MorningStar

Since it is true our brains may not function as well as they did when we were younger, not all brain changes are a sign of Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. It may simply be a sign that as our bodies move slower with age, so do our brains. A recent AARP article highlighted memory problems that can be a part of normal aging as well as problems that should be brought to the attention of your healthcare provider. One example discussed was the difference between getting lost or confused in a familiar location as opposed to getting lost the first time you go to a new place. Experts say the former is concerning and could be a sign of a problem as it goes beyond normal aging. Also if you find yourself forgetting where you are at times or how you got there, tell your doctor. Another worrying sign can be repeating the same story or asking the same questions over and over again. The person probably doesn’t remember repeating themselves; if they did, they wouldn’t do it. This is why...

The Medical New Today recently published an article from Gut Microbes Reports, which suggests “that not only did the Mediterranean diet change gut microbiota and improve serum lipid levels; it also improved memory and cognition.” The study reported a link between improved memory and learning after “participants” followed a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plants, whole grains and healthy fats. The 20 week study’s participants were 10-week-old rats who half were fed a traditional Western diet and the other half a Mediterranean diet. Researchers say at the end of the study, rats fed a Mediterranean diet had better cognitive flexibility and improved aspects of spatial reference and working memory. The improvements correlated with a healthier gut microbiota. Scott Kaiser, MD, a board-certified geriatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, who was not involved in this study, told Medical News Today: “A growing body of evidence clearly supports a strong cor...

We all know how hard it is to buy Christmas or Hanukah gifts for the person in your life who has everything, or is limited on space without the room for yet one more item. This is where gift cards can be greatly appreciated, and with a little bit of research, you can find something for even your most hard to buy family member. While everyone loves a gift card to an already favorite restaurant or a new one in town, gift cards can also be found for a whole lot of other things. If you are absolutely stumped by what to get, you could settle for a preloaded VISA (or another brand) card that enables the person to shop wherever a VISA card is accepted. Experts say purchasing a virtual card to send through a person’s email account eliminates the risk of a physical card being tampered with, and stick to trusted online retailers. A virtual gift card is also a solution for last minute procrastinators, as they arrive quickly in a person’s inbox. The Internet provides some unique ideas such as purc...

It may seem as if you are hearing about food recalls every other week, and you are not too far off. A recent study reports food recalls grew annually from 454 to 547 between the years of 2020 to 2024. Experts say however, one of the reasons for the recalls is actually a good thing as more money is being invested in testing, investigation, identification and tracking systems to help ensure our food safety. Nonetheless Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University says it is far from being a perfect system. Food recalls can be voluntarily pulled off the shelves by the producer or the result of an investigation by the FDA. The reasons for a recall can be because the food is contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites. Another cause might be a foreign substance was inadvertently introduced to the product such as broken glass, plastic or metal. The FDA has also instigated a recall due to the fact important allergen in...

One thing we can do to maintain our health as we age is to get a good night’s sleep. Learning to prioritize and manage our sleep is important to good brain health including our cognitive health. However for far too many older adults, it becomes harder and harder to sleep through the night. Seniors often buy-in to the myth that they no longer need as much sleep as they did when they were younger; but experts disagree. They say the truth is older adults require the same amount of sleep as their younger counterparts, which is at least 7 hours a night according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Moreover studies show older adults are typically getting less REM (rapid eye movement) sleep per night. This is the period of time when we dream and the brain is active; and is important for memory, learning, mental focus and mood. Another sleep cycle is the period when the brain purges toxins. AARP writes, “The glymphatic system uses cerebrospinal fluid to flush out toxins a...

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...

At the MorningStar of Littleton senior living community, we have veterans from various branches of the military and are honored to serve them. As one of our team members eloquently said, “Seniors speak powerfully to the fact that freedom comes at a cost. It requires that you choose to do the right thing which almost always includes sacrifice. Whether it’s time, money or comfort, those who came before us chose to sacrifice to build a better society.” When we meet a potential resident who is a veteran or a surviving spouse of a vet, and in need of assisted living; we are pleased to direct them to the company, ElderLife Financial. They have the expertise to ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance,” which is a benefit offered through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Aid & Attendance benefits are a tax-free pension paid directly to a qualified veteran or their spouse in the form of monthly payments, which is subject to change annually. The National Ca...

