MorningStar Independent Living Blog

As we age, it is important to stay up-to-date with our health care including routine screenings as many diseases do not show signs of symptoms until the problem is harder to treat. Screenings also allow your physician to compare today’s readings to past tests to look for concerning signs. However, medical experts estimate over half of all adults over 65 are not current with the recommended screenings. In many cases our age determines the type of screenings we should get. Some tests are recommended once a year, while others, like a colonoscopy, may be based on past test results and/or on the advice of your doctor. Common screenings include annual cholesterol tests to measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Cholesterol tests can help “determine your risk for the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body (atherosclerosis).” Your blood pressure should be checked each time you visit a he

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. In terms of numbers, that’s an estimated 13.8 million seniors . Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely, but it often is the case. Not to mention, the pandemic certainly made matters worse as many seniors self-isolated from family and friends. Whatever the cause of loneliness, research shows it takes a toll on people. In fact, a study from Brigham Young University reports loneliness can be as deadly as smoking or obesity. Study authors explain senior isolation “may complicate existing conditions, encourage an unhealthy lifestyle, and affect cognition.” The American Psychiatric Association says seniors who report feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to depression and poor health habits including excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. Research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging found the “risk of Alzheimer’s nearly doubled in lonely adults,

If you are retired, you probably have more time on your hands so why not try something new or something you have always wanted to do. This should include adding a physical activity to your daily routine as studies find many adults 65 years and older spend up to 10 hours a day sitting or lying down. Some of the best exercises for seniors are Nordic walking, swimming, golf, tai chi, and yoga. Experts say focus on improving your strength, balance and flexibility and check with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise routine. In addition, you may want to include activities or hobbies that bring you into social contact with others. This can be done by taking a class online or in person. Suggestions include joining a book club, learning to play an instrument or taking an art or photography class. Retirement means more time to learn how to cook or to be more adventurous in the types of food you prepare. It can be lots of fun and help you eat healthier and save money. Take the

A Place for Mom’s website, a free service that helps families in their senior care search, reports the various services offered at assisted living communities can make it a healthier, safer living option for many seniors. As services typically involve 24/7 care, nutritional meals and wellness programs, it means residents receive the kind of care required to enhance their quality of life. Assisted living communities such as MorningStar at River Oaks provide the social connections necessary to seniors’ wellbeing as well as intellectual stimulation. The individual and their family get peace of mind knowing help is available when it is needed. Likewise, recent research shows assisted living communities may help seniors avoid falls as most are equipped with safety features such as handicap-accessible bathrooms and wheelchair accessible doorways. MorningStar’s emergency call systems in each suite also means immediate help is at hand. MorningStar at River Oaks offers seniors assistance wit

Most seniors wish to maintain their independence as long as possible by living on their own; and this is why many who encounter problems in their day-to-day lives are reluctant to tell their families. The problem with this is as a senior starts to have more difficulty caring for themselves , their quality of life can be greatly diminished. Even if mom or dad seem to be doing well on their own, experts say a rapid decline in their health from an accident or illness can catch families by surprise and make living on their own dangerous. In addition, many health conditions affect musculoskeletal, neurological, circulatory or sensory systems and impact a senior’s ability to perform the activities of daily living (ADLs). Experts say other factors indicating a need for more help include social isolation, medication side effects and the physical characteristics of the person’s home such as a second floor bedroom. If after implementing a series of home modifications is not adequate, more measur

In an 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 improve 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 challenging our brain and maintaining brain health. This could include activi

We all know it is important to exercise to stay healthy; but what do you do when an older person you love is a confirmed couch potato and doesn’t want to change. While they are not alone, surveys show only 39% of people over 65 meet the recommended amount of activity each week; it is better to be one of those who do. Add to that, the older people get, the number decreases even more. The U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services' Health.gov site defines an inactive lifestyle as spending less than 20 minutes each day engaged in moderate intensity exercise. Examples of moderate intensity activities include a brisk walk, dancing, aerobics, and bike riding. The CDC’s guidelines for adults over the age of 65 is to do 2 ½ to five hours a week of moderate-intensity activity or 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. If someone is physically unable to meet these guidelines, they suggest doing some type of regular physical activity in accordance with their ab

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 ; judgment 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

If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Pasadena CA’s MorningStar community is a step above the rest. Our recently renovated community is ideally located in the commercial and cultural heart of the San Gabriel Valley, convenient to shops, entertainment, and other services. For stress-free living and a refreshing change of lifestyle, MorningStar of Pasadena has it all. With 149 stylish suites, we provide seniors with carefree, comfortable retirement years . Several floor plans are available including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. Each apartment has high-end finishes and a kitchenette, and some have balconies. All that’s missing are your personal furnishings to make it feel like home, and yes, we’re also pet friendly. In addition, MorningStar of Pasadena has beautifully appointed, warm and inviting common areas where residents can comfortably gather and enjoy the day. Residents particularly enjoy the gardens, bistro and community room. When you visit

