MorningStar Independent Living Blog

While a retirement community may sound appealing, many senior 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. Opting in for things such as a meal plan or moving into independent living but requiring a range of day-to-day services offered in their assisted living units typically increases 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 or snow removal as well as encountered unexpect...

  Seniors are especially vulnerable to falls, burns, and poisonings and many of these accidents happen in the home. This is why experts recommend using a safety checklist such as the one the CDC publishes, A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults . It points out the problems and provides solutions. In addition experts say if you have balance problems, you may want to get a fall risk assessment from your healthcare provider. They can give you tips to help improve balance along with suggestions on how to protect yourself from falls. Recommendations include wearing non-slip footwear on smooth floors, and if you need a cane or walker to remain steady on your feet, use it rather than relying on holding on to furniture and walls.  Keep hallways and stairways free of clutter, make sure they are well-lit, and use the bannister rail when going up or down the stairs. If you do have area rugs, tape the edges down so they do not create a trip-hazard or use ones with non-skid ba...

  Did you know 45% of heart attacks are a “silent myocardial infarction (SMI)” and are likely to go undetected? Expert says they are more common in men than women, and a person typically does not experience the intensity felt during a normal heart attack. Often it is mistaken for heartburn, indigestion and other age-related aches and pains.     A study published a few years ago in the Journal of the American Medical Association , found evidence of men suffering from undetected mild heart attacks. The study involved almost 2,000 people ages 45 to 84 (half of whom were men) who were free of any signs of cardiovascular disease. When doctors examined the group after ten years, “8% had myocardial scars, which are evidence of a heart attack. Most surprising was that 80% of these people were unaware of their condition.” The presence of myocardial scars was five times higher in men than in women. While symptoms can be mild and brief, experts say to seek immediate medic...

Does it seem like dad or grandpa has everything they need and you have no idea what to buy for them this coming Father’s Day? Unlike lots of women, many men are not a bouquet of flowers or personalized jewelry type of guys.       However before you buy anything, remember dads are people too and each is different. While one may love a new power tool, another would rather get a bottle of fine wine or a pair of cashmere socks. Some dads play golf, some fish and some love a good hike. Others are more couch-potato dads and might love a subscription to a premium TV service. On top of that, your gift choice will most-likely be guided by your budget. One unique gift is a blue-toothed shower head that lets him listen to his tunes while he showers, or perhaps quality, wireless headphones. For a handy fix-it on the spot type of dad, how about a multi-tool/ballpoint pen? The big online retailer offers one with three rulers, built-in level, Philips and flathead screwd...

  Now that we are older, many of us wished we had taken better care of our skin; however, doctors say it is never too late to protect ourselves from any future damage regardless of our age. In fact remember your older skin is both thinner and more fragile. The CDC says everyone should apply liberal amounts of broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF 15 or higher every day before they go outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days.  If you are doing an activity where you will be sweating, swimming or toweling off, reapply every couple of hours using a higher SPF sunscreen. Check the expiration date, and if it is out-of-date, buy a new one. Recommendations also include wearing protective clothing. Some shirts and pants have a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating, which is the standard used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective fabrics. A hat should have a brim all around it and made from a tighter-weaved fabric. If you wear a ball cap, remember to apply sunscreen t...

  Even if you have already moved into the “ senior ” category of life, medical experts say it is not too late to improve your health and mobility, and one of the best ways to do it is to walk. This was the findings based on the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) trial, which included more than 1,600 men and women between the ages of 70 and 89. Participants consisted of people who were not regularly exercising and fairly frail.   The participants were divided in half with one group assigned to daily walking and strength and balance exercises. The other group attended educational workshops and were introduced to gentle stretching routines. “After 2½ years, the volunteers in the exercise group were 28% less likely to have become disabled (defined by the inability to walk about 400 yards without help) compared to those in the education group. They were also 18% less likely to have had any episode of physical disability.” LIFE’s researchers say the res...

  When we open in the last quarter of 2021, MorningStar at River Oaks will be in a class of its own in terms of other senior living communities in the Houston area. MorningStar Senior Living’s passionate commitment to serving seniors has earned us a reputation for family satisfaction second to none within our several dozen homes across the U.S.  Our contemporary community offers a warm and welcoming environment throughout its expansive indoor and outdoor common areas that continues with a choice of fashionable private suites you will be proud to call home. Floorplans for assisted living suites include studio; one-bedroom – one bath; and two bedrooms – two bath configurations as large as 1089 sq. ft. All are designed to maximize space and offer large windows, high-end finishes, and storage. Studios are equipped with kitchenettes (fridge & microwave) or full kitchens in one and two bedroom units. Each is equipped with in-suite washer/dryers, handicap-accessible bathrooms, ...