Age-Related Hearing Loss

The National Institute of Health reports approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Hearing loss causes someone a range of problems including difficulty understanding and following a doctor’s advice, responding to safety warnings, and hearing doorbells, phone calls, and alarms. Another all-too common problem is it can be hard to follow conversations with family and friends, and many start avoiding situations where they may be frustrated or embarrassed. 

Medical experts advise asking your primary care physician for a referral to an otolaryngologist, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They will try to determine the cause of your hearing loss and treatment options. They may refer you to an audiologist who is trained in measuring the degree of loss as well as recommend treatment, which may include fitting you for a hearing aid. There are three different types of hearing aids and it may take some trial and error to find one that works for you (most can be purchased for a trial period).  

In some cases, doctors may recommend Cochlear implants, small electronic devices surgically implanted in the inner ear that help provide a sense of sound to people who are profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing.  Other treatment options include hearing assistive devices for your phones to amplify sound; closed circuit systems for churches or theaters; and lip or speech reading classes.   

At MorningStar of Happy Valley we promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing comfort and security. Our beautiful home has 61 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of floor plans. In addition, 27 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood are devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide residents exceptional assisted living and memory care.

The Value of Music & Art for those with Alzheimer’s Disease

Multiple studies report on the benefits of using music and art to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Experts explain they help encourage engagement and self-expression even in more advanced stages.  

Professionals who work with Alzheimer’s patients say music seems to decrease agitation and improves behavioral problems common in the middle stages of the disease. Patients in later stages may even be able to sing a song they knew from childhood or tap a foot to the beat even after other forms of communication are difficult. Dancing or gently moving to a rhythm helps coordinate motor movements as well as allows the person to express emotions. Research shows “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” 

If you wish to use music to calm and soothe, choose peaceful, tranquil pieces. If you want to boost spirits and bring back happy memories, use livelier pieces. Experts say to turn off other distractions like a TV and close windows if there is outside noise. Music may be more enjoyable to the person if it is something they are familiar with from their earlier life. 

Art can also be an outlet for self-expression and give a person with Alzheimer’s a sense of purpose and accomplishment in creating their own work. Experts recommended avoiding any project that seems childlike and demeaning. Use safe, non-toxic materials, and if they need, take their hand and guide it on the paper to get them started. Moreover remember there is no need for the person to finish.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley is one of the most trusted assisted living and memory care communities just outside Portland. Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. A resident’s day is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Please visit our website to learn more about senior living, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.  

Source: 

alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/art-music

Some are Calling it a “Breakthrough” in Alzheimer’s Research

With estimates of up to 5.8 million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s, any news about a possible breakthrough regarding the cause of the disease is exciting. The Medical News Today reports on an interesting study out of Australia, which suggests it has identified a likely cause of Alzheimer’s disease, that some are calling a “breakthrough.” 

Dr. John Mamo, Ph.D., the lead author of the study, and distinguished professor and director of the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, explains the research’s conclusion. He starts by citing the fact that up to now, one of the problems in the fight against Alzheimer’s, is we have not known the cause of the disease. Dr. Mamo says, “This study shows that exaggerated abundance in blood of potentially toxic fat-protein complexes can damage microscopic brain blood vessels called capillaries and, thereafter, leak into the brain, causing inflammation and brain cell death.”

The research was done with test mice whose livers were genetically modified to produce human amyloid-beta, which some believe may be a cause of Alzheimer’s. The control group had no genetic modifications. During the blind study, scientists “found when the amyloid-beta proteins made in the liver of the test mice combined with fats and traveled to the brain, they interfered with the proper functioning of the brain’s microscopic blood vessels, or capillaries.” 

Dr. Mamo says they found the inflammation was also associated with marked degeneration in the brain cells of the mice in the test group when examined under a microscope. Also when putting the mice through a series of cognitive function tests, researchers found the test mice performed approximately half as well as the control group at retention of learning.

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley, our beautiful assisted living and memory care community offers a whole host of resort-style amenities and care services as well as wellness programs and activities daily geared toward our residents. Located in the southeast suburb of Portland, OR, we are a true “home,” with a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, and ask about our Move-in Specials.  

