MorningStar Independent Living Blog

As a vibrant 55+ community, MorningStar of Pasadena offers 149 bright suites offering seniors a choice of independent living or assisted living. Our independent living is designed for active seniors who love the idea of someone else handling the maintenance and housekeeping giving them more time to socialize, travel and pursue their hobbies and interests. Assisted living is for seniors who require a little help with activities of daily living (ADLs) to improve their quality of life.  Many residents report being surprised by how full their lives are after a move into an assisted living community. Moreover rather than lose their independence as many fear such a move would do, most are pleased to discover once they get the daily care they need, they are more ready than ever to lead productive lives.    Community life solves the problem of loneliness as well as problems with meal prep many elderly adults experience, often resorting to frozen meals or fast food. MorningStar residents enjo

Once mom or dad has made the decision to move to a senior living community, you will want it to go as smooth as possible and this includes helping them choose the right place to meet today’s needs as well as those they may encounter over the next 5 to 10 years. In some cases, a move to an assisted living community is precipitated by a worsening medical condition or an injury due to a fall and the time to mentally prepare oneself is short. This is why MorningStar of Pasadena has a guide to help families navigate through such a momentous change in a senior’s life.   Googling senior living in Pasadena will bring up quite a few hits so experts recommend narrowing down the candidates to 3 or 4 communities that offer assisted living. Start with reading reviews from families and residents’ themselves to see what they say about the place, and then consider location, price and amenities.  Touring a community is a real eye-opener and the Internet offers many tips on what to look for during you

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) says the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among older adults. Experts say worrying about everything in your life including worrying about too much worrying may be a sign of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The National Institute of Mental Health explain people suffering from GAD feel extremely worried or nervous about all kinds of things even when there is no reason to feel nervous about them. This constant worry can cause anxious feelings that interfere with one’s life and result in an inability to stay focused on daily tasks.  Some individuals suffering from GAD even worry about their safety and the safety of loved one or feel something bad is going to happen. The disorder can cause distress socially or at the workplace and shift from one concern to another. Symptoms of GAD include: Persistent, excessive worry about several different things for at least six months Fatigue, difficulty s

Social scientists say “aging gracefully” should not be just a expression but rather something people should take to heart as they enter into their senior years. Maintaining a positive attitude as we age can help us better weather the many ups and downs we encounter along the journey.  A comprehensive study from the Yale School of Epidemiology and Public Health followed 660 seniors age 50 years and older and found those who held a more positive view on growing older lived on average 7.5 years longer than those with a negative view. Researchers added negative views on old age may even make someone more susceptible to developing the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However they report if a person shifts to a more positive way of thinking, the adverse outcome may be mitigated.    Dr. Manfred Diehl, professor of human development and family studies at Colorado State University, advises people on how to develop a more positive approach to aging. His first recommendation is

Since our company was founded in 2003, we have believed it is a privilege to “cast a new light” on senior living guided by the following precepts: to honor God in our business practices and relationships; value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. In addition, we firmly believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless.  If you are looking for exceptional senior housing , Kirkland’s MorningStar community may be the place for you. Opening later this year, the new MorningStar of Kirkland is designed to provide active seniors with a carefree lifestyle, as we handle the maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping. This leaves you free to pursue your interests, explore new hobbies, travel and meet new friends. As our contemporary-styled building is both a gracious home and high-end resort, we offer a range of amenities, concierge services and wellness programs to promote a healthy and engaged

Research has shown pets are beneficial to seniors. A Place for Mom’s website reports on one study, which found “15 minutes spent bonding with an animal sets off a chemical chain reaction in the brain, lowering levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol and increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin. The result: heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels immediately drop.” Researchers explain interactions between human and pets can lower cholesterol levels, fight depression and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke.  Pets can teach seniors to live in the here and now as they do, and dogs and cats are great at offering their owners unconditional love, emotional support and affection. In fact animals uplift the spirits of those in hospitals, convalescent homes, mental health centers, and nursing homes and assisted living communities through pet therapy programs. Moreover pet therapy has proven beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of d

Too many older Americans used to exercise with some frequency but somehow life got in the way, and they now feel out of shape. Whether you used to exercise or never formally did, doctors say it is not too late to start and you will be the better for it. However before beginning any new excise regime, please consult with your healthcare provider.  The National Institute on Aging (NIA) say deciding to become active is the best thing you can do for your physical as well as mental health , and is a big step toward helping you stay independent as you age. They recommendation seniors do some type of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or fast dancing, at least 150 minutes a week at least three times a week. In addition include some type of weight bearing exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups or weight-lifting two times a week. Your optimal weekly workout should be a combination of cardio and muscle strengthening exercises along with exercises to improve balance and flexibi

