MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Each year elderly seniors fall prey to ruthless schemes that rob them of their money and identity. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), In 2021, there were over 92,000 older victims of fraud resulting in $1.7 billion in losses. The sad part is that it is often a result of a senior’s trusting nature or feelings of isolation and loneliness; or in some cases, a senior may have cognitive issues that impair their judgement and decision-making skills. Experts explain there are several reasons why seniors are more susceptible to fraudulent schemes starting with the fact they tend to be very trusting. Our elderly population was typically raised to be polite and agreeable to others, which in turn can make them more susceptible to fraud. Lonely seniors can easily be preyed upon as they are willing to stay on the phone and engage in conversation with a stranger. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) alerts the public to scams targeting seniors so if you have a parent or other ...

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...

As one of Houston’s top senior communities, MorningStar at River Oaks offers compassionate care services, luxury amenities and a complement of wellness programs and activities to enhance residents’ quality of life and allow them to comfortably age in place. Assisted living residents receive a Personalized Care Plan to help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) 24/7 care managers, medication management, access to licensed nurses and other supportive third-party providers. As each team member plays a big role in creating an atmosphere of love and respect throughout our community, our first requirement when hiring is to have a great heart. Our distinguished staff recognizes it is a privilege to care for seniors and strives to nurture connections between residents, families and fellow team members. MorningStar at River Oaks’ amenities include a fitness center, theater/chapel, salon, bistro, clubroom and underground parking. The sky terrace is a great place to relax with friends and en...

Medical experts say there are five numbers adults should know that can impact their health. Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, editor-in-chief at the Harvard Heart Letter and part of the interventional cardiovascular programs at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explains, "For my patients, I typically look at their blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides values, and their waist circumference." While there are specific recommendations, doctors also say the ideal values are good goals for most people but your doctor may suggest different numbers based on your age and other health conditions. Current recommended blood pressure numbers are less than 120/80 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure is the first number and diastolic blood pressure the second number, and together they measure how hard your heart is working and the condition of your blood vessels. High blood pressure (HBP) can damage blood vessels and increase a person’s risk for a stroke or heart attack...

Do you feel as if memory problems are interfering with your life or have family members started to notice? Medical experts say there may be a distinction between a person noticing memory loss and others becoming aware of it as this could signal a bigger problem and be an early sign of dementia. The Harvard Medical School explains the best place to start understanding the problem is to talk to your doctor. While they may not have the proper training to do extensive screening for MCI (mild cognitive impairment), they can rule out other things causing your memory loss such as medications you take or a recent head injury. Steps you can take on your own to improve cognitive function include getting enough sleep each night, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress. After your own physician has completed an examination, and nothing appears to explain your memory loss, it is time to see a specialist. They, or your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter or hospital should...

If you are looking for senior housing in Kirkland, WA , would you love the opportunity to move into a beautiful community that is less than two years old? If so, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Kirkland. Our 55+ community is designed to let you fully enjoy your retirement years by giving you the resources to live your best life. In addition to luxury amenities, we offer a range of floor plans and configurations designed to please. Starting with a cozy studio of 475 sq. ft. which is designed to optimize living space, and offers plenty of windows to bring in natural light. Our one-bedroom, one-bath units start at 605 sq. ft all the way up to our largest at 732 sq. ft. For those looking for two bedrooms, our wide selection includes two-bedroom, one-bath apartments at 811 sq. ft. as well as a two-bedroom, one and one-half bath at 911 sq. ft. We offer two-bedroom, two-bath units from 979 sq. ft. to our very largest apartment at 1138 sq. ft. Each apartment has a full kitchen wit...