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/likely-cause-of-alzheimers-identified-in-new-study?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=dedicated&utm_content=2021-10-03&apid=32549197&rvid=e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855

Doctors Say Don’t Forget to Get a Flu Shot

Medical professionals stress the importance of getting a flu shot this year. They worry too many people may assume given the relatively small outbreak last year, it won’t be a problem this season. To illustrate, the CDC reported only 818,939 specimens were tested for influenza from late September 2020 through late May 2021, and only 0.2 percent came back positive as compared to 26 to 30 percent during a normal season. 

The concern of experts now is that the few cases last year may actual result in a worse season this year. Clare Rock, an infectious diseases physician and hospital epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine say the light flu season last year “means some of the natural immunity that would be in the population is not going to be in the population now.” He adds, “We may have more vulnerable people.”

It is hard to predict the severity of this year’s flu season as health professionals do not yet know the extent of people who will still practice social distancing and mask wearing due to COVID-19. It is also hard to predict how close this year’s flu shot will address the various strains of flu that turn up. Other good reasons to get a flu shot is many hospitals are filled with COVID patients and the fact kids are physically back at school.  

Another roadblock to a more accurate prediction of this year’s flu numbers is most years   we look at the number of cases in the Southern Hemisphere (their flu season is during our summers). Again things are not normal given the amount of COVID currently affecting the area and there are strict mitigation rules in effect in many countries. With all of these unknowns, healthcare providers stress the importance of everyone eligible getting a flu shot.   

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley senior living community, we offer 61 private assisted living suites and another 27 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our mission is to enhance quality of life for residents and we do this through a full component of wellness programs and activities, hospitality and care services, and luxury amenities. Please feel free to contact us and ask about our Move-in Specials.

Managing Medication Can be Confusing for the Elderly

Chances are if your parents are elderly, they are taking at least one or more prescription medications on a daily basis.  In fact, the Washington Post cites research that estimates, “25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79.”  Polypharmacy refers to the regular use of five or more prescription medications, and puts people more at risk for adverse drug interactions, an area of special concern for the elderly.  

Alarming figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state almost 450,000 older adults (65 years old or older) visit the emergency room each year because of adverse, or harmful, drug events.  Doctors say while many of these problems are preventable, when you take a number of prescriptions, it can get confusing keeping up with various instructions such as “take on an empty stomach,” and the adverse side effects. 

Experts say to help a parent get organized, write down the names of all of the drugs they are taking, the dosage, and if they see several doctors, who prescribed them.  Include any herbal supplements, multi-vitamins and over-the-counter drugs.  The next time they see their primary care doctor, take your list and discuss the reasons for each drug, how long they will be on it, and if any of the drugs are dangerous taken together.  Whenever a new drug is prescribed, ask what it is for and how it should be taken, and read through the paperwork.   

Store medications together in a cool, dry location (not the bathroom), discard old, expired medications, and find a pill organizer that makes sense for your parent’s needs.  If they are forgetful, they may need a reminder system.  However, if a parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, they should be carefully monitored. 

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Rio Rancho, our residents’ wellbeing and physical health is our primary concern.  This is why one of our many services is medication management that ensures residents take medications properly, and as we even order medications, there is no danger of them running out.  Please visit our website for more information about our exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior housing Rio Rancho has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Meaningful Activities Improve Quality of Life for Seniors with Dementia

It is important for family members and caregivers to remember that while a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease may be declining cognitively, they still have some abilities. Encouraging them to stay involved in meaningful activities is a good way to give them a sense of self-worth and purpose.  In fact, a published report from the National Institute of Health states, “engaging older persons with dementia in appropriate activities has been shown to yield beneficial effects such as increasing positive emotions, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and improving the quality of life.” It goes on to say it is important for those with dementia to stay as active and engaged as possible and that “it may even help to maintain quality of life in the more advanced stages of the disease.”  

As to what kinds of activities are the most effective, studies suggest trying to stimulate all five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell; and the creative arts are a good place to start.  Singing is not only enjoyable but several studies have shown it to be one of the last abilities many of those with Alzheimer’s lose.  People can often remember the words to a song long after many other memories are gone.  Listening to music and dancing are other activities beneficial to those with dementia.  Dancing has even been shown to help stimulate social interaction, enhance mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-awareness and self-expression.  Walking and getting outside can also lift spirits, but as gait can be adversely affected by Alzheimer’s, evaluate the person’s ability to walk safely.   

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our goal is to be one of the best senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ offers, which includes compassionate care to those with memory impairment.  Our holistic memory care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation.  Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.  

