How to Help Slow Down the Signs of Aging

While aging may be a sign of all the wisdom we have gained from past experiences, most of us would not mind slowing down some of the most obvious signs of our advancing years. Doctors say the aging process affects every part of our bodies including perhaps most noticeable our faces.

If you are someone in your upper years, you may have noticed these common signs of aging in your own face: an expanded forehead due to a retreated hairline, longer ears due to a growth in cartilage, or a nose that is drooping due to a weakening of connective tissue supporting the nasal cartilage. When we are young, the fat in our face is evenly distributed to plump it out. As we grow older, the volume of fat in our face clumps up and shifts downward, resulting in the skin looking loose and saggy. The jowl sags and skin loosens around the neck.  

There are several ways we can try to improve the signs of aging in our faces. Medical experts say one of the most important ways to slow down the process is to protect our skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Wearing a SPF of 30 or above every day can help prevent fine wrinkles as well as more serious problems such as skin cancer.  

Other remedies to help delay the signs of aging include cosmetic creams and serums or prescription creams such as Avita, Avage, Renova, Retin-A, which help reduce wrinkles and so-called liver spots caused by sun exposure. Laser treatments can also help get rid of brown spots caused by sun exposure and freckles as well as red marks from broken capillaries.

Botulinum toxin injections are used to smooth out the skin by partially immobilizing the muscles that form our expression lines. Dermal fillers treat the lines caused by lost collagen and fat; and hyaluronic acid, a complex sugar found naturally in many tissues, is one of the most popular fillers. Depending on the filler used botulinum toxin injections and dermal fillers last anywhere from a couple of months up to six month.    

MorningStar of Sparks senior living community offers the area the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care with a wide array of senior care and hospitality services, luxury amenities and wellness programs and activities. Our retirement communities was awarded the Service Excellence Award, based on praises received by families and eldercare experts in online reviews. Visit our website to learn about availability, pricing and to set up a tour. While you are there, ask about our Move-in Specials. 

Visiting a Loved One in an Assisted Living Community

Especially on birthdays and holidays, many of us wish to brighten the day for a loved one in an assisted living community by letting them know they are very special to us. To help make our visit more meaningful, experts provide some tips to keep in mind when we visit.

You may want to plan in advance an activity your loved one would enjoy doing with you during your visit. Examples include bringing along a puzzle to work on, a Scrabble board or a trivia game. You could get prints of current photos of the family made to add to an album or to start a new one. If they are a music lover, bring some new music to enjoy together. If they love listening to stories, get an audiobook to listen to or buy a favorite family movie to watch together. If they love sending greeting cards to family and friends, buy a box of cards and help them get them ready to mail. If they love to be pampered, bring along the supplies to give them a manicure.

If the weather is cooperative, take advantage of the community’s outdoor area to soak up the sun or take your loved one to a local park and plan to share a simple meal of sandwiches and a drink. Bringing your kids along automatically provides a more cheerful energy and will give the resident pleasant memories long after the little ones have gone home. However, do keep in mind that too many visitors at a time can be hectic and it may be better to spread out the visits.

If you do want to bring gifts, remember the person most likely does not have a lot of extra room for anything too big. Gifts of food are generally welcomed and can be shared with others in the community. Other tips include not visiting when you are ill, and be sure to wash your hands when you first come in to avoid spreading germs.

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arcadia, we provide lots of activities and programs for our residents, but we know they always look forward to seeing their family. Our community has beautiful and inviting common areas to enjoy with visiting family and friends. For Senior living Phoenix seniors can count on, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Arcadia, the perfect community to comfortably and safely age in place.

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 assisted living Phoenix has to offer.

Sun Protection: From Clothing to Sunscreens & Sunblocks

Some seniors think since they have gone most of their life without using sun protection, why start now? The following may change your mind. The Skin Cancer Foundation states over half of skin cancer related deaths are in people over the age of 65. Additionally as your risk of developing or dying from skin cancer rises each year, it is important everyone uses sunscreen. This includes people who tan easily or have darker skin. Remember the skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime whether you burn or not.  