Over the last several years, we have seen firsthand the benefit of having a robust immune system, which is vital to helping resist and combat diseases and illnesses, and a healthy diet plays a role in the proper functioning of our immune system. While food alone doesn’t directly boost the immune system, experts explain “a well-rounded diet can help prevent nutrient deficiencies that can hinder immune function, which in turn helps to ensure our immune system functions smoothly.” We all need certain vitamins and minerals for our immune cells to grow and function; and nutrient-dense foods help protect our bodies in the event of an invasion of bacteria, fungi or viruses. Likewise there are foods known to be harmful to the immune system. Alcoholic beverages are one of those things. If you do drink, it is recommended limiting intake to 2 drinks or less daily for men and 1 drink or less daily for women. A standard drink of alcohol is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine and 1.5 oz. of liquor. Anothe...

Experts explain the more we know about urinary tract infections, the better we can protect ourselves from getting one as well as quickly getting proper treatment when we do have one. According to a 2019 report from Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 50% to 60% of women experience a UTI, defined as an overgrowth of bacteria in the urinary tract, at least once in their lifetime. Understanding the urinary tract is a good place to start in understanding the infection. The lower urinary tract includes the urethra, the tube allowing urine to exit the body; and the bladder, which stores and empties the urine through the urethra. The upper urinary tract includes the ureters that carry the urine from the kidneys to the bladder; and the kidneys making the urine. UTIs are more common in the lower urinary tract and symptoms include a change in the color and smell of urine. It may also appear cloudy and be dark or red looking, and smell bad. Many feel as if they are unable to completely empty their ...

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 humans 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, nursing homes, and assisted living communities through pet therapy programs. Moreover, pet therapy has proven beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other fo...

For outstanding assisted living, Houston area seniors and their families are encouraged to consider MorningStar at River Oaks, the perfect community to age in place comfortably and safely. By defining health and wellbeing holistically, our home provides services and programming that support the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Together our Life Enrichment programs and Wellness Care services complement one other to ensure each resident gets the best care. As a testament to the full scope of our services, we look for creative solutions within the full authority of our license through the Department of Health to help extend the stay of the resident if they experience changes in their health. These solutions can yield a higher quality of care at a lower cost to the family and provide a welcomed continuity of care for the resident. We are also proud that our assisted living residents benefit from our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. This centralized mobile station ensures a...

If you are an active senior who can live on your own but would like convenient access to amenities and hospitality services, independent living is perfect for you. Senior independent living communities offer residents the freedom to enjoy their retirement years without being tied down with yard care and other routine chores that need to be done when owning a home. At assisted living communities , residents get help with daily personal care and are provided with an array of amenities, services and 24-hour supervision. Generally a community assesses in-coming residents to determine the level of assistance needed that is agreeable to the senior and their extended family. For seniors who still feel comfortable managing their own personal care for now but worry things could change in the future, communities such as MorningStar of Pasadena are the answer. Our community offers 116 suites for independent and assisted living along with 28 suites devoted to the specialized care of residents...

If you are moving from your own home into a senior community, 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 simplify the task by making a “yes” pile and a “no” pil...

MorningStar of Hillsboro is a vibrant senior community ideally located on the east side of the city in the popular AmberGlen neighborhood. Tanasbourne Town Center and Tualatin Hills Nature Park are nearby as is Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. We are one of 40+ MorningStar communities either operating or under construction across 11 states. As a MorningStar of Hillsboro resident, you will be treated to a whole host of resort-style amenities and services including a five-star dining experience. All residents enjoy 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 the highest qualit...

While there is not one single test used to definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors typically use a variety of tools to make a diagnosis. Along with the person’s primary care provider, specialists like neurologists, neuropsychologists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists may all be involved in determining if the patient’s problems are Alzheimer’s or caused by other reasons. The process starts with a medical workup done by a health care provider that includes the person’s history of medical problems as well as any history of psychiatric, cognitive or behavioral problems. It is important to tell the doctor about all current medications including over-the-counter-drugs and supplements the person is taking. Your doctor will also want to know if there is a family history of Alzheimer’s or other cognitive problems. A physical exam should include a check of reflexes, blood pressure levels and questions regarding sleep patterns, diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits. A stru...