In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, and an enclosed, secure patio and courtyard.  Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home.  Please visit our website to learn more our community, our staff and the philosophy that guides our care.  

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities Fountain Hills, AZ has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Fountain Hills provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684326

Looking for Assisted Living in Rio Rancho, NM?

Looking for the best senior housing Rio Rancho, NM offers? MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides assisted living residents a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit.   Our residential home is filled with spacious, beautifully-appointed common areas both inside and out and include courtyards featuring artwork and trellises, strolling paths, bistro, chapel/theatre, and fitness room.  Delicious meals prepared by our Executive Chef are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room.

However, our stylish design does not stop at the door of our private suites.  Each one offers a range of features including lots of lighting, high ceilings, and large windows as well a kitchenette with refrigerator. One- and two- bedroom suites have washers and dryers.   For residents’ peace of mind and safety, our suites are also equipped with an emergency call system to ensure help is there if the need arises as well as handicap-accessible bathrooms.  Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal.  

All assisted living residents are provided with 24/7 care managers who help assist them with the Activities of Daily Living (dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, transferring and more). Access to a licensed nurse is available onsite throughout the week and on-call around-the-clock.  We also offer medication management by Certified Med Care Managers.  Moreover, we want to reassure you and your family that we periodically re-evaluate care plans and make changes as needed.   

Other clinical care services provided by MorningStar include mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more.  We provide scheduled physician visits, a choice of physicians, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry services.  

At the heart of our community, and what we are most proud of, is our team of loving, responsive caregivers who feel privileged to serve.  Please visit our website for contact information.  We are happy to answer any questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Rio Rancho, NM has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Steps We can Take to Improve Brain Health

There are many things we can do to improve our overall health and prevent or mitigate our chances of getting certain diseases and scientists say the same is true with our brain health. Doctors report it goes beyond Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions and all of our brains “naturally age with us, leading to effects such as patchy memory and reduced brain mass.”

Over the last several decades, research has discovered a strong connection between heart health and brain health and links damage to the heart and vascular system to damage to the brain. This has led to the American Heart Association to put together a list of seven key factors to look out for when it comes to cardiovascular health. These include blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, level of exercise, diet, body weight and smoking status.

Most of these factors can be addressed by changes in our habits and lifestyle and the earlier a person does it the better the outcome is as we age. Dr. Ronald M. Lazar, Ph.D., the Evelyn F. McKnight Endowed Chair for Learning and Memory in Aging and director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, explains, “Many people think of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other risk factors as affecting only heart health, yet these very same risk factors affect our brain health.” Researchers say other critical factors affecting cognitive ability over time include depression, social isolation, alcohol use, sleep disorders, insufficient education, and hearing loss.

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley assisted living and memory care community, our goal is to help seniors live life to the fullest. We believe the ability to contribute and grow is ageless and we know how to provide residents with a quality of life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. From modern private suites to warm and welcoming common area including scenic outdoor courtyards, residents are sure to feel right at home. Please visit our website for contact information and directions to our community.  

Source: assistedliving.com/helping-elderly-aging-parents-adjust-senior-living-01112013/

Assisted Living can Enhance Seniors’ Quality of Life

A Place for Mom’s website, a free service that helps families in their senior care search, reports the various services offered at assisted living communities can make it a healthier, safer living option for many seniors. As services typically involve 24/7 care, nutritional meals and wellness programs, it means residents receive the kind of care required to enhance their quality of life.  

Assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Happy Valley provide the social connections necessary to seniors’ wellbeing as well as intellectual stimulation. The individual and their family get peace of mind knowing help is available when it is needed. Likewise recent research shows assisted living communities may help seniors avoid falls as most are equipped with safety features such as handicap-accessible bathrooms and wheelchair accessible doorways. MorningStar’s emergency call systems in each suite mean immediate help is at hand.     

MorningStar of Happy Valley offers seniors assistance with another all-too common problem of medication mismanagement. The JAMA Internal Medicine journal recently published a study showing “80% of older adults regularly take at least two prescription medications, and 36% regularly take at least five prescription drugs.” The Department of Health and Human Services reports up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” in their medications including skipping doses or failing to take medication as prescribed. Either one can result in hospitalizations or deaths. Our medication management service helps to avoid these problems and includes dispensing as well as ordering prescription drugs.