If it has been a while since you shopped for sunscreens or sunblocks, you may be wondering how they differ. Sunscreens contain organic chemical compounds such as octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, octocrylene, and ecamsule. They are designed to be absorbed by the skin and need to be rubbed in. However if you plan to swim in the ocean you should use a “reef safe” sunblock as the chemicals in sunscreens are known to damage the coral reefs. “Scientists estimate that between 6,000 and 14,000 tons of sunscreen—the equivalent of 25 to 60 million bottles—washes off of snorkelers and swimmers into coral reef environments each year.”

Sunblocks contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (both natural minerals) and sit on the top of the skin to create a physical barrier; and may be a better choice for sensitive skin. The downside is they can be a thicker formula and leave a whitish cast on the skin. The upside is mineral sunblocks are typically reef safe. Regardless of what type of sunscreen you chose, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing an SPF of 30 or higher every day with UVB and UVA protection to block 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers block slightly more of the sun’s UVB rays, but no sunscreen blocks 100 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.

Another way to safeguard your skin is to wear clothing to protect from ultraviolet rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains the ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of a fabric reveals how much UV radiation it allows to get through to your skin. The UPF measures both UVA and UVB rays while SPF only measures UVB rays. 

MorningStar of Sparks senior living community is located east of Reno in the Sparks neighborhood of Wingfield Springs. Our vibrant community offers 128 bright suites for independent living along with 80 assisted living suites. For seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, we provide 32 memory care suites. Please visit our website to inquire about availability and ask us about our Move-in Specials. 

Source: 

oceanicsociety.org/resources/blue-habits-tips/reef-safe-sunscreen-our-guide-to-ocean-friendly-sun-protection/

Making Healthier Snack Choices

While most of us love to snack, nutritionists say making poor choices can impact our overall diet and negate the effort we make with healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Lauri Wright, chair of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of North Florida, explains snacks should not only satisfy hunger but add to our nutritional intake. Moreover, keep in mind data suggests up to a quarter of our daily calories come from snacking.

Add to that while our metabolism decreases around 2 percent as we age and we require 150 fewer calories per day each decade after age 20, our nutritional needs do not. Snacking on foods high in sugars and sodium can contribute to a steady weight gain over the years.

Nutritionists recommend consuming foods low in calories but filling, and to limit yourself to around 100 to 150 calories. Afternoon snacks high in protein such as yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese allow you to feel fuller longer. Studies found those who ate high-protein snacks rather than crackers or chocolate ate up to 100 fewer calories at dinner.

Fiber is another component to smart snacking. Wright explains, “Fiber aids digestive health and can assist us with blood sugar control and lowering cholesterol.” Good snacks high in fiber include almonds, unsalted soy nuts, berries, carrots with hummus, and whole grain crackers.

Sugary cookies and candies are loaded with calories and neither fill you up nor add to your daily nutritional intake. Dietary recommendations include avoiding sugar, fried foods and processed foods, which have been shown to trigger fat tissue inflammation, an indicator of heart disease, and worsen arthritis inflammation.

For trusted memory care or assisted living Phoenix seniors can count on, we encourage you to consider MorningStar at Arcadia. Along with beautiful private suites, we offer residents resort-style amenities and services as well as a range of activities, wellness programs and nutritional, tasty meals. We believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of senior living, especially when enjoyed within a community setting.

The dining service at MorningStar is under the direction of our own Executive Chef. Residents enjoy seasonal menus that are prepared largely from scratch and are modified to accommodate low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low-fat choices so that residents can self-manage any dietary restrictions. MorningStar also makes it a priority to use foods that have been recognized by the medical community to support brain health and have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. 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 memory care and assisted living Phoenix offers.Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/5-ways-to-snack-smarter.html

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s Holistic Approach to Memory Care

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s goal is to provide the best senior housing Santa Fe, NM offers, which includes 29 secure suites for memory care. Our team feels privileged to provide highly specialized, individualized care for seniors in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages.

MorningStar’s resident-directed approach to memory care respects the dignity and value of each person and supports choice and independence as much as possible. The Reflections Neighborhood was specially designed to accommodate the needs of our most tender residents. Residents can move freely about in a safe and secure environment that includes an enclosed courtyard. We also provide three daily meals served in our beautiful dining room where residents and staff eat together. In addition, residents are provided 24-hour care with daily health monitoring, and the expertise of a full-time licensed nurse.

