MorningStar Independent Living Blog

Depression can affect people at any age including senior citizens. According to Web MD, “Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older , but only 10% receive treatment for depression.” They suggest the reason for this may be that the symptoms seniors display are often ignored or assumed to be a result of illnesses and medications or just a normal part of growing older. There are many reasons why seniors suffer from depression including major changes in their lives such as retirement, the death of a spouse, illnesses, disabilities and social isolation. People suffering from very painful, disabling, or life-threatening illnesses are especially vulnerable to depression or the worsening of symptoms. Furthermore, depression can be caused by medications that are commonly prescribed to the elderly including blood pressure medication, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, calcium-channel blockers and medication for Parkinson’s as well as others. Suffering ...

We have all heard about shingles but many of us are confused as to whether it is contagious and what are the chances we will get it. Experts explain shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Moreover, if you had chickenpox as a child, you are at risk of getting shingles sometime in your life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports one in three people develop shingles during their lifetime. While this means many will never get shingles, some people get it more than once and others can develop flare-ups periodically throughout their lives. Dr. Michael Urban, a senior lecturer and director of the doctorate of occupational therapy program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, explains flair-ups can be a full range of symptoms or barely noticeable. Statistics show in recent years younger people are getting shingles but typically the disease occurs in those over 50 years of age and the risk in...

Most of us know physical exercise is important to healthy aging. It can help us recover from injury, ease chronic pain, fight off depression and boost our energy level; but just as important are social connections. We are social beings and interacting with others has a big impact on our overall health. The American Public Health Association reports socialization improves mood, cognition, memory recall, and is associated with healthy behaviors, including exercise. The National Institutes of Health reports elderly adults’ social participation reduces loneliness, depression and stress; and a robust social life enhances quality of life, self-efficacy and self-esteem. As socialization keeps the brain sharp it may even decrease the risk of developing dementia or slow down its progression. Michael Rambarose, President and CEO of the Whitney Center, a Life Care community in Hamden, CT, writes, “Socialization is like the secret ingredient that makes a healthy senior lifestyle come together.” A...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation reports approximately 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, and 44 million have low bone density, meaning they are at risk of developing the condition. One in two females and up to one in four males will be affected by a broken bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. Medication, calcium, and vitamin D and K can help strengthen bones. In addition, if you are diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone mass, an important lifestyle habit is to introduce weight-bearing exercises into your daily routine. The Harvard Medical School publication explains even if you have already had a fracture you should be staying active.* They explain the risk of another fracture is very high, so you want to do everything you can to lessen the chances of that happening by increasing your bone density. Weight-bearing exercises can reduce the risk of a fall as well as reduce the risk of fracturing a bone if you do fall. The publication cites an ...

It is not just an activity that helps you get from point A to point B. Walking represents one of the most effective activities that enhance both mental and physical health regardless of age. Many historically renowned figures such as Henry Thoreau, Thomas Jefferson, and William Wadsworth considered walking to be one of life’s most therapeutic activities. For many seniors, walking is the most accessible physical activity, which is why walking is a good alternative to running. Running does a better job of working out the body, but it can cause joint and muscle pain that many seniors cannot endure as they grow older. Walking is much more gentle on vulnerable parts of the body, such as hips, knees, and ankles. The exercise requires less exertion, while at the same time giving the heart enough of a workout to encourage better blood circulation. At the MorningStar senior housing community in Kirkland, Washington , walking is the most popular physical activity for our residents. Walking is ea...

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 ...

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...

While aging may be a sign of all the wisdom we have gained from past experiences, most of us would not mind slowing down some of the most obvious signs of our advancing years. Doctors say the aging process affects every part of our bodies including perhaps most noticeable our faces. If you are someone in your upper years, you may have noticed these common signs of aging in your own face: an expanded forehead due to a retreated hairline, longer ears due to a growth in cartilage, or a nose that is drooping due to a weakening of connective tissue supporting the nasal cartilage. When we are young, the fat in our face is evenly distributed to plump it out. As we grow older, the volume of fat in our face clumps up and shifts downward, resulting in the skin looking loose and saggy. The jowl sags and skin loosens around the neck. There are several ways we can try to improve the signs of aging in our faces. Medical experts say one of the most important ways to slow down the process is to protec...

