Tips to Defuse Emotion-driven Anger and Stress

Intense reactive moments of anger and stress often lead to feelings of helplessness, fear and anxiety; however experts say it is important to remember those thoughts are typically created in our minds. Albert Ellis, the developer of the ABCDE method, a classic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) technique, explains its purpose is to provide individuals a clear framework in which to examine and control internal emotions in a healthier way. 

To understand the ABCDE method, start by analyzing an event you strongly reacted to, and now upon reflection, wish you had responded to in a more controlled emotional manner. Focusing on anger management, experts say you need to identify the triggers that caused the meltdown. Starting with the “A” in the ABCDE method is the activating event. This includes recognizing what event occurred right before you lost control of your emotions and gives you the information you need to pay attention the next time the situation happens.   

The “B” is the belief. This means critically thinking about what you believed happened. Is it based on faulty or incomplete information? The “C” is consequences and includes challenging your belief to see if it is actually right. This includes asking yourself how you would you handle the situation if you were calmer.

The “D” involves disputing inaccurate or harmful emotions, asking yourself if your belief aligns with reality as well as letting go of unhelpful thoughts. Finally the “E” stands for explore your options. Once you step away from unhelpful feelings, what would be more helpful? Do you need to create another way of thinking based on more reasonable beliefs? 

At MorningStar Senior Living of Billings, we provide area seniors with trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care. Our community is a true home and built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in our team. We encourage you to visit our website for more details on our availability of cottages and suites and to learn more information regarding our wide range of amenities and services.  

Source: mindfulnessmuse.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/gaining-control-is-as-easy-as-a-b-c-d-e

Some Findings of Dementia Research

In a recent article from Medical News Today, experts explain the various areas dementia research is focused on including: “understanding how the condition works, why it develops, and how it might be treated. Importantly, there is also a focus on how we can improve the lives of people with dementia.” 

Dr. Kellyn Lee, a chartered psychologist and research fellow in aging and dementia at the University of Southampton, in the U.K., is one researcher focused on trying to improve the lives of those suffering from dementia. Her program, called the “Material Citizenship Framework Project,” is being used to demonstrate to staff working with dementia patients just how important patients’ possessions and identities are to their wellbeing. Dr. Lee says in one case an Alzheimer’s patient was distressed at not recognizing herself. It turns out before her illness; she dyed her hair and didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror with gray hair. Personal possessions can help people to connect with and help maintain their identity. Dr. Lee explains, “Losing access to frequently used possessions can cause disempowerment and confusion. To observers, this confusion can sometimes seem like dementia progression.”

Another group of researchers are working to improve the lives of people in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s with the development of HUG comforters. These soft blankets have weighted limbs, a heartbeat and the ability to play the person’s favorite music. Studies show a HUG can help reduce anxiety and agitation, and embrace the person in a soft hug. 

In the on-going race for effective treatments for Alzheimer’s, some researchers are looking at repurposing certain drugs. One example is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin has shown to improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients in a small clinical trial but more studies need to be done. Others are studying the connection between cardiac disease and Alzheimer’s and how decreased blood flow adversely impacts our brains.   

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, we specialize in serving those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Every aspect of our community is geared toward residents’ care from meaningful activities, trained caregivers, food service, security and more. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disease, they deserve the best memory care in Colorado Springs. Please visit our website to learn more. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We are dedicated to creating a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the best memory care Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dementia-research-whats-exciting-the-experts#2

Want to be More of a “Morning Person?”

While everyone’s internal clock runs on its own pace to a degree, it is influenced by age, gender and genes, along with ambient light, the time of day we take our meals and other outside factors. If you are tired of hearing stories about morning people being more productive, and know your job and other commitments would be easier to accomplish if you were more alert during the morning hours, experts say there are things you can do to change. 

