If You Suspect it’s Dementia, Please See Your Doctor

If you or a loved one is experiencing troubling memory problems, it is important to see your healthcare provider. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or several other dementia-related diseases, there are steps you can take to mitigate or delay the onset of the disease. 

The Alzheimer’s Association explains, “Physicians and other medical professionals are a central part of the care team of a person living with dementia. Along with other members — which may include family, friends or others — they work to provide support throughout the course of the disease.” Therefore one of the best ways to ensure optimal care is to honestly communicate with your physician.  

To establish a good relationship with the doctor, a person or family member should take some time to prepare for the visit. Helpful tips from the Alzheimer’s Association include:

• Document any changes in your health, including your mood, memory and behaviors.

• Make a note of any changes you’ve noticed since your last appointment.

• Create a list of current prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

• Write down any vitamins or supplements you’ve added to your medication regimen.

• Make a list of questions you want to ask.

Write down questions you have beforehand, make sure you don’t forget them, and don’t be reluctant to ask questions if you don’t understand something. The Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group, made up of men and women in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, put together a list of questions to help others make the most out of a doctor’s visit. Questions range from asking about the type of tests used to make a diagnosis, what to expect from the disease, and what type of treatments may be used. When seeing a specialist, ask how familiar they are in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s. 

At the new MorningStar at Observatory Park, we offer 60 assisted living suites and 23 suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in our distinct Reflections Neighborhood. If the MorningStar name sounds familiar, we operate several dozen retirement communities across the Western US including several communities around Denver. To reserve your select suite today, visit our website for contact information; and ask about our Founders Club Specials. We will open to residents in winter 2022.

Source: alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-dementia-communicating-doctor-health-care-pro-ts.pdf

Pet Ownership can Even Increase a Senior’s Longevity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, pets can “increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, contribute to better cognitive function in older adults, and provide more opportunities to socialize." They explain the health benefits of pet ownership are linked to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Studies show pets contribute to healthy aging and even longer life by positively influencing factors that contribute to longevity, such as reducing stress, facilitating resilience against cardiovascular disease, and connecting to a network of social support.

Experts caution against the elderly getting a puppy as they need a lot of care including being housebroken and can be destructive. Adopting an adult cat or dog is generally a better choice. Small dogs like Shih Tzus, pugs, poodles, corgis and French bulldogs are some of the best breeds for seniors.  

Cats are lower maintenance than dogs and typically have less medical issues. They are happy spending time indoors and provide lots of companionship. Less active breeds like Persians and Birmans are happy to curl up on their owners' laps. The American bobcat, American shorthair and the Australian mist are a few examples of some affectionate breeds that love being around people. 

South Denver’s newest senior living community MorningStar at Observatory Park is pet friendly as we recognize the tremendous ministry animals offer to all of us and do not expect residents to leave behind their furry, four-footed family member. However we ask you to contact us so we may assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community as we have some restrictions on breeds. We also require a one-time, non refundable pet fee. 

Our fashionable 5-story community is a few blocks from the iconic Observatory Park and has 60 assisted living suites in a variety of configurations and floorplans. For those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, our Reflections Neighborhood and Alzheimers Care provides the safety, security, people and programs to help preserve the individual’s dignity and self-worth. We open to residents in late 2022 and look forward to helping you reserve a select suite today. Ask about exclusive savings for early depositors with our Move-in Specials.

Personality Changes and Other Behaviors Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease can exhibit a variety of behaviors and personality changes, of which some can be quite challenging to deal with and even affect the person’s safety. Changes in your parents or spouse can include irritability, anger, anxiety and other distressing behaviors like wandering or forgetting to turn off the stove.  

Dementia care experts say there are techniques to help deal with these feelings, and it may include adjusting your own attitude toward the changes a person is experiencing. Examples include caregivers over estimating the person’s abilities and expecting more from them then they feel capable of doing. This can cause angry outbursts often motivated by frustration. Experts remind caregivers to remember the person’s abilities are changing and suggest shifting your expectations to fit the new norm. 

Another common problem many suffer from Alzheimer’s is depression. Cindy Steele, RN, nurse scholar for Copper Ridge, a residential care community in Utah, says 40 percent of people with AD develop depression due to a neurochemical imbalance in the brain. Anxiety disorders and delusions are also common. In many cases, the person’s doctor can help identify the imbalances and prescribe medications to help relieve these troubling symptoms.  

Negative behaviors can additionally be caused by physical problems such as a headache, illness or fatigue, which the person is unable to communicate. Over-stimulating environments, being too cold or too hot are other reasons for distress or irritability. Experts say caregivers need to try and stay calm and speak directly to the person using short, easily understood sentences. Avoid sounding condescending.      

At Morningstar at North Ridge, a memory care community in Albuquerque, we offer individualized care of those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our unique approach to memory care includes finding ways to connect with and nurture the individual essence of each resident, and our energy is put toward finding ways to celebrate and elevate life.  Along with individualized care plans, residents receive 24-hour care, daily health monitoring, access to a full-time nurse, and participate in wellness programs and services tailored to their special needs.  Please visit our website to learn more.

MorningStar at North Ridge represents the very best in memory care with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest”.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a home-like setting.  Please contact us for more information about our exceptional community in Albuquerque.

Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s Won’t Battle This Alone

Seniors with Alzheimer's or other dementia-related illnesses often live alone during the early stages of the disease. As the condition progresses, however, changes in thinking may reduce your loved one’s ability to make appropriate decisions about self-care and safety. Unsupervised wandering and inadequate diet are at a higher risk when your loved one is living alone with dementia. They may struggle to manage personal hygiene and household tasks. If your parent or loved one is dealing with progressive dementia and forgetfulness, you are probably considering alternative living arrangements to keep them safe.

Memory care facilities that specialize in alzheimers care are quite modernized now. Offering an emphasis on comfort, safety, and community, MorningStar at West Valley deviates from one’s preconceived notions of ‘nursing homes.’ MorningStar’s approach to Memory Care incorporates Montessori-based therapies. We focus on creating individualized care plans with the help of thorough interviews and assessments of each prospective senior 

to address our residents' unique and varying needs. 

Anxiety over their loved one experiencing improper health care and medical supervision is one of the biggest fears of family members. Memory care residents at MorningStar at West Valley receive daily health monitoring by our 24/7 care staff, licensed nurses, and more supportive third-party service providers. MorningStar functions under a “directed level of care." This is a type of Assisted Living license that permits us to care for residents who, due to compromised cognitive ability, cannot recognize danger and, therefore, cannot respond appropriately and/or cannot express their needs. MorningStar carries this license, enabling our trained staff to care for the memory-impaired within a secure environment.

If you worry about your loved one’s transition to dementia care leading to loneliness or seclusion, consider a memory care facility that emphasizes community involvement through architectural design and companion living. MorningStar at West Valley offers memory care suites that are available in studio and or companion configurations from 318 to 492 sq ft on two levels. Suites include emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. While a secure building, independence is encouraged and supported through clear wayfinding; safe and inviting common areas include a 2nd-floor sky terrace. 

Please contact us to learn more about senior living at MorningStar’s Memory Care facility. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website provides information on our company's history, vision, and mission which discusses our exceptional senior living in West San Jose that seniors can rely on. 

MorningStar at West Valley proudly provides the very best in dementia care and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes West San Jose, California has to offer.

Safety is Paramount in Morningstar’s Reflections Neighborhood

Family members and friends often find themselves in a tough position when their loved one’s occasional forgetfulness changes to more serious stages of memory loss which is often experienced with Alzheimer’s and dementia. When the time comes, we want our parents or loved ones to continue to feel happy in a safe, secure, and compassionate environment that resembles their own home and environment that they recognize and feel most comfortable within. 

Assisted living and retirement communities are arrangements people are often familiar with. However, these communities may fail to designate specific care and senior living environments to those specifically struggling with memory care that may require specialized attention and service to those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. At MorningStar senior living and retirement communities at Observatory Park, we offer a unique and specialized memory care neighborhood incorporated within our grounds called Reflections. 

Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to meet the needs of our most tender residents. While we incorporate the following attributes in our everyday care for all our residents, Reflections provides compassionate, dedicated memory care specifically for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We train our entire team in MorningStar’s own Lavender Sky philosophy and programming of supported living for the memory impaired.

When considering the overall happiness of our assisted living residents, it is important to incorporate safety measures that do not infringe overly on independence but do remain mindful of specialty needs. The inside atmosphere of our Reflections Neighborhood is secure without being restrictive and still offers modern, luxury amenities that are standard to Morningstar. Our Observatory Park location, set to open in late 2022, offers a secure outdoor terrace to enjoy the beautiful weather and views of Colorado, as well as 24-hour care staff, medication management, and community rooms dedicated to life enrichment that are tailored to the needs of our memory care and assisted living residents.   

Please contact us to learn more about senior living at MorningStar Assisted Living & Alzheimers Care at Observatory Park. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission which discusses our exceptional senior living in South Denver that seniors can rely on. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Observatory Park proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Denver, Co has to offer.

If You Are Experiencing Memory Problems, It is Important to See Your Doctor

Experts say typically an individual’s memory problems start slowly and are initially only known to them. Dr. Martin Albers, assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, calls this stage “subjective cognitive decline, where the person senses that they’re having some cognitive issues with short-term memory and word-finding, particularly with proper names.” Other early signs include visual perception problems like confusing words or reversing numbers but are typically easy to work around and to live pretty normally.  

When memory loss is caused by Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, symptoms get progressively worse. Dr. Albers says it is important to be medically screened and your first visit should be with your primary healthcare provider. They can assess you both physically and mentally including doing a complete medical history, family history, social history, current medication list and a review of any loss of abilities with day-to-day activities. 

You may be given a cognitive exam like SAGE (self-administered gerocognitive exam) or the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). Blood tests typically include cholesterol, B12 and other markers to indicate how well your liver and thyroid are functioning as well as a CT scan or an MRI.

While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, it is important to remember there are other things that may be causing memory problems such as strokes, heart, liver or kidney disease; diabetes and medications. Once a problem is identified, experts say the best doctors to add to your medical team are those with a special interest in cognitive disorders such as geriatricians or neurologists. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides a list of clinical trials that may offer some alternative options for treatment. 

At MorningStar at North Ridge, a memory care community in Albuquerque, we have 38 suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.  Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation.  Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.  Please visit our website to learn more about our home, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.  

MorningStar at North Ridge brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate alzheimers care within a beautiful home-like setting.  Please contact us for more information about specialized memory care in Albuquerque.

Source:

health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/which-doctor-should-i-see-for-dementia-and-cognitive-decline