Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Stay Hydrated and Healthy


A recent study from the University of Chicago Medical Center reports that 40% of heat-related fatalities in the U.S. were in people over age 65.  The Mayo Clinic explains that there are several reasons why older adults are more susceptible to dehydration including “their ability to conserve water is reduced, thirst sensation is less acute, and seniors do not respond to fluctuations in temperature as well as when they were younger.” 

The National Institute on Aging also cites other factors why the elderly do not fare well in extreme heat conditions such as heart and blood vessels problems and less effective sweat glands.  In addition heart, lung, or kidney disease can weaken individuals and often cause fevers.   Medications such as sedatives, tranquilizers and other heart and blood pressure medicines can inhibit the body’s ability to cool by sweating or act as a diuretic.  

 At around the age of 50, our body’s kidneys do not conserve fluid as well as they once did, and by age 70, the problem generally worsens.  Also many seniors experience a decrease in appetite and can forgot to drink and eat for long periods of time.  Chronic conditions including dementia and diabetes can also interfere with getting enough fluids as well as being overweight or underweight. 

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is more important for seniors to be aware of overheating and to stay hydrated.  The symptoms of heat exhaustion include: paleness, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, tiredness, headache, and rapid, shallow breathing.  If you suspect heat exhaustion, call 911 immediately and move the person to a cool place.  While you wait for medical assistance, have them lie down, remove any heavy or tight-fitting clothing and apply cold water or compresses directly to the skin.   Offer water or juice if they are able to drink.       

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

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.   Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, homey community.       

Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/basics/risk-factors/con-20030056

aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/elderly-heat-stroke

nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hyperthermia

 

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Protect Your Eyes with Annual Exams


Eye problems are a common complaint among the elderly.  The American Optometric Association advises that older adults need to be aware of the warning signs of age-related eye health problems as they can cause loss of vision.  Also since some eye diseases have no early symptoms, they recommend annual eye examinations for everyone over age 60.  It is important to remember that while many eye conditions are easily treated, diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to serious eye problems. 

One almost universal vision change experienced by older adults is Presbyopia, which is the gradual, age-related loss of the eyes' ability to focus clearly on nearby objects.   Typically the condition is not treated with any intervention other than a pair of reading glasses. 

Floaters are another problem seniors experience and appear as tiny specks or spots that seem to float across your field of vision.  The Mayo Clinic says that most eye floaters are caused by “age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes becomes more liquid. Microscopic fibers within the vitreous tend to clump and can cast tiny shadows on your retina, which appear to you as floaters.”  It is important to have the condition checked by an eye doctor as it can also be a sign of more serious eye problems including retinal detachment.   

Dry eyes are also common in seniors and can cause itching, burning and even loss of vision.  Treatment includes nutritional supplements, medications to reduce inflammation, or eye drops that simulate real tears.  On the other side some older adults can have too many tears that may result from temperature changes or sensitivity to light.  Taking precautions such as wearing sunglasses can help but you should be checked by your doctor as it could signal an infection or blocked tear duct. 

In addition cataracts and glaucoma are frequent problems affecting older adults.  In the case of cataracts, once they begin to affect your eyesight they can usually be removed by surgery.  Glaucoma is not curable but it is treatable, and without treatment, it can eventually lead to permanent blindness.   

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

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan, we represent the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.  Please contact us to schedule a tour.    

Sources:aoa.org/patients-and-public/good-vision-throughout-life/adult-vision-19-to-40-years-of-age/adult-vision-over-60-years-of-age?sso=y    nia.nih.gov/health/publication/aging-and-your-eyes 

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/basics/definition/con-20015113

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Shingles


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that almost 1 out 3 people in the U.S. will develop shingles, also known as zoster or herpes, at some point in their lives and that 50% of those cases occur in women and men 60 years and older. With approximately 1 million cases reported each year, you can get shingles if you have ever had chickenpox as the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive in nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain.   

The Mayo Clinic says symptoms can occur anywhere on the body but “most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of your torso.”   While not life-threatening, the rash is very painful and complications from shingles include a long-lasting pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) that can last for months or even years.  