Dr. Doha Ayish, neurologist at Houston Methodist, explains being a morning person has many benefits beginning with the fact it is the natural tendency of the human brain. He says, "Morning people are those who rise from sleep fairly easily and are most productive and/or active in the mornings." While they effectively get work and chores done in the early hours of the day, it can have a downside if the person stays up too late and still rises at their regular morning time. Sleep experts say this is why it is important to keep a regular sleep schedule for optimal performance. 

If you are a night owl, experts say you can reverse your internal clock to an extent with the following suggestions. The first step is to work on modifying your circadian rhythm (internal clock) with exposure to morning sunlight. This could include taking a walk first thing in the morning or sitting near a window exposed to sunlight. A change in your circadian rhythm might result in you not even needing an alarm clock to wake up in the morning. 

Another suggestion includes avoiding blue light at night an hour or two before bedtime. This is due to the fact blue light inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleepiness. Following a regular meal schedule will also help regulate your circadian rhythm and help you to become a more enthusiastic morning person as will sticking to a regular bedtime. Other tips include exercising regularly, limiting your caffeine intake and making sure your bedroom is dark at night.

At MorningStar of Billings, we provide the area with independent living, assisted living and memory care. To learn more about our floor plans, amenities and services as well as pricing and availability, please visit our website. 

Source: houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/oct/so-youre-a-morning-person-is-that-good/

Memory Care Communities Offer an Environment to Improve Quality of Life

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, families must fact the question of what the future will hold. For many a specifically designed assisted living dementia care community will be the answer as it offers an environment focused on improving quality of life and keeping the resident safe. 

A Place for Mom, a senior living referral website and information service, explains dementia care, also called memory care, is different from other senior care communities and features services such as 24-hour care, trained staff, memory-enhancing therapies, physical layouts that reduce confusion, a secure environment, and more. Moreover, as Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, a memory care home is equipped to care for a person from the onset to the most advanced stages.

Many of the behaviors and symptoms that develop as the disease progresses such as disorientation, confusion and aggression can be difficult for families to handle on their own. At memory care communities, the staff is experienced in managing these types of behaviors and uses specialized techniques to calm or stimulate as situations call for. In addition, a move to a memory community can reduce stress for family caregivers as caring for a loved one with dementia is often a full-time job and family members generally have other responsibilities.    

Another benefit of memory care homes is the controlled environment which helps reduce confusion and disorientation for residents with proper lightening, clearly marked hallways, and a décor to encourage calmness and familiarity. Also, outside doors are locked to prevent wandering, allowing the inside atmosphere to safely encourage independence.      

MorningStar at Bear Creek is honored to offer this type of comprehensive memory care in Colorado Springs, CO. We provide support to our residents and their families with the kind 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 to learn more about our loving community. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with our 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. We create a true home for residents within an ideal setting and invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our loving assisted living dementia care in Colorado Springs, CO.

Source: aplaceformom.com/alzheimers-care

Study Finds Areas of Cognitive Health that Didn’t Decline with Age

While research appears to suggest older adults reach a point where their cognitive functioning stops progressing and actually begins to decline, a new study challenges the long-held belief that cognitive decline is a normal part of aging. The journal, Nature Human Behaviour, recently published the study from the Department of Neuroscience of Georgetown University Medical Center’s Brain and Language Lab in Washington, D.C., which tested 702 people age 58 to 98 for alertness, orienting and executive inhibition. The senior study author, Dr. Michael T. Ullman, said rather than finding cognitive decline across the board, they discovered older adults demonstrated improvements in some domains.  

Areas of progress include orienting and executive functioning, and researchers say additional brain training may even further enhance cognitive function. Study authors define executive functioning as the “the critical set of processes that allow us to focus on selective aspects of information in a goal-directed manner while ignoring irrelevant information. This set of functions is crucial for everyday life and supports numerous higher-level cognitive capacities.”

Researchers explain older adults can improve cognitive functioning with certain activities such as learning to play a musical instrument, learning to speak a new language or taking a course. Social interactions may also play a role in strengthening cognitive abilities along with targeted training.   

