Since most assisted living communities offer access to 24-hour personal care, along with nutrition and wellness services targeted specifically for the needs of older adults, they may present healthier, safer options for some seniors so says A Place for Mom. Residents are able to enjoy healthy social connections as well as peace of mind knowing the support they need to help maintain their independence is available 24/7.
In fact new research suggests that the support services and programs provided by assisted living communities help seniors to avoid many of the mishaps and problems that are commonplace in the elderly. One such problem way too common in seniors it failing to take medication as prescribed. Skipped doses or too much medication can result in deadly consequences. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” with their prescription drugs orders, and many are hospitalized each year due to adverse reactions. Dehydration is another commonplace problem experienced by the elderly. As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, which means older adults need to remember to drink even when they are not thirsty. Also some medications may be diuretic, while others cause a person to sweat more, which can result in dehydration. In addition poor nutrition is one more problem many seniors face. Some research even suggests loneliness is a significant predictor of malnutrition in the elderly. It can be difficult for older adults who live alone to prepare good, nutritional meals or for their loved ones to supervise daily eating habits. At senior living communities such as MorningStar of Happy Valley, we provide the support services and physical environment to help older adults live as comfortably and as safely as possible. All of our assisted living suites are equipped with full handicap-accessible bathrooms. Furthermore residents are served three, delicious meals a day tailored to the changing health needs of older adults. Also we provide 24/7 Care Managers, licensed nurses, scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations and Care Plan reviews, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. For more information, please see or website or visit our onsite Information Center. We are scheduled to open in late 2019. 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 best senior living communities. Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/
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The website, Everyday Health Media reports that you can expect to live on average another 19.3 years if you reach the age of 65. However they explain in order to be one of those lucky enough to live to be 85 years or older, you need to carefully manage your chronic health conditions and follow good health habits.
Aging experts such as Jeanne Wei, MD, the director of the Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical School, explains, “You need to be physically active and eat a healthy diet and also make healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking and losing weight, to avoid senior health risks.” She adds that it is helpful to include a geriatrician on your health care team. Furthermore, it is never too late to begin improving your health. Whether you are suffering from diabetes, heart disease, or many other chronic health problems, doctors say you can benefit from even a moderate amount of physical activity. Engaging in physical activity helps to make your bones and muscles stronger and can lessen your risk for falls. Also if you do have a fall, your bones will be stronger and less likely to break. Additionally research shows that physical activity is as good for your brain as it is for your body, but before you embark on any new physical activity, please talk to your physician. The FamilyDoctor.org website suggests that walking may be the easiest exercise for seniors as you can start at your own pace and you do not need any special equipment. They also recommend gardening, dancing, swimming, Tai chi or yoga as good exercises for seniors. One of the many benefits of living at MorningStar of Fountain Hills is that we make it easy for seniors to live a healthy lifestyle. Our meals are both tasty as well as healthy and we offer lots of fun physical activities to keep our residents moving. Please see our website to learn more about our exceptional community. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 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.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please schedule a tour to experience one of the finest senior living communities in Fountain Hills, Phoenix or Scottsdale. Sources: everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/ familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 63 private assisted living suites that are specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors who wish to retain their independence but require a little help each day. Once you decide that MorningStar is the place you want to call “home,” you and your family will meet with our Wellness Director to discuss your needs and set up a care plan that ensures your comfort, well-being and safety.
Some of the services we provide include help with daily personal activities such as bathing and grooming; 24-hour Care Managers; a CPR-trained staff member on each shift, and a licensed nurse on call 24/7 and on-site 5 days a week. We also provide regular Care Plan reviews, medication management, scheduled health and wellness evaluations, pharmacy services, and much more. Each MorningStar Care Level has its own monthly fee and is based on the cost and time it takes to provide the service. In addition we know that a good diet is important to keeping seniors healthy, which is why we have a trained Executive Chef on staff that prepares daily meals that are both tasty and nutritional. Our menu is tailored to accommodate various needs and tastes and include low sodium, sugar free, vegetarian and low fat choices. MorningStar of Fountain Hill’s assisted living also includes a range of wellness programs and activities designed to entertain and stimulate our residents. Along with scheduled transportation services, we also have special scheduled outings to local parks, malls and other recreational venues. Along with our assisted living suites, MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 28 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood that are devoted to the specialized care of those with dementia. We encourage you to visit our website for more information, and while you are there, set up a tour to see for yourself the caring environment that makes MorningStar a real home. 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.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we strive to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please schedule a tour to experience one of the finest senior living communities in Fountain Hills, Phoenix or Scottsdale. More and more research supports the importance of seniors staying physical fit as well as keeping their brains’ fit. Harvard Health Publishing reports on research with mice and humans that show “brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological ‘plasticity’ and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.”