In an article in Medical News Today experts discuss some of the common myths and facts regarding arthritis , a condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the two main types of arthritis, and a national survey found nearly half of adults 65 years and older have been diagnosed with arthritis. OA, the most common form and leading cause of disability in older adults, is the result of cartilage between the bones in a joint wearing down. Many people believe arthritis is only a disease of the elderly but RA, while not as common as OA, typically starts in individuals as young as 20 to 40 years old. People also mistakenly think if a joint hurts, it must be arthritis. Doctors say there are several reasons a person may experience pain in and around joints including old injuries, bursitis, and tendinitis. Another myth is you shouldn’t exercise if you have arthritis; however, studies show exercise can actually help with range of moti...

Research supports the importance of seniors staying physical 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 an...

If you are a senior who is having difficulty turning your neck to look behind you when driving, having problems getting up from a low chair or difficulty picking something up from the floor, you may find adding stretches to your routine can really improve these types of motions. Stretching exercises also help seniors improve flexibility and balance, both of which lower a person’s risk of falls and injuries. Experts explain stretching gives seniors a better range of movement in their joints, helps improve posture, increases circulation and releases muscle tension and soreness. The Journal of Gerontology reported on the results of a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults. It found “participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also experienced a decrease in pain.” Along with the favorable benefits stretching provides, it can be done anywhere and does not require any special equipment. How...

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 with weights, wei...

Tai chi is one of the best-known martial arts as well as one of the oldest as it was developed around 1670. It has been used throughout the centuries to help balance the body and mind and recently has gotten positive press for being a good arthritis workout. In fact, several years ago, a study from the Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, found that “tai chi could specifically reduce the pain and physical impairment of people with severe knee OA.” In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a “Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention Program.” The Scope, a blog produced by the Office of Communications at Stanford Medicine, published a study in 2018 declaring that tai chi can reduce the risk of falls . The multi-institutional clinical trial “assessed the effectiveness of two proven exercise interventions — tai chi and a multimodal exercise program — which were compared to a control intervention of stretching.” The study consisted of 670 part...

While practitioners have known for centuries the calmness and peace yoga brings into their lives, science has finally caught up with real evidence of its benefits to our brains. Studies show yoga elevates levels of the brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAGA), which helps regulate nerve activity and is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety. The Harvard Medical School journal writes, “Yoga strengthens parts of the brain that play a key role in memory, attention, awareness, thought, and language. Think of it as weightlifting for the brain.” Their evidence comes from several studies that used MRI and other brain imaging technology. Researchers found participants who practiced yoga regularly had a thicker cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory, than participants who did not practice yoga. This could be significant because as people age, this is one of the areas in the brain that typically shrinks. As the older yoga practitioners had less...

It is never too late to improve our health and making changes in our behaviors and attitudes can mean living a happier, longer life. Doctors say getting your weight under control, quitting smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables, and exercising can all significantly improve your health and longevity at any age. Remember taking care of our health also includes our brains. Experts used to believe the brain could not make new neuron connections as we aged but research now shows the “brain remains nimble and capable of physical change and growth throughout life.” In fact, studies find people, who step out of their comfort zone and try new hobbies and interests, can improve their cognitive health. Another misconception is thinking it is too late to start exercising or to lose weight. A meta-analysis of 39 studies on aging and resistance-type exercises such as lifting weights or using exercise bands, found it is possible to build muscle mass no matter what age. In the studies, “1,300 ad...

Walking is an exercise we can do while hanging out with friends and/or enjoying the sounds of nature while achieving a good workout. We can do it from right outside our home or by exploring parks and nature areas around us. It doesn’t require special equipment, although experts say you do need a pair of good walking shoes and appropriate clothing including sun protection. * Before beginning any new exercise, please consult with your healthcare provider . The Harvard Medical School says walking may be “one of the most powerful ‘medicines’ available. It can help lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and even keep your memory sharp.” Evidence also shows short walks can be as beneficial as longer ones. In fact just 30 minutes a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. Maintaining good posture during a walk is important in avoiding injuries. If you ...