In an article in the US News & World Report, experts say forgetfulness is not an inevitable part of growing older and there are things we can do to help maintain and enhance our memory function and overall brain health. Furthermore, they also benefit whole body health.
One of the first things they recommend is to never stop making “physical activity a priority as it optimizes blood flow to the entire body, including the brain. An adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the brain helps to keep our memories sharp.” Researchers explain that the type of exercise is also important and recommend a minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardio exercise such as running, power walking, biking, or swimming. However, before beginning any new exercise regime, be sure to check with your healthcare provider. In addition, continuing to learn new things can improve our memory as studies have found a correlation between challenging our brain and maintaining brain health. This could include activities such as playing an instrument, starting a new hobby, learning a language, or just broadening your reading habits. Other advice that not only enhances cognitive thinking but overall health includes getting enough sleep each night. Research has shown that “powering down on a nightly basis allows the brain to heal and restore itself, clearing toxins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types.” What sets MorningStar at Mountain Shadows apart from other assisted living Colorado Springs has to offer? We strive to provide a true “home” for our residents and have a team committed to serving seniors who treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our loving, around-the-clock care encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing of our residents. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows proudly provides the best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “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. Set in a beautiful environment with resort-style amenities, we encourage you to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers. Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/maintaining-and-enhancing-memory
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If you have started the search for assisted living in Colorado Springs, you will want to include MorningStar at Mountain Shadows. Our all-inclusive community offers an array of luxury amenities, while at the same time, all of the warmth and welcoming comforts of home. Every private suite is smartly-designed to maximize space and include floorplans in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. All have wall-to-wall carpeting, large windows, lighting, and safety features such as full, handicap-accessible bathroom and emergency call system. Residents also enjoy our weekly housekeeping service.
We provide residents the care to help them maintain their independence, and the amenities and wellness programs to keep them engaged and looking forward to each new day. MorningStar’s all-day dining service means you can eat when you are hungry and not according to a rigid schedule. A full salon makes it easy to get a new hair style, treat yourself to a pedicure or a manicure. Our fitness room along with specialized exercise classes will help you stay in shape; and MorningStar’s Life Enrichment room is a busy place with something new always going on. Outdoor amenities include a fireside patio, strolling paths, and resident gardening beds. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows’ goal is to be a true home distinguished by comfort, wellness and love; made possible through a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents with a quality-of-life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. As dementia care specialists, our community also provides secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. We encourage you to contact us with any questions regarding availability, choice of suites, pricing, care services and more. 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. MorningStar at Mountain Shadows proudly provides the very best in senior living with our 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. Does your elderly mom or dad dismiss the idea of assisted living fearing it would end their independence and life as they know it? Do they think assisted living homes are more like nursing homes of the past? We want to reassure you and your senior loved one that assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Littleton are not a nursing home. In fact, we do not offer skilled nursing services but rather provide assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), along with engaging activities and other services intended to improve and enhance quality of life.
It is important to a senior’s overall health that they receive proper care as the website Aging.com reports, “Functional status and the ability to care for oneself have a significant impact on a senior's quality of life. Unmet needs for help with activities of daily living can lead to malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, isolation, illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and falls.” In fact, studies show seniors getting assistance with the ADLs allows them to feel like they are in control of their life again and helps them regain a sense of self-worth and purpose. At MorningStar of Littleton, we know seniors have a lot to offer and the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. We act upon this truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Our community offers 65 graciously appointed suites for assisted living. Our Reflections Neighborhood provides 20 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. As part of our mission statement includes “valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals”, we are committed to creating a community promoting a healthy, engaged lifestyle, and providing security and independence. In addition, we offer respite care for those recovering from surgery or an illness, as well as short-term stays from one week up to a full month to see if we are a good fit. For trusted senior living Littleton, CO seniors can count on, visit our website or contact us for further information. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Littleton, CO offers. 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, MorningStar of Littleton provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. Source: agingcare.com/articles/activities-of-daily-living-why-this-measure-matters-186853.htm As senior living provides a range of benefits such as socialization, healthcare, amenities, and convenient services, it is no surprise it has become a popular lifestyle for many older adults. If your family has already started the search for senior communities in the Denver area, you know there are a number of options. This may have left you wondering how to narrow down your search to find the optimal community for yourself or a loved one?
Experts say the first thing to do is to find a home that provides the proper level of care. If you are a senior who needs a little help with the ADLs (activities of daily living), assisted living offers you the opportunity to maintain your sense of independence and get on with living your life to the fullest. In addition to 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication management, many assisted living communities offer services including meals, onsite amenities, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and more. They also provide opportunities for learning and laughing, with social calendars full of programming, events, and educational opportunities. For families with a loved one suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, start by looking at homes that specialize in memory care. The community should provide a secure environment as well as programming, activities and care that meets the needs of each resident. At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, we offer all of that and more with our wide range of services and amenities. Our community is conveniently located in the heart of Wheat Ridge, a northern suburb of Denver, and we offer a choice of 45 private assisted living suites with spacious floor plans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 19 suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care of residents with memory impairment. Contact us or visit our website to learn what makes our community special and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.” At MorningStar of Wheat Ridge, our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, 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. Several studies are showing links to our dietary habits and our risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.
Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar. Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.” One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads. The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily. MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berries at least twice a week. Red meat is reduced to less than four times a week, cheese to less than one serving per week, while poultry and fish consumed twice or once a week respectively. Other recommended proteins include nuts and beans. Oil should be mainly from olive oil and butter or margarine reduced to less than a tablespoon a day; and fried or fast food eaten less than once a week. MIND includes a glass of wine a day but limits pastries and sweets to less than five times a week. The Mayo Clinic says study results also found you do not have to strictly follow the diet to gain benefits. For example, “adults in the study who followed the diet most closely (an average score of 9.6 points out of 15) saw the biggest drop in their Alzheimer's risk, the ones who scored in the middle (7.5 points) still cut their risk by over a third.” At MorningStar of Littleton senior living community, our many services and amenities include 5-Star dining. Our delicious meals are prepared largely from scratch and include the freshest, healthiest ingredients. In addition, our nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat for residents to self-manage. Our beautiful home offers suites for assisted living in spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Additionally, the Reflections Neighborhood has secure suites devoted to specialized Alzheimer’s care for residents with memory impairment. Please contact us for more information. MorningStar of Littleton proudly provides the very best in assisted living and Alzheimer’s 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/15-simple-diet-tweaks-cut-alzheimers-risk/art-20342112 Research indicates we may be able to promote brain health by engaging in challenging cognitive activities like learning a new skill at an older age. The University of Texas studied the benefits for older adults who pursued cognitively engaging activities later in life.
The study consisted of 221 participants ranging in ages from 60 to 90, with an average age of 72 to try and determine what type of activities offered the greatest benefit to aging brains. Participants were divided into 6 groups with three taking part in what researchers labeled “productive cognitive engagement” involving active learning. Activities included learning photography and how to edit photos on the computer, quilting on a computer-driven sewing machine or doing both photography and quilting. Two other groups were assigned to what researchers referred to as the ‘receptive engagement conditions,’ and neither involved learning new things or engaging in unfamiliar intellectual activities. Rather people were put into a social club where they mainly did familiar activities or were asked to read informative material and watch documentaries. All performed their tasks for 15 hours per week for 14 weeks. The sixth group was the control group and did not change their activity patterns. Researchers compared participants at the end of the study and found those who did productive cognitive engagement had significantly more improvement in episodic memory. They explain episodic memory is our memory of past events and has been found to be the type of memory most impacted by aging. The study suggests “memory improvement need not come from brain games or memory drills, but can also come from learning a challenging new skill.” At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, our stylish suites come in a range of floors plans including studio, one-bedroom and 2-bedroom configurations. Amenities include Executive Chef-inspired meals, restaurant-style dining, fitness room, salon, chapel/theater, sunroom, and more. In addition, we offer a range of wellness programs and activities designed to keep residents physically, mentally, socially and spiritually engaged. For more information on the finest senior living in the Des Moines area, please visit our website. We proudly provide the very best in assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Des Moines area MorningStar at Jordan Creek may be your answer. Source: matherinstitute.com/2015/06/29/late-life-learning-what-are-the-brain-benefits/ 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 of Littleton 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 is committed to excellence and helping seniors have better lives. Visit our website for more information on trusted senior living in Littleton, CO. MorningStar of Littleton 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 Littleton, CO has to offer. Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/senior-isolation-facts If you are worried about an elderly parent who lives alone and may not be getting the kind of personal daily care, meals, or company they need; it may be time to consider assisted living. At MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we specialize in providing care for seniors who need a little help with their day-to-day personal care activities but do not require 24-hour medical care.
We have seen first-hand how the transition to assisted living eases the stress of either or both the senior’s life or the family caregiver’s life. Moreover, we recognize that assisted living at its best allows residents to not only survive but to thrive. We achieve this with a wide range of care services, fine dining, and meaningful wellness programs and activities. In addition, residents enjoy built-in companionship as they make new friends with fellow residents and our truly loving staff. To give families a good idea of what services are provided with assisted living, we are happy to answer questions. Also, we suggest you take a look at our website where you will find a lot of information. A good place to start is our Decision Guide under the “First Steps” tab. Here we go over things to look for that may indicate your parent needs more help such as recent falls, unexplained weight loss, poor balance, and/or poor personal hygiene. From there, take a look at our FAQs for more details. Under our “Wellness” tab we go over our dining services, life enrichment programs, and clinical care services. We also like to direct interested families to “Our Heart” to read a little background on how MorningStar Senior Living began and what its mission and precepts are all about. While you will discover our company was founded on Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews as we believe it is our responsibility to respect residents’ spiritual preferences. In fact, our goal is to meet a resident’s social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs as part of creating a comfortable home and compassionate care. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines has to offer. Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other assisted living Des Moines – West Des Moines offers. 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, MorningStar at Jordan Creek provides outstanding assisted living and memory care. |
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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