If you are moving from your own home into an independent living community or another type of senior housing, most likely you will want to downsize. While it can sound overwhelming to go through a whole household of stuff and whittle it down to fit into a modest sized apartment, a few tips will help.  Without question it is a lot of work and can be stressful and emotional but the Internet offers lots of useful information from organizing experts. Most say the trick is to prepare in advance by making a plan and allowing plenty of time. Remember, if you are interested, there are companies who offer these services and will do everything from helping with the downsizing process to packing up, and moving your things to your new home.  Now you are ready for the sorting out process deciding what you will bring and what to give to family, donate, or throw away. This is the hardest task as your house is full of memories but again here is where a system works. Experts say sort by rooms and simp

Many times a move to assisted living for an elderly loved one is due to an event such as a recent hospitalization for a fall or a worsening medical condition. This means the person does not have the time to process the move from a beloved home, and the sudden change may be very upsetting. Even for seniors who have had the time to plan a move into assisted living, it may be challenging.  At MorningStar at River Oaks, we know the many benefits assisted living communities such as ours afford to residents; but at the same time, we recognize any change is difficult and moving into assisted living is certainly one of those events. In addition to our own experience, experts also offer suggestions to families on how best to support their loved one during the transition.   Their advice includes remembering the person may feel abandoned, or frustrated with their perceived loss of independence and decision making, and have a hard time adjusting to a change in their routine. They say you should

The U.S. Census Bureau reports almost 13.8 million seniors live alone. We know various causes including chronic and worsening health conditions, hearing loss, no longer driving, mobility issues, loss of a spouse or other loved ones can result in loneliness and isolation for older adults on their own.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States, and puts them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions.” They cite statistics showing social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death, and rivals those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Moreover studies find social isolation is associated with approximately a 50% increased risk of dementia, a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. The CDC also warns loneliness is linked to higher risk of depression, suici

Growing older can open the door to chronic diseases, impaired mobility and other distressing health concerns. While there are many challenges we encounter on our path to old age, medical experts say there are some things we can do to improve and protect our overall wellbeing. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, explains, “It’s important to recognize the things that are most supportive of a good immune system are a healthy lifestyle.” This starts with the basics like making sure we get enough sleep each night, following a healthy diet, and staying physically active. Other things we can do to improve the immune system is to support our gut microbiome by eating plant-based foods and whole grains to naturally get probiotics. The best sources of probiotics are from fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi. Experts say drinking responsibly is

Does your elderly mom or dad dismiss the idea of assisted living fearing it would end their independence and life as they know it? Do they think assisted living homes are more like nursing homes of the past? We want to reassure you and your senior loved ones that assisted living communities such as MorningStar at River Oaks are not a nursing home. In fact we do not offer skilled nurse services but rather provide assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), along with engaging activities and other services intended to improve and enhance quality of life.   It is important to a senior’s overall health that they receive proper care as the website Aging.com reports, “Functional status and the ability to care for oneself have a significant impact on a senior's quality of life. Unmet needs for help with activities of daily living can lead to malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, isolation, illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and falls.” In fact studies show seniors

Some people think a move to an assisted living community signals an end to their independence but nothing could be further from the truth. At the MorningStar of Pasadena senior living community, we respect the fact that seniors have spent a lifetime living independently, raising families, working jobs, and making their own decisions, and consider it our job to continue to help them lead full, purposeful lives.  We know many of the challenges that come all too often with aging such as worsening medical conditions, failing eyesight, hearing impairments and mobility problems as well as the death of a spouse or friends can make it tough for seniors to live on their own. Isolation and loneliness can bring on feelings of hopelessness and depression; have a negative impact on mental health, and even affect quality of life. As one of our MorningStar of Pasadena’s assisted living residents, you will receive the personal daily care you need to help maintain your independence. Our services incl

Optometrists and ophthalmologists explain practicing good eye care includes regular eye exams. The current recommendation for those between 40 to 65 years of age is an exam every 2 to 4 years. For adults over 65, the recommendation is every 1 to 2 years and should include a check for eye diseases and conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. During a dilated eye exam, an ophthalmologist will check pupil reaction, eye pressure, retina, optic nerve, side/peripheral vision, eye movement, muscle balance and coordination. They will also check your focusing ability and eye glass prescription. The doctor will ask about your medical history including if you or a family member has diabetes, as diabetics have a higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma as well as diabetic retinopathy. In addition they will want to know if you have high blood pressure as over time it can cause damage to the blood vessels around the eyes. Shingles i