Give Your Brain a Workout Every Day!

Experts agree that it is important for aging adults to exercise their brains daily.  Mind games, puzzles and memory games are an enjoyable way to help seniors stay sharp.  For those comfortable using a computer, there are many games specifically designed to improve memory; however, puzzles, crosswords, and board and card games do the same thing. 

Some of the best brain boosters include learning or engaging in creative activities such as playing an instrument, art, or dance.  In fact a study that monitored brain activity of 1,000 musicians during rest, cognitive exercises, and playing their instrument showed their brains “lit up in all areas, and synapses fired at rates hundreds of times more than resting.”  It also found the musicians’ heightened brain activity continued for up to 12 hours after they stopped playing.

Memory games, scrabble and crosswords can help to improve recall and reduce those times when you cannot get the right word out.  Additionally most board games, including chess and checkers, require counting, strategy and decision-making.  Furthermore, playing games that require at least two people offers the added benefit of socializing.    

Reading is another great activity and opens doors to places that seniors may be unable to travel to as well as heightens imagination and introduces new ideas.  Book clubs also offer the opportunity for socializing and an exchange of ideas. 

Other things that boost brain activity include gardening, which was found to increase serotonin levels that are a natural anti-depressant.  Physical exercise also increases brain activity by moving nutrients, blood, and oxygen throughout the body.  In addition it “helps reduce sugars and cortisol: both implicated for worsening Alzheimer’s and dementia.”  

We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our senior living community as well as our wellness programs and activities.  MorningStar of Billings is dedicated to making your retirement years carefree and offers a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.  

Morningstar Senior Living of Billings 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 schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.  

Source: mindhow.com/best-brain-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/

One of the Best Things Seniors Can Do for Their Health

Being physically active on a regular basis is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself, so says the National Institute of Health (NIH).  They go on to say that, “even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging.” 

One of the benefits of staying physically active is that it not only provides long-term health benefits, but also can improve the health of older adults who are already suffering from diseases and disabilities.  In fact, researchers have discovered that regular exercise is an effective treatment for many chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes.  It can also be beneficial for those dealing with conditions such as high blood pressure, balance problems and walking difficulties.

The NIH advises that being inactive is in itself risky for your good health.  While you need to consult your health care provider before you begin to exercise, studies show that if seniors take it “too easy” it can impact their ability to do things on their own.  They state that, “lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses.” 

Another reason why it is important to exercise regularly is it can help to elevate your mood and relieve stress.  Furthermore, research points to the fact that exercise may help seniors improve or maintain cognitive function.  The NIH says the type of mental activities that improve with exercise is the ability to shift quickly between tasks and an easier time with planning activities. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStarat Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Source: nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html

Why Do Seniors Bruise More Easily?

You may have wondered why it is as you have gotten older; you seem to bruise more easily and find bruises that you do even remember getting.  There is a scientific explanation for why the problem occurs more commonly in the elderly, and generally bruises do not require treatment and are not serious.   However please keep in mind that significant bruising can be a sign of medical problems and should be discussed with your health care provider.   

According to the Mayo Clinic, a bruise, know in medical terms as a contusion, occurs “when small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury — often on the arms or legs.”   This impact causes blood to leak out of the vessels and look like the black-and-blue-mark we are all familiar with.  As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses some of the fatty layer that protects our blood vessels from injury, thus making it easier to bruise. 

While most bruises do not require a doctor’s care, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family medicine practitioner in Los Angeles, suggests applying a frozen compress for up to twenty minutes at a time.  Also if you elevate the bruised area higher than your heart during the first 24 hours of the injury, it will help to reduce swelling and inflammation. 

There are several steps you can take to try to eliminate getting bruised in the first place.  To start, make sure your living space has a clear path to move around in so you can avoid bumping into things as well as help prevent falls.  Another thing you may want to do is to use a cane or walker if you are unsteady when you stand up or while walking.

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStarat Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Sources:mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762

aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/elderly-bruising 

The Top Healthcare Concerns for Seniors

The good news is that today’s seniors are living longer than ever before.  New data suggests that if you reach the age of 65 years old, you can expect to live on average another 20 years.  Another encouraging survey reports that as many as 41 percent of people over age 65 say that they are in very good or excellent health. 

However, experts want to remind seniors that by making some lifestyle changes, they can make their senior years even better.  Jeanne Wei, MD, the director of the Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, notes that, “You need to be physically active and eat a healthy diet." She further adds that individuals must “make healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking and losing weight, to avoid senior health risks.”  Furthermore, doctors recommend that if you are a senior coping with a chronic medical condition that a geriatrician may help you to better manage your disease and improve your quality of life. 

Arthritis, heart disease, and cancer are the three most common diseases facing seniors.  Dr. Marie Bernard, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland, reports that arthritis affects almost 50 percent of those 65 and over.  Also while the severity of the disease varies, for some seniors the condition and associated pain lowers their quality of life.  If you have arthritis, experts suggest that you work closely with your doctor to develop an activity and treatment plan.    

The CDC reports that heart disease is the leading killer of adults over age 65, and that 37 percent of men and 26 percent of women 65 and older are afflicted with chronic heart disease.  Dr. Bernard advises those with heart disease to “exercise, eat well, and get a good night’s rest.”  In addition she recommends maintaining a healthy weight.

The third most common disease among seniors is cancer, which is the second leading cause of death in individuals over 65.  The CDC reports that 28 percent of men and 21 percent of woman over 65 are living with cancer.  They recommend that seniors get routine screenings including mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin checks, as many cancers detected early are treatable. 

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in the Phoenix area, contact us to schedule a tour.

Source: everydayhealth.com/news/most-common-health-concerns-seniors/