MorningStar’s memory care comes from a deep understanding of the disease, and we create an individualized care plan for each resident based on their background, preferences and abilities. Our compassionate, professional staff uses multi-sensory cues to calm and awaken memories and to support capabilities.

All residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of purposeful activities that include music, life skills, art, entertainers and exercise as well as special events and outings. Our care team understands that the essence of the person still exists despite the memory loss and will strive every day to connect with and nurture that essence.

We also proudly support the Alzheimer’s Association and will partner with our local chapter to fundraise and participate in a variety of activities all throughout the year. Please visit our website for more information about loving memory care at MorningStar of Santa Fe. We understand families feel traumatized by the sobering diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related disease, and we want you to know we are here to support you as well as your loved one.

 
At MorningStar of Santa Fe, we represent the very best in senior living with a distinct 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 to create a true “home” for residents. We invite you to contact us or visit our website to learn more about the finest senior housing Santa Fe, NM offers.

MorningStar at Arcadia’s goal is to provide the best senior living Phoenix offers, which includes compassionate memory care for those in the early onset of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages. We understand the devastation families feel when they get a diagnosis of a dementia disease. 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.

In addition to MorningStar at Arcadia’s assisted living option, our Reflections Neighborhood consists of 30 secured memory care suites. The area is specifically designed to allow residents the freedom to move safely about their spacious surroundings. Also, given the nature of dementia, residents pay one price for their suite and their care regardless of the level of memory loss.

As dementia care experts, our unique approach and philosophy to caring for those afflicted with the disease is called “Lavender Sky.” We know the essence of the person remains despite the level of memory loss, and our job is to nurture and support the individual by finding ways to calm or stimulate as the situation demands. Lavender Sky provides the path for us to enter, embrace, and explore the “purple world” of memory loss, and to cross over the physical, emotional, and relational boundaries that would otherwise separate us.

Every aspect of our home is designed to provide the comfort, wellness and safety our special residents require including mealtime. We know those suffering from memory loss can sometimes have compromised abilities at the table. We address this by providing a selection of finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look. Please see our website or contact us for more information.

MorningStar at Arcadia provides the very best in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement “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 to create a true “home” for residents. Visit our website to learn more about the finest senior living Phoenix has to offer.

Discover the Many Benefits of Assisted Living

Assisted living communities of today are designed to meet aging adults’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs. After working hard for a lifetime, seniors are offered well-deserved carefree retirement years with just the right amount of care and support. For many seniors, assisted living offers a better choice for those who require help in their daily lives than receiving in-home care services. This is because assisted living communities offer 24/7 care and provide the security of knowing help is not far away in the event of an emergency.

For older adults who are still homeowners, assisted living means saying goodbye to yard work and never-ending home maintenance. For those already in an apartment, a move to an assisted living community provides an extra layer of security as well as amenities and programs not offered at most apartments. Another reason you may want to consider assisted living is that communities such as MorningStar of Santa Fe are designed for the mobility and safety of seniors who may not be as sturdy on their feet as they once were. To modify your own home to accommodate physical limitations can be quite expensive.

Assisted living also helps to eliminate loneliness and isolation that often occurs after retirement or the loss of a spouse or other close loved ones. In addition, our community provides multiple ways seniors can continue to learn and contribute. In fact, one of our mission statements is to “value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals with a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence.” We too know that research has found intellectual stimulation to be an important step in mitigating and slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and we want to help in that effort.

We encourage you to learn more about MorningStar. Not only is our staff happy to answer any questions but our website provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.

MorningStar of Santa Fe’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior housing 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 the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM has to offer.

A Healthy Diet Plays a Role in Our Immune System

Over the last several years, we have seen firsthand the benefit of having a robust immune system, which is vital to helping resist and combat diseases and illnesses, and a healthy diet plays a role in the proper functioning of our immune system. While food alone doesn’t directly boost the immune system, experts explain “a well-rounded diet can help prevent nutrient deficiencies that can hinder immune function, which in turn helps to ensure our immune system functions smoothly.” 

We all need certain vitamins and minerals in order for our immune cells to grow and function; and nutrient-dense foods help protect our bodies in the event of an invasion of bacteria, fungi or viruses. Likewise there are foods known to be harmful to the immune system.  

