MorningStar

As we age, many seniors discover new bruises on their body but have no memory of how they got there. The Medical News Today (MNT) explains this may be the result of the skin thinning and blood vessels weakening and/or that some people are just more prone to bruising. It can also run in families. Being a frequent, extreme bruiser includes having many bruises without remembering their cause; regularly developing bruises that take many weeks to heal and bleeding for longer than 10 minutes following an injury. Excessive bruising and bleeding can be from medications, many of which seniors routinely take. These include drugs like warfarin, heparin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban and aspirin. Doctors say even certain herbal remedies such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, feverfew, large quantities of garlic, ginger, and willow bark can increase the risk of bleeding or cause a change to blood vessels. The same is true for drugs like corticosteroids and glucocorticoids of which one example is predn...

If you live alone, no longer drive, have problems with mobility, and feel like you would welcome more social interaction into your life, please consider community living. Homes like MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provide residents with all the services, amenities and wellness programs to help them comfortably and safely age in place. Moreover, as one of our cherished residents, you get peace of mind knowing help is at hand whenever you need it. Right from the ground up, our home is designed to meet the needs and comfort of our residents. We offer beautifully appointed common areas including inviting gathering areas, bistro, salon, fitness room, theatre, and an attractive dining room for all-day, restaurant-style dining. Residents also enjoy the outdoors with a fireside and strolling paths. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we recognize that good nutrition is vital to seniors’ health, which is why we put such an effort into the food we serve. Our Executive Chef creates meals that ar...

Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking at least one or more prescription medications daily. In fact, the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.” Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interactions, an area of special concern for the elderly. Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state almost 450,000 older adults (65 years old or older) visit the emergency room each year because of adverse, or harmful, drug events. Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “take on an empty stomach,” and the adverse side effects. Experts say to help a parent get orga...

If you are looking for comprehensive, compassionate memory care for a loved one , we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Our unique approach to memory care is all-encompassing and provides an environment in which your loved one is given the support they need to make the most of each day. Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to make individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases feel comforted and safe. To ensure the safety and well-being of residents, the area is completely secure, including the courtyard. In addition, all suites are equipped with emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. We know it is devastating when a family receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease and we feel called to help by shouldering some of the burden. Our team is made up of the kind of individuals who recognize it is a privilege to serve and are trained in our signature “Lavender Sky” program...

The transition to a senior living community is difficult for many seniors. Seniors transitioning to memory care face extra difficulties.  A memory loss diagnosis greatly inhibits a senior's ability to communicate in the same ways they once did. Time feels warped and the day-to-day can often feel confusing and unreliable. While memory care is necessary for many seniors, they may still struggle to get comfortable in their new surroundings. The following tips can help create a more familiar environment for seniors in memory care that eases stress and discomfort.  How to Personalize a Memory Care Space Many memory care neighborhoods come mostly unfurnished in the expectation that residents and their families can personalize the rooms to their liking. This means you can bring some furniture, accents and beloved items to help your loved one feel more at home.  Personalizing a memory care space takes some planning. First, you’ll want to considerably downsize your loved one’s po...

No two seniors have exactly the same needs or health requirements. With this understanding, modern senior living communities , like MorningStar Senior Living Des Moines, pride themselves on providing individualized and personalized care plans for seniors in assisted living.  What is Personalized Care? Personalized care is a care routine that is developed for one individual based on their specific needs, preferences, health concerns, medications, abilities and passions. Personalized care is individualized and custom-made for each resident at MorningStar Assisted Living Des Moines. Personalized care plans ensure that each resident is receiving the correct level of care that is most beneficial to the senior. By providing individualized care, seniors experience more independence and autonomy while feeling supported to explore the things they’re passionate about in the safety of their assisted living home.  Team members, caregivers and managers at MorningStar are kept up-to-date wi...

Many families will notice an elderly member of the family begins to be more forgetful. Birthdays may be missed or names forgotten, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s.  For those families that have received a memory loss diagnosis, the world seems confusing and dark. You may have families of your own, careers or other life callings that, sadly, make caring for another individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia impossible. Memory care communities give families peace of mind. With the best caretaking staff that specializes in memory loss, along with scientifically-backed therapies and activities, memory care makes memory loss more manageable. What is Memory Care? Who is it For? To define memory care, memory care is specialized caretaking and support for people with memory loss or an Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnosis. Memory care communities provide a safe environment for those struggling with memory loss to be supported and encouraged to partic...