MorningStar

It can be an emotionally complex situation when you find yourself the caregiver to an elderly parent or sibling. We love our family members and are willing to sacrifice a lot for them. However, this can become overwhelming at times. For many of us, we have a lot going on in our personal lives. It can be hard to balance our careers, children, pets, and personal drives while also caring for someone with complex needs and routines. It gives families more options for great senior living care. Senior living communities can restore balance into everyone’s life while also maintaining dignity and closeness with your senior loved one. 24/7 Support and Care Assisted living communities know that safety and support is non-negotiable for families. At MorningStar Senior Living, we offer 24/7 support and care for seniors all throughout our community. At home, it can be hard to properly give everything attention. They are designed and staffed to ensure that every resident is properly managed and care...

The Harvard Medical School writes many people suffering from fatigue, joint pain, and digestive issues may have chronic inflammation that is affecting their health and not know it. For some, chronic inflammation plays a central role in a number of the most challenging diseases of our time. These include conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and even Alzheimer’s disease. So, what is inflammation and when is it considered chronic? The Cleveland Clinic explains, “Inflammation is a normal part of your body’s response to injuries and invaders (like germs). It promotes healing and helps you feel better. But inflammation that happens when there’s no injury or invader can harm healthy parts of your body and cause a range of chronic diseases.” Chronic inflammation can be the result of a variety of factors such as persistent infections, autoimmune disorders, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of physical activity. In som...

When is the right time to start talking to your parents or loved one about assisted living ? Sometimes, the day comes sooner than we anticipated. You don’t have to worry about this conversation. If you are worried about your parents’ or loved one’s safety, it may be time to look into living options. Here are some signs that it is time to start considering and talking about assisted living : Common Signs that Your Loved One is Struggling If your loved one has been behaving differently, or you are worried about their wellbeing when you’re alone, it’s important to take note of any of the following things that may hint at the need for care options. 1. Can’t Keep up with Regular House Maintenance We all fall behind on our chores from time to time. But if you are noticing that trash is piling up, expired food is in the fridge, the pets aren’t being cared for, or bills are going unpaid, it may be time to intervene. Being unable to keep up with the home is a common sign of overwhelm and even ...

Many of us experience a mid-morning or late afternoon slump in terms of energy and need a little bite of something to give us a lift. While experts say snacking can be a good thing, it is important to do it with healthy options. They emphasize the best snacks are low-sugar and nutrient-rich; and provide energy as well as support overall health. Snacks rich in fiber and protein help keep us feeling full. Foods to avoid are ultra-processed and high in calories, fat, sodium and added sugar. Some examples of healthy snacks: smoothies. They can be made with fresh greens, your choice of milk and fruit. Along the same line is a cup of low-fat yogurt topped with fresh or frozen, thawed berries. If you don’t like yogurt, a cup of cottage cheese with fruit is a good alternative. Kale is one of the healthiest leafy, green vegetables; and kale chips are a fun way to enjoy it. Moreover, they are very easy to make on your own. Prep carrots, celery and other raw veggies in advance to dip into humus o...

Seniors fear losing their independence, and understandably so. Elderly adults have lived long, beautiful lives, full of years of self-sufficiency and personal autonomy. For many seniors, the idea of a senior living community can feel overwhelming. This is especially true if they have lived on their own for a long time. While moving into assisted living can be an adjustment, there are many positives to this type of senior living community. Encouraging autonomy is one of the major ones. MorningStar Senior Living promotes independence and autonomy within their community in the following ways: Maintaining Routines and Schedules It’s important to maintain a senior’s personal routine and schedule as much as possible when they are adjusting to a new facility. Like any person, seniors experience more autonomy when they have a choice over what they do with their day. Flexible and accessible assisted living communities give seniors the freedom to fill their day with whatever feels best to them...

As people enter into their twilight years, they encounter an unchartered territory. Many are faced with losing spouses, family and friends, as well as their strength, health and mobility. They may fear losing their independence; and worry about losing control over life decisions and their dignity. If they do require help with running their household or with personal care, family members may not be nearby to lend a hand or are busy raising their families, and/or pursuing their career. As a loved one concerned about their well-being, it may be time to introduce the idea of senior living as a way for them to maintain their independence and regain control over their life. If your family is new to the concept of senior living, the internet offers resources on the concept and how to find the right community for mom or dad’s needs and interests. You can help them discover the benefits of living with a group of their peers, having compassionate daily caregivers, and the freedom and choices ...

Many of us find ourselves wondering if our brain is working as efficiently as it did when we were younger. Research shows most likely it is not. Various studies suggest memory problems often “reflect a slower processing speed and poor encoding and retrieval of new memories as a result of diminished attention.” However, while normal aging causes seniors to process new information slower; judgement and reasoning powers remain largely intact. Researchers say in the same way we cannot jump as high or run as fast as we did when we were children; our thinking process also begins to slow down. By the time we are in our 50s or 60s, this can interfere with remembering things, solving problems or learning new information. Structural changes in the brain regions involved in memory processing such as the hippocampus and the frontal lobes all experience anatomical and neurochemical changes as we age. Concentration can be affected by the natural loss of receptors and neurons. Outside factors such as...

For outstanding assisted living, seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, the perfect community to age in place comfortably and safely. By defining health and wellbeing holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Together our life enrichment programs and wellness care services complement each other to ensure each resident gets the best care. As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of a resident if they experience changes in their health. These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to families and provide a welcome continuity of care for residents. We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This centralized mobile station ensures accurate onsite asses...

