Phoenix and heat are as common of a pair as Minneapolis and subzero temperatures. Heat is such a part of life at our senior living center in Scottsdale, Arizona, that many people brush it off as one of the many facts of life. However, heat in summer can cause serious health issues. Extreme heat was responsible for causing 552 deaths in Arizona during 2021, while sending nearly 3,000 area residents to an emergency room for treatment. However, the Arizona heat in summer does not have to be a life-threatening weather event.
At our assisted living facility in Fountain Hills, we educate residents about six tips to beat the Arizona heat. Stay Hydrated A good rule of thumb to beat the Arizona heat is to drink at least two liters of water a day, even if you plan to remain indoors for the majority of your day. Carry water with you during the day trips scheduled at our senior living center in Scottsdale. Wear Proper Clothing The fashion statement made to beat the Arizona heat involves wearing lightweight, lightly colored apparel. Lighter colors reflect some of the sun’s energy to prevent the body from overheating. Wear a hat, as well as apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Change How You Eat Your dining habits need to change during one of Arizona’s well-publicized heatwaves. Eat much smaller meals and eat them more often throughout the day. Avoid food high in protein content because these types of food generate metabolic heat. Take It Easy Complete less strenuous activities during the hottest time of day, which typically runs from noon until 6 p.m. If you plan to participate in a physical activity, do it during the coolest time of day that runs from 4am to 7am Central Air is Your Friend Remaining indoors during an Arizona heat wave represents one of the most effective ways to beat the desert heat. An air-conditioned room ensures you maintain a healthy body temperature, as well as helps your body slow down to store much-needed energy. Our assisted living facility in Fountain Hills operates a powerful central air conditioning system. Know the Weather By watching the television in your room or a TV positioned in one of the common areas of our senior living center in Scottsdale, you should be able to stay up to date with area weather conditions. The National Service Website keeps you informed as well about any heat-related watches and warnings. What is the Difference Between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion? You should be aware of two heat-related illnesses that increase in numbers during Arizona summers: Heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is the more dangerous of the two heat-related illnesses because the body overheats to a potentially life-threatening temperature. Victims of heat exhaustion exhibit signs of heavy perspiration, while victims of heatstroke display deep red-colored skin. Excessive thirst is another characteristic of heat exhaustion that eventually can lead to muscle cramps. The most serious cases of heat stroke send victims into convulsions. At our assisted living facility in Fountain Hills, we keep our residents safe during heat waves by following six tips to beat the Arizona heat. Discover all of the healthcare initiatives implemented by MorningStar of Fountain Hills by scheduling a tour of our assisted living facility.
0 Comments
One of the most important factors to consider before choosing a senior housing community in Rio Rancho concerns diet and nutrition. As we grow older, our body develops special needs that only the proper diet and nutrition can fulfill. If you watch just a little television, you probably have come across several ads that promote different diets. At night, it seems like a non-stop flurry of ads extolling the virtues of eating certain diets.
