The Benefits of Friendship in Retirement

Keeping friends as we age is hard, especially when seniors are more predisposed to debilitating health concerns or other lifestyle changes. For many seniors, it’s common for lifelong friends to move far away or relocate to medical facilities, which makes it hard to remain in contact.

Friendship is an extremely beneficial thing for seniors. In senior living communities, seniors meet like-minded individuals who share the same interests, passions, and similar experiences. Not only do retirement communities make it easy to make lasting friendships through on-site activities and amenities but there are also the following benefits of making friends in retirement:

Improved Independence and Support

Friends provide encouragement and motivation to overcome life's challenges to help us adapt to changes that come with aging. Great friendships like these can make seniors more independent and resilient. With the added support of great friends, seniors can feel more capable of overcoming any roadblocks or anxieties.

Making friends in retirement communities can also encourage seniors to experience things they may not have done on their own, like exploring new hobbies, going to different events, or trying something new. MorningStar Retirement Homes Glendale provides seniors with the finest way to make lasting friendships because of the regular community activities, planned social events, and access to amenities that keep retirement exciting and fresh.

Better Mental Health

Having close friendships can encourage better mental health in seniors. Often, seniors may feel isolated in retirement because of decreased mobility or the difficulty in getting around town. MorningStar Retirement Homes Glendale encourages social interaction and companionship building by housing easily accessible amenities and events that make it easy to see friends and neighbors often in a familiar and safe environment.

Find All-Inclusive Senior Living at MorningStar

Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona.

Learn More About All-Inclusive Senior Living in Glendale

Many seniors may feel as though they should move to a senior living community because they don’t need help with daily living activities. While many senior living communities offer assisted living care, seniors can still experience the benefits of all-inclusive senior living without assistance or medical intervention. Independent retirement communities in Glendale, like MorningStar Senior Living, offer seniors aged 55 and up a place to explore retirement completely independently while being in a supportive and exciting environment.

Keep reading to understand how all-inclusive independent senior living can benefit you or a loved one by offering the best affordability and safety for seniors.

Affordability

There are many costs associated with homeownership that seniors at MorningStar Retirement Communities Glendale no longer need to worry about. In all-inclusive senior living, you pay a monthly transparent rate that only changes if your care does, making it easy to plan for the future. There are no surprise fees or expenses. Dining, community activities, independent hobbies, and events are all considered in the monthly price.

Safety & Security

With 24-hour staff available 7 days a week, seniors feel safe and secure within their independent living community. If a senior lives alone they may often wonder how they could protect themself if an accident were to happen. MorningStar puts safety measures in place to ensure the well-being of every resident. Well-trained staff are also educated on what to do in the case of an emergency.

Find All-Inclusive Senior Living at MorningStar

Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona.

Top 3 Benefits of Choosing an Independent Retirement Community

Active seniors thrive in independent retirement communities. MorningStar Senior Living has some of the best retirement homes Glendale has to offer seniors looking to fully experience the joys of retirement without the stress and worry of household maintenance and other inconveniences. While there are plenty of senior living options in Glendale for seniors, independent retirement communities have incredible benefits for seniors who want to relax in a secure and modern community surrounded by like minded individuals.

While there are many perks to independent senior living, below are the top 3 benefits of choosing an independent retirement community in Glendale

Freedom and Independence

Get excited for life again by being part of a retirement community that values and encourages senior freedom and independence. MorningStar Independent Retirement Communities Glendale offers seniors a stress-free environment and lifestyle change that helps seniors to feel more in control of their own wants and wishes when it comes to their retirement. In Independent retirement communities, you can finally start that project you’ve always wanted to finish, can learn a new craft, and spend more time with friends.

Maintenance Free Living

Independent living retirement homes take care of the cooking, meal planning, chores and other household maintenance so that you can truly experience retirement to its fullest.

Easy Access to Amenities

Our retirement homes in Glendale offer easily accessible amenities like an on-site salon, fitness rooms, theatre, courtyard, and library all within walking distance. As we age, it may become harder to feel part of your community, but at MorningStar Senior Living Glendale, you regularly interact with your neighbors and staff while doing the things you love to do.

Find All-Inclusive Senior Living at MorningStar

Want to know more about the built-in companionship, predictable budgeting, and the security that comes from residing in an independent living community? MorningStar Senior Living retirement homes in Glendale, Arizona, take care of the worry and stress of aging, allowing you more time to do the things you love. Whether it’s fulfilling a calling, finding a new opportunity through volunteerism, or spending time with friends and loved ones and relaxing, contact us to schedule a tour of our community near you.

Contact us to learn more about MorningStar’s social activities and retirement communities in Glendale AZ. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision, as well as what sets us apart from other retirement facilities in Arizona. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Glendale, Arizona.

Low Maintenance Pets That Can Ease Anxiety and Reduce Loneliness

Have you been searching for something for your elderly mom or dad that would provide some comfort and help ease their feelings of loneliness? While you may think that they are not capable of assuming the responsibilities of a new pet, you could consider one of the many “robotic pets” in the marketplace.

We know there has been a lot of research that supports the idea that pet ownership is beneficial to seniors and a loving pet is a great companion. Now researchers have also discovered that robotic pets may provide the elderly with many of the same benefits live animals do. In fact, a study found that the interaction between older adults and animals, whether real or robotic, helped lower blood pressure, eased anxiety, reduced feelings of loneliness and improved the overall quality of life.