At the MorningStar of Billings senior living community, our mission statement includes valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals as well as believing the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. Along with a broad range of amenities, hospitality services and care services, we offer a complement of wellness programs and activities to engage residents’ mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. 

For independent living, we offer 32 free-standing cottages and another 72 bright suites within our main building. We have 70 suites for assisted living, and 36 secure memory care suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more about our loving community as well as to inquiry about pricing and availability.  

Source:

medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-some-cognitive-functions-improve-with-age#Cognitive-functioning

The Benefits of Assisted Living

 

Too often seniors mistakenly believe that moving into assisted living means an end to their independence and their life as they knew it. We want to reassure you that at today’s assisted living communities like MorningStar at Arrowhead; nothing could be further from the truth.

Aging.com explains that while changes in a person’s ability to care for themselves can be caused by underlying medical conditions, studies show the importance of seniors receiving the assistance they need with the ADLs (activities of daily living). “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.”

Another benefit of getting the help you need when you need it, is it actually gives the person a renewed sense of independence and lets them feel like they are once again in control of their life. Independence promotes a sense of achievement as well as a sense of self-worth and purpose. It inspires achievement, and reminds seniors that they still have a lot to contribute to their families, their communities and the world as a whole.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, one important part of our mission statement includes “valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals — a commitment to creating a community that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing security and independence.” Thus, our entire community is focused on physical, intellectual, spiritual and social activities that present creative ways for our residents to stay active and productive each day. Residents may also tap into their own unique talents and experiences by leading special interest clubs.

Our beautiful home has 60 assisted living suites to meet a variety of needs from spacious studios to one- and two-bedroom floorplans. While enjoying their stylish private suites, assisted living residents have peace of mind knowing that help is readily available when they need it. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 25 secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. For one of the area’s finest retirement communities, Glendale seniors are encouraged to contact us for more information.

MorningStar at Arrowhead 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 one of the finest retirement communities Glendale, AZ has to offer.

Source: agingcare.com/articles/activities-of-daily-living-why-this-measure-matters-186853.htm

Are You a Senior Who Wants to Start Exercising Again?

 

 

If you are a senior who wants to start exercising again, you may not know how to begin. For one thing, you probably realize you are not as fit as you used to be, and are not up to the same degree of physical activity that you once did. And of course, before you begin any new form of exercise, you will need to check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough, especially if you have osteoporosis, an injury, or balance issues.

Once you get the go ahead from your healthcare provider, stretching is a good place to begin. In fact, studies show that as we grow older our flexibility decreases by up to 50 percent in some joints. Another good thing about stretching is many exercises are appropriate for any level of fitness including ones that can be done sitting in a chair. Stretching can help you maintain your flexibility and mobility as well as loosen up some of your stiffness in your back, neck and shoulder muscles.

Another plus about stretching exercises is that most of them do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere. The Silver Sneakers website recommends that as you stretch, “to breathe deeply, and go slowly. Listen to your body, and never force a movement that causes pain.” They remind seniors it is okay if they cannot bend very far as over time they will loosen up some. Safety is always important and you do not want to hurt yourself. Other exercises especially good for seniors include chair yoga, resistance band workouts, walking, and dumbbell strength training.

At MorningStar at Arrowhead, our beautiful community offers a whole host of amenities and care services as well as wellness programs that include exercises geared toward our residents. We are committed to provide the best senior living Glendale AZ has to offer, which includes exemplary service to our residents to ensure their utmost comfort, wellbeing and safety. Please see our website to learn more.

This post is intended for informational purposes only. Before beginning any exercise, be sure to check with your healthcare provider.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Glendale, AZ 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 Arrowhead provides outstanding assisted living and memory care.

Source: silversneakers.com/blog/stretching-for-seniors-7-simple-moves-for-the-not-so-flexible/