​The Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar of Glendale senior living community 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 Glendale 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. 
 
At MorningStar, we exemplify the best in Glendale senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  We invite you to contact us to learn more about why our new community provides a true home to our residents.    
 
Source:  alz.org/stl/documents/Visiting_Your_Loved_One.pdf
 

​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 Assistant Living & Memory Care of Beaverton is committed 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.
 
Opening in late 2018, our Reflections Neighborhood will have 38 suites that are devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Our staff will be 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.  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. 
 
At MorningStar of Beaverton, 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. To learn more about our exceptional memory care please visit our website, give us a call or drop by the Information Center on our construction site. 
 
MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the area’s finest assisted living and memory care.
 

MorningStar of Beaverton’s philosophy and approach to memory care includes our guiding principle that: whatever the extent of the memory loss, whatever the form of dementia, a person’s essence remains.  We feel it our calling as well as our privilege to find ways to connect with and nurture that essence.
 
Our individualized care starts by meeting with the senior and their family members to learn all we can about the person’s background including their vocation, talents and preferences.  Taking this information, we put together a daily routine that will be used to stimulate or calm the resident in response to their mood or the surrounding circumstances.  Throughout the senior’s stay with us, we also engage the family members as we know our services are as much for them as for the residing senior.
 
MorningStar’s memory care provides an atmosphere of safety and well-being, while at the same time, encourages and supports choice and independence whenever possible.  Our residents participate in daily recreational and purposeful activities that include life skills, art, music, and exercise and are included in special events and scheduled outings. 
 
The Reflections Neighborhood is designed to permit residents the freedom to move about in spacious surroundings and include an enclosed courtyard that is reserved just for their use.  Our extensive services include around-the-clock care, daily health monitoring, a licensed nurse and a caring and devoted staff.    
 
MorningStar is honored to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association in every market we serve.  Our team members work to support their local chapter by donating their time, talent and treasure.  In addition, MorningStar of Beaverton will participate in Alzheimer’s events including Memories in the Making, The Longest Day and Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  Please visit our website for contact information as well as to learn more about our assisted living and memory care community. 
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MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us or stop by the Information Center on our construction site to learn more.
 

If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone.  It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and every 65 seconds someone in the US develops the disease.  As a way to help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services. 
 
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear.  Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through.  There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated. 
 
The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing as a way to help you to move forward.  They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.”   
 
You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through.  One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy.  They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able.  Finally they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.” 
 
At MorningStar Senior Living of Glendale our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood is devoted to the care of those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases.  We leverage the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to heal and comfort residents, while taking into consideration the uniqueness of each person. Our team works every day to make a difference in the lives of our memory care residents. 
 
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Glendale, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  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 learn more about out exceptional independent and assisted living. 
 
Source: alz.org/i-have-alz/i-have-alzheimers-dementia.asp
 

Opening in late 2018, our Reflections Neighborhood will provide 38 secure suites devoted to the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Our specially trained staff will provide personalized care for residents using progressive methods to palliate symptoms and revive joy.  Furthermore, our community is equipped to care for individuals in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. 
 
At MorningStar of Beaverton, we will take a gentle, resident-directed approach to calm and awaken memories as well as to support capabilities for our memory care residents.  Along with using multi-sensory cues, including aromatherapy, our residents will be provided with recreational and meaningful activities including music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercises.    
 
The goal of MorningStar’s methods is to affirm dignity and value of each resident and to support choice and independence as much as possible.  By interviewing family members, we will gather together a complete history of a resident’s preferences, abilities and idiosyncrasies and use that information to create trust between staff and residents. 
 
One of our unique approaches to memory care includes life skill stations where we incorporate a variety of props that may have played a role in a person’s background to help awaken dormant memories.  When individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases harken back to their past, they have the opportunity to take joy in the present and feel calm and connected. 
 
Our warm and loving Reflections Neighborhood will provide an atmosphere of safety and well-being along with the utmost respect and compassion for each individual. We understand that a diagnosis of a dementia-related disease is devastating for the entire family and MorningStar is here to provide the support you need.  Visit our website to learn more about our community.
 
MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community in Beaverton Oregon.
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​MorningStar of Glendale’s philosophy and approach to memory care includes our guiding principle that: whatever the extent of the memory loss, whatever the form of dementia, a person’s essence remains.  We feel it our calling as well as our privilege to find ways to connect with and nurture that essence.
 
Our individualized care starts by meeting with the senior and their family members to learn all we can about the person’s background including their vocation, talents and preferences.  Taking this information, we put together a daily routine that will be used to stimulate or calm the resident in response to their mood or the surrounding circumstances.  Throughout the senior’s stay with us, we also engage the family members as we know our services are as much for them as for the residing senior.
 
MorningStar’s memory care provides an atmosphere of safety and well-being, while at the same time, encourages and supports choice and independence whenever possible.  Our residents participate in daily recreational and purposeful activities that include life skills, art, music, and exercise and are included in special events and scheduled outings. 
 
The Reflections Neighborhood is designed to permit residents the freedom to move about in spacious surroundings and include an enclosed courtyard that is reserved just for their use.  Our extensive services include around-the-clock care, daily health monitoring, a licensed nurse and a caring and devoted staff.    
 
MorningStar is honored to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association in every market we serve.  Our team members work to support their local chapter by donating their time, talent and treasure.  In addition, MorningStar of Glendale will participate in Alzheimer’s events including Memories in the Making, The Longest Day and Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  Please visit our website for contact information as well as to learn more about our senior living community. 
 