Mentally stimulating activity such as trivia and memory games, puzzles, crosswords, board and card games can help maintain brain function. Even if you don’t have a partner to play with, many of these types of games can be found on a computer or tablet. Reading, taking courses, drawing, painting and experimenting with things that require manual dexterity are stimulating mental gymnastics. Other great brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities like playing an instrument or dancing. Board games, such as chess and checkers, require counting, strategy and decision-making. Memory games, scrabble and crosswords can help to improve recall and reduce those times when you cannot get the right word out. Another added benefit to playing games with other is companionship. Experts say physical activity is also necessary for good brain health as it increases the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain responsible for thought. It encourages the development of “new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain cells (synapses).” Another positive side effect of exercise is it also improves your heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure, improving blood sugar balance and reducing mental stress. Brain health is also improved with good nutrition. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, unsaturated oils (olive oil) and plant sources of proteins may help to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia. MorningStar of Rio Rancho’s assisted living is dedicated to making your retirement years carefree. By providing a range of meaningful programs, tasty, nutritional meals, 24/7 care, residents are able to lead a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best assisted 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. Our community will open in the spring of 2019. In the meantime, visit our Information Center to talk to our team about incomparable senior housing in Rio Rancho NM. Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/12-ways-to-keep-your-brain-young mindhow.com/best-brain-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/ The National Council on Aging (NCOA) states that, “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.” They report one in four adults over the age of 65 fall each year and account for more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency rooms annually, and result in over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.
However they say falls do not have to be an inevitable result of aging. Rather with some practical lifestyle adjustments as well as public campaigns on how to reduce the problem from the NCOA and other organizations, the number of yearly falls can be reduced. The NCOA’s evidence-based Falls Free® National Action Plan was updated in 2015, and includes “goals, strategies and action steps to increase physical mobility, reduce the impact of medications as a falls risk factor, and improve home and environmental safety.” The National Institute on Aging explains some of the steps seniors can take to help protect themselves from a fall. The first thing is to stay physically active. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking or climbing stairs improves muscles strength and keeps joints, tendon, and ligaments more flexible. Another fall-prevention tip is to have your eyes and hearing tested. If you need glasses, wear them, and if you have a hearing aid, wear it. In addition ask your healthcare provider if your medications have side effects that can make you dizzy or sleepy. It is also important to get enough sleep and to limit the amount of alcohol you drink as even a small amount can affect your balance. Stand up slowly, and have your blood pressure checked if you feel dizzy. If you feel wobbly when walking, use an assistive device such as a cane or walker. A physical or occupational therapist can help you choose the right device and teach you how to safely use it. During wet or icy conditions, use extra caution when walking, and always wear non-skid, rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes. Lace-up shoes give you the ability to adjust the amount of support you need, but do not buy shoes with soles that are too thin or too thick. Around the house, wear shoes or slippers with non-slip bottoms. MorningStar of Rio Rancho assisted living and memory care community is designed from the ground up to provide a safe, supportive and loving environment. We provide 24/7 Care Managers, access to licensed nurses, and much more. Please visit our website for availability and pricing. 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 to residents in the spring of 2019, we invite you to visit our Information Center to learn more about the finest senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. Source: ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/ nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that, “even gentle, regular exercise such as walking or swimming can increase lifespan by around three to five years.” They say it can also help prevent falls by improving muscle strength and balance as well as reduce the risk of chronic diseases, depression and cognitive decline.
Regular cardiovascular exercise such as walking, cycling or light housework (anything that raises the heart rate) helps to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack. They increase blood flow to the heart and improve your overall health. In addition many older adults, especially women, are at risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures. These conditions benefit from weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, climbing stairs, dancing, or step aerobics. The WHO reports that exercise reduces the risk of a hip fracture by as much as 40%. If you have osteoporosis, doctors advise against putting any sudden or excessive strain on your bones. Please check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercises as they can give you safe ones to do. The WHO also states that exercise is an effective remedy to improve many chronic health conditions including arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes. They recommend older adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week.” They add that older adults with “poor mobility should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls on 3 or more days per week.” A new study from the American Geriatrics Society published in the Science Daily, found that exercise training yields the most significant improvements in “functional balance, daily activity, fear of falling, and depression levels.” Seniors who participated in regular exercise programs were also found to have more confidence and independence. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we are committed to providing our residents with an atmosphere of comfort, wellness and community. Our gorgeous new residential home offers assisted living and memory care along with a wide range of resort-style amenities and care services. Please see our website for contact information. Before starting any new exercises, please consult 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. As one of the top senior living communities in the area, we invite you to contact us or visit our onsite Information Center (opening in early February). Source: who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_olderadults/en/ go4life.nia.nih.gov/exercising-with-chronic-conditions-heart-disease-diabetes-arthritis-and-osteoporosis/ sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070705123157.htm We all know the holidays are a good excuse to heartily enjoy the rich, festive foods that make an appearance this time of the year. However with the New Year, it is an excellent time to get back to a healthier lifestyle or to start one.