Today’s assisted living is not just another term for a nursing home, which is intended for people who require skilled, around-the-clock medical care and supervision. Rather assisted living, the most popular long-term care option for older adults in the U.S., is designed for seniors who cannot get the help they need or afford while living at home or in an independent living community. The first community in the U.S. opened in the late 1980s. The concept quickly took hold out of consumers’ distaste for nursing homes and the desire for something offering the services, safety and amenities seniors required while still supporting and encouraging their independence. Assisted living recognizes seniors as productive, contributing individuals who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Moreover, unlike nursing homes, assisted living communities offer private suites and most are equipped with kitchenettes. At communities such as MorningStar of Pasadena, meals and transportation are prov...

Research has shown that having a pet can improve our mental health, cardiovascular health and PTSD symptoms. In fact, even if you do not own a pet but just spend some time interacting with animals, it can lift your spirits and decrease stress. Also, during hard times, many of us feel our pets are more important than ever. The great thing about pets is they offer unconditional love and loyal companionship. Caring for an animal can be a welcome distraction from life’s other worries and can provide more meaning to our life. Moreover, how can you feel upset or angry when sitting with a cat on your lap and hearing the relaxing, melodious sound of their purr? Research has shown that an act as simple as petting a dog or cat has been shown to reduce stress and help regulate our mood. Many people believe their pet has the ability to pick up on their emotions and know when they are sad or stressed and need a little “extra love.” In addition, dogs need exercise so many dog owners are moti...

Have you noticed you are no longer as flexible as you used to be and the movements of your limbs and joints feel more restricted? If it is harder to do things like turning your neck to look behind you when driving or getting up from a low chair, you would probably benefit from incorporating stretches into your routine. Experts say daily stretching can make significant improvement in flexibility and the ability of the muscles and tendons to lengthen and stretch in response to movement. In addition, being more flexible improves balance and lowers the risk of a fall. Stretching increases the range of movement in the joints, improves posture and eases muscle tension and soreness as well as increases circulation. Along with dedicated stretching exercises, seniors can increase flexibility with yoga, Pilates, swimming, tai chi, dancing and massage. A study on a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults reported by the Journal of Gerontology found “participants demonstrated positive c...

MorningStar at River Oaks is committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our residents. Once you learn more about our community, we are sure you will agree that we offer some of the best assisted living and memory care in the area. In fact, the MorningStar Senior Living Company was founded by Ken Jaeger as the fulfillment of his dream to create senior housing defined by the human touch and a sense of family. We believe our community has achieved that dream and is a welcoming home for our remarkable residents. To ensure we meet our residents’ needs, we are deliberate about the individuals we hire to become part of our distinguished team. Every new employee is carefully vetted and chosen for virtues such as kindness, selflessness, and character. We look for people who are committed to perfecting the art of anticipating needs and willingly go the extra mile to serve. Once team members are hired, they are trained in “Radiance,” which is much more than just a customer service p...

We often come to think something is true if we hear it stated as if it is a fact. Doctors say this happens in medicine more frequently than we realize. One such disease with lots of misinformation surrounding it is Parkinson’s disease (PD) , a neurodegenerative disorder affecting predominantly dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms develop slowly over years and may include tremors (mainly at rest); bradykinesia (slowness of movement); limb rigidity; and gait and balance problems. One common misconception regarding PD is it only affects a person’s movement. Doctors explain this is untrue as symptoms can also include: cognitive impairment or dementia, depression and anxiety, sleep dysfunction, pain, apathy, sexual dysfunction, and bowel incontinence. Another thing many people believe is levodopa, one of the most effective treatments for PD , is only effective for a certain amount of time. However, experts say it is no...

The Mayo Clinic explains our bodies constantly absorb and replace bone tissue. When a person has osteoporosis, their body is removing old bone but not keeping up with making new bone. Early warning signs of osteoporosis include bone fractures, lost height, curved back, sudden back pain and gastrointestinal problems. However, many people have no symptoms, and it isn’t until a bone fracture or a bone density test (measuring the proportion of minerals in the bones), do they learn they have osteoporosis. A step above osteoporosis is osteopenia, which affects approximately half of Americans over age 50. It is important to work with your doctor if your bone loss has progressed to osteoporosis as there are medications that can help build stronger bones. In addition, you can help increase bone strength with a healthy diet of foods high in calcium, vitamins D and K, and protein. Foods containing calcium include dairy and soy, fish and green leafy vegetables like kale. Additionally, many foods a...

