MorningStar

Being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself, so says the National Institute of Health (NIH).   They go on to say that, “even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging.”      One of the benefits of staying physically active is that it not only provides long-term health benefits, but also can improve the health of older adults who are already suffering from diseases and disabilities.   In fact, researchers have discovered that regular exercise is an effective treatment for many chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes.   It can also be beneficial for those dealing with conditions such as high blood pressure, balance problems and walking difficulties.   The NIH advises that being inactive is in itself risky for your good health.   While you need to consult your health c...

  We encourage you to see what all of the buzz is about with the opening of our brand new MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s senior living community .   Along with offering 56 bright suites for assisted living and 29 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia , we provide residents with a wide range of resort-style amenities.      Our community was meticulously designed to provide our residents with all the comforts of home to ensure carefree retirement years.    In addition to the warm and welcoming common rooms and private suites that are all ready to move into, we have a loving, dedicated staff that is honored to serve seniors.   As a resident, you will enjoy three daily meals that are expertly prepared by our own Executive Chef.   Our meals are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room, and for intimate dinners, we offer a private dining room.   Our commu...

As families try to figure out how make sure their parent or another elderly relative gets the proper care, many shy away from the option of assisted living as they think it is too expensive.   However, the opposite may be true.   Assisted living can actually be less expensive than the costs of trying to cobble together the care your parent needs.       For instance, if your parent lives alone, their cost-of-living includes yearly taxes as well as a mortgage or rental payment and expenses incurred with routine maintenance and repairs.   They are also responsible for utility bills that continue to rise each year while their income may not be.    Your parent may also be paying for in-home care that cannot only be costly but may not be entirely adequate to ensure their safety 24/7.   Furthermore, if the home requires modifications to accommodate their limited mobility, these changes are typically expensive.   Also the modif...

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 your 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 ...

According to the American Heart Association, heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is one of the most common causes of hospitalization for adults age 65 years and older .   Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump blood as efficiently as it should and therefore is not able to meet the body’s blood and oxygen needs.   Since the amount of blood pumped is not adequate to circulate the blood returning to the heart from the body and lung, it causes fluid (mostly water) to leak from capillary blood vessels.   If left untreated, the condition can worsen.      While symptoms of the condition can vary, common signs of congestive heart failure include fatigue and weakness, a reduced ability to exercise, swelling (edema) and shortness of breath.   The disease is commonly caused by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, disorders of the heart valves, and other problems.   Less common causes include viruses ...

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following is a list of the signs and symptoms you need to know if you think someone may be having a stroke.   They recommend noting the time when you first notice the symptoms as it is important to know when seeking medical treatment.   The first sign is any difficulty with speaking or understanding as well as confusion.   A person may slur their words or have trouble processing what is being said.   Another thing to look for is any sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body.   Ask the person to try and raise both arms over their head at the same time.   If one arm begins to fall, it may be a stroke.   Also another indication of a stroke is if one side of the mouth is drooping when you ask the person to smile.      Other signs of a stroke can include trouble with seeing in one or both eyes and exhibiting symptoms such as blurred or black...

Do you think your parent would be better off in an assisted living community but you are worried about the cost?   You may be surprise to discover that assisted living can be more affordable than you think especially when you take into account a number of factors.   To start with, if your parent is still living in their own home, most likely they are faced with regular maintenance and upkeep expenses in addition to taxes and a mortgage payment.   Also while utility bills keep increasing each year, your parent’s income may not be.    Another expense to consider is will the home require modifications to accommodate your parent’s limited mobility?   Not only can that be expensive but it may impact the value of the home when you finally do decide to sell at a later date.    Furthermore, if your parent requires in-home care, good care can be expensive and may not really be adequate to ensure their safety 24/7.       Add...

In addition to MorningStar of Wheatridge offering seniors a choice of smartly-designed spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans , we also allow residents to share living arrangements.   Our Companion Living program is specifically designed for unrelated seniors of the same sex to share a suite.   This arrangement is available to both our assisted living and memory care residents.   What are the benefits?   Actually there are many reasons it may make good sense for you or a family member that is considering senio r living. Since we understand that people are designed for relationships, most of us flourish when we are in one.   However, the fact is that many seniors have lost their long-term life partner and are left feeling bereft and isolated.   So besides offering the economic benefit of splitting the monthly rent expense in half, a roommate can help alleviate many of these feelings.   In addition to providing a companion,...

As it turns out, many seniors are quite happy with their decision to move into an independent senior living or assisted living community .   In part, that may be due to the fact that typically today’s senior communities are loaded with numerous amenities and activities.    As a resident, you are provided with a lifestyle of comfort and community as well as a sense of safety and security.       When seniors move out of their family home into a senior community, they find themselves freed from lots of responsibilities.   Owning a home requires routine care and maintenance such as mowing lawns, shoveling snow, pulling weeds, and other housekeeping chores.      Furthermore, seniors often live alone and experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.   Also as people age, many are reluctant to drive, which means they end up spending a lot of time at home by themselves.   This is something that is not a problem in s...

Surprisingly, preventing falls can be as simple as wearing the right shoes at the right time.   Dr. Carol Frey, director of the Foot and Ankle Center at Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles, conducted a year-long study regarding safe footwear for seniors .   Her research showed that in many cases shoes that are generally considered “safer footwear” were often to blame for falls that caused injuries.      The study involved 185 men and women over the age of 55.   With participants 65 or older, shoes were often to blame for falls.   Dr. Frey found that “bulky rubber soles worn on carpet can be hazardous while athletic sh oes that are flat or worn are dangerous on wet surfaces.''   Of the group that fell, 28% said that their footwear caught or dragged on the floor or was too slippery.   Her recommendation is for older adults to consider the walking surface to best determine the type of shoe they should wear.     When buying f...

While one in four women 65 years and older (one in two women over the age of 80) have osteoporosis, it is not a disease that only affects women.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in ten men older than 80 also have some level of bone loss.   So what is osteoporosis?   Experts state that the disease is the gradual weakening of the skeletal system and causes bones to become weak and brittle.   This results in an increased risk of fractures from falls or mild stresses as the bones thin (a decrease of bone mass and density) and become depleted of bone calcium and protein.   To diagnose the disease, patients are screened using a dual X-ray absorptiometry, also called a DXA or DEXA.   Doctors use the test to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine, hip or total body to help evaluate a person’s risk of fracture.   The noninvasive scan is painless and usually takes only 10 or 20 minutes.   W...

As we age, engaging in memory exercises is just important as physically excising our bodies. The Alzheimer’s Association offers recommendations on some easy ways to daily exercise our brain with activities that include reading, writing and doing crossword or other puzzles, playing games and attending events such as lectures or plays.      They state that there are four areas we can work on to help reduce our risk of cognitive decline: physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement.   In fact research has found that simply by keeping our brains active, we can actually increase its vitality and may even help to generate new brain cells.       An article on the “6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age” from the Harvard Health Publication outlines ways to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce your risk of dementia.   The article stresses the importance of continuing to learn ...