Remember to Protect Yourself Against the Flu

Along with fall’s changing leaves and cooler temperatures, it also signals the start of the flu season, which means you need to start thinking about getting your annual flu shot.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older gets a seasonal flu vaccine each year by the end of October.  

The flu season begins to increase in October, and typically peaks between December and February but can last as late as May.  Also as it takes about two weeks after your vaccination for the protective antibodies to develop, it is important to get it early in the season. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the various viruses that are in the vaccine.    

The CDC stresses it is especially important for people 65 years and older to get a flu shot as they are at greater risk for serious complications that can result in hospitalization and, in some cases, even death.   This is because seniors’ immune systems are generally weaker than those of younger adults.  Complications of flu can include: bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.  The CDC also recommends people 65 years and older get a flu shot approved for their age group and not a nasal spray vaccine.  

Additionally you need to know that last year’s flu shot will not protect you from this season’s flu virus.  Not only has your immunity from last year’s shot started to wane, but each year the viruses change so you need the protection of the new antibodies.  The flu shot you receive this year has been designed to protect against the flu viruses that researcher have determined will be the most common in the 2019- 2020 flu season.   

MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  Please visit our website to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care in the area.

Does Your Parent or Loved One Need More Help?

Have you started to think your parent or a loved one may need more care in the near future to assure their safety and wellbeing?  If the time is coming when they will need help with daily personal care activities, you may want to consider assisted living.   A community such as MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers a residential home where your loved one will be provided the care they need to allow them to live as independently as possible.  

If this sounds like your situation, you will want to include your parent in the decision making process as the more they are involved, the better they will accept the decision.  In the case of a loved one being in denial about the need for changes in their lifestyle, it may help to read suggestions from experts on how to navigate through the process such as MorningStar’s Decision Guide, which is available through our website.   

Stella Henry, R.N., author of The Eldercare Handbook, explains, “Many seniors unrealistically believe they can take care of themselves for the rest of their lives.”  She suggests you start laying the groundwork for eventual lifestyle changes now regardless of whether a change is eminent or sometime in the distant future. Another specialist, Barry Jacobs, PsyD, a psychologist who has counseled many people through the emotional journey of moving elderly parents, advises adult children to ask their parent to “indulge” them by visiting an assisted living community.  He adds that people are more likely to reconsider their position if a decision is of their own making.  

If you are looking for assisted living or memory care in the Fountain Hills, AZ area, we invite you to consider MorningStar of Fountain Hills.  We are one of MorningStar’s four communities in the Valley of the Sun, convenient to Scottsdale and Phoenix, and offer a choice of 63 private assisted living suites on two levels.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 28 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Please call us for more details.  

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care in the area.

Senior Living May Offer a Healthier Lifestyle

Did you know that studies show many older adults prefer the carefree life offered by senior living?  The idea of no longer having all of the responsibilities that come along with owning a home including the repairs and upkeep is very appealing to many seniors.  Furthermore, for seniors who still think moving into an assisted living community is a place people go to die, most likely have not visited one of today’s vibrant communities.  

There are even studies that suggest moving into senior living may be a healthier option for some than living alone.  This can especially be true for seniors after the death of a spouse as many begin to feel isolated and lonely.  Not to mention the burden of keeping up with household chores such as cleaning, cooking, laundry or needing to move up and down stairs.  

Senior living communities offer an individual the opportunity to easily make new friends as well as gives them the time to pursue special interests or to explore new hobbies.  Also communities typically provide amenities such as onsite fitness centers in addition to offering a range of exercise classes geared toward the fitness level of older adults.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley is a new assisted living and memory care community that is set to open by the end of the year.  We understand that for some the “MorningStar” name may be new to Happy Valley, but we want to reassure you that MorningStar Senior Living is anything but new.  Our senior living communities are scattered throughout the Western U.S. including MorningStar of Beaverton, which opened west of Portland last fall.  

In addition, we want you know that our community will be staffed by a compassionate, professional team of individuals who are experienced in all facets of senior living and committed to providing our residents a true “home.”  Visit our website for contact information and to find out more about our gorgeous new community. You are also welcome to stop by our Onsite Information Center which is open seven days a week.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Happy Valley, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.

Holiday Gifts for Seniors

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us are stumped as to what to buy for an elderly parent and other senior loved ones. Experts suggest you keep in mind they most likely they do not need a lot of “things” but would appreciate something that helps to make their lives easier and/or more enjoyable. 

