MorningStar

As we age, many of us may feel like we lost a step or two in terms of our cognition and memory skills. However, just as there are things we can do to improve our brain health; there are things we should avoid to protect it. To start with, some of the same things bad for our physical health are bad for our mental health such as lack of exercise and poor diet. Moreover experts say we may also be missing some lesser known causes that contribute to a decline in cognitive health and impact our chance for better and happier aging. One of those things is too much negative thinking. The AARP reports several studies have found older adults who are more prone to negative thoughts and spend more time ruminating on slights and grudges are more likely to show a decline in memory and cognitive thinking. Researchers reported study participants who engaged in more negative thinkers had more amyloid and tau deposits in their brain, the biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease. While we all experienc...

One of the hardest things many seniors face is a chronic illness or condition that interferes and limits their independence. Burdening our spouse or another loved one with our day-to-day care is not the thing most of us want to do. In fact it may be the time to look into assisted living and learn what it can offer to you and your family. Assisted living is not skilled nursing but rather compassionate senior care for the ADLs (activities of daily living). It is based around the person’s needs to ensure they get the proper support to maintain their independence within a community setting. Senior living communities like MorningStar of Littleton provide residents with responsive 24/7 caregivers, access to licensed nurses, medication management, third-party care providers and more. Our spacious suites are designed with handicap-accessible bathrooms, emergency call systems and wall-to-wall carpeting in a choice of studio, or one- and two bedroom floorplans. Each unit is equipped with a kitch...

Despite a long-held belief that more men are affected by and even die from heart disease, the American Health Association says we now know that is only half the story. Recent studies show more women die from heart disease than from all forms of cancer. Perimenopause and post-menopausal women are at the most risk from heart disease, and the older they get, the higher the risk. Doctors say the drop in estrogen that occurs in women during and after menopause is why older women have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Robin Noble, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN, explains before menopause, estrogen has a vasodilatory effect on the vascular system. This anti-inflammatory effect fights against the development of the type of inflammation that causes cardiovascular plaques. Once a woman’s body experiences a drop in estrogen, it creates problems such as higher cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure and an increase in visceral fat - all linked to plaque buildup and hardening of the arterie...

Seniors can often feel anxious before moving into assisted living . For many, they have spent their life up to this point living on their own, with a loved one, or with their families. It can be intimidating to start this new chapter. But, you don’t have to do it alone. At MorningStar Senior Living you will meet friendly neighbors and staff that will strive to make you feel right at home. As a community, we believe in the power of community. Here are a few tips to help you make lasting friendships in assisted living. Introduce Yourself The simplest way to meet new people is to introduce yourself. It’s likely your neighbors will want to meet you upon your move-in, but for others in the community, the first step to the road of lasting friendship is to say hello and share a little about yourself. A warm smile, a compliment, or asking someone if they’d like to join you for coffee is a great idea when trying to make new friends in your senior living community. Join Community Activities and ...

Many seniors say they want to live active lifestyles. While it is true that seniors in assisted living may have decreased mobility, assisted living communities regularly advocate for senior friendly exercise options that are easy and low-impact. Whether you are in your room alone, or with a group at MorningStar Senior Living , you can begin to see a healthier version of you with these simple activities. Chair Exercises Active assisted living homes take pride in offering exercise options for seniors. Chair exercises are great because there is low commitment, but a huge reward for seniors. Chair exercises are perfect for seniors to improve mobility and build strength. Exercises like leg lifts, arm raises, and gentle stretches are a few things seniors can do if they are experiencing decreased mobility or feel anxious about utilizing machines at a gym. Yoga and Stretching Exercises for Seniors At MorningStar Assisted Living, seniors love participating in our free exercise classes. Yoga and...

Retirement offers seniors a lot of time to slow-down, relax, and contemplate their wants and goals for the rest of their lives. While many seniors still remain active, they now have the time to learn new hobbies and skills. Senior living communities are great places for seniors to learn about their passions and interests. Whether you want to explore these hobbies alone or in a groupo, MorningStar Senior Living encourages every one to try some of these easy hobbies for seniors! Bird Watching Seniors find bird watching a very rewarding experience. Not only do you get to spend some time outdoors, but bird watching can even be done with friends or in a group. It doesn’t take much to begin to feel connected with nature. Just grab a pair of binoculars and an easy bird guide and you can begin to identify all sorts of birds right outside your home. The relaxation and excitement is enough to keep seniors feeling energized and amazed. Puzzles and Board Games Table-top games don’t have to be bor...

Falls among senior citizens are all too common, and in many cases, threaten a person’s independence and way of life. Injuries from falls include to the head, hip fractures, and in extreme cases lead to death; and poor balance is one of the reasons people fall. Experts explain a person’s balance declines with age due to loss of sensory elements, the ability to integrate information and issue motor commands; and loss of musculoskeletal function as well as poor vision and inner ear problems. Certain medications and common medical conditions in older adults can also cause problems. Balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50. In one study, adults in their 30s and 40s could stand on one foot for a minute or more. By age 50, the time decreased to 45 seconds. The National Institute on Aging (NIH) explains maintaining good balance as you age and learning about fall prevention can help you get around, stay independent, and carry out daily activities. Targeted exercises like w...

While a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for yourself or a loved one is hard to hear, it is important to become informed because what we do early on can help guide future decisions. The Alzheimer’s Association is a great resource to become familiar with and offers topics ranging from Alzheimer’s symptoms to caregiving and medical breakthroughs. It is also one of the biggest fundraising organizations and supports the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” and the “Longest Day” activities. Experts say it is important to remember you are not alone. Over six million people in the US are living with Alzheimer’s and millions more know someone with the disease. Although everyone experiences the disease in their own unique way, understanding the major stages of the disease helps families navigate this unexpected journey. Alzheimer’s five distinct stages include: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI); Mild; Moderate; Severe; and Very Severe. Symptoms can vary from person to person but the various stages of Alzheimer’s di...

Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating for the person and their family. All of one’s carefully laid plans are cast aside as their future takes a much different path. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge wants families to know we are here to help. We are an assisted living and memory care community in a northern suburb of Denver, close to medical facilities, shopping, and other services. Our community is one of MorningStar’s 40+ communities across eleven states, where we have worked hard to become dementia care specialists. MorningStar’s extensive experience in memory care has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the disease, and we consider it our privilege to serve those with memory loss. We recognize that the person’s essence remains and we are committed to finding ways to connect with and nurture that essence.   We also consider residents’ family members to be part of our MorningStar family as we walk alongside the memory-impaire...

Way too often people have misconceptions about senior living communities and specifically assisted living . They think of the nursing facility where their grandparents may have spent their last years and don’t want to put themselves or an older loved one into something like that. After all, haven’t we all earned a happy retirement? Today’s assisted living communities are just that – a community. They provide a productive lifestyle with social interactions, safety and the proper support a person needs to help maintain their independence. Many also offer resort-style amenities like all-day, restaurant –style dining; housekeeping, fitness centers, salons, bistros and in-house theatres and chapels to give seniors a vibrant community to safely age in place. Furthermore, many older adults living alone say they feel socially isolated and lonely, which can put them at an increased risk for depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and more. When seniors move to an assisted living community su...

We all understand the value of independence but as we grow older, many seniors are faced with physical and mental limitations that make them feel it may be threatened. Independence is one of the things seniors want to feel they still have control over; and is important as it is closely tied to self-worth and a sense of achievement. Experts say well-intentional families can sometimes create bigger problems by becoming overprotective toward mom or dad. This can result in the senior becoming more fearful than the situation warrants, and erode their self-esteem and confidence. Another problem threatening a senior’s independence is when adult children talk to the parent as if they are a child. Even the most conscientious caregivers can sometimes baby the person too much or pressure them to do what they think is best. Just as we do not want people telling us what to do or intruding into things we are not ready to share, you need to respect your parents’ privacy. When mom or dad’s wishes are ...

JAMA Neurology added to the growing body of evidence showing a link between hearing loss and cognitive impairment. The study found treating hearing loss with hearing aids may reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 19%. In fact, researchers say hearing loss may be the biggest treatable factor for dementia. An article in AARP explains what may cause the link between hearing loss and dementia. The first theory regards socialization. Scientists say once a person starts having more difficulty being in a group of people and following the conversation, they may avoid such social gatherings. This in turn can lead to isolation, which is problematic as less social engagement as well as less cognitively stimulating activities and depression are risk factors for dementia. Secondly, coping with hearing loss means the person is constantly working to sort out sounds and make sense of what is being said. The brain now may have “fewer resources (brain power) to help preserve thinking and memor...

Happiness not only makes us feel good but may also be good for us. Research shows happiness is an important component to maintaining physical health, and is linked to lowering the risk of stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Along with better health, people, who report they are happy, tend to live longer. Being happy can help us eat better, maintain a normal body weight and allow us to get a better night’s sleep. It can encourage people to be more active and reduce stress. In fact, there is an understanding that the mind-body connection is stronger than we thought and unmanaged stress can lead to or exacerbate many health conditions. Don’t feel like you are all that happy? No problem. Experts say there are things we can do to cultivate happiness, and improve our outlook on life as well as our physical health. Some of these things include forming and maintaining uplifting connections, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, and taking the time to appreciate the beautif...

Along with assisted living, MorningStar at Mountain Shadows offers memory care suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our care services are extensive, and we provide a wide range of amenities, wellness programs and activities. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We start with a physical space designed to enhance residents’ quality of life with safe, inviting common areas encouraging independence. Residents stay active with a gentle flow of activities including art, dance, physical exercise, special events, and scheduled outings. Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we meet with them and their family to get to know as much as we can about them including their history, vocation, talents, and preferences. From there we create a daily routine designed to stimulate or calm as a situation requires. Resident...

Did you know it is estimated 895 million people worldwide will have some level of vision impairment by 2050. The Lancet reports it signals a 150 percent increase over the next 30 years and includes loss of vision from cataracts and glaucoma. Experts say while many vision problems can be treated, in some cases they can also be prevented by adopting simple, healthy habits. If you have already gotten into the habit of wearing sunscreen and a sun-blocking hat when you are outdoors for any period, optometrists say you need to complete your protection by making sure to wear protective sunglasses. Exposure to UV increases our risk for cataracts and your sunglasses should have a label reading “100 percent protection from UV and UVB rays” or “100 percent protection against UV 400.” If you are outside working for long hours, consider wrap-around style sunglasses, and if you are doing work such as trimming bushes or chopping wood, be sure to wear safety sunglasses. As the risk for eye diseases...

Many people assume arthritis comes with aging, but experts say while joint pain is common in older adults, arthritis is not a normal part of aging. The CDC explains arthritis is a group of more than 100 conditions causing inflammation and swelling in the joints or nearby tissues with symptoms such as pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and mostly occurs in older adults (about 70% are 55 years and older). Other common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and gout. While there is not a cure for arthritis, there are treatments, medications and therapies. In addition, studies find healthy lifestyle habits can help manage symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout as well as lessen your risk for even getting it. For example, the CDC reports 40% of people with arthritis can decrease pain and improve function by being physically active. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage of the joints causing bones to rub against one ano...