How do you make sense of all the information concerning diets? The answer is learning about the facts of each diet. At our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, that starts by answering the questions, what is the Keto diet? An Overview of the Keto Diet Also referred to as the ketogenic diet, the keto diet has emerged as one of the most popular diets that involves consuming a below-average amount of carbohydrates. If following a strict keto diet, you replace carbs with fat to generate energy, with the primary goal of accelerating the body’s natural fat-burning process. Created to treat children who live with drug-resistant epilepsy, the keto diet eventually went mainstream because of its weight loss benefits. The science behind the keto diet involves ketosis, which is a process the body develops when you eat a low-carb diet. Other diets that follow the ketosis approach include the Atkins diet and the Dukan diet. The keto diet stands out from the other diets that rely on ketosis due to the consumption of a higher-than-average amount of fat. To generate the ketosis process, your body should not absorb more than 50 grams of carbohydrates a day. How Do You Follow the Keto Diet? You should ease into a keto diet by first focusing on eating foods that provide liver support, such as garlic and onions. Another tip to maximize the benefits of the keto diet involves decreasing the amount of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol that you consume. Following the standard keto diet includes incorporating a considerable amount of non-starchy vegetables like kale and spinach into each meal. Both leafy vegetables work well as part of every meal, including breakfast. Kale and spinach are low in carbs and both leafy vegetables deliver plenty of vitamins and minerals. The best foods to consume as part of the keto diet include fish, nuts, high-fat meat, and high-fat dairy such as cheese. Foods to avoid cover all types of bread, pasta, and cereal. You also need to avoid drinking certain beverages such as fruit juices and milk-based drinks. Does the Keto Diet Work? Research indicates the keto diet can help you lose weight, as well as improve insulin sensitivity for those who live with diabetes. When tested against a low-fat diet, the keto diet achieves a greater loss of body weight, in some cases as much as 10 pounds in just two weeks. How long you keep the extra weight off depends on your commitment to following the keto diet, as well as maintaining a regular exercise routine. The Importance of Diet and Nutrition at MorningStar of Rio Rancho The licensed caregivers at our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM place a strong emphasis on educating our residents about the importance of diet and nutrition. Although the keto diet might not be for every resident, the scientific proof of the diet’s success makes it one to consider for residents who want to lose weight. Learn more about how MorningStar of Rio Rancho stresses the importance of diet and nutrition by scheduling a tour today of our senior housing community in Rio Rancho. If you seem to be running out of time, one of the ideas that crosses your mind is to skip warming up before a workout. After all, you can slowly ease into your workout routine without limbering up beforehand, right?
One of the most important points our caregivers emphasize for residents concerning physical health is the importance of warming up before a workout. At our senior housing center in Rio Rancho, every organized workout directed by one of our caregivers starts with a warm up session. If you do not properly warm up before a workout, you increase the risk of sustaining an injury, or at the very least, place undue strain on your joints and muscles. Warming up before a workout is important for additional reasons as well. You increase your body’s flexibility when you properly warm up, as well as enhance the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body. Numerous studies indicate that a thorough warm up period improves physical performance during a workout, such as giving you a much better range of motion. A thorough warm up period also reduces muscle pain and tension. Here are a few suggestions to help you properly warm up before a workout: Pushups One of the most common, yet incorrectly done warm up exercises works your upper body, as well as the core and glutes. For those that struggle with standard push ups, doing this warm up exercise on the knees works as well. The key is to do push ups the right way to get the most out of this warm up exercise. At our assisted living facility, we organize group exercise sessions directed by a fitness expert who ensures each class participant does push ups the right way. Squats Squats represent a versatile exercise that targets several muscles, including the glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. This warm up routine requires you to start slow by squatting halfway toward a full knee bend. You slowly increase the difficulty until you achieve a full knee bend without squatting with any weights. After you warm up by squatting, you can eventually hold weights to work your leg muscles harder. Planks One of the most serious health issues that slow down seniors concerns back pain. Years of putting pressure on the back can lead to debilitating medical conditions, which include suffering from a herniated disc. Planks are a warm up exercise that targets the back by loosening back muscles. They increase back strength, as well as improve balance and posture. If you have never done planks, make sure to do your first few sets under the guidance of a certified fitness trainer. The Bottom Line Jumping right into a workout routine without first warming up not only diminishes the effectiveness of the workout, it can also be dangerous. This is especially true for seniors because they do not possess the strength and mobility that they did years ago. Warming up at a comfortable pace is essential to achieving the desired results in preparation for a workout. The caregivers who specialize in fitness at our senior housing center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico encourage residents to warm up as a group to foster a sense of community that helps everyone achieve the same workout goal. Being a caregiver for an elderly parent or another loved one can be stressful and over time your duties can increase to a point where it is more than you can handle. For your wellbeing and that of your parent’s, it is probably time to make a change. Today’s senior living communities offer a range of options including assisted living, designed to provide help with the ADLs (activities of daily living). This level of care allows the senior to regain their sense of independence; and for you, your time with mom or dad goes back to just enjoying being together.
