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...