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Good Mobility Helps Maintain Your Independence

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Normal aging brings about a decline in our physical abilities that affect strength, stamina and speed - all associated with declining muscle mass. Harvard Health Publishing explains that there is not much decline in our muscles between the ages of 20 and 40; after age 40 there can be a decline of up to 1% to 2% per year in lean body mass and 1.5% to 5% per year in strength. Mobility is key to protecting our independence. Along with losing muscle mass, other common problems in older adults include poor reflexes and balance, and loss of flexibility. Fortunately there are things we can do to encourage a healthier, safer aging process. One of the first things is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. One prevailing myth many older adults believe is physical activity will lead to injury or a fall. Experts say the actual truth is too much sitting causes muscle loss and decreased flexibility. For older adults, it is more important to exercise regularly to compensate for bodily changes in hormones an...
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How Families Can Stay in Touch with Loved Ones in Assisted Living

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Moving a loved one into assisted living is never an easy decision. We often grow very close bonds with our senior family members that experiencing them move to a new location can feel devastating. Readjusting to senior living is a tough experience for everyone involved. If you are focused on staying in touch with your loved one this blog will outline some creative ways to keep the connection strong and flourishing. Pick a Senior Living Community Close to Home Many families consider great assisted living options near them when looking for living arrangements for their loved one. Many families like to remain in close proximity. With over 30 senior living communities across the U.S., MorningStar Senior Living is a great option for families looking to remain close to their parents or grandparents. Schedule Regular Phone Calls with Intention It is true that we all have such busy lives. Sometimes it’s hard to always carve out time for long talks. Your loved one in assisted living looks forw...
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Gingivitis – How to Prevent It & Treat It

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Gingivitis is a common periodontal disease and can become a serious problem if allowed to go untreated. The disease attacks the tissue at the base of the teeth, called gingival tissue, and causes swelling and inflammation. It occurs when food particles and other substances are left on the gum line where sticky plaque and hard tartar forms at and below the gums. Dr. Tien Jiang, assistant professor in oral health policy and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, says with the correct oral care gingivitis can be controlled with proper teeth brushing and routine dental cleanings. If left untreated, inflammation from gingivitis can lead to an irreversible form of gum disease called periodontitis, and damage the tissue and bones supporting the teeth. If your dentist suspects periodontitis, they can use x-rays to see how far the disease has advanced. Studies have linked inflammation of the gums to a higher risk of many serious diseases including heart, stroke and dementia. Poo...
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What to Pack When Moving Into Assisted Living

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Moving into assisted living is a major life step. Seniors moving into an assisted living community want to create a space that feels like home. Since this is a new path, many families may wonder what is best or necessary to pack when moving into a senior living apartment. Keep reading to see a fail-safe list on what to pack when moving to MorningStar in Des Moines, Iowa. Furniture Many senior living communities are actually non-furnished. This is true at MorningStar Senior Living. Seniors should be able to feel like they’re curating a space that feels special to them. Moving into a blank space also allows room for seniors to bring some of their favorite pieces of furniture that reminds them of home or other heart-warming memories. When planning to move to senior living, take stock of the bulky furniture you or your loved one plans to bring into their new spacious senior living apartment. Sentimental Keepsakes The joys of moving into an un-furnished senior living apartment is that you g...
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Protect Yourself from Medicare Fraud

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Statistics from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and other sources estimate Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse. Experts caution anyone on Medicare is at risk for fraudulent charges and examples include: Billing for services or supplies that were not provided Providing unsolicited supplies to beneficiaries Misrepresenting a diagnosis, a beneficiary’s identity, the service provided, or other facts to justify payment Prescribing or providing excessive or unnecessary tests and services Violating the participating provider agreement with Medicare by refusing to bill Medicare for covered services or items and billing the beneficiary instead Offering or receiving a kickback (bribe) in exchange for a beneficiary’s Medicare number Requesting Medicare numbers at an educational presentation or in an unsolicited phone call Routinely waiving co-insurance or deductibles Experts say fraudulent schemes are growing and there aren’t enough agents to keep up...
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The Best Exercises for Seniors in Assisted Living

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Staying active in our senior years is important. This is especially true for seniors who may have mobility concerns or deal with medical issues or flare-ups. While relaxing is nice, it’s also great to move our bodies in meaningful ways. If you’re curious how you can stay active in senior living, or if you want to help a friend or loved one, keep reading to know what some of the best exercises are for seniors in assisted living communities. The Important Benefits of Exercise for Seniors Regular exercise provides a variety of physical, mental, and emotional benefits for seniors in assisted living . Seniors who move their bodies experience better moods and feel healthier overall. Healthy weight management is strongly correlated to exercise. Gentle exercise, or low-impact exercise, includes a range of chair yoga, stretching, walking, and mobility exercises that are easy on joints and require less muscle strain. Being healthy and active doesn’t have to include pushing your body to its limit...
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Both the Amount and Quality of Sleep Are Important for Overall Health

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The American Heart Association offers a checklist of eight key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. Life’s Essential 8 is designed to highlight things we can do to lower our risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems. In 2022, the Association added sleep duration to the list as a component of heart health. They say the amount and quality of sleep can influence a person’s eating habits, mood, memory, internal organs and more. One advantage to getting enough sleep is being more productive. After spending years working long hours to the detriment of a good night’s sleep, Ariana Huffington now says, “The irony is that a lot of people forgo sleep in the name of productivity. But in fact our productivity is reduced substantially when we’re sleep deprived.” Professor of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Charles Czeisler, explains being sleep deprived can impair your abilities and is like being drunk. Poor sleep habits can cause you to eat ...
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