According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. In terms of numbers, that’s an estimated 13.8 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 at Jordan Creek 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, bingo, 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 week days 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 at Jordan Creek is committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer. MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Des Moines has to offer. Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/senior-isolation-facts
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The National Council on Aging (NCOA) cautions that elderly adults with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease among others, are more at risk for poor nutrition. Bad eating habits, loss of appetite, lack of access to healthy foods due to an inability to get out and shop, or a shortage of money, only add to the problem.
The NCOA also wants seniors to know that poor nutrition not only makes it harder to manage chronic diseases but may actually make you more vulnerable to coming down with them. Another problem is it can weaken your immune system leaving you susceptible to the flu, colds and other viruses. Moreover, poor nutrition can hamper one’s ability to recover from surgical procedures, heal wounds, and increases the risk for infection or falls. Also, as many elderly people have a decrease in appetite and consume much smaller portions each day, the food they do eat needs to be nutrient-dense. This is one reason experts recommend the elderly avoid foods high in sugar, salt and trans fats as well as processed foods, which often are short on nutrients and much needed vitamins and minerals. At MorningStar at Mountain Shadows, we know that good nutrition is important to the health of seniors. This is why we offer our residents not only delicious daily meals but ones that are largely prepared from scratch and include the freshest ingredients. Our range of nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat so residents can self-manage their diet. Our Executive Chef even incorporates “super foods” such as acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate, and leafy, dark greens to enhance our food service. For more information on the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers, please contact us or visit our website. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows proudly provides 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 create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer. If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, MorningStar of Littleton is ready to help. We understand the heartbreak a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease brings with it and wish to share the burden. Our comprehensive memory care supports residents and their families with services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. MorningStar’s holistic approach is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky,” and uses Montessori-based therapy techniques. As dementia care specialists, we feel it is our privilege – our calling – to walk alongside residents during this unexpected and challenging journey.
Once the decision is made to join our MorningStar family, we meet with the individual and their family to learn as much as we can about their background, talents and personal preferences. Aiding us in this process is a tool called “To Know Me is To Love Me.” From there, we create a specialized, individualized care plan to calm or stimulate as needed. The Reflections Neighborhood is designed from the ground up to ensure a safe, secure environment in which residents can explore and maintain a sense of independence. Common areas are warm and inviting and meals are thoughtfully prepared and attractively served to encourage residents’ appetites. Purposeful, meaningful activities connect with and nurture the individual, whatever the level of memory loss may be. Another thing that makes the Reflections Neighborhood at MorningStar a special place is our devoted, hard-working team who feels privileged to serve and is made up of men and women who willingly go the extra mile to meet the needs of our residents. Our distinct mission statement reads to: Honor God in our business practices and relationships; Value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and to Invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. Please contact us to learn more about exceptional assisted living or memory care at MorningStar of Littleton. MorningStar of Littleton’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. If you are looking for exceptional assisted living or memory care, we invite you to learn more about MorningStar of Littleton. Our leadership team always welcomes phone calls and email inquiries regarding our community. In addition, we have a very informative website that focuses on many of the different aspects of our community as well as provides some background on our company.
For instance, our home page offers a great description of our home, brief comments from our Management Team, a map showing our location as well as a Gallery of pictures to illustrate the detailed attention to welcoming spaces and beautiful design. Our home page also has a button to Amenities that describes many of the community’s resort-style amenities. Clicking on Suite Amenities highlights the comforts within our 65 private assisted living suites and 20 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment. Our suites are available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations, and you can view specifics by clicking on the Floor Plans button. We also encourage you to view the virtual tour on our home page. Here you will get a good look at some of our open common areas including dining rooms, library, bistro, patio, and more. In addition, we share background on some of the guiding principles of MorningStar Senior Living including our mission statement and core values consisting of Love, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, Goodness, and Kindness. We then suggest you browse through the links at the top of the page to learn more about First Steps, Lifestyle Options, Wellness and Our Heart. More questions are answered on our FAQ page (under First Steps) including what makes MorningStar different, understanding senior living, care services, pricing, staff training, and the move in process. If you like what you see please contact us for pricing, availability and any other questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you. MorningStar of Littleton’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that anyone worried about memory loss to make an appointment with their health care provider. While we all know it is scary just thinking about the possibility of having Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has a list of reasons why it is to your advantage to know.
