MorningStar Independent Living Blog

The Medical News Today recently reported on an interesting study published in the journal, Demographic Research, and conducted by the University of Washington, which indicated a likely rise in human longevity by the end of this century. Worldwide we have seen a rise over the last several years of a half a million people, referred to as centenarians , living past the age of 100 years old. Today the new focus is on those living past 110 years old who are referred to as “supercentenarians.” Up to now the oldest known person in the world was a French woman with a recorded age of 122 years old when she died in 1997.  The University of Washington longevity study used “updated longevity data in the International Database on Longevity (IDL), established by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany.” The study included 1,119 people recorded as supercentenarians from ten European countries along with Japan, U.S. and Canada. They additionally included records of al...

Medical experts say while people of all ages should keep up-to-date on recommended health screenings and vaccines, it is especially important for seniors as they have an elevated risk for health problems. Due to the pandemic, statistics show many seniors put off routine medical care, and doctors want them to start scheduling those appointments if they haven’t done so by now.  Under the umbrella of preventive health services, an annual wellness exam is on the top of the list. This visit is used to check blood pressure, weight, and body mass index as well as discuss current medications, level of exercise and diet. Your doctor may ask about your home life to make sure you are getting the care you need.   While it was important to get your COVID-19 vaccine, doctors say don’t forget your flu vaccine this fall. Doctors also recommend seniors get the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) to help prevent pneumonia. Older women shou...

If you are in the Hillsboro, OR area and looking for senior living , would you love the opportunity to move into a brand-new community? If so we encourage you to take a look at MorningStar of Hillsboro. Scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2021, our 55+ community will let you to 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 floorplans and configurations designed to please. Starting with a choice of studios from 475 sq. ft. to 573, each is designed to optimize living space, and offers a kitchenette and plenty of windows to bring in natural light. Our one-bedroom, one-bath units start at 545 sq. ft.; with several configurations at 678 all the way up to our largest at 732 sq. ft. We also have a selection of one-bedroom, one ½ baths at 911 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 whole range o...

Dr. Lyudmila Shvets-Gabriel, an endocrinologist with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Armonk, New York explains, “Prediabetes is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. It means having higher blood sugars than what is considered normal, but not high enough to be labeled as having diabetes.” According to the CDC, the majority of people with prediabetes have no idea they have it and are not taking the necessary steps to prevent it from developing into diabetes. Experts estimate as many as 88 million Americans have prediabetes.  If you are someone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes, you should begin today to lessen your risk of developing diabetes. While you may not be experiencing symptoms as you would with diabetes, doctors say some of the “long-term damage to organs such as heart, blood vessels, kidneys and nerves starts as early as in the prediabetes stage.” Prediabetes has the same risk factors as does diabetes such as being overweight, having a parent or sibling with ...

When a person is told they have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it is extremely difficult not only for the individual but the entire family. As it generally comes after the person as well as their family and friends have noticed a marked change in the individual, it is tough to hear but not always a huge surprise. Now the question becomes “what next?” The National Institute on Aging (NIA) offers families guidance with a list of helpful informative and supportive resources including the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Check if they have local chapters where you can get in-person support, meet others in your same situation, and get involved in fundraising activities. You can additionally reach out to local community centers and hospitals to find out if they have Alzheimer’s educational programs.  NIA reminds families to keep up with regular medical checkups as they are important for a person with Alzheimer’s and should include their primar...

If you are moving from your own home into an independent living community or another type of senior housing, 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. In the end, it comes down to deciding what to bring with you and what to leave behind.  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 need, 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 o...

A garden full of beautiful flowers and/or home-grown vegetables is a gratifying pastime for many seniors. Not only does it offer beauty and wholesome, nutritional food for you and those you share your bounty with, but a healthier lifestyle.  Experts say getting outside to work in the garden is a wonderful way to get exercise and enjoy nature as well as to get a dose of vitamin D. They warn to protect your exposed skin with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, wear light, loose clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and avoid working outside during the heat of the day. Gardening is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and to forget about your problems, at least for a while. Overall, even a few hours a week doing something as enjoyable as gardening can strengthen muscles, improve mobility and increase flexibility.   Growing tomatoes and lettuce or starting an herb garden is a great place for beginners to start and are...