Assisted living communities like MorningStar of Happy Valley offer residents much more than just comprehensive physical care. Residents enjoy a whole range of amenities and services as well as the opportunity to make new friends. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, once the family decides to entrust us with the care of their loved one, we do a thorough evaluation of the person's medical history, background and personal preferences. Then we create a care plan approved by you and your parents, which is also routinely updated to address any changes in care. Mom or dad will receive access to a full-time licensed nurse and a caring, responsive 24-hour staff. We also offer medication management services. MorningStar’s stylish suites come in a range of floor plans and configurations and each has a handicap-accessible bathroom and emergency call system. Amenities include a bistro, fitness room, salon, general store, chapel/theatre, courtyards and more. In addition, we offer a range of wellness programs and activities designed to promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Services include scheduled transportation and onsite therapeutic services such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. Weekly housekeeping and daily trash removal keeps mom or dad’s suite spotless, and linen and laundry services keep life simple. A five-star meal service ensures your loved one gets the daily nutrition they need. For more information about luxury assisted living in Happy Valley, Oregon, please visit our website. MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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. Are you the adult child or spouse of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? At MorningStar of Happy Valley we understand the anguish and heartache that families go through seeing their beloved mom, dad, or spouse change before their eyes.
If the diagnosis is recent, you are most likely wrestling with lots of questions including what the future will bring and who will be there to provide the level of care the person will probably need. We hear you and want you to know our experienced team is here to help with holistic care that focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss. MorningStar’s memory care revolves around comforting and caring for our most tender residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. We start with a physical space designed to enhance residents’ quality of life with safe, inviting common areas encouraging independence. Residents stay active with a gentle flow of activities including art, dance, physical exercise, special events, and scheduled outings. Once a resident joins our MorningStar family, we meet with them and their family to get to know as much as we can about them including their history, vocation, talents, and preferences. From there we create a daily routine designed to stimulate or calm as a situation requires. Residents are also treated to tempting meals consisting of finger foods and family-style dining for a stress-free, companionable dining experience. As dementia care specialists, our approach and philosophy to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” All team members, regardless of their position, receive Lavender Sky training, which includes a deeper understanding of the disease and communication techniques to use with memory-impaired residents. It also includes training in environmental safety and security as well as solutions to challenging behaviors. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted senior living at MorningStar. MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Happy Valley, Oregon. For many families, assisted living is a new concept and they don’t know if it would meet their loved one’s needs. While services may depend on where you live, there are similarities regardless of your zip code. The first thing families should understand is assisted living is not skilled nursing care but rather intended for seniors who require a “helping hand” with daily care activities. Seniors need to understand assisted living does not take away their independence but rather enhances it.
Assisted living communities offer an environment to safely age in place while receiving an array of senior care services, companionship and programs to improve quality of life. Residents enjoy not having to worry about home maintenance and yard work as well as preparing meals and driving. Assisted living communities are maintenance-free and provide meals and scheduled transportation to medical appointments or trips to area shopping and restaurants. Another big benefit to assisted living is the resident no longer feels like a burden to their family. Now when a son or daughter comes for a visit, it is just that. There isn’t a list of chores to do or the need to help with personal care or meal prep but time can be spent enjoying one another. When you are searching for assisted living, one of the services listed should include help with the ADLs (activities of daily life). ADLs include things like medication management, bathing, dressing, grooming, transference (help getting in and out of bed to wheelchair, walker etc.) As an incoming resident, your loved one’s level of care will be based on the ADLs to create a Personalized Care Plan. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we provide a full range of senior care and hospitality services, luxury amenities and wellness programs to engage residents physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. Please contact us or visit our website for more information. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living in Happy Valley, Oregon. One of the most frequent reasons for choosing to live in the greater Phoenix metro area cited by the residents of our senior living facility in Scottsdale is the copious amounts of sunshine. The residents of our assisted living facility at Fountain Hills enjoy on average more than 330 sunny days each year. The daily dose of sunlight allows our residents to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities that include golf, cycling, and hiking.
