MorningStar Independent Living Blog

When you join MorningStar of Pasadena’s independent living and assisted living community, we do our utmost to make you feel right at home. This starts with a great selection of suites including smartly-designed studios ranging from 389 to 478 sf. Next we have a choice of roomy one-bedroom, one-bath suites up to 840 sf. or one-bedroom with a den options at 746 sf. Need two bedrooms? We have got just what you need with our large two-bedroom, two-bath apartments at 891 sf.   All of our units come with high-end finishes, spacious closets, kitchenettes with microwave and refrigerator, window blinds and premium countertops as well as private heating & air conditioning systems. For your safety, bathrooms are handicap accessible (with tile floors) and every apartment has a 24-hour emergency call system. Private balconies are available with some suites.  As an assisted living resident, you will have an Individualized Service Plan created just for you to make sure you get the...

For many people in apartments, condos, or small patio homes, having a large garden in not feasible, and even for home-owners with large yards, an extensive gardening space may be simply too much work. This is where container gardening and raised bed gardening allows a person the satisfaction of growing something that is good to eat.  While it doesn’t matter if you use terracotta, wood, or plastic pots, make they have enough depth and room for the particular plants. Gardening experts say the best way to give your plants a good start is to buy a good quality potting soil containing manure, sand, perlite, or vermiculite. They warn against using soil from your backyard as it may be contaminated from an earlier time, and most likely not have the nutrients your plants need to thrive.   For beginner gardeners, TV personality and landscape designer Carson Arthur recommends starting with herbs. He says herbs like mint, thyme, cilantro, and basil are simple to grow, and do not requ...

So the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Thomas Frieden, is quoted as saying, and many in the medical profession agree. While it is universally acknowledged that any exercise is beneficial to our overall health, walking offers some unexpected advantages.  One of those advantages is it seems to counteract the effects of weight-promoting genes as the result of a study from a group of Harvard scientists concluded. The project involved looking at “32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to determine how much the genes actually contribute to body weight.” Within the group of participants who walked briskly for an hour a day, researchers found the effects of the weight-promoting genes were cut in half.     Another surprising result of walking is it was shown to actually diminish a person’s sweet tooth. In a recent study out of the University of Exeter, researchers found walking appears to curb cravings for chocolate and o...

Recent research indicates we may be able to promote brain health by engaging in challenging cognitive activities like learning a new skill at an older age. The University of Texas studied the benefits for older adults who pursued cognitively engaging activities later in life.  The study consisted of 221 participants ranging in ages from 60 to 90, with an average age of 72 to try and determine what type of activities offered the greatest benefit to aging brains. Participants were divided into 6 groups with three taking part in what researchers labeled “productive cognitive engagement” involving active learning. Activities included learning photography and how to edit photos on the computer, quilting on a computer-driven sewing machine or doing both photography and quilting.  Two other groups were assigned to what researchers referred to as the ‘receptive engagement conditions,’ and neither involved learning new things or engaging in unfamiliar intellectual activities. Rather p...

As statistics indicate more and more seniors are living well into their mid-80s and beyond, it is all the more reason to continue to play, learn, contribute, create and relax. For many older adults, retirement is the start of new adventures and a new lifestyle.  Rather than spending your last years lonely and socially isolated, today’s generation of seniors enjoy opportunities not available to their parents. Many are healthier and more active than earlier generations; and experts weigh-in on all of the choices seniors have to make retirement years transformative. One of those suggestions is to volunteer. If you haven’t done so before, consider the causes you are passionate about and ask yourself what you can to do help. Do you want to make a difference in the environment, get involved in local politics or your church, or help people in your community in need? These are just a few suggestions of the many programs and opportunities to feel useful.  Other ways you can grow is to...

