MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Seniors often brush aside the thought of moving into a senior living community as they believe it would be too costly, but in many cases it is much more affordable than it looks at first glance. The reason for this is people are not factoring in all of the services, amenities and other tangible and intangible benefits provided by community living.  For example, if you need assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), you may already be paying for daily in-home care that in itself can add up. Experts estimate the rule of thumb for assisted living vs in-home care is if a person requires more than 40 hours per week of paid home care; assisted living may be a better bargain.  Not to mention, you may need to factor in things like home modifications that need to be done to the home in order to safely live there. Structural changes like replacing a stairway, adding stair lifts, constructing a wheelchair ramp, or replacing a bathtub with a walk-in-shower can be costly, an...

Researchers say a future of hip or knee “replacements” done without surgery may be on the horizon. By employing a combination of drugs and stem-cell therapies, it may be possible to “repair cartilage before osteoarthritis sets in or an operation is needed.”   Osteoarthritis, commonly afflicting the elderly, is a degenerative disease attributed to "wear and tear" but can also be caused by earlier sports injuries, obesity and other trauma to the cartilage around the knee, hip or shoulder joints. Experts explain the loss of cartilage, which does not have its own blood supply or nerves, limits its ability to mend itself and is the major cause of joint pain and arthritis affecting over 32.5 million people in the U.S. In 2017 alone, there were 754,000 knee replacements done and 448,000 hip replacements.   Michael Longaker, a professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and co-director of its Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, exp...

Many seniors are realizing 55+ communities offer a lifestyle of comfort and security by combining the privacy and independence of one’s own space along with a community of peers in the same stage of life. If you are thinking about a move to a retirement community, senior living experts offer some tips on how to find the best fit for your needs.  One of the first things you may want to consider is location. Is it close to medical facilities, shopping, entertainment and local parks? In addition how important is it to be near family and friends? Experts say even if you are in good physical shape, you may want a place with wide doorways and grab bars to accommodate any limitations you may encounter in the future. Does the apartment need to have a balcony or patio? How many bedrooms do you need, and how many bathrooms? Is the area within your budget? If not experts say there is no point falling in love with an apartment you cannot afford. Also ask about what type of security the commu...

Currently Shingrix is the only vaccine approved for adults 50 years and older to protect against shingles. This vaccine is important as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly one in three people in the U.S. develop shingles at some point, and every year an estimated 1 million people are diagnosed with the disease.   Symptoms of shingles include pain, rash, itching, and at first fluid-filled, then eventually crusting blisters. People can additionally suffer from a hypersensitivity to touch or light as well as headaches and fevers. The disease can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and pain is generally most intense in the first few weeks. Some individuals may require pain medication to sleep or get comfort.    Medical professionals say now is the time to get a Shingrix vaccine. When it first came on the market in 2017 so many people wanted it there weren’t enough dosages to meet demand. Now manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline report...

Experts say medication management is an important preventive measure to avoid potential serious health hazards for seniors. As many older adults take multiple medications, vitamins, and supplements to treat different symptoms and health conditions, they are at a greater risk for medication mix-ups. Research indicates “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 is the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report approximately 350,000 people are hospitalized each year due to adverse, or harmful, drug events. While these episodes are usually preventable, doctors acknowledge it can be confusing keeping track of daily dosages and special instructions such as to take with or without food or the time of day, etc. If an elderly parent or grandparent is taking several medicat...

In many parts of the country, extreme weather has made it a very challenging year especially for older adults and people suffering from many chronic health conditions including asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Not only have areas experienced record-setting heat waves but many have also had to deal with poor air quality due to wild fires, to the point of people asking themselves, if it is safe to go outside.  Extreme hot temperatures can be deadly as recently reported by the Harvard Medical Publishing website. They report on disturbing statistics showing more than “a third of all heat-related deaths in the US and worldwide have been attributed to climate change. In the US alone, heat is responsible for an estimated 5,600 deaths annually.”  Smoke from wildfires has been widespread and can irritate the eyes and lungs, and worsen some medical conditions. The Oregon Smoke Information site says, “People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lu...

Many people believe growing older is awful and that everyone in their eighties is sickly and depressed. However, in 86-year-old psychologist Katharine Esty’s fourth book called, EightySomethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness , she strongly dispels this notion. In fact, her research found elderly adults are happier and hold a more positive outlook than most of us thought. Esty explains, “The stereotypes that people have in their minds about old age are just completely wrong.” She adds, the type of activities people in their eighties are doing is stunning and many are pain-free, living full productive lives. It turns out a lot of octogenarians are still working full- or part-time jobs, or finding fulfillment in doing some sort of volunteer work through their communities or church. Esty says having a purpose in life, regardless of age, gives a person’s life meaning. In addition, most 80-year-olds have already experienced loss and hardships...

The entire month of October is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Started in 1985, the National Breast Cancer Awareness month began as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries. Breast cancer survivor and former first lady Betty Ford kicked off the week-long event. The symbol of the pink ribbon was introduced in 1992 and sponsored by the Estée Lauder cosmetic company, which handed out 1.5 million ribbons. It is still used today to promote awareness and to support survivals and those who died from the disease.  The month-long activities are designed to increase awareness and raise funds for research, and educate the public about breast cancer and the benefits of early detection. This year many cities are excited to have the chance to hold public events again, and will closely follow the CDC, state and local guidance and regulations. For the safety and wellbeing of participants, events will be held at outdoo...

Not only is physical exercise good for our heart and cognitive health but it can help older adults stay steady on their feet. Studies show regular physical activity can reduce the risk of falls in older adults at a high risk of falling by nearly one third.  Experts explain certain kinds of exercise helps increase muscle mass and bone strength as well as improve balance and coordination, fight off osteoporosis, and reduce the risk for fractures and broken bones. Some of the best exercises are known as weight-bearing, which require a person to carry their weight and work against gravity. Examples include walking, dancing, hiking, climbing stairs, jogging and playing tennis or basketball. Doctors say if you can manage it, increasing your pace during aerobics, jogging and power walking make the exercises even more effective at strengthening bone density.   Resistance exercises also work against gravity and help build muscle mass and improve bone strength. Strength training ...

While we know exercise is good for us, certain ailments can make it more challenging for some seniors. However, you may want to be mindful of advice from the Harvard Medical School that says, “Regular exercise promotes an older adult’s ability to walk, bathe, cook, eat, dress, and use the restroom. If self-reliance is a priority, exercise is one of the best ways to maintain independence for older adults.” In fact, study after study has found exercise offers older adults a longer, healthier, and happy life; but before you begin, please check with your doctor on the best exercise for your level of fitness.    Low impact exercises such as water aerobics and chair yoga are especially good for seniors as they offer lots of benefits and are easy on the body. With water aerobics, the natural buoyancy of the water puts less stress on the joints and it can improve balance, flexibility and strength. Chair yoga puts less stress on the body than regular yoga and can easily be adjuste...

Medical experts say the risk for a pulmonary embolism (PE, also known as a lung embolism) doubles every 10 years after the age of 60. It is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. Typically a PE is caused by blood clots, called deep vein thrombosis, that travel from the legs or occasionally other parts of the body into the lungs. Both men and women are equally at risk and certain inherited conditions, heart disease, surgery, cancer, kidney disease or lack of mobility from bed rest or long car or plane trips increases a person’s risk.  Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fever, and swelling or pain in the leg. As a PE blocks the flow of blood to the lungs, it can be life threatening and doctors warn anyone experiencing unexpected symptoms to seek immediate medical help .   The Mayo Clinic reports “about one-third of people with undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don't survive. When the co...