Study after study reports elderly people who are pet owners, say they are the better for it. According to a recent Forbes magazine article, the number one benefit pets provide seniors with is “unconditional love.” A whooping eighty-three percent of surveyed participants agree, and another 73 percent said their pet makes them feel loved. The good feelings pets give to seniors was even high in those who live with others. Other surveys of seniors found pets gave them a sense of purpose. Others said they derived joy just from interacting with a pet even if they didn’t own it. Some seniors expressed they enjoy having a pet visit their home or interact with one while visiting family or friends. In terms of what animals were most popular, dogs were a somewhat higher choice than cats; but some seniors had both. Experts say most people other than someone with very limited mobility can become a dog owner. However before you make a commitment to a dog; it makes sense to research breeds that do n...

While a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for yourself or a loved one is hard to hear, it is important to take the steps 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 also is 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 5 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...

We have all had the experience of sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office with a clipboard or tablet loaded with forms ready to be filled out. You may wonder why as you have already filled out similar forms at your other healthcare providers, and maybe even at this office. Experts say it is good to remember there are several reasons why you are being asked for your medical history again. To start with, your health may have changed. Additionally not all doctor offices have access to the same digital information; or it may not have been updated. Another thing is a specialist may be looking for different information not typically collected by your primary care physician. Remember your refusal to answer questions could make it harder for your doctor to see the full picture of your problem; or at the very least make you look uncooperative. Dr. Robert Shmerling, a rheumatologist and senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing, agrees you are not obligated to fill out your med...

Many older adults complain about being unable to see clearly while driving at night. Experts explain that night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, makes it difficult to see well in dim or dark settings as the person’s eyes are unable to adjust to changes in brightness or to detect lights. Driving at night with this condition is not only a problem but is dangerous, and is more common in seniors. The condition is caused when the iris, the colored part of the eye, and the retina aren’t working well together. The iris has muscles that widen or narrow the opening of the pupil to adjust how much light enters the eyes. The retina has light-detecting cones and rods, which manage vision in dim light. When the irises’ muscles don’t react well; pupils can dilate and let in too much light or remain too small and make it hard to see in dim light. A number of things can exacerbate night blindness including something we cannot control – old age. Dr. Isabel Deakins, an optometrist with Harvard-aff...

CARMEN, which is short for Cognitively Assistive Robot for Motivation and Neurorehabilitation, is a small, tabletop robot designed to help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Recently the University of California introduced the world to CARMEN as a way to help people learn skills to improve memory, attention, and executive functioning at home. What sets CARMEN apart from other robots is it was created in partnership with clinicians, people with MCI and their care providers. Researchers say they think the robot is one of a kind in terms of teaching compensatory cognitive strategies designed to improve memory and executive function. Experts estimate MCI affects up to 20% of adults 65 years or older, and of that number, 15% of people with the condition transition to dementia each year. Currently scientists say while we do not have medical treatments to slow or prevent this from happening, behavioral treatments can help. Working one-on-one with individuals, CARMEN delivers a seri...

Several new studies including one from the journal Current Biology, report the way a senior walks may be messaging something about their future cognitive health. Researchers say walking relies on a person’s navigational skills, which demands mental engagement. A slowing of a person’s walking pace is one of the things studies are looking into as an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s. People may start to take smaller steps and drift from side to side as well as exhibit poor balance and a history of frequent falls. Ryan Glatt, a certified personal trainer, senior brain health coach, and director of the FitBrain Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in California, told Medical News Today, “In clinical settings, gait-based tests can be helpful for determining fall risk, especially with distractions, and perhaps can be part of a more comprehensive cognitive evaluation in the near future.” Other studies report people with early Alzheimer’s have difficulty turning when walking. Researchers...

Every year the month of June is the time to promote Alzheimer’s Awareness. The Alzheimer's Association encourages people to wear purple, the official color of the Alzheimer's movement, as a way to show support and encourage others to join in the effort to end Alzheimer’s. There are several ways you can volunteer throughout the year to help raise both awareness as well as funds. This includes making a donation yourself, volunteering at your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and participating and supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. During this summer solstice in June, join in or start your own Longest Day event with fundraising and celebrations to find a cure. There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s but it is important to let your doctor know if you recognize any signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or a loved one as early intervention can provide a range of benefits for someone who is diagnosed. These include access to treatments that offer better results when taken...

