Skip to main content

Strategies for Healthy Living


If we are lucky, we are all going to get a lot older, but experts say with a few common sense adjustments, we can live healthier, more productive lives than our grandparents or even parents. Moreover, it is worthwhile to plan for a long life as mortality rates have risen from just an average age of 47 for men and women in 1900 to older adults routinely reaching their eighties, nineties and upward.

In fact, studies report it is possible to grow older without a significant decline in health. Linda Fried, dean of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and director of the Robert Butler Columbia Aging Center, says, “The idea that living longer necessarily means enduring significant declines in health has changed in the last two decades.” She adds, “It’s possible to increase your health span as long as your life span. Some decline in health and function is inevitable. But the image that older life is about decrepitude turns out not to be right.”

Spending decades working in the field of gerontology, Harry "Rick" Moody reminds older adults that even if they are living with health challenges, they should not lose sight of the opportunity for living a meaningful and positive life. He says at 76 his hearing is bad but he compensates by wearing a hearing aid. His advice is "If you compensate, you’ll age successfully. If you don’t, you won’t age successfully.”

Strategies for healthy aging include not limiting yourself by saying you are too old, to keep learning, keep exercising and to eat a healthy diet. Staying close to family and friends, getting enough sleep and using adaptive skills to compensate for things like short-term memory loss and a general slow-down of cognitive and physical abilities are also part of the process.

At MorningStar of Kirkland, our goal is to provide seniors the opportunity to live life to the fullest. We do this through a full component of wellness programs and activities, hospitality services, luxury amenities and a team that feels honored to serve seniors. Contact us to learn what sets us apart from other independent senior living in Kirkland and why MorningStar is a great place to call home.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest senior living Kirkland, WA offers. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Be an Active Partner in Your Medical Care

Experts suggest that a good way to reduce medical errors regarding your care or that of a loved one is to be an active partner in the process whether in a hospital setting, doctors’ office or the pharmacy. In fact, a study showed 7% of hospitalized patients experienced an event that was considered preventable which negatively affected their health. Furthermore, harmful errors in primary and outpatient health care settings are typically related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines. Mistakes associated with misdiagnosis result in delayed treatment for the real problem and having the wrong medications prescribed or supplied can cause serious complications. However, it is important to keep in mind that some medical errors are a result of patients failing to disclose all the medications they take including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Another problem is the failure to reveal pertinent details regarding a person’s prior medical history as well as lifestyle habits s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Adjust Your Attitude toward “Growing Older”

New studies suggest our attitude toward growing older may affect how well we do with our own aging process. Researchers report findings that show those who negatively view aging may have a higher likelihood of developing changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease . One such study was published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Psychology and Aging. Its authors suggest if a person shifts their belief about aging to a more positive view; it may be beneficial in helping to mitigate the ravages of Alzheimer’s. Associate professor of public health and psychology at the Yale School of Public Health and the study’s leader, Becca Levy said, “We believe it is the stress generated by the negative beliefs about aging that individuals sometimes internalize from society that can result in pathological brain changes.” She says while these findings are concerning, “it is encouraging to realize that these negative beliefs about aging can be mitigated, and positive beli...
1 comment
Read more

Companion Living Available at MorningStar’s Community in Houston

MorningStar at River Oaks recognizes that for some, assisted living can seem out of reach for them financially, which is why we strive to help families find ways to make it affordable. One of the solutions we offer is “Companion Living.” This is where two unrelated people of the same sex share a suite, whether in assisted living or memory care. Obviously, it is ideal if you have a relative, friend or acquaintance that is looking for the same type of situation and you can pair up to share a suite with them. However, we know that option is not always available, so we step in and help find a suitable companion for you. We carefully pair residents together based on common backgrounds and interests as that provides a good basis for building a friendship. With this living arrangement, the rent of the shared suite is split. Beyond the financial advantage, companion living can help ease the transition to a senior living community . The presence of a roommate can encourage more confident ...
Post a Comment
Read more