​The most recent statistics from the Alzheimer's Association indicate that one in ten people 65 years and older in the U.S. have Alzheimer's, and as baby boomers age, the number is expected to grow.  Furthermore, the Alzheimer’s Association cites a statistic showing that more than 16 million Americans are caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.  If you are currently in that position, remember you are not alone and there are many resources designed to help. 
 
It is a fact that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a big job and it can take a toll on the health and wellbeing of a family caretaker, which is why it is imperative to recognize when the task becomes too difficult.  This is the time to make meaningful lifestyle changes for both you and the person with dementia, and one option is to look into an assisted living community that offers specialized memory care. 
 
At A Place for Mom website, they discuss some of the reasons why memory care should be considered for both the safety of the person suffering with the disease as well as for the benefit of caretakers.  The habit of “wandering” is one of those circumstances and can be a frequent problem of dementia, posing a safety risk including an increase in falls and injuries. Another common trait of Alzheimer’s is a condition known as “sundowner syndrome,” which causes a person to become agitated and to exhibit aggressive behavior later in the day that can be very disruptive.  
 
Also, communities with devoted memory care neighborhoods like MorningStar at Golden Ridge are specifically designed to safely and securely care for a person with Alzheimer’s unlike most private homes.   In addition memory care offers 24/7 care providers that are available to deal with situations even in the dead of night.  Furthermore, as the disease progresses, care needs become even more demanding and can be overwhelming for a family caregiver.   
 
MorningStar at Golden Ridge proudly provides the very best in independent and assisted 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 memory care at our new community.
 

Searching for memory care a step above what a typical assisted living facility offers?  We encourage you to consider the newly opened MorningStar of Beaverton. 
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In our community memory care takes place within our Reflections Neighborhood.  We offer 38 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and can accommodate those in the onset of the disease right through to the more advanced stages. The philosophy motivating our care is based on one of MorningStar’s mission statements that says, “To value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.” From this principle comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences, of each resident.

We have a deep understanding of the different forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s that helps us to compassionately care for our memory impaired residents and to find the best ways to interact and communicate with them.  MorningStar’s specially trained staff uses an array of multi-sensory activities including art, dance, music, aromatherapy, life skills, exercise and animals to heal and comfort.   
 
Furthermore, we take the time to get to know a resident through interviews with their family members in order to learn about their history, vocation, talents and preferences.  We then use this knowledge to help us design an individualized care plan for the person.  
 
In addition our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, scheduled outings and special events, and an enclosed, secure patio and courtyard.  Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home.  Contact us to learn more about our exceptional 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 discover why we are a step above an ordinary assisted living facility.
 

​Along with options for independent living and assisted living, MorningStar at Golden Ridge has 35 secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments.  Our team feels privileged to provide highly specialized, individualized care for seniors in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. 
 
Our resident-directed approach to memory care respects the dignity and value of each person and supports choice and independence as much as possible.  All of our memory care suites are within our Reflections Neighborhood, which is designed to accommodate the needs of our special residents.    
 
Memory care residents are able to move freely about in a safe environment that includes a secure courtyard reserved just for them.  We also provide three daily meals served in our inviting dining room where residents and staff eat together.  In addition residents are provided 24-hour care with daily health monitoring, and the expertise of a full-time licensed nurse.
 
MorningStar’s memory care comes from a deep understanding of the disease and we create an individualized care plan for each resident based on their background, preferences and abilities. Our compassionate, professional staff uses multi-sensory cues to calm and awaken memories and to support capabilities. All residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of purposeful activities that include music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise as well as our special events and outings.
 
Please visit MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s website for more information about our community.  If you like what you see, go ahead and set up a visit.  We understand families feel traumatized by the sobering diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and we want you to know we are here to support you as well as your loved one.    
 
At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we proudly exemplify the best in independent and assisted living with a 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 with the goal of creating a true home for residents in a beautiful, peaceful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our compassionate, specialized memory care.
 

​If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, you may be coming to the realization that their needs are more than you can manage on your own and are ready for help.  If that sounds like you, it is now time to start researching the various care options in your area. 
One choice is to place your family member in an assisted living facility specifically designed to serve the needs of those with dementia.  Memory care provides long-term, intensive care that is more specialized and comprehensive than other senior living options.  Most are equipped to care for residents at all stages of the disease and include 24-hour supervision.  The communities are secure to reduce the risks of wandering and many have features such as color-coding to help residents safely navigate through the hallways. 
 
You will also find the best memory care communities provide programs that address the needs of residents such as helping to calm or provide stimulation as needed and can actually offer your loved one a better quality of life.  Communities that provide memory care report they are able to reduce medications and medication side effects as well as increase nutrition and wellness.  They also say residents have fewer falls, injuries, and hospital visits; along with more independence and social interactions. Most importantly, memory care facilities cite that as many as three-fourths of their residents experience improvement or maintain their level of mental functioning.
 
If you are in the Beaverton area, we encourage you to visit our website.  MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Beaverton has 38 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood that are devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s or other types of memory loss.    
 
