MorningStar Independent Living Blog

As we age, many seniors experience occasional “brain fog” or forgetfulness and have trouble comprehending and processing new information. Medical experts say this may be a normal part of aging but could also be from some of the medications you are taking. Dr. Mark Albers, a neurologist at the McCance Center for Brain Health at Harvard - affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, says it is not all that uncommon for seniors to experience symptoms of brain fog when taking certain medications for the first time. He explains medications can affect memory more in aging adults as “older people tend to metabolize drugs more slowly, making them more sensitive to medications and more vulnerable to side effects.” Other reasons medications cause more problems in seniors are they often take larger doses of a drug and more frequently as well as take several drugs to treat one health condition. Moreover older people may have a weakened blood-brain barrier. This barrier works to block toxins...

Let’s be honest, many of us rely on the Internet for medical advice. While it can supply good answers, doctors also caution you have to be careful what sites you trust. There are many websites providing good medical information but there are also sites with misleading or even dangerous advice. Dr. Michael Langan, an internal medicine physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, cautions anyone with a blog can dispense information and advice; and a good way to avoid misinformation is to ask your doctor to recommend the sites they trust. Additionally, the National Institute on Aging recommends using health websites sponsored by Federal Government agencies. They say a good place for reliable, up-to-date information is the National Institutes of Health, but at the same time, remind everyone that the Internet is no substitute for seeing your doctor or other health professional who can give you advice that caters to your specific situation. Other things to look for include name...

Statistics show approximately one million Americans reside in some type of senior living community, and by 2030, the number is expected to double. At the same time, the number of seniors 85 and older is projected to triple from 5.7 million in 2011 to 14.1 million in 2040. Within the category of senior living, there are several options available for older adults including independent living (also known as retirement communities ), which is specifically designed for adults 55+. The reason so many seniors are turning to independent living is they love the many advantages it offers. Residents get peace of mind with predictable budgeting and not having to worry about unexpected repairs or costs associated with home maintenance. Another important perk of independent living communities is built-in companionship, and in many cases, activities and programming, and tasty meals they no longer have to cook. Senior living communities like MorningStar of Hillsboro allow seniors to enjoy stress-free...

  Experts say while you pride yourself on keeping a clean kitchen , you may still have some appliances or tools that are a hidden risk to your family’s health. Along with throwing away dirty sponges, which are a source of germs, viruses and bacteria; other kitchen tools are not meant to last forever. To keep your family healthy, they may need to be replaced. One of those items many kitchens have is a blender that is often used to make healthy smoothies, drinks and soups. Alyssa Resnick, a registered dietitian based in Hoboken, New Jersey warns that due to the construction of a blender, old food content and mold can build up in the base and leach out into the contents of the blender. She suggests every time it is used to completely disassemble each part of the blender and thoroughly clean it. Cutting boards are another common source of germs, viruses and bacteria and should be replaced every so often. Experts say if a wooden board is cracked it should be thrown away. To keep them in...

Seniors are not only living longer but are more engaged and active than their parents and grandparents’ generations were during their later years. Now when someone retires, they see it as a time to pursue new interests and hobbies or improve their golf or tennis game. It is a great time to travel, find meaning in life through volunteerism or spend quality time with the grandkids. It is not the time to worry about endless home repairs and maintenance. Independent living communities like MorningStar of Kirkland offer residents predictable budgeting, maintenance-free living, an array of luxury amenities, and a broad community of friends. An all-day dining service relieves you of meal prep and clean-up duties, giving you the time to enjoy the pool or take a peaceful stroll through our Zen gardens. Our onsite bistro/bar is ideal for meeting up with friends before dinner for a cocktail or glass of wine. If you have always wanted to delve into the arts, take advantage of our well-stocked Art...

We all know it is important to exercise to stay healthy ; but what do you do when an older person you love is a confirmed couch potato and doesn’t want to change. While they are not alone, surveys show only 39% of people over 65 meet the recommended amount of activity each week; it is better to be one of those who do. Add to that, the older people get, the number decreases even more.   The U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services' Health.gov site defines an inactive lifestyle as spending less than 20 minutes each day engaged in moderate intensity exercise. Examples of moderate intensity activities include a brisk walk, dancing, aerobics, and bike riding.  The CDC’s guidelines for adults over the age of 65 is to do 2 ½ to five hours a week of moderate-intensity activity or 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. If someone is physically unable to meet these guidelines, they suggest doing some type of regular physical activity in accordance w...

The Harvard Medical School journal says it is not surprising mind-body exercises like tai chi and yoga have become more popular over the last few decades as not only do people feel good doing them but more studies are showing the benefits of these exercises . Research suggests practicing tai chi can lead to a longer, more vital life, and is linked to lowering blood pressure, managing depression, building strength and improving balance. The Harvard Medical School’s managing editor of introduction to tai chi, Peter Wayne, observed “tai chi was more like a multidrug combination that uses different components to produce a variety of effects.” His interest in the practice led him to develop the “eight active ingredients” of tai chi in order to evaluate the clinical benefits, the mechanisms used to produce these effects, and to shape the way it is taught to participants in clinical trials. Wayne says awareness is the most important component when doing tai chi as paying attention to your b...