Alcoholic beverages are one of those things. If you do drink, it is recommended you limit your daily intake to no more than 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine and 1.5 oz. of liquor. Another thing to avoid is caffeinated foods or beverages too close to bedtime; and overall the FDA recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. 

Foods high in sugar and salt should also be avoided as well as fast food and processed foods loaded with empty calories, fat and sodium that offer little in the way of needed vitamins and minerals. Dairy products can be problematic for some individuals and lead to inflammation, which in turn affects the immune system. Experts say another good rule is to avoid snack treats with lots of food additives, colorings, and preservatives, which are associated with inflammation, and weaken the immune system. 

At MorningStar of Albuquerque, we recognize that good nutrition is important to the wellbeing of seniors. Residents of our retirement homes enjoy seasonal menus that are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest ingredients from high-quality producers, locally sourced when possible.  Meals are also modified to include an array of low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low-fat choices for residents to self-manage. 

Our beautiful community offers 48 stylish suites for assisted living and another 21 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living Albuquerque offers and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “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 to learn more about the finest senior living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/slideshows/foods-that-can-harm-your-immunity

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Albuquerque

If you are a senior or have a parent or other loved one that needs more daily help to ensure their safety and wellbeing, it may be time to consider senior living communities offering assisted living.  When you begin your search, please add MorningStar of Albuquerque to the top of your list.  Our beautiful community is located on the city’s northeast side and is ideally situated for mountain views.

Too often seniors worry that moving into assisted living will result in a loss of independence and freedom.  They are afraid that assisted living communities are cold, institutional places that feel more like a hospital or nursing home. Moreover, many mistakenly believe it will mean a loss of privacy and the ability to make their own decisions. At MorningStar of Albuquerque, this could not be further from the truth. 

What sets MorningStar apart from other assisted living Albuquerque, NM has to offer?  Along with spacious private suites in a range of configurations and floor plans, a whole host of resort-style amenities, and 5-Star dining, our community also provides care services that help our assisted living residents maintain their sense of independence and dignity.  

As we define health and well-being holistically and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit, we believe it makes MorningStar a destination for successful aging.  In addition, we have a staff that feels it is a privilege to serve seniors and believes in our core values of love, respect, honesty, fairness, goodness, and kindness.  They also support our mission statement that honors God in our business practices and relationships and values all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.  

In fact, our goal is to provide a true home for our residents by creating a MorningStar family that includes residents and their families as well as our team members.  In addition to our 48 suites for assisted living, our community has 21 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

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 Albuquerque, NM offers.

The Move to MorningStar of Albuquerque

If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Albuquerque’s MorningStar community may be your answer. Located on the city’s northeast side and ideally situated for mountain views, MorningStar of Albuquerque provides an extensive range of amenities, wellness programs, care services and more.   

When a loved one needs more care than they can get in their own home, it may be time to start thinking about a move to assisted living.  If your family is new to the concept of senior living and all it means, please know that MorningStar will work with you each step of the way to help you make informed decisions, and make the eventual move-in process easier.  

To start with, we understand that for your parent or elderly relative, the move is a major lifestyle transition, which is why we approach each move-in with great sensitivity.  One way we do this is to try and nurture a relationship from the start that reinforces the positive aspects of community life and tries to help the person envision the many possibilities of a new adventure.  

Once your family puts down a deposit to secure a chosen suite, our “House to Home” plan goes into full swing.  This starts by collecting pertinent information, agreements and permissions inherent to the move-in including a medical assessment and physician’s care plan for each new assisted living and memory care resident.     

On a more practical level, we offer packing tips including what items are most important to bring such as furnishings and personal belongings that are most significant emotionally, nostalgically as well as functionally.  We want the resident’s new “home” to bring them comfort and joy, which is why we suggest if possible, furnishings should be arranged similar to their prior residence.  Keep in mind; it is especially helpful to those with low vision or cognitive impairment.     

This is just a start of the on-going support we extend to new residents and their families.  We are ready to answer any questions you may have and direct you to our website for contact information as well as other pertinent details.  MorningStar of Albuquerque’s entire team is engaged in finding ways to build a true family, one loving relationship at a time. 

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 senior living Albuquerque, NM has to offer.