Several studies are showing links to our dietary habits and our risk for Alzheimer’s disease.  The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.    Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay , the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar.  Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.” One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads.  The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily.  MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berries at least twice a

We all want our loved ones to lead long, healthy lives so why not include some healthy gift ideas in mind for future birthdays and other gift-giving opportunities. One suggestion is to buy a loved one a fitness watch. The marketplace has a wide assortment of watches as well as sensor devices to measure your daily footsteps and help keep you moving. Moreover, they come in many price points and offer a variety of features. Research shows measuring your daily activity improves your fitness level and can help people with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease boost physical activity levels. JAMA Network Open published a finding which reviewed 38 randomized clinical trials with 4,203 participants. They stated that “interventions with wearable fitness trackers were associated with significantly increased physical activity levels after approximately 15 weeks. Devices such as pedometers or trackers that count steps were associated with greater levels of physical activity in about 70 percent o

The wait is over, and the final touches are complete. On March 3rd MorningStar Senior Living of Kirkland opened with an inaugural reception for well over 100 Kirkland families, businesses and healthcare professionals. Ken Jaeger, MorningStar’s Founder/CEO and Janet Sederquist, Executive Director of the new community along with first depositor Bonnie Heather cut the ribbon. The celebration continued March 5th and 6th with a Grand Opening Celebration Weekend. The new MorningStar of Kirkland community is situated in the idyllic Totem Lake area. Residents will not only appreciate our contemporary apartments and luxury amenities but our location. We offer strolling paths on our sprawling grounds as well as lots of local trails as we are minutes from Juanita Bay, the Sammamish River Trail, and Sammamish Valley Park. Our community is close to the Evergreen Health Medical Center, shopping and restaurants, and around 20 minutes to Seattle. At MorningStar, we consider serving seniors to be o

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 well being. 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

Experts say it isn’t just our imagination that losing weight gets harder the older we become but is most likely due to having less muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat. To help, they offer easy tips on how to painlessly replace calorie-laden foods with healthier, lower-calorie substitutes. In addition to the fact that nutrient-rich foods appear to help individuals be successful in their quest to lose weight, meals do not necessarily have to be smaller than your average intake. Dietitians suggest an easy food swap is to drink water flavored with lemon slices or sparkling water rather than sugary sodas. One study found by replacing refined grains with whole grains it “improved blood cholesterol levels and decreased percent of body fat in postmenopausal women.” Replacing sugary granola with heart-healthy oatmeal can also help control your weight. Not only is oatmeal a good source of soluble fiber known to reduce cholesterol but it contains magnesium and potassium known to promo

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 living, Pasadena. CA’s MorningStar community may be the place for you. MorningStar of Pasadena is designed to provide seniors with stress-free living, as we handle the maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping. This leaves you free to pursue your interests, explore new hobbies, travel and meet new friends. Our luxury community provides all the services, resort-style amenities, and programs to ensure residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Starting with a 5-Star dining service that includes meals prepared largely

An advanced directive is a legal document giving you a voice involving medical decisions in the event you are incapacitated. Many people shy away from creating such documents as they fail to realize how important they are, and mistakenly worry they are signing away their lives, and/or don’t like thinking about being so ill they are unable to make decisions. Advance care planning documents may include a living will, power of attorney and health care proxy. By planning ahead, they guide decisions made on your behalf if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself; and express your desires and values related to end-of-life care. Living wills specify the kind of medical treatment desired and many simply express the desire to not be given life-sustaining measures that only serve to prolong a person’s death. Specific details may regard care including the use of pain medications, antibiotics, hydration, feeding and the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or ventilators. A health c

If you are ready to begin a new chapter in your retirement years, love the idea of maintenance-free living, or would like to move closer to family; why not consider a 55+ community. Moving into smaller living quarters also means lower utility bills, less space to clean and less clutter in your life. This also means you may have to downsize as senior living apartments are generally smaller than your family home. Think of it as an opportunity to get rid of stuff you have been hanging on to for years, and most likely no longer need. If after looking around your home and realizing you have a big job ahead of you, it may be time to get a few tips from organizing experts. On top of the list is to consider the size of your new home. This will give you a good idea of what you should take and what needs to go. If you are helping an older parent go through their home, remember change can be difficult and letting go of possessions, also means letting go of their old way of life. Be respectful an