If you have started the search for assisted living in the Houston area, you will want to include MorningStar at River Oaks. Our all-inclusive community offers an array of luxury amenities found at high-end resorts, while at the same time, all of the warmth and welcoming comforts of home. Every private suite is smartly-designed to maximize space and include floorplans in one and two-bedroom configurations. All have high-end finishes, wall-to-wall carpeting, large windows, lighting, and safety features such as full, handicap-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems.  Our goal is to give residents carefree retirement years by providing the care to help them maintain their independence , and the amenities and wellness programs to keep them engaged and looking forward to each new day. MorningStar at River Oaks’ all-day dining service means you can eat when you are hungry and not according to a rigid schedule. A full salon makes it easy to get a new hair style, treat yourself to ...

If you thought you would have to give up something to move into independent living , please meet MorningStar of Hillsboro, Hillsboro, OR’s newest 55+ community. Scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2021, our community has it all starting with 141 contemporary apartments in a range of configurations including spacious studios; and one- and two-bedroom floorplans. Each is ready to move into and feature full kitchens, in-suite washer/dryers, handicap-accessible bathrooms, 24-hour emergency call systems, choice of a private patio or balcony, and private heating & air conditioning.  If you love the idea of hanging out at home while being treated to resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Hillsboro is your place. We offer all the amenities and hospitality services you need to live a full, healthy life such as a fitness center, relaxing patios, club lounges, and a heated indoor pool. Your choice of dining venues includes a casual dining deck to a formal dining room or private dinin...

In a recent article in the US news & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health.  Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.       One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain.  An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.”  Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming.  However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider.   In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challengin...

Searching for memory care for a loved one that suits the person’s needs as well as the family’s is challenging at best. Knowing the person is dependent on getting the level of care they need for both their wellbeing and safety makes choosing the right home essential. Experts say start by taking your time to think about your loved one’s needs including daily personal care required such as dressing, toileting, bathing, etc. as well as any on-going medical needs.  Additionally do they have mobility issues and use a wheelchair or a walker; or do they need assistance eating? If the person is known to wander, you will want a secure home to keep him or her safe including alarms on the doors. Another thing experts say is to let a home know if the person is prone to angry outbursts or other aggressive behaviors.  Once you have a good idea of your loved one’s needs, now consider if the homes you are looking at are equipped to handle those needs. Ask about living arrangements, dining se...

As May is Arthritis Awareness month, experts discuss some of the common myths and facts regarding arthritis, a condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the two main types of arthritis, and a national survey found nearly half of adults 65 years and older have been diagnosed with arthritis. OA, the most common and leading cause of disability in older adults, is the result of cartilage between the bones in a joint wearing down.  Many people belief arthritis is only a disease of the elderly but RA, while not as common as OA, typically starts in individuals as young as 20 to 40 years old. People also mistakenly think if a joint hurts, it must be arthritis. Doctors say there are several reason a person may experience pain in and around joints including old injuries, bursitis, and tendinitis.  Another myth is you shouldn’t exercise if you if have arthritis; however, studies show exercise can actually help with rang...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, one out of every five Americans aged 65 years and older has a fall that results in an injury such as broken bones or a head injury.  However, medical professionals say while it is important for seniors to take precautions to prevent falls as injuries can be serious, they also remind us that regardless of how old we are, it is beneficial for our overall health to keep moving.  Experts explain that failing to engage in “mild exercise on a regular basis results in reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination, and reduced flexibility.” They go on to say that despite commonly held beliefs, falls are not a normal part of aging and there are things you can do to help keep you on your feet and mitigate the risk of a fall.  Their first advice is to talk to your doctor about your risk and prevention.  Tell them if you have fallen and discuss your medications to see i...

Medical experts say while people of all ages should keep up-to-date on recommended health screenings and vaccines, it is especially important for seniors as they have an elevated risk for health problems. Due to the pandemic, statistics show many seniors put off routine medical care , and doctors want them to start scheduling those appointments if they haven’t done so by now.  Under the umbrella of preventive health services , an annual wellness exam is on the top of the list. This visit is used to check blood pressure, weight, and body mass index as well as discuss current medications, level of exercise and diet. Your doctor may ask about your home life to or make sure you are getting the care you need.   While it was important to get your COVID-19 vaccine, doctors say don’t forget your flu vaccine this fall. Doctors also recommend seniors get the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) to help prevent pneumonia. Older women ...