Sunlight delivers several benefits, but like anything in life, you have to take it in reasonable amounts. Great Source of Vitamin D Sunlight allows your body to produce vitamin D from the cholesterol that collects in your skin. With more than 330 sunny days a year at our senior living center in Scottsdale, Arizona, residents receive enough vitamin D-rich sunlight to support bone and muscle health, as well as control blood pressure. Vitamin D also plays an important role in regulating your immune system and maintaining the strong circulation of your blood vessels. Sunlight’s ability to generate vitamin D also helps the brain function at a high level, as well as keeps blood sugar at acceptable levels. Destroys Bacteria Sunlight is much more than an outdoor phenomenon. It also provides an important benefit indoors. Indoor environments are ideal places for bacteria-laden dust to collect. Some of the bacteria can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, which for older adults, can lead to serious respiratory consequences. Several studies have discovered that sunlight kills harmful bacteria that cling to indoor dust. One study found just six percent of dust bacteria survived while exposed to sunlight, compared to 12 percent of dust bacteria that survived in a darkroom. Enhanced Sleep Quality It seems counterintuitive to claim sunlight improves the quality of your sleep. After all, who sleeps soundly while the sun beams its rays over you? However, sun exposure helps maintain your body’s internal clock, which is otherwise known as your circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm responds to the light and dark cycles by helping you fall asleep at night when it is dark, as well as wake up in the morning at the first sign of sunlight. Many sleep experts recommend exposure to bright sunlight in the morning to increase your chances of falling asleep quickly later in the day after the sun sets. Boosts Mood One of the negatives of living in an area that receives insufficient sunlight is the development of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD represents a type of mild depression that typically develops during the fall and winter months when cloudy days prevent the sun from working its magic. With more than 330 sunny days per year at the Fountain Hills assisted living facility, SAD does not become an issue, as our residents do not experience SAD symptoms such as fatigue and lethargy. SAD also contributes to lower serotonin levels, which is a direct cause of depression. Get Your Daily Dose of Sunlight Living at our assisted living facility in Scottsdale ensures you receive enough sunlight to maintain robust mental and physical health. However, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. To minimize the damage sunlight can do to the skin, wear sunscreen, spend plenty of time in the shade, and cover your skin if you plan to be outdoors for several hours. You see them in several environments, from the local shopping mall to a nearby municipal park. They often wear a colored vest while walking next to their human companion. Some of them visit schools, daycare centers, and assisted living facilities to spread joy to everyone who encounters them. At the MorningStar of Fountain Hills memory care facility, we have become acquainted with the therapy dogs that are companions for some of our residents.
Therapy dogs come from a handful of breeds, such as golden retrievers, German shepherds, and labrador retrievers. They spend considerable time, which often runs two years, learning how to interact with humans. For residents at our senior living center in Scottsdale, Arizona, one question is asked more often than other questions. How do therapy dogs help seniors? More Active With a dog to take care of each day, seniors who live a mostly sedentary lifestyle immediately transform into active older adults. Like all dogs, therapy dogs require walks, as well as playtime at a dog or municipal park. Getting off the couch and walking a therapy dog improves your physical health by working out the cardiovascular system. Seniors also become more active by playing games with their therapy dogs such as fetch and tug of war. Less Lonely Research studies indicate that around 40 percent of seniors experience regular bouts of loneliness. This is especially true for seniors who have lost a spouse. Seniors who experience loneliness are more likely to develop the symptoms that are associated with depression and anxiety. The results of a study released in 2016 demonstrate pets provide the emotional support seniors need to fend off bouts of loneliness. A visit from a therapy dog can wash those lonely blues away. Lower Blood Pressure According to one research study, sitting down and petting a dog for a few minutes can lower your blood pressure by as much as 10 percent. The body reduces stress because the brain releases oxytocin, prolactin, and serotonin. It also reduces the level of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Seniors who live with high blood pressure are at a much greater risk of developing health ailments such as strokes, as well as heart and kidney disease. Lowering blood pressure is the most effective strategy for preventing the development of those diseases. Helps Fend Off Dementia At our assisted living facility, we emphasize the importance of our residents remaining mentally active to prevent developing the signs of dementia. Playing interactive card games and working solo on crossword puzzles represent two ways to stay mentally fit. Another way to keep your brain sharp is to interact with a therapy dog. The company of a loving dog can improve cognitive functioning, as well as help seniors stay balanced and well-coordinated. Learn More About Therapy Dogs Therapy dogs have somewhat different roles than the roles covered by service dogs. Therapy dogs do more visits, such as visiting residents at our senior living center in Scottsdale, AZ. They are trained to provide emotional support for victims of violent crimes, as well as older adults who live alone. On the other hand, service dogs provide constant companionship by helping their human companions deal with disabilities like blindness and epilepsy.You can find therapy dogs roaming the halls of our assisted living facility at Fountain Hills as part of our monthly activities calendar. Learn more about therapy dogs and how they help seniors by scheduling a tour of our senior living center in Scottsdale, AZ. From time to time, we hear news stories about elderly people causing serious car accidents due to negligence. This typically reignites the on-going debate about “when is it time for a senior to stop driving?” Also, it is important to keep in mind that seniors are more likely to be injured in an accident as well as more likely to die from their injuries.