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 discover why we are a step above an ordinary assisted living facility.
 
Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-11-4-memory-care/       

​The Alzheimer’s Association states that the number of adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing and there is now an estimated 5.7 million Americans with the disease.  They add that every 65 seconds someone comes down with the disease.  Among that number includes approximately 200,000 people who are under the age of 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's.   Experts also predict that as we continue to live longer, the number of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s will grow to nearly million adults by 2050.  Right now it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and currently, cannot be prevented or cured.
 
These sobering statistics mean that more families are finding themselves in the situation of having a family member with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.  For those who are family caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association found it can take an overwhelming toll on them both physically and emotionally.  Their studies show that close to 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers “rate their stress level as high or very high.”  Approximately 40 percent of family caregivers suffer from depression and required healthcare services related to the emotional and physical toll of their caregiving.
 
Experts recommend that if you are a family caregiver that you reach out for help from a variety of sources including relatives, friends, and local community organizations.  Caregiver support groups can also be helpful as you can connect with others who are dealing with the same problems.  Respite care and day care centers can also give you some relief from the responsibility and difficulties of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. 
 
Another solution is to contact MorningStar of Beaverton and learn about our compassionate and loving memory care.  Along with 66 bright suites for assisted living, we also have 38 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional senior living 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 the area’s finest senior living.
 
Sources: alz.org/facts/overview.asp#prevalence
familydoctor.org/caring-for-a-relative-who-has-dementia/

​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. 
 
MorningStar at Golden Ridge is a new senior living community offering independent living, assisted living and memory care. If you are a family member searching for quality memory care for your loved one, we encourage you to learn more about our Reflections Neighborhood.  We have 35 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.  
 
The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “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 our exceptional assisted and independent living.
 
 
Source:alz.org/national/documents/brochure_DCPRphases1n2.pdf

​As we age, many of us experience occasional memory loss.  While it may be worrisome, most likely it is just a normal part of growing older.  In the case of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, a common indicator of the disease is memory loss that happens so often it disrupts daily life.  The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and recommends if you or a loved one has any of them, to see your health care provider. 
 
The first sign that you or a loved one’s memory loss may be a sign of a bigger problem is constantly forgetting new information.  Memory loss may include: needing to have the same information repeated over and over; forgetting important dates and events; and relying more and more on family members or memory aids to handle things.  
 
Another way memory loss can adversely affect a person’s life is when it becomes difficult to problem solve.  He or she may find it hard to do things they have done well in the past such as keeping track of monthly bills or following a recipe.  Some individuals with Alzheimer’s have problems losing their way when traveling familiar routes or keeping track of the month or season of the year.  Also, a person may start putting things away in odd places and not remember where they put them.  We encourage you to read the Alzheimer’s Association’s full list of common signs of Alzheimer’s. 
 
At MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge, we compassionately provide care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Our beautiful new community offers 35 secure memory care suites in our Reflections Neighborhood designed to care for those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.  Please visit our website to learn more.  
 
The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “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 the Peoria/Glendale area.
 
Sources:alz.org/10-signs-symptoms-alzheimers dementia.asp?gclid=CjwKCAiA5OrTBRBlEiwAXXhT6GgfGndmLCyUKJeoYgXhfT3VTwaijPzav4tZA07yxVBjxgPJzwGVdRoCcKwQAvD_BwE

If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, you may need to lower your expectations of what to expect from them during the upcoming holidays.  When you include them in family gatherings, you must take precautions to not let them get over stimulated as boisterous, noisy activities can agitate and confuse people with dementia.  Experts say it is better to have a small get-together or to set aside a quiet part of the house where relatives can take turns visiting the person in a more intimate setting. 
 
The goal is to make the holiday season as easy on you as it is on the person with Alzheimer's disease so everyone can focus on enjoying their time together. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that you keep plans simple and maintain your loved one’s daily routines as much as possible to avoid upsetting them.  They also advise celebrating early in the day and to have a noon meal rather than a late dinner.  
 
If you are visiting your loved one at an assisted living facility, bring along some pictures of the family and take the time to quietly sit and talk about them.  If you are bringing your loved one to your home, play familiar music and serve foods you know they like.  Set time aside to do some activities with the family such as making a memory book or telling stories.  Other suggestions include taking a short walk or decorating cookies together. 
 
Be sure to warn family members and friends about any changes in their behavior and condition so they do not expect more than the person has the ability to offer.  Remind them that Alzheimer’s can diminish a person’s ability to communicate and that it is helpful to speak slowly and in a relaxed tone.  The Alzheimer’s Association says to avoid saying things like, “Don’t you remember?”  Also address the person by name and to be patient, stay calm and supportive.   
 
Have you been looking for an assisted living facility offering memory care for a loved one?  We encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Beaverton…far from an “facility,” MorningStar is a true home. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 38 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of individuals with memory impairment.  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.  Please visit our website to learn more about our loving community. 
 
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 trusted memory care in Beaverton Oregon.
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