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...