Obviously being told you should no longer drive is a very sensitive topic for an elderly person still driving. To them, it represents more than just getting from one place to another but their independence and a way of life. So before you take away your elderly parent’s driving privileges, you should check that their driving is up to today’s road conditions. The first thing you can do is to get in the car and take a ride with them. Experts say some driving issues signal serious problems while others less so. For instance if your loved one is confusing the gas pedal with the brake, this is serious and requires immediate action. Other things to look for are problems with left-hand turns, changing lanes, or driving either too fast or too slow. Once you are out of the car, check for signs of new scrapes and dents. Many older adults realize their driving abilities are not what they used to be and make the decision on their own to stop driving at night or on freeways. They also will not drive on icy and snowy roads or in the rain. Some even make other adjustments such as not making left hand turns or avoiding busy roads with lots of lanes and traffic. At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Happy Valley, we are happy to offer residents scheduled transportation along with many other amenities, wellness programs and activities. Our transportation services ensure residents get to doctor appointments and other errands safely. Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living in Happy Valley, Oregon and why MorningStar is a great place to call home. MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest senior living in Happy Valley, Oregon. The Alzheimer’s Association explains Alzheimer’s is a disease that not only affects the individual but robs family members of their loved one. As the disease progresses, it takes away more and more of the person and the family begins to mourn the loss. While grief has different phases including denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance in no particular order; universally shared by most families is unease about what the future holds and what to expect next.
Hope is a powerful human emotion so denying the disease is a coping mechanism for some as they try to convince themselves their loved one will get better or not reach the level of devastation experienced by many suffering from the disease. Others may refuse to recognize the changed behavior and make excuses for it. Spouses and significant others may experience anger as they feel abandoned by the person and frustrated at their inability to do anything about it. They may also feel resentment and overwhelmed by caregiving duties but experts say it is important to be honest with yourself. Recognize when you need more support and ask for it. Other feelings of grief include guilt. A person may worry they have not done enough or are not visiting often enough. While unrealistic, spouses may feel guilty they are still able to enjoy life while their wife or husband is no longer able. If a caregiver is not getting enough support, they may even experience thoughts about wishing the person would die or go away. The Alzheimer’s Association says it is important to get the help and support you need and to accept your feelings and remember grief is part of the journey. At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we understand the devastation families feel when they get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. We know the path going forward is unplanned for, and we consider it our privilege – our calling to walk alongside the memory-impaired and their family on their unexpected journey. MorningStar offers experienced, compassionate care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases right through to the most advanced stages. The Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar is unique from many other assisted living communities as it is specifically designed to cater to the specialized needs of those suffering from memory impairment. We provide our tender residents a safe, comforting physical environment, trained caregivers, daily health monitoring, meaningful activities, wellness programs, community meals and more. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted memory care in Happy Valley, Oregon. MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR. |
Our goal is to allow seniors to enjoy their retirement years by offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, filled with resort-style amenities and activities. Archives
August 2021
Categories:
All
|