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Glendale, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  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 finest senior living in Glendale AZ.
 

​Over the last several decades, there has been an increased awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Along with efforts to develop medications to treat or to cure the disease, there has also been a move to advance best care practices for those suffering from the disease. 
 
In a publication from the Alzheimer’s Association titled the “Dementia Care Practice Recommendations for Assisted Living Residences and Nursing Homes,” they explore ways that professional caregiving can be more effective.  Their first recommendation is to make sure a resident is receiving proper food and fluid consumption.  They note that “Inadequate consumption or inappropriate food and fluid choices can contribute directly to a decline in a resident’s health and well-being.” 
 
The next point they discuss is pain management.  They cite the fact that many times people with dementia have trouble communicating pain so it is often overlooked and not treated.  However, the problem with not managing pain appropriately is that it can “result in behavioral symptoms and lead to unnecessary use of psychotropic medications.”
 
Another important practice recommendation from the report is that assisted living communities provide social engagement and meaningful activities for memory care residents.  By engaging in activities, it helps residents to retain their functional abilities and thus provides a better quality of life.   These interactions should be designed to do with residents, not to or for them. 
 
If you are a family member searching for quality memory care for your loved one, we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Beaverton’s Reflections Neighborhood.  We have 38 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  Set within a gentle, loving environment, our care takes a resident-directed approach that utilizes multi-sensory cues to calm and to awaken memories, to support capabilities and, above all, to affirm dignity and value.  
 
MorningStar of Beaverton exemplifies the finest in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the most trusted memory care Beaverton Oregon offers.
 
Source:alz.org/national/documents/brochure_DCPRphases1n2.pdf

​It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease.  In the U.S. alone, a million people are living with the disease and as many as 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.  While there is not a cure for the disease, there is treatment; however anyone with symptoms needs to have a medical diagnosis in order to rule out other causes.
 
The Mayo Clinic’s website provides a list of some of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s.  The first sign can be a tremor that affects one hand and a person may frequently exhibit a back-and-forth rubbing motion of the thumb and forefinger known as a pill-rolling tremor.  Tremors usually occur while the individual is at rest, and can affect the hands, limbs, and posture.
 
Another common sign of the disease is slowed movement known as bradykinesia. This can worsen over time and eventually affect a person’s ability to walk well or have trouble getting up out of a chair.  In some cases one foot may drag, making walking even more challenging.
 
Other symptoms of the disease include rigid muscles and stiffness within any part of the body, and impaired posture and balance that may cause a person to become stooped or lead to falls.  The disease can also cause a loss of automatic movements such as blinking, smiling or swinging your arms as you walk.  In addition many people experience changes in their speech such as speaking in a monotone or more softly, more quickly or with a slur.
 
Finally many people suffering from Parkinson’s have problems writing.  Often their writing becomes smaller and it is more difficult to do because of the tremors.   
 
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 Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living in Beaverton Oregon.
 
Source: parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Causes-and-Statistics/Statistics
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20028488

At MorningStar Senior Living of Glendale, our Reflections Neighborhood is dedicated to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  We take a holistic approach to our care, which starts with the utmost respect and compassion for each resident, borne out of a deep understanding of the many pathologies known collectively as dementia, including the most prevalent, Alzheimer’s disease.
  
Our secure and loving memory neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.  The creative side of our care begins with learning about each resident.  We interview the family to get a thorough understanding of a person’s history and use that knowledge to aid in their care and to develop a trust between the resident and our staff.  To help control adverse behaviors associated with the disease, we use a variety of multi-sensory cues, including aromatherapy, to calm and to awaken memories, to support capabilities and to affirm the individual’s dignity and value.
 
Our special residents feel free to move about in spacious surroundings that include a secure courtyard reserved for memory care. We also provide a full-time nurse, 24-hour care managers, medication management and scheduled transportation as well as many on-site amenities such as a salon, theater/chapel and a host of activities and wellness programs.
 
Our team at MorningStar of Glendale works every day to make a difference in the lives of our memory care residents.  We know a prognosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia is frightening, which is why we work closely with our families to help them understand what is happening to their loved one.  Please contact us to learn more about our Reflections Neighborhood as well as our independent and assisted living options. 
  
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Glendale, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  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 finest independent and assisted living Glendale AZ offers.
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At MorningStar of Arvada, our Reflections Neighborhood is dedicated to the specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.  We take a holistic approach to our care, which starts with the utmost respect and compassion for each resident, borne out of a deep understanding of the many pathologies known collectively as dementia, including the most prevalent, Alzheimer’s disease.
  
Our secure and loving memory neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.  The creative side of our care begins with learning about each resident.  We interview the family to get a thorough understanding of a person’s history and use that knowledge to aid in their care and to develop a trust between the resident and our staff.  To help control adverse behaviors associated with the disease, we use a variety of multi-sensory cues, including aromatherapy, to calm and to awaken memories, to support capabilities and to affirm the individual’s dignity and value.
 
Our team at MorningStar of Arvada works every day to make a difference in the lives of our memory care residents. Whatever the extent of the memory loss, we know a person’s essence remains. Our calling at MorningStar is to find ways to nurture and connect with that essence.  We know a prognosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia is frightening, which is why we work closely with our families to help them understand what is happening to their loved one.   
 
Please contact us to learn more about our Reflections Neighborhood as well as our full MorningStar of Arvada senior living community. 
  
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 visit to see for yourself our exceptional community for independent and assisted living.
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