As many seniors do not exercise as much as they once did, most do not require as many calories as they use to consume so the foods they do choose need to rich in nutrients. One good way to start eating healthier is by adding more fruits and veggies to your diet and when you do snack, to make sure it is a healthy one. Rather than potato chips and candies, choose fruit smoothies, Greek yogurt with fruit, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, veggies and low-fat dip, or nuts and trail mixes. Experts recommend starting your morning with a hydrating warm drink and to remember to continue to drink half your body weight in water each day. Also stay active, and if you don’t already have a work-out buddy, find one as it can make it more fun to exercise. In addition, studies show that making meals a social affair encourages better eating habits. When MorningStar of Rio Rancho assisted living and memory care community opens this spring, our residents will be treated to a 5 Star dining experience. Our meals are prepared under the guidance of our own Executive Chef and prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients. We also offer a range of wellness programs and activities, which include fun exercise classes suitable for our residents. Visit our website for pricing and availability and be sure to inquiry about our “Founder’s Club” savings. 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 to learn more about the most luxurious and loving senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more than one in four adults age 65 years and older falls each year. Many falls do not cause serious injuries. However, one out of five falls cause an injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. Statistics show that 3 million older adults are treated in an emergency department each year for nonfatal falls, and over 800,000 are hospitalized.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) advises that seniors “fall proof” both the inside and outside of their homes. Every room should have clear pathways that are free of clutter and other obstacles that could cause a fall. All carpets should be securely attached to floors and stairways, and rather than throw rugs, use non-slip rugs or apply non-slip strips. Another suggestion from the NIH is to have good lighting throughout your home including well-lit hallways, entrances, and stairwells. Also have a lamp close to your bed that is easy to turn on to avoid stumbling around in the dark when getting in and out of bed. In addition, wearing the proper shoes is also an important part of preventing falls. Shoes should fit well and have low heels, non-slip soles and completely surround your foot. Other safety tips include installing handrails and grab bars in the bathroom. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our beautiful community is designed to accommodate our residents’ limitations. All of our spacious private suites come with wall-to-wall carpeting, fully handicapped-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. We also provide a 24/7 care staff and a full-time licensed nurse. Please visit our website to learn more. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Please contact us to schedule a tour. The time may be right for you or your parents to move into a senior assisted living community but you are concerned about selling the house. We are all aware that the housing market has recovered from the poor market of several years ago but finding the right buyer can often still be a challenge.
There are some things you can do to give yourself an edge over the competition. The most important thing is to set the right price as a house priced too high is just not going to sell in any market. Be sure to take condition of your home into account and sale prices of comparable houses in the area. Do not assume the price necessarily reflects the assessed value. If your house has been on the market for a while, re-evaluate what is going on and discuss with your agent any feedback he is getting from prospective buyers. It may be some repairs and upgrades are advisable and could make a difference. Remember that an old house can just look old, or with a few well-placed updates, you can transform it into a classic. Steps to staging your home to get ready to sell: Clean everything inside and out. Do not forget windows and steam clean the carpets. Make sure to eliminate any pet or cigarette odors. Paint walls that are dirty and replace stained or worn out carpet (consider putting in wood or tile floors). Stick to neutral colors. Fix anything that is broken or damaged. You could consider having a home inspection done as a buyer will probably do one anyway. It allows you to take care of repairs beforehand. Get rid of clutter throughout the house and do not forget countertops. Removing as much as possible will help to give the impression of more room. Take down anything that could be offensive and put away personal items and mementos. The idea is to let a prospective buyer picture living there. Open blinds and windows to give more light and let fresh air in if the weather is cooperative. Set out a vase of cut flowers. Sometimes seniors think it is better to modify their current home and postpone moving into a senior living community. Studies show that making even small modifications can negatively affect home equity down the road when someone wants to sell. People can feel disconnected to a house that looks like an “old person’s” home. MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care in Fountain Hills, AZ contact us to schedule a tour. For many of us in Arizona, it is a welcome relief from the summer heat to be able to get outside and enjoy the milder weather. One of the best forms of exercising for seniors is walking, and experts says it offers benefits ranging from controlling blood sugar, supporting bone and heart health to improving sleep. However there are a few precautions you should take before starting your walk.
As many older adults have balance issues, a loss of feeling in their legs and feet, or feet that routinely swell, you need to wear supportive and comfortable walking shoes to help reduce the risk of a fall. Shoes should be wide-mouthed so they are easy to put on and have laces that allow them to be adjusted to fit. In addition an orthopedic insert can provide ergonomic support to the feet and ankle without being uncomfortable. When buying shoes, be sure to look for a hard, slip-resistant sole that firmly grips the surface, even in wet, slippery conditions. A shock-absorbing and light-weight sole will offer a softer impact on the ankles and the heels. Additionally your shoes should not increase pain in the feet or cause blisters or sores. Another tip is to not wear worn-out shoes, flip flops or other open shoes as they do not give enough support to the ankle and make it easier to fall. Experts also recommend buying shoes in a wider width as they offer better stability and can accommodate your feet if they tend to swell. Remember also to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to serious complications including increasing the risk of falls. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, our residents have plenty of opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather as we have a fireside patio and porches. We also offer exercise classes which are geared to improving balance which increases mobility and reduces the risk of falls. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional senior care community. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior care 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 contact us to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living and memory care in the area. |
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