MorningStar

Like with most things in life, it is nice to have time to plan and review options before making a decision but sometimes things happen in a senior’s life where they need to make a quick decision regarding lifestyle changes. This may be due to a recent fall or a change to their medical or physical health. As senior living communities offer different services and amenities, discuss beforehand what things are important to your parents or other loved ones for their comfort level, enjoyment and well-being. Remember to factor in location as it is vital to have a place easy for family and friends to visit. Other things to consider are wellness programs and activities (do they match up well with your parent’s interests), levels of care and caregiver training, and staff-to staff-resident ratio. The internet comes in handy for previewing communities regarding their location, philosophies, services and price. However, before a decision is made as to where to move an elderly parent, it is importan...

People often imagine retirement communities to be boring, dull, and low-energy. For MorningStar Assisted Living , this couldn’t be further from the truth. Today’s modern senior living communities embrace creativity, movement, technology, and passions of all kinds. Residents at MorningStar Assisted Living stay engaged and excited for each day thanks to our great programs team, who make it their daily mission to bring a smile to everyone they see. Hobbies that Spark Joy At MorningStar Assisted Living communities, we pride ourselves on building programs and activities around each resident’s unique interests or passions. Painting, culinary classes, movie nights, chess competitions, and gardening are just some of the few popular options within our community. These activities engage our residents’ minds and produce beautiful results at the same time. Seniors appreciate having the space and time to dedicate to the things that bring them joy and accomplishment. Musical Expression For seniors w...

We know we need water to survive but in terms of just how much, there are a lot of opinions regarding the perfect amount we should be consuming each day. Experts say the answer is not straight forward, and a recent article in Popular Science weighs in with yet one more opinion to, as they put it, a surprisingly complex issue. While we all have gotten used to reading that we should be jugging down eight cups of water each day for optimal health, recently researchers say that is not really the answer. Rather, it appears commonsense is the truest answer as experts say there are a number of factors to take into consideration regarding how much water our bodies need each day. Variables include how much you exercise, how hot or cold is it outside, what food you consume that day, and what type of health issues you have or medications you take. This is why 8 cups of water may or may not be the amount your body needs. The best answer appears to be to listen to your body’s thirst sensation for w...

Good overall health is created by the choices we make each day. Seniors and their families should look at meal time as more than just eating and begin to see it as an opportunity to improve vital bodily functions and well-being. At MorningStar Assisted Living , our communities, chefs, and care managers pay close attention to the small, but impactful habits that can make a huge difference in every senior’s long-term wellness. Structured Meal Times Did you know we can help signal to our bodies when it’s time to eat each day? As we age, we sometimes can begin to have different relationships to hunger and meal times. Age can make us feel less hungry than usual or our hunger cues may not spark like they used to. While this isn’t always a cause for concern, it can get in the way of seniors getting the vitamins and macro-nutrients they need to stay healthy. Sitting down for meals at the same time everyday can help signal to the body that it is time to refuel. Staying Hydrated Staying regularl...

Research shows our bodies start losing muscle mass after the age of 35. The process quickens once females turn 65 years and males turn 70. However, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) says strength training cannot only help us maintain muscle mass and bone density longer but improve mobility and overall functional independence as well as reduce the risk of falls. It is a safe and effective way to ward off age-related decline and increase one’s healthy years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week and at least two days of strength training. While you may think you don’t have time to go to a gym to workout, experts say many strength training exercises can be done at home using your own body weight, resistance bands and light weights. For adults dealing with obesity, better weight loss results can be achieved with a combination of strength training, aerobic exercises and dietary changes. Bef...

Many families experience difficulty when it comes to getting seniors to have a full night of sleep. This issue can get even more complicated when medical or memory needs are involved. Reactions to medication can even cause sleep disturbances. Regardless of what a senior is struggling with, assisted living communities like MorningStar can offer seniors and their families some nighttime relief. At MorningStar, you can find a senior living community that prides itself on creating an environment that supports sleep and sleep health for seniors. Creating a Comfortable and Safe Environment A sound night of sleep begins with a sense of safety and comfort. MorningStar Assisted Living communities are thoughtfully designed to minimize noise, have calming light, and include quality safety measures throughout the building. Residents and their families find reassurance in knowing that caregivers are on-site and available 24/7 for any need or concern. If a senior is struggling with sleep, they are ...

While losing weight is tough, for many of us, the real battle is keeping the weight off. Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a dietitian and diabetes educator based in Washington, D.C., explains there is a growing body of evidence showing that when we focus on higher-quality nutrition, not only does our weight improve but also our health. Changing to a diet with more vegetables and fruits means you will take in fewer calories than you previously did, allowing weight loss to naturally take place. An improved diet results in better health. One of the biggest problems with “dieting” is that a person too often focuses on calorie content without regard to nutritional value.” Experts say this makes sticking to a calorie restrictive diet harder. Once we include nutritional foods in our day-to-day diet, it makes us feel fuller and even lets us eat more while taking in fewer calories. Another thing about a life-long nutritional diet filled with fruits and vegetables, plant-based proteins and whole fo...