Medical experts from the Harvard School of Medicine explain even small steps can make a positive change in our wellness journey. Many of their recommendations can be done daily without much time or effort. The first tip is to start the morning with a full body stretch to help improve circulation and wake up the body. Before getting out of bed, flex your lower limbs several times. Then bend your knees and raise your legs. Flex and rotate each foot a couple of times. From a sitting position, turn your head from side to side a few times and rotate your shoulders. Extend your arms out and rotate your hands. To maintain your dental health, floss your teeth every day. Experts say the proper way to floss is to wrap the floss around each tooth and slide it up and down a couple of times against the tooth rather than using a sawing motion. Now do the tooth on the other side. Another easy healthy habit to get into is to drink a glass of water when you get up each morning, and then drink one wi...

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be a time-consuming job. As the disease is progressive and symptoms worsen over time, the person’s needs also evolve. Things they used to do for themselves may no longer be possible or safe. Moreover experts say like many older adults, a person with Alzheimer’s is likely to experience health changes over time. Therefore it is important he/she continues to get routine checkups with their primary care physician as well as with any specialists they may be seeing. The National Institute on Aging (NIH) says some of the problems caregivers should look for are signs of fever, or sickness like the flu or pneumonia. They say a fever could be signs of infection, dehydration caused by lack of fluids, heat stroke or even constipation. When taking a person’s temperature, use a digital thermometer rather than a glass one as the person might bite down on the glass and break it. Let their doctor know right away if they do have a fever. To help prevent s...

We all know how it feels to not get a full night of rest. Not sleeping enough makes us groggy, grouchy, and less suited to take on the day. If missing out on sleep impairs our cognitive capabilities, imagine what sleep disturbances can cause for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The Importance of Healthy Sleep Habits in Alzheimer’s Care Sleep, and its quality, plays a huge role in the health of seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Seniors with memory impairment often struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, which poses a huge risk for their health. Adequate sleep not only helps seniors feel well-rested, but it promotes full-body healing in a multitude of ways. If you are looking for Alzheimer’s care in Littleton , Colorado, consider a senior living community that values healthy sleep habits for the following reasons: Emotional Regulation Sleep encourages mood stability and this is essential for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia . Symptoms of memory loss diseases often make indivi...

Memory loss due to Alzheimer’s or dementia significantly changes the way a senior interacts in the world. Communication, mobility, and memory recall can be greatly altered with a memory loss diagnosis, leaving families to wonder what options they have to restore or maintain the cognitive function of a loved one.  Reminiscence therapy is a powerful memory care approach that provides numerous benefits, especially for seniors facing memory loss difficulties. By tapping into the rich tapestry of their past experiences, MorningStar Senior Living Littleton Co helps individuals in Alzheimer’s car e reconnect with cherished memories, stimulate cognitive functions, and enhance emotional well-being.  What is Reminiscence Therapy? Reminiscence therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach used in Alzheimer's care that aims to help an individual recall past experiences, events, and memories. This holistic memory care initiative recognizes the importance of an individual's life history and is g...

Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking at least one or more prescription medications daily. In fact, the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.” Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interactions, an area of special concern for the elderly. Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state almost 450,000 older adults (65 years old or older) visit the emergency room each year because of adverse, or harmful, drug events. Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “take on an empty stomach,” and the adverse side effects. Experts say to help a parent get organ...

At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows in Colorado Springs, we understand the importance of gathering as a community to “break bread” each day. We believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other, and when our residents sit down to a delicious meal served restaurant-style, it creates lasting bonds and fellowship within our “family. We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why MorningStar meals are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest ingredients from high-quality producers, locally sourced when possible. Menu offerings are designed by our Executive Chef and include daily and weekly specials as well as a la carte items. Dining is available all day which means you can eat when you are hungry and not according to a rigid schedule. As a resident, you will be treated to seasonal menus and special holiday feasts such as those we enjoy at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, our Chef modifies menus and recipes to accommoda...