MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Research supports the importance of seniors staying physically fit as well as keeping their brains’ fit. Harvard Health Publishing reports on research with mice and humans that show “brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological ‘plasticity’ and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.” Mentally stimulating activities such as trivia and memory games, puzzles, crosswords, board and card games can help maintain brain function. Even if you don’t have a partner to play with, many of these types of games can be found on a computer or tablet. Reading, taking courses, drawing, painting and experimenting with things that require manual dexterity are stimulating mental gymnastics. Other great brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities like playing an instrument or dancing. Board games, such as chess and checkers, require counting, strateg

Over the last decade, there have been many studies done regarding the various benefits of pets for seniors including providing loyal companionship and unconditional love. They can help keep a senior active as even if you don’t want to go for a walk, you know your dog needs one. In fact, studies show seniors with dogs are more physically active than other older adults without pets. Another thing about taking a dog out for a walk is it is a great way to meet new friends. However, before you rush out to get a dog or cat, veterinarians caution seniors (and their well-intentioned family members), to remember some animals are better suited to the energy level and temperament of older adults. They recommend several breeds of dogs that have a good disposition and are easy to care for. One breed making the list is the French bulldog as they are known as reliable companions and good walking partners. Poodles and Schipperkes are both loyal and intelligent and easy to care for. Veterinarians say a

The government first published nutritional recommendations in 1941, which became known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs). At the time, recommendations were more concerned with ensuring the population “as a whole was adequately fed and free from scurvy, rickets and other wartime diseases of malnutrition.” These early guidelines did not address long-term issues such as heart disease and diabetes. Since then, we have learned we need to focus on maintaining good nutritional habits well into our senior years to avoid or mitigate our risk for chronic diseases. One example is type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body’s muscle, fat and liver cells stop responding well to insulin resulting in consistently high blood sugar. Doctors say type 2 diabetes can be caused by too much sugar and refined-carbohydrates in our diet, and to lessen our risk, we should maintain a healthy weight and minimize blood-sugar spikes as well as add more fiber to our diet. Another thing older adults s

Being a caregiver for an elderly parent or another loved one can be stressful and over time your duties can increase to a point where it is more than you can handle. For your wellbeing as well as your parent’s, it is probably time to make a change. Today’s senior living communities offer a range of options including assisted living, designed to provide help with the ADLs (activities of daily living). This level of care allows the senior to regain their sense of independence; and for you, your time with mom or dad goes back to just enjoying being together. Assisted living communities like MorningStar at River Oaks offer residents much more than just comprehensive physical care. Residents enjoy a whole range of amenities and services as well as the opportunity to make new friends. At MorningStar at River Oaks, once the family decides to entrust us with the care of their loved one, we do a thorough evaluation of the person's medical history, background and personal preferences. Then

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 adjusted to the level of

Assisted living communities of today are designed to meet aging adults’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs. After working hard for a lifetime, seniors are offered well-deserved carefree retirement years with just the right amount of care and support. For many seniors, assisted living offers a better choice for those who require help in their daily lives than receiving in-home care services. This is because assisted living communities offer 24/7 care and provide the security of knowing help is not far away in the event of an emergency. For older adults who are still homeowners, assisted living means saying goodbye to yard work and never-ending home maintenance. For those already in an apartment, a move to an assisted living community provides an extra layer of security as well as amenities and programs not offered at most apartments. Another reason you may want to consider assisted living is that communities such as MorningStar at River Oaks are designed for the mo

MorningStar of Pasadena, a vibrant 55+ community, has a range of options including independent living, assisted living and memory care as well as short-term stays. We want prospective residents and their families to know we are here to answer all their questions, and once the decision is made to join our community, we provide the support needed to ensure a smooth transition. MorningStar’s apartments for independent living offer seniors a refreshing change of lifestyle with built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, activities and programming, and tasty meals they no longer need to cook. Our independent living option also provides peace of mind knowing that if you ever find yourself needing help with daily personal care; we can make sure you get it. Moreover, contrary to what many think about assisted living , it is designed to help seniors maintain their sense of independence. By providing assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), residents can focus on living their

If you are a senior or have a parent or other loved one that needs more daily help to ensure their safety and wellbeing, it may be time to consider an assisted living community . When you begin your search, please add MorningStar at River Oaks to the top of your list. Our beautiful community is in Houston’s popular Upper Kirby district and convenient to medical facilities, shopping, and restaurants as well as other services. Too often seniors worry that moving into assisted living will result in a loss of independence and freedom. They are afraid that assisted living communities are cold, institutional places that feel more like a hospital or nursing home. Moreover, many mistakenly believe it will mean a loss of privacy and the ability to make their own decisions. At MorningStar at River Oaks, this could not be further from the truth. What sets MorningStar apart from other senior living in Houston? Along with spacious private suites in a range of configurations and floor plans, a

When an older adult trips and falls, it can be life changing. Consequences include serious head injuries, hip fractures and broken bones, and in the worst cases, fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 3 million seniors are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries each year. Furthermore, more problems can arise as many seniors need several months to recover, which can cause a decline in strength and mobility as well as mental agility. It can also lead to the loss of independence and isolation. Statistics show most falls happen for a handful of reasons and being forewarned may help prevent one. The environment, especially the person’s home and surrounding outdoor area is one of the biggest culprits. Danger spots include slippery bathtubs, high mattresses, steep stairs, poorly lit hallways, loose rugs, obstacles in walkways and clutter. Experts say a little bit of time spent addressing these problems with things like non-slip bath mats and grab