The advantage of a low-maintenance robot dog or cat is they are easy for seniors with little to no tech savvy to “care for.” The realistic pets do little tricks such as a robotic dog who wags its tail, raises its eyebrow when you pet it, has a heartbeat, and makes a barking noise. For people with dementia, robotic pets have helped ease agitation and anxiety and seem to have a calming influence.

New York’s Department for the Aging (DFTA) was so impressed with the pets that they implemented a program to distribute mechanical dogs and cats to seniors with the aim of easing loneliness. When phase 3 of the program was announced in late 2021, assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) said, “Studies have shown time and again that isolation has a severe detrimental impact on the physical and mental health of older adults. Robotic pets have become a proven success to not only help seniors overcome social isolation and improve public health but cut down on health care costs.”

MorningStar at Bear Creek provides compassionate memory care to residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases, and we could not agree more about the benefits of pets, live or robotic. Our beautiful community has 48 suites and was designed from the ground up to provide a safe, supportive and loving environment. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted memory care in Colorado Springs.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We create a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our loving memory care community in Colorado Springs.

Have You or a Loved One Recently Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s Disease?

If you have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. To help families impacted by the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a variety of resources and services.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s brings with it a range of emotions. Learning that you have a disease with no cure and no way to control what is happening to you can create feelings of anger, denial, depression and resentment as well as fear. Another common emotion is isolation and the feeling that no one else understands what you are going through. There can even be a sense of relief at finding out what is happening to you and having those concerns validated.

The Alzheimer’s Association counsels that it helps to try and come to terms with your diagnosis and the emotions you are experiencing to help you to move forward. They explain that, “once you make the commitment to take care of your emotional needs; you may find that you can rise to the challenge and face your diagnosis.”

You will find helpful coping tips on their website to make it easier to deal with what you are going through. One of their most important suggestions is to have good support whether it comes from joining a support group, sharing concerns with family and friends, or talking to a counselor or member of the clergy. They also say to continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able. Finally, they remind individuals to take time to “feel sad, mourn and grieve.”

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we offer compassionate and loving memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our community not only provides an atmosphere of safety and well-being but also encourages and supports choice and independence whenever possible. Residents participate in recreational and purposeful activities, including exercise, music, life skills, and art, as well as outings and special events. Above all, MorningStar residents are treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Please contact us for more information about exceptional memory care in Colorado Springs.

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 memory care Colorado Springs has to offer.

Are You Looking for Senior Living in Billings?

Several studies have shown that most seniors who move into senior living communities say they prefer it to living alone. A Place for Mom reports that “while many seniors want to age at home as long as they can, research shows that senior living communities may be the healthier option; especially after a spouse passes away.” Also, seniors are often unaware of the wide range of services and amenities available in many communities.

When a senior lives alone, they can become isolated, especially if they have stopped driving. In addition, trying to maintain a house can be difficult for aging adults. Housekeeping chores, preparing meals, and going up and down stairs can be challenging for the elderly. Another problem faced by seniors who live alone is the fear of falling. Having no one around to help in the case of an emergency can be scary as well as life-threatening.

If you are looking for independent or assisted living in Billings, we encourage you to consider MorningStar. Our beautiful community has cottages and suites with spacious studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom floor plans. Apartments feature a kitchen with full appliances (IL) or kitchenette (AL), 9-foot ceilings, large windows, handicap-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Weekly housekeeping is provided as is laundry and linen service.

Our community offers all the services, luxury amenities, programs and activities to ensure residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Starting with a five-star dining service that includes meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients, restaurant-style dining and a private dining room, we have a bistro, theater, salon and fitness room. Other amenities include a billiards and game room, library, raised garden beds and strolling paths.

MorningStar of Billings offers the kind of senior living area families count on. Along with independent and assisted living, we provide memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. In addition, we offer respite care, (short recuperative stays) and trial stays from one week up to a full month to see if we are a good fit. Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

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 for more information about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT.

Medications Often Cause Brain Fog in Older Adults

As we age, many seniors experience occasional “brain fog” or forgetfulness and have trouble comprehending and processing new information. Medical experts say this may be a normal part of aging but could also be from some of the medications you are taking.

Dr. Mark Albers, a neurologist at the McCance Center for Brain Health at Harvard - affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, says it is not uncommon for seniors to experience symptoms of brain fog when taking certain medications for the first time. He explains medications can affect memory more in aging adults as “older people tend to metabolize drugs more slowly, making them more sensitive to medications and more vulnerable to side effects.”

Other reasons medications cause more problems in seniors are they often take larger doses of a drug and more frequently as well as take several drugs to treat one health condition. Moreover, older people may have a weakened blood-brain barrier. This barrier works to block toxins and other harmful substances including drugs from entering the brain, which may account for some memory problems.

Sleep medications are one of the common medications that can be problematic. Over-the-counter sleeping aids can contain anticholinergic drugs, which are known to impair cognitive function, and some prescription sleep drugs diminish activity in parts of the brain involved in transferring short-term memories to long-term memory. Pain medications can additionally result in memory problems. The good news is once patients stop taking sleep or pain meds, modify the dose or replace the drug with a better option, many of the problems go away.

MorningStar at Bear Creek provides compassionate, individualized care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. As dementia care specialists, we provide support to our residents and their families with an array of services, wellness programs and activities essential to quality of life. Our approach to memory care is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call Lavender Sky and uses a broad range of Montessori-based therapy techniques. Contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our mission statement “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs.

Source: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/stuck-in-a-brain-fog-look-in-your-medicine-cabinet