype, an array of online newspapers and easy navigation of the web.  Each user can personalize their experience on iN2L by setting up a “My Page,” in order to easily access their favorite games, email addresses, family photos, and favorite websites.  A resident’s My Page can be used to foster interactions between family members and to keep up-to-date on events and goings on through Skype and email.

All of the program’s activities are adapted to engage residents’ interest and unique abilities and include trivia, puzzle and brain games designed to entertain as well as to maintain brain functions.  In addition it also has inspirational videos, sermons, history, quizzes and interactive virtual tours to name but a few of the many features.

Health and Wellness programs offer a balance of spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and social.  Also iN2L includes a fall prevention program and multiple exercise videos designed to improve strength and balance.  There is even a therapy component to iN2L that can be used to enhance speech, physical and occupational therapy experiences.   For our memory care residents, there is stimulating engagement content categorized to reflect different levels of cognition and to keep the person entertained and connected.

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.

Bring Your Pet to MorningStar

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we understand that your pet is an important part of your family and you would not wish to move somewhere that he or she was not welcome.  If you decide to choose our beautiful senior living community for your new home, no worries – we are pet friendly!  In fact MorningStar of Sparks is happy to have an adorable Golden Doodle as a part of our family.  Willow came to us as a puppy and recently celebrated her second birthday with a “surprise party” including a special cake from a pet bakery.

More and more research seems to bear out that owning and caring for a pet can actually be good for seniors’ health and wellbeing.  One such recent study reported on by A Place for Mom’s website suggests that, “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.”

Researchers found that interactions between pets and their owners can help to fight off depression and lower cholesterol levels.  There is even some evidence to suggest the relationship may help to protect against heart disease and stroke.  Scientists’ reason that pets may help the elderly to feel more connected to the here and now as the pet requires daily attention and care.  Furthermore, the animals themselves offer unconditional love, unending affection and emotional support.

Pet therapy programs are growing in popularity and used in settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, convalescent homes and child centers.  Studies show that many people who participate in pet therapy programs have an improvement in their appetite as well as improvement in their social interactions and cognitive skills.  In addition the acceptance and non-verbal communication of animals can be soothing for those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

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

Like Exercising Our Bodies, Seniors Need to Exercise Their Brain

 

As we age, engaging in memory exercises is just important as physically excising our bodies. The Alzheimer’s Association offers recommendations on some easy ways to daily exercise our brain with activities that include reading, writing and doing crossword or other puzzles, playing games and attending events such as lectures or plays.

They state that there are four areas we can work on to help reduce our risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement.  In fact research has found that simply by keeping our brains active, we can actually increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells.

An article on the “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” from the Harvard Health Publication outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.  The article stresses the importance of continuing to learn as challenging our brains with mental exercises is “believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.”

MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks could not agree more.  Our senior living community is loaded with activities that are not only fun but also help to stimulate our brains.  Just a quick look at our monthly calendar shows an abundance of activities such as word, card, and trivia games that help to challenge our brains.  Residents at MorningStar enjoy games such as Mahjongg, Bingo, Dominoes, Bridge, and Pinochle.

Regardless of personal interest, our seniors find plenty to do to keep them interested in life.   With a range of activities such as computer class, arts and crafts, and fun-filled card games, residents stay social and keep their brains active.

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/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp

health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-at-any-age

The Heart of MorningStar of Sparks is Our Staff

At MorningStar Senior Living of Sparks, we understand that our senior community’s success lies with our caregivers. This is why one of our founding principles is to invest generously in our team members, including providing the necessary development and training required to create leaders with the ability to provide the best life possible for our residents.

We are proud of the fact that our staff is comprised of people who champion our mission and have a sense of calling to serve seniors.  They are a group of unique individuals who do the right thing when no one is watching and work diligently to perfect the art of anticipating the needs of our residents.  In addition they not only believe that Senior Living, at its best, is love in action but do it every day.

As a part of our commitment to bringing together an exceptional staff, we offer generous compensation and benefit packages to each employee in an effort to recognize caregiving as a respected career choice.  We have found that our vetting of employees has paid off as we have a staff that works hard to ensure MorningStar of Sparks residents feel loved and cared for in every way possible.

Furthermore, all of our in-coming staff receives Radiance training, which is reiterated every day at our Team Stand-up.  The Radiance program celebrates an attitude of selflessness that comes from a deep and sincere place, like a beam of light and reflects the way we deliver customer service at MorningStar – with warmth, sincerity and depth.  The program provides a tangible and purposeful way to advance our mission of honoring, valuing and investing in others and allows us to take our professionalism to the next level.  We encourage you to schedule a tour of our gorgeous community to experience firsthand all we 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.

Hearing Loss in Elderly Adults

One of the most common conditions affecting elderly adults is hearing loss, known as presbycusis, and gradually occurs to nearly everyone. Statistics indicate that one-third of all Americans between the ages of 65 to 74 have some hearing loss, and almost half of seniors older than 75 have difficulty hearing.

Presbycusis typically affects both ears equally and many seniors are unaware of the fact that they have experienced hearing loss as it happens so gradually. One primary reason for elderly hearing loss is the cumulative effect that results from the deterioration of the cochlea or other parts of the inner ear or auditory nerves.

In some cases, health conditions more common among the elderly such as high blood pressure and diabetes can adversely affect hearing. Furthermore, certain medications including some kinds of chemotherapy drugs also cause hearing loss.

Another cause of hearing loss affecting individuals of any age is long-term exposure to loud noise. In this situation, the sensory hair cells in the ear that allow us to hear are damaged, and do no grow back. It is one of the most common occupational hazards and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that 10 million Americans suffer from irreversible hearing damage due to noise.

NIDCD also states that hearing problems are serious and it is important to have your hearing tested by a doctor if you are experiencing problems. Start with your primary care physician as he/she can refer you to a specialist. Your care may include seeing an otolaryngologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. After consultation and testing by an otolaryngologist, you may be referred to an audiologist. They specialize in identifying and measuring the type and degree of hearing loss. Finally they, or a hearing aid specialist, may fit you for a hearing aid if it is determined you need one.

This post is for informational purposes and should not be used in place of the advice of your health care provider. For any health issues, please consult your doctor.

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: nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss

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.

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? 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.
• 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.

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

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following is a list of the signs and symptoms you need to know if you think someone may be having a stroke. They recommend noting the time when you first notice the symptoms as it is important to know when seeking medical treatment.

The first sign is any difficulty with speaking or understanding as well as confusion. A person may slur their words or have trouble processing what is being said. Another thing to look for is any sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body. Ask the person to try and raise both arms over their head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, it may be a stroke. Also another indication of a stroke is if one side of the mouth is drooping when you ask the person to smile.

Other signs of a stroke can include trouble with seeing in one or both eyes and exhibiting symptoms such as blurred or blackened vision or seeing double. In addition trouble walking as well as dizziness or loss of balance and coordination can also be signs of a stroke.  Further stroke symptoms include a sudden onset of a severe headache along with vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness.

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the signs of a stroke regardless of whether they appear to fluctuate or disappear. The American Stroke Association’s F.A.S.T. acronym is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke. They state that you need to call 911 immediately if you or someone you are with experiences any of the following signs:

F        Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

A        Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S        Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

T        Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Remember the longer a stroke goes untreated, there becomes a greater potential for brain damage and disability. Once you have called for emergency assistance, continue to carefully watch the person.

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/stroke/symptoms-causes/

strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp