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Studies report approximately 12-18% of people aged 60 or older have some level of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). So how do you know if you are one of them? The first step to diagnosing MCI typically comes after a person starts to complain of forgetfulness or cognitive problems or initiated at the urging of family members. Doctors explain it is usually more serious if it comes at the request of those closest to the person because as a person develops more of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease , they are often not aware of their memory loss. So, how is MCI diagnosed? Your doctor will begin with a thorough evaluation to try and determine if the problem is MCI, Alzheimer’s, normal age-related memory loss, or caused by another factor. It is important to note not all cases of MCI develop into dementia and an evaluation could identify medications as the problem. A Harvard Medical School article states, “Establishing the cause and scope of the impairment is helpful in setting a baseline for f...

This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 8 th .  Rather than sending a bouquet of flowers this year, show grandma, mom and other moms in your life your appreciation and love by giving your time.  Do something special like planting a new rose bush or a tree, putting in a tray of annuals, or cleaning up the garden in readiness for summer. Commit to helping mom with a DIY house project like painting a room or helping clean up the attic or basement. G ive mom and grandma the “day off” by taking over the cooking and cleaning up. For a simple dessert, set up a sundae bar with all the trimmings and let everyone make their own treat.  If mom lives in an apartment, decorate her front door with a wreath or a huge homemade card signed by the whole family telling her how special she is. For a movie-loving mom, make a date to watch one of her favorite romantic comedies together in person or virtually. Other fun ideas include hosting a garden tea party or barbeque, and if you can...

Recently John C. Morris, MD, Director of the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis and member of the ABF research advisory committee, said there are several reasons to have hope and optimism for the future regarding Alzheimer’s disease. Involved in Alzheimer’s research since 1983, he explained for the first time he believes “there is now a great opportunity to develop effective therapies, including drugs currently under evaluation for treatment.” He said advances also include an important tool for diagnosing the disease. One of the reasons for optimism was the announcement of the pharmaceutical company Biogen’s controversial new drug, which purportedly is designed to treat Alzheimer’s disease and not just the symptoms. The drug, aducanumab, was approved for patient use on June 7, 2021. However, doctors say it is important to know the FDA’s approval is only for the drug’s ability to reduce the amount of amyloid plaques in the brains of people gi...

Growing up most of our mothers told us it wasn’t healthy to skip breakfast. While we listened, many of us still went off to school without eating anything. Based on current research, it turns out our mother’s advice was right again, and eating breakfast is good for us for several reasons. Registered Dietician Erin Palinski-Wade explains when we eat a healthy breakfast upon rising in the morning; it helps regulate our appetite for the rest of the day. If we break our nightly fast with a good meal, we are less likely to indulge in sugary or fat-laden food later on in the morning. A healthy breakfast also helps to prevent blood sugar highs and lows and Palinski-Wade says this is important for diabetics as well as the rest of us. While many breakfast foods such as cereal, baked goods, and granola bars are high in sugar and refined grains, experts say we should refuel our body each morning with protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. Protein makes us feel fuller and keeps us from snackin...

Studies report approximately 12-18% of people aged 60 or older have some level of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). So how do you know if you are one of them? The first step to diagnosing MCI typically comes after a person starts to complain of forgetfulness or cognitive problems, or initiated at the urging of family members. Doctors explain it is usually more serious if it comes at the request of those closest to the person because as a person develops more of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease , they are often not aware of their memory loss. So, how is MCI diagnosed? Your doctor will begin with a thorough evaluation to try and determine if the problem is MCI, Alzheimer’s, normal age-related memory loss , or caused by another factor. It is important to note not all cases of MCI develop into dementia and an evaluation could identify medications as the problem. A Harvard Medical School article states, “Establishing the cause and scope of the impairment is helpful in setting a baseline for ...

For exceptional assisted living , Colorado Springs seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, a true destination for successful aging.  By defining health and well-being holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit.   Together our Life Enrichment programs and Wellness Care services complement one another to ensure each resident gets the best care.   As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health.  These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident.      We are also proud that our assisted living residents’ benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.  This...

In an article from Medical News Today, experts explain the various areas dementia research is focused on including: “understanding how the condition works, why it develops, and how it might be treated. Importantly, there is also a focus on how we can improve the lives of people with dementia .” Dr. Kellyn Lee, a chartered psychologist and research fellow in aging and dementia at the University of Southampton, in the U.K., is one researcher focused on trying to improve the lives of those suffering from dementia. Her program, called the “Material Citizenship Framework Project,” is being used to demonstrate to staff working with dementia patients just how important patients’ possessions and identities are to their wellbeing. Dr. Lee says in one case an Alzheimer’s patient was distressed at not recognizing herself. It turns out before her illness; she dyed her hair and didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror with gray hair. Personal possessions can help people to connect with and help mai...