JAMA Neurology added to the growing body of evidence showing a link between hearing loss and cognitive impairment. The study found treating hearing loss with hearing aids may reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 19%. In fact, researchers say hearing loss may be the biggest treatable factor for dementia. An article in AARP explains what may cause the link between hearing loss and dementia. The first theory regards socialization. Scientists say once a person starts having more difficulty being in a group of people and following the conversation, they may avoid such social gatherings. This in turn can lead to isolation, which is problematic as less social engagement as well as less cognitively stimulating activities and depression are risk factors for dementia. Secondly, coping with hearing loss means the person is constantly working to sort out sounds and make sense of what is being said. The brain now may have “fewer resources (brain power) to help preserve thinking and memor...

The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports millions of older adults fall each year—resulting in more than 36,000 deaths. Of those falls, 3 million seniors are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries; and one out of every five falls causes an injury, such as broken bones or a head injury. With these alarming statistics, experts say it is important for seniors to know their risk for a fall including whether they are taking medications associated with an increased risk. The first step is to talk to your doctor to see if you are taking one of these medications, as medications are a common reason for falls. Furthermore, experts say adjusting or making a change in medication is the easiest thing to do to help prevent a fall. If it is determined you are taking a medication known to cause light-headedness, dizziness, sudden drop in blood pressure, or chronically low blood pressure or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), you and your healthcare team can regularly re-eva...

Over the last several years, reports on the “optimal” number of steps we should take each day seem to vary. Early-on it was all about getting 10,000 steps but the Medical News Today’s website explains the idea of 10,000 steps was actually conceived in the 1960s as a marketing tool and was not based on any actual medical research. A study from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, decided to take a “fresh look at how many steps a person should take each day — and what kind of steps are most beneficial — to promote good health.” The data was obtained with fitness trackers and the information led researchers to suggest a goal of 8,200 steps a day significantly lowers a person’s risk of chronic disease. Researchers report results show an association between walking 8,200 steps and a reduced risk of chronic conditions, including: obesity sleep apnea gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) major depressive disorder (MDD) diabetes hypertension In addition, they found even ...

If you are looking for a senior living in Kirkland, MorningStar is a step above the rest. Our vibrant 55+ community offers all the amenities and services you need to live life to the fullest. For the most active seniors, MorningStar of Kirkland’s independent living allows you to continue the adventure. For stress-free living and a refreshing change of lifestyle, MorningStar has it all. We offer stylish apartments with a variety of floor plans and configurations. Each apartment is designed for your every comfort and only needs your personal furnishings to make it feel like home. Weekly housekeeping and laundry and linen service give you more time to focus on other pursuits. And yes, we are pet friendly. MorningStar of Kirkland has beautifully appointed, warm and inviting common areas where residents can comfortably gather and enjoy the day. In addition we offer all-day, restaurant-style dining; onsite amenities such as a fitness center, bistro bar, theater/chapel, art studio, spo...

The National Institute on Aging explains that while eating healthy and exercising is important for seniors, socializing and participating in activities you enjoy can be just as beneficial. Being lonely or feeling isolated is not good for our health and well-being; and can lead to depression or anxiety, neither of which is good for our health. Taking part in social activities can increase a person’s sense of purpose and give more meaning to their life. Whether it is starting a new hobby, renewing an old interest, or making the effort to spend more time with family or friends, being social and having an active lifestyle can benefit the mind, body and spirit. The NIA reports on various studies that find seniors who participate in hobbies and other social activities may lower their risk for developing some health problems “including dementia, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.” A longer lifespan is linked to those who say they are satisfied with life; and other studies sho...