MorningStar’s comprehensive care starts with residents having an individualized plan created to address their specialized needs. It is frequently reviewed and updated as required. Our day-to-day care is intended to help residents maintain a healthier lifestyle with nutritional meals, exercise classes, and life enrichment programs designed for their needs. Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley’s trusted assisted living and memory care.  

Source:  

aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/

aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/medication-management

When Professionals Debate over Medical Care, We Typically Win

Doctors say the public should understand while information on best practices in medical care may change over time and/or in some cases the medical community is not speaking with one voice; it is not necessarily a bad thing. Rather it is often a result of new research and scientific facts surfacing changing the debate and the messaging. 

Nowhere have we seen more changes evolve in medical recommendations and advice than over the last year in regard to COVID-19. Experts explain this is an excellent example of new information coming in over a period of time that updated our knowledge of an unknown virus, which had rapidly spread across the globe before we had learned much about it. In a recent article in the U.S. News & World Report, Dr. Neel Anand, M.D., says, “It isn't new or unique to COVID-19. To be honest, debate among scientists and medical experts is precisely how the targeted and most effective therapies and treatments develop.”

Medical progress evolves much like other scientific progress, and involves formulating a hypothesis and then setting out to prove or disprove it. Healthy debate helps to move us forward and typically the end result is good for our own medical care. However Dr. Anand cautions if scientific debate is going to be useful in advancing medicine, it requires real experts. For example, he says as a doctor specializing in spinal surgery, he would not consider it fruitful to debate the specifics of spinal surgery from someone who isn’t a qualified physician or researcher in the field.  

This is why doctors and scientists have often disagreed or changed guidelines on COVID-19 as well as on other medical conditions and illnesses. Doctors say it is an example of how the scientific process works, which allows them to make better decisions regarding care.

At the MorningStar of Happy Valley senior living community, we offer 61 private assisted living suites and another 27 secure suites devoted to specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us with any questions you may have as we are happy to talk to you about your or a loved one’s care.   

Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/debate-in-medicine-is-good-for-everyone 

Learn More About MorningStar of Rio Rancho

MorningStar’s goal is to provide the best senior living in Rio Rancho, NM. Our Rio Rancho community has 51 bright suites for assisted living with configurations that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In our Reflections Neighborhood, we have 26 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.   

MorningStar Senior Living has over 30 communities currently open or under construction all across the country, including three in New Mexico.  MorningStar of Rio Rancho, with a loving care team and outstanding architecture and design, provides seniors with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.

MorningStar began in 2003 when founder, Ken Jaeger had a dream to start a senior housing company that was defined by the human touch. He says, “I wanted to re-create my grandmother’s house, a place where one can go and feel a sense of family.”  From this came our guiding principles and three mission statements our company is based on:

• Honor God in our business practices and relationships — a commitment to strong moral values and ethics

• Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence

• Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well — a commitment to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve residents

To eloquently illustrate our mission, all of our communities have a specially commissioned piece of art hanging in them.  The “Tree of Life embodies and celebrates our Mission and our Name.  Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar Senior Living and our beautiful community.  

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents.  Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.   

Stretching Exercises for Seniors

If you are a senior who wants to start exercising again, you may not know how to begin.  For one thing, you probably realize you are not as fit as you used to be, and are not up to the same degree of physical activity that you once did.  And of course, before you begin any new form of exercise, you will need to check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough especially if you have osteoporosis, an injury, or balance issues.     

Once you get the go ahead from your healthcare provider, stretching is a good place to begin.  In fact studies show that as we grow older our flexibility decreases by up to 50 percent in some joints.  Another good thing about stretching is there are exercises that are appropriate for any level of fitness including ones that can be done sitting in a chair.  Stretching can help you maintain your flexibility and mobility as well as loosen up some of your stiffness in your back, neck and shoulder muscles.

Another plus about stretching exercises is that most of them do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere.  The Silver Sneakers website recommends that as you stretch, “to breathe deeply, and go slowly. Listen to your body, and never force a movement that causes pain.”  They remind seniors it is okay if they cannot bend very far as over time they will loosen up some.  Safety is always important and you do not want to hurt yourself.  

Some common forms of exercises especially good for seniors include chair yoga, resistance band workouts, walking and dumbbell strength training.  At the MorningStar of Happy Valley, our beautiful assisted living and memory care community offers a whole host of resort-style amenities and care services as well as wellness programs and activities daily that include exercises geared toward our residents.  Located in the southeast suburb of Portland, OR, we proudly offer our residents a true “home.”   Please see our website to learn more.