According to AARP there are things family members can do to help a loved one live their best life with coronary heart disease. They quote Vinoy Prasad, M.D., director of interventional cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute in California, who explains after a crisis like a heart attack, “People who have a lot of support from their family actually recover better, they recover faster, and they do better long term.” Coronary artery diseases include atherosclerosis, which doctors say is a buildup of plaque in the arteries and is the most common cause of heart disease. Plaque builds up in the arteries over years, and as the condition progresses, it can result in a complete blockage and produce a blood clot. High cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes and a family history are linked to the disease. Other less common causes of coronary disease include non-obstructive coronary artery disease that damages artery linings and restricts blood...

While there is not one single test used to definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors typically use a variety of tools to make a diagnosis. Along with the person’s primary care provider, specialists like neurologists, neuropsychologists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists may all be involved in determining if the patient’s problems are Alzheimer’s or caused by other reasons. The process starts with a medical workup done by a health care provider that includes the person’s history of medical problems as well as any history of psychiatric, cognitive or behavioral problems. It is important to tell the doctor about all current medications including over-the-counter-drugs and supplements the person is taking. Your doctor will also want to know if there is a family history of Alzheimer’s or other cognitive problems. A physical exam should include a check of reflexes, blood pressure levels and questions regarding sleep patterns, diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits. A stru...

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) explains diet plays a large role in the aging process. To optimize our own health, they recommend we start by understanding the different food groups (published by the USDA); and how each one helps form healthy eating patterns for a particular age group. Experts say diet is one aspect of healthy aging and is especially important for seniors who are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes as well as conditions related to loss of bone and muscle mass such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Other aspects of healthy aging include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep. One of the best food groups that encourage healthy aging is vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrates. These include dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, and starchy vegetables; as well as legumes (beans and peas) that are also found in the protein food group. The NIA reports fruits are an...

Moving can be exhausting and many of us have mixed feelings about the change – both looking forward to a new adventure and sad to leave our old life behind. Now imagine what your parents may be feeling as they leave a familiar home for an assisted living community. The change can be even more difficult if they are going into memory care. Experts say there are things family members can do to help ease the transition and make it a more positive experience. First, involve your loved one into the decision-making process as much as possible. Discuss the various benefits of each community regarding suites, amenities, food service and the helpfulness of the staff and administrators. Also, read online reviews from other families and residents; and take advantage of in-person tours. Once the decision is made on a particular community, now help mom or dad decide on what to bring to their new space, keeping in mind it is probably smaller than their current home. Consider an item based on its prac...

As we age, many of us find ourselves more absent-minded and forgetful than we were in our younger years. Seeing someone unexpectedly from our past can result in recognizing the face but being unable to bring a name to mind. Experts say some lapses in memory are common as we age but encourage seniors to do cognitive activities to help stay sharp. Brain games exercise your memory, attention, brain speed, people skills, intelligence and navigation just like a trip to the gym gives you a cardio workout and exercises your abs and quads. One good resource for such games is the AARP online site. It offers a variety of fun and entertaining games and puzzles such as daily crosswords, word games like scrabble, Sudoku and trivia as well as the opportunity to join a bridge, chess or backgammon game. The New York Times offers the daily World puzzle that gives your brain a quick workout along with several other word puzzles for Times’ subscription holders. Other programs offering brain games targete...

We know a person changes in several ways when living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Memory problems and confusion are some of the most commonly known symptoms, but there are other behaviors just as common that can be unsettling and disruptive. The Medical News Today reports on the various behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia known as BPSDs. Research suggests as many as 97% of people with dementia have one or more of the following symptoms: agitation; anxiety, psychosis, depression, apathy, irritability and/or physical or verbal aggression. Agitation may include behaviors such as pacing, wandering, restlessness and fidgeting. Repetitive movements and sleep disturbances are also common. Understanding these changes and learning strategies to deal with them can result in better care for the patient and make it easier for caregivers to cope. Doctors are not sure why dementia patients suffer from psychosis but suggest it could be due to interruptions and ...

Blue light is a high-energy wavelength of visible light, which can be emitted from our digital screens that we all seem to be using more and more often. To “protect” us from this light, there are a plethora of blue light protected glasses everywhere. In addition, we are hearing how much we need them now more than ever. So the question is do they actually work and is the extra expense worth it? Since 2008, researchers have been studying blue-blocking or filtering products that are trying to decrease the transmission of ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 440 and 500 nanometers. Some digital devices recently offer blue light-filtering settings to reduce the transmission of short wavelengths of light. However, it may not surprise you to hear there is some debate on whether we are adversely affected by blue light, and to what degree blue light glasses can help the problem. The Mayo Clinic explains, while blue light occurs in daylight, the waves omitting from our devices at night cou...

While studies find feeling grateful can make us happier and less anxious; like every skill, it does take some practice. An article at CNN.com explains gratitude should not be saved for special occasions, but like love, should be practiced or expressed regularly. With a little effort, you should be able to find something to be grateful for every day. Experts share four ways to help you practice gratitude. The first is to create a gratitude album on your phone by taking a picture each day of things that bring you joy like a meaningful text, beautiful scenery, fun events on your calendar and pics of loved ones. Don’t worry about your photography skill. Now instead of scrolling through social media, use some of that time to look through your own gratitude album and appreciate the good things in your life. Another gratitude practice is to take the time to breathe. Mindful breathing techniques can help relieve tension and reduce stress, and only take a few minutes. When doing, remember to b...