Is Your Mom or Dad Having Serious Memory Problems?

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 doing 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 parents.  

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 your parents about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.   

Experts say when you are ready to have the “conversation,” be honest and try to keep your voice calm.  Pick a time and place where you will not be interrupted and be sure to include in your homework different care options in case they ask.  Also, be ready to talk less and listen more as they may have also been worried about some of the changes they have been experiencing.  However, keep in mind it is common for a person to be confused, in denial, and/or withdraw.  

At MorningStar at Jordan, we understand a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia- related disease is devastating, and we want area families to know we are here to help shoulder the burden. Our goal is to be one of the best senior living communities in the Denver area, which includes specialized care for those with mild to advanced memory impairment.  Our comprehensive care also includes assisting families to better understand and cope with the disease. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about memory care living.

MorningStar at Jordan’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care in Centennial, CO.

A Fun Project to Do With Your Elderly Parent

If an elderly parent is in a senior living community and has limited mobility, you may feel it is difficult to think of things to talk about or to do when you visit.  Scrapbooking is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Also, it can be more than just a means to pass the time and preserve memories for seniors but can be beneficial to them as well. 

By organizing an activity such as scrapbooking, it can help to keep everyone engaged as well as inspire your loved one to start sharing stories about the “good old days.”  As you start documenting their life story, it will likely bring back memories they may have forgotten and/or ones the rest of the family knows nothing about.  Along with exercising the brain with recollections of the past, scrapbooking can boost self-esteem, improve one’s dexterity and increase socialization by introducing new topics of conversation.

To get started, visit your local craft store or shop on the Internet for scrapbooking supplies that will help you create a book that is uniquely your parent’s.  Your next step is to help gather and organize the photos and materials in chronological order that will go into the scrapbook.  

If the project seems too overwhelming for your parents, have them pick a theme such as family vacations or weddings through the years, or do one that focuses on their childhood and early years.  Before you start to glue things in, take the time to layout the photos and mementos for each page; and most importantly, encourage and enjoy the stories and memories shared by your loved one.  

At MorningStar at Jordan, our beautiful community offers a host of amenities, care services and wellness programs as well as activities that include arts and crafts projects.  Located in historic Centennial, MorningStar offers 55 private assisted living suites in a choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 29 memory care suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Please see our website to learn more about memory care living.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest assisted living home and memory care in Centennial, CO.