The process for getting a diagnosis starts with a full evaluation with a healthcare provider that includes your medical history and any medications you are taking as well as a series of mental status tests. If the initial evaluation indicates problems, your doctor will recommend further physical and neurological exams, diagnostic tests and brain imaging. One of the top reasons to be evaluated for Alzheimer’s is your symptoms may be from another treatable cause. If it is determined you have Alzheimer’s, experts explain while there is no cure for the disease, there are treatment options that can lessen the symptoms including memory loss and confusion for a limited time. Also, they say an early diagnosis gives you a better chance of benefiting from treatment. An early diagnosis also means you may be eligible for clinical trials that could provide some medical benefit. In addition, recent research suggests that certain lifestyle changes such as “controlling blood pressure, stopping smoking, participating in exercise, and staying mentally and socially active, may help preserve cognitive function.” Perhaps most importantly you will have more time to plan for your future and to do things now, rather than wait. Planning for the future also helps family members know what your wishes are and prevents future feelings of guilt or arguments over your care. The Alzheimer’s Association adds that an early diagnosis can save your family and the U.S. Government money spent on care. At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we offer loving memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our community is staffed by a team of individuals who understands the unique needs of each resident and delivers that care with compassion and thoughtfulness. Please visit our website to learn more about our loving community. MorningStar of Wheat Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents. Please visit our website for more information about outstanding assisted living and memory care in Wheat Ridge, CO. Source: alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/why-get-checked The National Institute of Health reports approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Hearing loss causes someone a range of problems including difficulty understanding and following a doctor’s advice, responding to safety warnings, and hearing doorbells, phone calls, and alarms. Another all-too common problem is it can be hard to follow conversations with family and friends, and many start avoiding situations where they may be frustrated or embarrassed.
Medical experts advise asking your primary care physician for a referral to an otolaryngologist, an audiologist or a hearing aid specialist. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. They will try to determine the cause of your hearing loss and treatment options. They may refer you to an audiologist who is trained in measuring the degree of loss as well as recommend treatment, which may include fitting you for a hearing aid. There are three different types of hearing aids and it may take some trial and error to find one that works for you (most can be purchased for a trial period). In some cases, doctors may recommend Cochlear implants, small electronic devices surgically implanted in the inner ear that help provide a sense of sound to people who are profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing. Other treatment options include hearing assistive devices for your phones to amplify sound; closed circuit systems for churches or theaters; and lip or speech reading classes. At MorningStar, our goal is to be the best senior living Littleton, CO offers, and we promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence. Our beautiful home has 65 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of floor plans. In addition, 29 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood are devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar of Littleton’s amenities, care services, availability and pricing. MorningStar of Littleton’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. Looking for the best assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers? MorningStar at Jordan Creek provides residents a full range of care services, wellness programs and activities designed to support the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Our residential home is filled with spacious, beautifully-appointed common areas both inside and out and includes two enclosed courtyards, strolling paths, bistro, chapel/theatre, and fitness room. Delicious meals prepared by our Executive Chef are served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room.
However, our stylish design does not stop at the door of our private suites. Each one offers a range of features including high ceilings, large windows, a kitchenette with refrigerator and in-suite washer and dryer. For residents’ peace of mind and safety, our suites are also equipped with an emergency call system to ensure help is there if the need arises as well as handicap-accessible bathrooms. Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal. All assisted living residents are provided with 24/7 care managers who help assist them with the Activities of Daily Living (dressing, bathing, grooming, eating, transferring and more). Access to a licensed nurse is available onsite throughout the week and on-call around-the-clock. We also offer medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Moreover, we want to reassure you and your family that we periodically re-evaluate care plans and make changes as needed. Other clinical care services provided by MorningStar include mechanical lift assistance, diabetic management, oxygen administration, catheter and colostomy care and more. We provide scheduled physician visits, a choice of physicians, pharmacy services, and onsite dental and podiatry services. At the heart of our community, and what we are most proud of, is our team of loving, responsive caregivers who feel privileged to serve. Please visit our website for contact information. We are happy to answer any questions and look forward to hearing from you. MorningStar at Jordan Creek’s mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living 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 best assisted living Des Moines - West Des Moines has to offer. 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 us reach our 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 overconsume.
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 while 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 actually 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.” At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we provide residents comfort, security, built-in companionship, and predictable budgeting. Our beautiful home provides assisted living and memory care with a broad range of amenities and services to meet every need including a nutritional, delicious dining service. Contact us or visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers. MorningStar at Jordan Creek 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 Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer. Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/portion-control-what-you-should-know |
Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, MorningStar is committed to giving residents a quality of life surpassing that of other senior living communities. To experience firsthand the finest in senior living, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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