*This blog is for information purposes only. Before beginning any exercise, be sure to check with your healthcare provider*

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley.  

Source: 

silversneakers.com/blog/stretching-for-seniors-7-simple-moves-for-the-not-so-flexible/

Heart Disease in Women

Doctors have known for a while now that men and women experience heart disease differently.  For one thing, before menopause, estrogen plays a role in protecting women from heart disease and thus they do not typically have a heart attack before the age of 72.  For men, the average age is 64.  The bad news is that women do catch up “making heart disease the leading cause of death for both sexes overall during non-pandemic times.”  

Another cause of concern is that while younger women (under the age of 65), have fewer heart attacks, they are much more serious than those of the men under 65.  Researchers at the Mayo Clinic went looking for answers by studying 7 million hospitalized heart attack patients. Their study, published in January’s Mayo Clinic Proceedings, showed that “women who are hospitalized with a heart attack are less likely than men to receive life-saving treatments, such as angioplasty, in which clogged arteries are opened; and mechanical circulatory support, in which devices are used to improve blood flow.

Another significant link they discovered was that while estrogen does provides some heart protection, women who suffer from moderate to severe symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances have a greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.  One reason may be that severe hot flashes “are associated with artery stiffness, inflammation and vascular problems, which are linked to heart disease.”  Lack of sleep in itself can cause problems as well as interfere with a person’s motivation to exercise.  

Brest cancer also puts women at risk for cardiac disease.  The January’s Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network reported that, “survivors were at greater risk of life-threatening blood clots called deep vein thrombosis, arrhythmia, heart failure, heart valve disease and sudden cardiac arrest compared to women who had not had cancer.”   Researchers also said while the risk is far greater in the first year after a breast cancer diagnosis; the risk remained elevated for five years. 

Researchers also found that women are three times more likely than men to suffer from hearts attacks known as myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCAs).  This in itself is a problem as the type of equipment used to test for MINOCAs is not always used on women and many times the patient is told she did not have a heart attack.  It is so common that doctors say if you experienced symptoms of a heart attack but are told you did not have one, ask if you are a candidate for advanced imaging testing.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Contact us for more information about one of the area’s most trusted assisted living and memory care communities. 

Source:  aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/women-heart-disease.html

A Gift Basket to Brighten Your Favorite Senior’s Day

If you have an elderly relative living alone or in a senior community and they are still isolating themselves from the coronavirus, you probably would love to do something to brighten their day but just not sure how.  One idea is to send them a gift basket filled with goodies to eat and drink, gifts to entertain, and items to make their lives a little easier or more pleasant.  

For your coffee drinking parent or grandparent, a bag of gourmet coffee and a nice new mug is one way to start your basket, or add a collection of teas that include decaffeinated and herbal options.  Are they a chocolate lover or prefer salty snacks?  Adjust your selection to include high-end chocolates and other delightful treats or a nice selection of crackers and cheeses.  For a book lover, add a novel you think they would enjoy or a coffee table book on famous gardens, architecture, maps, photography or wherever matches their interest.   A collection of classic movies is also something many seniors would enjoy.  

Now pack the basket with items such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, word-search books, a new coloring book and fresh colored pencils or markers.  If they have low vision, include large-print playing cards and books.  If your loved one is feeling anxious or having a hard time sleeping, give them a weighted blanket.  While they come in many sizes, it is suggested you choose one that is 10% percent of their weight.   For example, if they weigh 150lbs, buy a 15lb blanket, and if they do not have a blanket that exactly matches 10% of their weight, you can go up a couple of pounds.   

If you are looking for outstanding senior housing, Rio Rancho, NM’s MorningStar community may be the place for you.  Our beautiful community has 51 stylish assisted living suites for those who need help with the activities of daily living.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, 26 secure suites are devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please visit our website for more information.           

MorningStar of Rio Rancho represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer.    

How to Answer an Alzheimer’s Patient Who Wants to “Go Home”

As family members of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, there are many challenges you will face while navigating this difficult journey. One of those defining moments is the decision to place the individual in a home that specializes in caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

While a family may instinctively understand that Alzheimer’s care homes make the best sense for their loved one’s safety and wellbeing, caregivers and families often hear a common refrain of “I want to go home.” In fact due to the confusion that goes on in their brains, some sufferers even frequently complain that they want to go home even when they are already at home.