Looking for the freedom to pursue new interests and hobbies, and to do more than just dream about new experiences? Independent living offers a refreshing change of lifestyle and gives you the opportunity to say goodbye to the endless chores and maintenance associated with homeownership. Other often overlooked benefits include built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, activities and programming, and delicious meals designed by our Executive Chef. At MorningStar of Pasadena, we allow seniors to enjoy carefree retirement years, extend their independence and continue the adventure. For the most active seniors, we offer stylish independent living suites in a variety of floorplans and configurations. Choices include cozy studios to a two-bedroom, two-bath plan. Each apartment has high-end finishes, kitchenette, handicapped-accessible bathroom, emergency call system, and private heating and cooling. Depending on the location within our community, some suites offer a balcony. Our onsi

MorningStar at River Oaks wants to reassure families considering assisted living that if their loved one moves into our home, we will see to it they receive the care they need. Before the resident even moves in, our Wellness Director will meet with the family to thoroughly discuss the person’s medical history, current health condition, medications, and personal preferences. In addition, we regularly review, evaluate, and update care plans to ensure changing needs are addressed. As a family member, some of your concerns may be focused on your parent or loved one’s medications especially if they have had problems taking them on time, all the time, or incorrectly. If you want to know if we offer medication management, the answer is yes, and we also offer pharmacy services. We consider medication management to be an important service to our residents as we know many seniors with chronic health conditions take several prescription medications daily, which can result in missed or improp

MorningStar of Pasadena is a vibrant 55+ community located 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. An expansion of our community is currently under construction and will provide additional independent living apartments when it opens in early 2025. We are one of seven MorningStar communities either operating or under construction in California. As a MorningStar of Pasadena resident, you will be treated to a whole host of resort-style amenities and services including a five-star dining experience. All residents are treated to meals prepared under the supervision of our Executive Chef and served restaurant-style in our beautiful dining room. We understand that food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of living. We also know food always tastes better and is enjoyed more when shared in community and breaking bread together helps to bond us as a family and as friends. Our meals are prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients from th

The American Heart Association offers a checklist of eight key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health. The Life’s Essential 8 is designed to highlight things we can do to lower our risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems. In 2022, the Association added sleep duration to the list as a component of heart health. They say the amount and quality of sleep can influence a person’s eating habits, mood, memory, internal organs and more. One advantage to getting enough sleep is being more productive. After spending years working long hours to the detriment of a good night's sleep, Ariana Huffington now says, “The irony is that a lot of people forgo sleep in the name of productivity. But in fact our productivity is reduced substantially when we’re sleep deprived.” Professor of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Charles Czeisler, explains being sleep deprived can impair your abilities and is similar to being drunk. Poor sleep habits can caus

The term sarcopenia refers to age-related muscle loss and is a natural part of growing older. However, it also may occur at a faster pace after prolonged periods of inactivity from injury, illness or the pain of osteoarthritis. Sarcopenia causes muscle atrophy and brings on problems such as poor balance and greater weakness, which in turn, can result in more inactivity and increased risks for falls. Seniors with muscle atrophy may have difficulty reaching their arms upward, opening jars, typing on a keyboard or even tying shoes. The Harvard Medical School reports findings of a 2015 study on muscle loss in older men taking part in eight weeks of strength training. After stopping for two weeks, the men lost approximately 25 percent of their muscle gains. Jodi Klein, a physical therapist with Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital, suggests a few things you can do if you know you have a surgical procedure ahead of you that could cause muscle atrophy. She says if you are current

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 33% of women and 20% of men 65 years and older lived by themselves in 2020. Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely, but it often is the case. Problems contributing to loneliness in seniors are that most no longer work outside the home and social circles begin to shrink with the passing of spouses or friends, and family members moving away. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) cites studies showing seniors who say they feel socially isolated and lonely are more at risk for health problems such as cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease associated with loneliness. For many seniors the answer is moving to a retirement community where they find comfort, wellbeing and security as well as companionship. The experts at AgingCare.com say one of the biggest advantages of senior living (aside from receiving necessary care) is that opportunities for socialization and fulfillment are available right outside a residen

If you want to get something special for mom or dad or another loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, it can be challenging to figure out a good gift. This is where the Internet can lend a hand with a range of items designed to enhance your loved one’s quality of life. Dementia care specialists say it can take a little more time and some creativity but there are many great gift ideas. One idea is personalized gifts or memory-filled ones. A photo album filled with pictures of the person surrounded by people important to them, or a picture book from a place they loved to visit. A coffee mug personalized with a photo or a cozy throw filled with favorite family pictures are also good ideas. Music from their younger years, show tunes and old movies are sure to make them smile and can be a good way to spend an afternoon together listening to their new gifts. Coloring books filled with pictures of things they love such as animals or flowers, and a set of new marke

  While a retirement community may sound appealing, many seniors worry the cost is too high. The truth is, there is a wide range in the cost of independent living communities based on things like geographic location, services and amenities that all impact your monthly fee.  Luxury communities in metropolitan areas tend to be priced higher as do those in more desirable neighborhoods. Also, the apartment’s square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, location within the community such as sought-after views or end-units, balconies or private patios can all up the price.  Experts say it is important to consider the value of the services and amenities you receive. In your own home, you may have paid for things like lawn care and landscaping services as well as encountered unexpected home repairs and maintenance upkeep. Utilities and property taxes for a home that may have more space than you need at this stage in your life can be costly.  Additionally, safely aging in place can often requ

  The National Institute of Health reports approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Hearing loss causes someone a range of problems including difficulty understanding and following a doctor’s advice, responding to safety warnings, and hearing doorbells, phone calls, and alarms. Another all-too common problem is it can be hard to follow conversations with family and friends, and many start avoiding situations where they may be frustrated or embarrassed.  Medical experts advise asking your primary care physician for a referral to an otolaryngologist, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They will try to determine the cause of your hearing loss and treatment options. They may refer you to an audiologist who is trained in measuring the degree of loss as well as recomme