Community Living is Often the Answer for Loneliness

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. In terms of numbers, that’s nearly 14 million seniors. Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely, but it often is the case. Not to mention, the pandemic certainly made matters worse as many seniors self-isolated from family and friends.   

Whatever the cause of loneliness, research shows it takes a toll on people. In fact, a study from Brigham Young University reports loneliness can be as deadly as smoking or obesity. Study authors explain senior isolation “may complicate existing conditions, encourage an unhealthy lifestyle, and affect cognition.”

The American Psychiatric Association says seniors who report feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to depression and poor health habits including excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. Research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging found the “risk of Alzheimer’s nearly doubled in lonely adults, and mental decline was faster.”

Senior living communities like MorningStar of Albuquerque provide residents a lifestyle that focuses on wellness, comfort and community. Along with extensive care services, we offer a broad range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social connectivity. Programs range from physical exercise classes to art classes, trivia and card games, clubs and more. We tell residents if we do not offer something you wish to pursue, start a club and encourage others to join.

Assisted living residents receive a range of services such as 24/7 care managers, certified med care managers and scheduled health & wellness evaluations. A licensed nurse is onsite during weekdays and on-call 24/7. Furthermore, MorningStar helps families arrange auxiliary care services to deal with other health concerns on an as needed basis. 

We believe every moment you are alive is an opportunity to grow, set new goals, dream new dreams, and do better. MorningStar is committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives. If you are looking for the best retirement homes Albuquerque offers, we encourage you to learn more about MorningStar.  

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 Albuquerque.

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/senior-isolation-facts

Dining at MorningStar of Santa Fe

A move to senior living can mean a lot of changes for a person. Our job at MorningStar of Santa Fe is to make sure that experience is full of positive changes. One of the things we feel showcases our home is an outstanding food service, which is under the direction of our own Executive Chef.  

As an assisted living resident, you will be treated to a variety of seasonal menus featuring the freshest ingredients from high quality producers, locally sourced whenever possible, or even from our own resident-gardens. You will also enjoy all-day, restaurant-style dining in our beautifully designed, relaxing dining room. For those times you wish to have an intimate dinner with friends or family, go ahead and reserve our private dining room. 

Our Chef is specifically trained in culinary skills and menu creations that appeal to seniors and knows how to modify recipes to accommodate food sensitivities and allergies as well as changing needs. A variety of nutritional choices allow residents to self-manage dietary habits and restrictions and include low sodium, gluten free, sugar free, no sugar added and low-fat options.  We also use ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds known to support brain health and aptly named “Super Foods.”  These include items like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens. 

Along with five-star dining, other amenities include a general store, massage room, library, fitness room, and a full-service salon.  We also offer a bistro, as well as a theatre/chapel, outdoor courtyard with cozy kiva fireplace, strolling paths, salon and more. And when you need to see your doctor or run an errand, we offer scheduled transportation.  

While under our roof, residents have the opportunity to meet new friends and join a variety of wellness programs and activities that enhance and support mental, physical, spiritual and social connections.  You will also have a team of dedicated, compassionate caregivers with a felt calling to serve who will go out of their way to meet your needs, even your unexpressed ones.  Please visit our website to learn what sets our community apart from other senior housing Santa Fe, NM offers and why MorningStar is such 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 housing Santa Fe, NM offers.

To Reach Your Weight Goals, Pay Attention to Portion Size

In addition to the types of food we eat, dieticians say it is also important to pay attention to portion size when attempting to shed a few pounds as it will help you reach your goal. When trying to diet, sticking to nutrient-dense, relatively low-calorie foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and poultry are your best choices; but no matter how healthy a food is, you still should not over consume.

This is where portion control plays a part. Amy Gorin, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant-Based Eats, a collection of curated meal plans, grocery lists and nutrition tip sheets, explains that whole foods like almond butter and dark chocolate are good for us, they should be eaten in moderation and in proper portions. In other words, the bottom-line is a large chocolate bar should not be consumed in one sitting.

However, to complicate matters, experts explain that in many cases, strictly following portion sizes suggested on the container would differ from what a registered dietician would recommend. The problem with across-the-board portion sizes is they do not address age group, gender, and activity level of the particular person. Add to that, portion size is a critical component to losing weight especially in foods that are higher in calories.

Also eating the right amount of food helps to maintain a balanced gut. The Harvard Health Men’s Watch, suggests “a healthy gut microbiome stimulates the body’s immune system and may shield against an array of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.”

For the area’s finest memory care or assisted living, Albuquerque, NM seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Albuquerque for a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Our beautiful home provides assisted living and memory care with a wide range of amenities and services to meet every need including a nutritional, delicious dining service. Contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Albuquerque provides the very best in senior living 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 for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Albuquerque, NM offers

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/portion-control-what-you-should-know

Caring for a Loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association explains a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia don’t have to give up the activities they love. Rather they suggest the better option is to modify the activity to better fit their skill set and current ability. 

However, even in the early stages of the disease, many withdraw from the activities they used to enjoy but experts say it is important to help them stay engaged. A modification can be as simple as reducing the number of people the person socializes with at a time. Smaller groups are less intimidating and reduce confusion. Also, it helps to let the person’s other family members and friends know about the diagnosis.   

As the disease progresses, other changes will likely be in order. If you notice an activity seems to make them restless or irritable, either modify so it brings them happiness or stop it altogether. For instance, while a person’s skills may decline, someone who plays the piano may still enjoy playing the simple pieces they learned years ago.

Dementia care specialists say setting up a daily routine is important and should include the things they like to do on their own such as setting the table or folding laundry and be done when the person seems to function the best. Remember to be flexible and include a range of creative, physical, social and spiritual activities that bring meaning and enjoyment into their life.   

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Santa Fe offers specialized care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.  

MorningStar’s compassionate caregivers use gentle, resident-directed methods to calm and awaken memories and to support each resident’s capabilities.  Common techniques include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy as well as a range of meaningful and purposeful activities that incorporate art, dance, music, exercise and life skills. For trusted senior living Santa Fe, NM families can count on, please contact us for more information.

MorningStar of Santa Fe represents the finest in assisted living and memory care 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Santa Fe, NM offers.     

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan

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/