Dementia care specialists say that a repeated cry to “go home” generally is the person’s way of expressing feelings of anxiety and stress, and the best thing you can do is to respond to the emotions behind their words. To help soothe, approach the person in a calm and relaxing manner and do the things you know work to comfort them such as giving a hug or a gentle stoking, and if they use one, give them their therapy doll or animal.

Experts say it is better to not try to explain that they cannot go home or that they are already home; rather concentrate on making them feel secure and safe. Another technique dementia caregivers frequently use is to “validate, redirect, and distract. This can include saying things like we will go after lunch, and then gently redirecting and distracting them with something like walking them out to the porch and pointing out flowers in the garden.

At the MorningStar at Englefield Green memory care community, we specialize in providing compassionate, individualized memory care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our 50 suites include studio and one-and two bedrooms floor plans along with all the amenities and services required for the finest care. We want you to know we are here to help if your loved one is suffering from memory loss. Please visit our website to learn more about our holistic care and our loving staff.

MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. Visit our website for more information on one of the area’s most loving Alzheimer’s care homes.

Source: dailycaring.com/when-someone-with-alzheimers-says-i-want-to-go-home-3-ways-to-respond/

Rethinking Our Attitude toward Alzheimer’s Disease

While a 2012 survey found that more Americans fear Alzheimer’s disease than they do cancer, many professionals are starting to rethink our attitude toward the disease. Bill Thomas, a geriatrician who is trying to reframe people’s view on aging, says for many the disease has been “swathed in shame” and stuck in what he call “the tragedy narrative.” Without dismissing the challenges of the disease, he and other experts say that it may be beneficial to both caregivers and patients to take an adaptive approach to dealing with Alzheimer’s that is more flexible, spontaneous, and expansive.

Mary Fridley, co-creator of a workshop called The Joy of Dementia (You’ve Got to Be Kidding!), stresses that in spite of the fact that we know dementia to be extremely painful, she feels too much time is spent on medicalizing the disease. Rather she truly believes “it is an opportunity, if people so choose, to be improvisational, to be silly, to play, to free ourselves from the constraints of truth and knowing and assumptions.”

One study out of Canada supports this premise by reporting that dementia patients’ symptoms declined and their psychologically outlook greatly improved after 12-weeks of visits from “elder clowns” who engage them with empathy, humor, and improvisation. Another recent study from Australia found that “dementia-care staff with positive attitudes and ‘person-centered’ strategies felt more competent about their ability to provide care.”

The MorningStar at Englefield Green is a specialized memory care home in Boise, Idaho that provides compassionate, individualized care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our holistic approach is designed to comfort and heal as we find ways to help residents celebrate life and experience spontaneous moments of joy. If a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, we are here to help, please contact us.

MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. Please contact us to learn more about one of the area’s most compassionate Alzheimer’s care homes.

Source: mercurynews.com/2019/02/21/a-joyful-existence-with-alzheimers-yes-joyful/

Dealing with a Parent’s Memory Problems

If your mom or dad is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time.  Medical experts recommend to do some research on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, in order to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is.  You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parent.  

Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms.  This is why you need to sit down and have a talk with you parent about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.   

Experts say when you are ready to have the “conversation,” be honest and try to keep your voice calm.  Pick a time and place where you will not be interrupted and be sure to include in your homework different care options in case they ask.  Also, be ready to talk less and listen more as they may have also been worried about some of the changes they have been experiencing.  However, keep in mind it is common for a person to be confused, in denial, and/or withdraw.  

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Happy Valley, we know something about the pain and devastation families go through with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a dedicated, compassionate team and provides a safe, loving home for seniors suffering from dementia.  If you are looking for trusted senior living in Happy Valley, OR, please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Source: alzheimers.net/how-to-talk-with-a-parent-about-dementia-symptoms

A Positive Outlook May Help You to Live Longer

According the World Health Organization, “ageism is most rampant in high-income countries, like the United States.  Americans, as a whole, place great value on youth, beauty, vitality and the ability to earn a large income.  Aging is, sadly, often seen as a debilitating process that robs people of these high-prized attributes.”  

However findings from a Yale School of Public Health study suggests that positive thinking and not stressing out as much about aging may help actually help keep our brains’ young.  In fact study participants who held more negative views on growing older were more likely to have changes in the brain typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Another study from the Boston University's School of Medicine that was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that men and women with the highest levels of optimism had an 11% to 15% longer life span on average than those who practiced little positive thinking. Those with the highest scores of positive thinking were found to have the best chance of living to age 85 or beyond.  The lead author, Lewina Lee, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the school, said "This was the first study to look at the impact of optimism on exceptional longevity, which is defined as living to age 85 or more."