In fact, do not limit yourself to the idea that gifts have to be something new. Many seniors enjoy getting out and taking them to an activity they love such as a sport’s game (maybe a game of their grandchild’s), a play, or concert is quality time spent together. Another idea is to give them a series of gift certificates for a year’s worth of monthly dinners out with you or for things like haircuts, manicures, a spa day with massage, or even ride services. 

As many elderly adults get cold easily, a comfy, soft throw blanket makes for a good gift. Another thoughtful gift especially for someone with Alzheimer’s is a customized photo blanket. They can be order through several large retailers and are not too expensive. If your parent is a music lover, expand their collection with popular songs from their younger days, and if they don’t already have one, buy them a portable boom box that is easy to use. 

Another gift idea is to get them a phone or simplified tablet that will let them facetime, enjoy family photos, and browse the Internet. Gift baskets filled with favorite foods or new soaps and lotions, non-skid soled slippers or compression socks also are appreciated by seniors. Other ideas include large-print playing cards, puzzles, and adult coloring books with a new set of markers are also fun gifts for seniors. 

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. Opening in the spring of 2019, we invite you to visit our Information Center to learn more compassionate senior housing in Rio Rancho.

February is American Heart Month

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion state that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women (1 in 4 deaths) in the U.S. The organization is committed to helping people lead heart healthy lives by raising awareness and spreading strategies for preventing the disease. 

Some of their suggestions for prevention include small lifestyle changes such as flavoring food with spices rather than using salt as well as adopting overall healthier eating habits. They recommend staying active (or get active) and maintaining a healthy weight. Also to control cholesterol and blood pressure levels. If you smoke, quit and avoid secondhand smoke. If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Also it is important to manage stress. 

Remember you are at a greater risk for heart disease if you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, are overweight or obese, and are not exercising and following a healthy diet. Genetics may also put you at a higher risk as well as your age. If you had a father or brother with heart disease before age 55 or a mother with the disease before 65, it may indicate a family history. 

The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease. This causes the coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart to become blocked by cholesterol and plaque buildup. Chest pains or a heart attack are a sign of a blocked artery. 

Once the MorningStar of Rio Rancho assisted living and memory care community opens this spring, residents will be treated to delicious, nutritional meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients. In addition they will have a range of wellness programs and activities that support and enhance physical, mental, and spiritual health. As the area’s premier assisted living facilities, we invite you to visit our beautiful model suites. 

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. Please visit our Information Center and ask for a tour of our stylish model suites to get an idea of high quality senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. 

Source: healthfinder.gov

Everyday Tips to Help You Stay Your Healthiest Best as You Age

As we grow older, experts say there are some relatively simple changes we can do to help make the process smoother, and remind us it is never too late to adopt healthier habits. They suggest four main areas to focus on that will make a difference in our overall health. 

First, multiple studies have shown that taking care of our emotional health is important. Many older adults suffer from chronic health conditions (80% have at least one and 50% have two or more) including heart disease or cancer, which can put seniors at risk for depression. When a person’s emotional health suffers, it can negatively impact other aspects of their health. In fact research shows a link between depression and social isolation to “digestive problems, heart failure and weakened immune systems.” Thus it is important for seniors to reach out for help if they feel depressed and to participate in activities that give their lives purpose and maintain or develop social connections. 

The next area to focus on is exercise. Experts say we should look at exercise as more than a way to get stronger and/or to lose weight. Exercise provides a whole range of benefits including helping to boost immunity and preventing muscle loss, as well as improving blood flow and strengthening the brain. 

Another suggestion is to take better care of our hair and skin. Good skin care can help to avoid infections and should include washing with a mild soap while taking care not to “over wash” and moisturizing daily. Also apply sun screen whenever you go outdoors. 

The last area to focus on for better health is nutrition. Did you know that millions of seniors suffer from malnutrition? One of the problems facing the elderly is that as we age, appetites decrease so getting all the nutrients the body requires is challenging. Seniors need to keep in mind that it is not just about how much you eat but what you eat. One thing that appears to help seniors eat better is to make eating a social affair. 

At the MorningStar of Rio Rancho assisted living and memory care community, we make this easy as residents eat nutritional, tasty meals together in our charming dining room. We provide seniors the opportunity to socialize as much as they want by participating in group enrichment activities and wellness programs that stimulate the mind, body and spirit. Please visit our website for more details on the best senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. 

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. Please setup an appointment to visit our model suites to a firsthand look at one of the finest assisted living facilities in Rio Rancho, NM. 

Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/how-to-make-a-daily-healthy-aging-routine/