Generally the first symptom is pain, and given the common location around the trunk, it can be confused with problems of the heart, lungs or kidneys.  The course of the disease can be improved and shortened with early treatment and a vaccine can lessen the risk of getting shingles.  While some people will never develop a rash, you need to see a doctor immediately if you suspect shingles.    

According to the Mayo Clinic common symptoms include: 

  • pain, burning, numbness or tingling
  • sensitivity to touch
  • a red rash that begins a few days after the pain
  • fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
  • itching 

Other symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue and sensitivity to light. The CDC recommends that anyone 60 years or older should get a shingles vaccine even if they have already had the disease as it can prevent future occurrences. 

The CDC states that, “Zostavax® is the only shingles vaccine currently approved for use in the United States.”  They add that, “This vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles by 51% and PHN by 67%.”  A shingles vaccine requires just one dose and can be done by your doctor or at a pharmacy.    

For informational purposes only, please consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.   Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.      

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/basics/definition/con-20019574

Saturday, April 8, 2017

A Wide Range of Activities that is Sure to Please Everyone


At MorningStar at Jordan, we know our residents bring a wide range of backgrounds and diverse interests and hobbies to our community. This is why we offer lots of great activities that are designed to enrich the lives of our residents and allow them to enjoy each day to the fullest. 

As we know it is beneficial for older adults to keep as physically fit as possible, our community has a fitness center as well as a monthly calendar filled with a variety of physical activities.  We start most mornings with an exercise class and our afternoon offerings vary from Chair Yoga; Sit & Be Fit; Bend & Stretch; Zumba Gold; Walk the Community or other types of exercises.      

For our music lovers, we have a MSJ band, classic movie musical night, and sing-alongs and also bring in outside groups that put on musical performances for the enjoyment of the whole community.  If you are a trivia wiz and enjoy playing games, we have you covered.  Each month residents have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities including nickel bingo, trivia and brain teaser games, penny blackjack, scrabble and more.  In addition our monthly calendar is filled with craft activities that range from scrapbooking, art classes, writing groups, flower arranging and others.  In fact if we do not offer something you are interested in, we can probably help to get it organized.   

MorningStar at Jordan also offers residents a wide variety of movies that are shown in our theatre room, which is equipped with the technology to enable hearing aids to receive audio directly to their instruments.  This cuts down on reverberation and background noise and provides the clearest, cleanest sound imaginable.  It works with the T-Coil (or Telecoil) that most hearing aids are equipped with or we have headsets available. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.   Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.      

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Our Residents and Families Give “Thumbs Up” to the MorningStar Community


As MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan is committed to providing the finest care and services, we always encourage feedback from our residents and their families.  We are especially gratified when our dedicated staff members are recognized for their efforts in helping to create a true home for our residents.   

One such comment that touched our heart and reminds us why we are here was from a resident’s daughter.  She writes, “Our Dad has recently moved to MorningStar at Jordan. We are so happy with his new place. The staff is caring, everyone watches out for him and his care is wonderful. Yesterday he told me, ‘They really like me here.’ I got emotional, as this was not the case in his last home.”  

We also feel honored to have a resident write, “MorningStar is the best senior living community you’ll find. They listen to what residents say and want. This place really sings! I’m blessed to be here.”   It also reaffirms our dedication to seniors when we hear from another resident about how MorningStar has made a difference in his life.  He says, “A ‘hero’ isn’t just someone who rescues you from a burning building. It’s someone who hands you an object three inches beyond your reach (for with my Parkinson’s, three inches might as well be a mile). For that reason alone, the MorningStar staff is my heroes.” 

Our goal is to be there for each resident as well as for their family members as we proudly provide the best assisted living and memory care in the area.  As a resident, you will be served daily, nutritional meals prepared by our Executive Chef.  In addition you will find a whole host of amenities including a bistro, chapel, theatre (including Wii), library with computers and newspapers, game room, salon, general store and much more.  Residents also have a wide array of activities to choose from that include fitness classes, entertainment, games and special outings.  We invite you to come join the fun! 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan represents the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest.”  We are dedicated to providing a true home for residents amidst a beautiful, serene setting and a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve.   Please schedule a tour to experience firsthand our comfortable, home-like atmosphere.