Researchers hypothesize that individuals with a more positive way of thinking tend to not only have goals but the confidence to achieve them.  Moreover “the results held true, the study found, even when socioeconomic status, health conditions, depression, smoking, social engagement, poor diet and alcohol use were considered.”   

At the MorningStar of Rio Rancho senior living community, we approach life with a loving spirit that permeates throughout our home.  Even during a pandemic, our MorningStar family continues to relish our commitment to one another as well as enjoy the fun we have.  This year’s Oktoberfest was no exception as it included a door-to-door beer trolley, nine holes of golf, and a slice of German chocolate cake to finish the day off.  Please contact us to learn more about the most trusted senior housing Rio Rancho offers.    

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting.  Visit our website for more information regarding unsurpassed senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.  

Source: 

yale.edu/2018/02/07/positive-attitudes-about-aging-reduce-risk-dementia-older-adults

cnn.com/2019/08/26/health/optimism-live-longer-wellness/index.html

Bonding Virtually for the Upcoming Holidays

While we know the holidays are fast approaching, we also understand we are in the middle of a pandemic.  This has left many of us asking how we make the holidays feel special while practicing safe social distancing with family members not part of our quarantine group.    

Currently health experts stress large family gatherings are not advisable.  This is because COVID-19 cases are often traced back to younger people spreading it to older relatives who are more at risk for serious complications.  However, despite the sadness we feel by not having our usual huge Thanksgiving gathering or Christmas parties, there are still ways we can bond with family and friends and have fun doing it.  

To successfully do a group Zoom or FaceTime call with several branches of the family, assign one person to set the call up, coordinating time, etc. with all parties.  For Thanksgiving, you could organize a call during dinner and encourage everyone to share a special family story or give a reason why they are grateful.   If you are a family of singers, organize a virtual group sing.  If your family loves to cook, prepare a virtual meal together.  

To make sure the kids feel part of the celebrations, have them dress-up or use puppets to perform the first Thanksgiving or Christmas story virtually.  This also has the advantage of keeping them busy several days before the holiday preparing.  Another idea is to watch the grandkids making holiday cookies or to send them a care package with a craft that you can make with them together.  In other words, use your imagination and remember someday soon we will again be celebrating together.  

The CDC suggests before you plan any in-person events to check with the positivity rate in your community.  In addition, remember to follow your state’s health and safety laws, rules, and regulations regarding group gatherings.  

At MorningStar of Happy Valley we offer area seniors a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  We have 61 private assisted living suites that include spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Our Reflections Neighborhood provides 27 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.   Please see our website to learn more.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

Reduce the Risk of Stroke with Lifestyle Changes

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that every 40 seconds a person has a stroke and every four minutes someone dies from one.  While that is alarming, the AHA says that almost 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.  

Did you know that one of the leading causes of strokes is high blood pressure, also called hypertension, and is the most prevalent health condition facing Americans? Statistics show one in four US adults have hypertension, and as people age, their blood pressure goes up.  Experts now believe as many as 80% of people 65 years and older have hypertension and should take steps to reduce it.  If you fall into that age group or at risk for HBP, start by regularly monitoring your blood pressure.  If high, work with your doctor to find ways to lower it including getting more exercise and eating a healthy diet.  

Another way to help prevent strokes is to quit smoking.  Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and forces the heart to work harder, which in turn, increases the likelihood of blood clots.  Also, if you are diabetic, you need to manage the disease.  The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetics are two to four times more likely to have a stroke than someone without the disease. 

Exercise is another way to lower your risk.  Doctors say 30 minutes of moderate exercise fives a week, like a brisk walk, yoga or dancing are beneficial.  Moreover, if you are overweight, try to lose weight as obesity put you at risk for any number of health issues including stroke.  And don’t forget to get your cholesterol checked.  The AHA recommends everyone 20 years of age and over should have it done at least every 5 years.   Check with your healthcare provider regarding other risks for stroke.  

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we have 61 stylish suites for assisted living and 27 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. We define health and well-being holistically, and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit, which we believe makes MorningStar a destination for successful aging.   If you are looking for one of the best senior living communities in the area, we encourage you to visit our website to learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and memory care.