MorningStar of Wheat Ridge offers assisted living as well as individualized care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases . Our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 secure memory care suites and we are equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  MorningStar’s holistic memory care is personalized and compassionate supported living under what we call Lavender Sky , which is the way we thoughtfully enter, embrace, and explore to find purpose and encouragement in every aspect of daily routine. As dementia care specialists , we deeply understand the disease and know regardless of the extent of memory loss residents deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity. All team members are trained in MorningStar’s brand standards of Lavender Sky and in the pathology of dementia and brain disease. Caregivers provide 24/7 assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and have the tools to calm or stimulate a residen...

A Place for Mom’s website offers some advice to families regarding the need for memory care for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. They explain early-on in the disease, many individuals are capable of living independently with family members overseeing some of their care. However, they also warn symptoms can vary from day to day and it can be difficult to know exactly when a person requires more supervision for their safety and wellbeing.  Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says when speaking to families, he centers the conversation regarding additional care for their loved one on the “ability to perform activities of daily living and safety.” ADLs include things like dressing, bathing, eating and toileting.  Other questions doctors may ask to evaluate a person’s ability to live on their own include: is he or she having trouble finding their way back home from familiar neighborhood routes? Are they forgetting to eat or dr...

Research has shown pets are beneficial to seniors. A Place for Mom’s website reports on one study, which found “15 minutes spent 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 explain interactions between humans and pets can lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke. Pets can teach seniors to live in the here and now as they do, and dogs and cats are great at offering their owners unconditional love, emotional support and affection. In fact, animals uplift the spirits of those in hospitals, convalescent homes, mental health centers, nursing homes, and assisted living communities through pet therapy programs. Moreover, pet therapy has proven beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other f...

  At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge we are proud to offer individualized, loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Our parent company, MorningStar Senior Living, operates over 30 senior living communities throughout the Western U.S.  This means MorningStar of Wheat Ridge benefits from the extensive knowledge and expertise our company has gained over their 18 years of operation regarding all facets of senior living , including a deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.   MorningStar has earned a reputation as trusted dementia care specialists, and we feel it is our calling to provide care to our most special residents.  By devoting a separate area to memory care called our Reflections Neighborhood, residents have the independence to safely move about their expansive surroundings, including an enclosed patio and courtyard.  In order to create an effective individualized care pla...

  Do you feel as if memory problems are interfering with your life or have family members started to notice? Medical experts say there may be a distinction between a person noticing the memory loss and others becoming aware of it as this could signal a bigger problem and be an early sign of dementia.   The Harvard Medical School explains the best place to start understanding the problem is to talk to your doctor. While they may not have the proper training to do extensive screening for MCI (mild cognitive impairment), they can rule out other things causing your memory loss such as medications you take or a recent head injury. Steps you can take on your own to improve cognitive function include getting enough sleep each night, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress. After your own physician has completed an examination, and nothing appears to explain your memory loss, it is time to see a specialist. They, or your local Alzheimer’s Association chap...

For exceptional assisted living , seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Littleton, a true destination for successful aging.  By defining health and well-being holistically, our assisted living provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit.   Together our Life Enrichment programs and Wellness Care services complement one other to ensure each resident get the best care.   As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health.  These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident.      We are also proud that our assisted living residents’ benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.  This centralized mobil...

Several studies are showing links to our dietary habits and our risk for Alzheimer’s disease.  The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.    Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay , the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar.  Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.” One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads.  The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily.  MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berr...

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that anyone worried about memory loss to make an appointment with their health care provider.  While we all know it is scary just thinking about the possibility of having Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has a list of reasons why it is to your advantage to know.   The process for getting a diagnosis starts with a full evaluation with a healthcare provider that includes your medical history and any medications you are taking as well as a series of mental status tests.  If the initial evaluation indicates problems, your doctor will recommend further physical and neurological exams, diagnostic tests and brain imaging. One of the top reasons to be evaluated for Alzheimer’s is your symptoms may be from another treatable cause.  If it is determined you have Alzheimer’s, experts explain while there is no cure for the disease, there are treatment options that can lessen the symptoms incl...

  If your mom or dad is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time.  Medical experts recommend to do some research on Alzheimer’s , the most common form of dementia, in order to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is.  You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parent.   Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms.  This is why you need to sit down and have a talk with you parent about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.    Experts say whe...