Physical Activity Can Help Alleviate Age Decline

While most elderly adults are not going to participate in a triathlon, they do want to be as physically fit as possible.  In several interesting studies conducted by Joseph Baker, and recently reported on by the Washington Post, he looks at the question of whether “age decline is a result of simply getting older or being sedentary.”   Baker, a professor and head of the LifeSpan Health and Performance Laboratory in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in Toronto, and his team of researchers wanted to know why some 70-year-olds can still compete in vigorous athletic competitions while others get winded walking up a flight of stairs.  

Baker based the premise of his research on a pivotal 1996 Stanford University study that still serves as the biomarker for the aging process more than twenty years later.  The Stanford study analyzed age-related decline by looking at individuals’ “number of muscle cells, DNA repair, fingernail growth and physical activity.”  Researchers found that participants had a 0.5 percent decline per year in these factors.    

One of the studies that Baker and his team of Canadian researchers did in 2010 is titled “Do or Decline.”  It was published by the Journal of Health Psychology and involved more than 12,000 adults.   Participants were asked a series of questions on issues ranging from their health condition, cognitive capacity and social engagement to their physical activity.  The study found that “inactivity was a much stronger predictor of functional limitations than either chronic disease or being socially unengaged with life.” 

Studies such as these suggest that even moderate levels of physical activity can improve a person’s physiological, psychological and social conditions.  Baker explains that research like his may help to debunk the widely held notion that all physical decline experienced by an older adult is a natural part of aging.  Furthermore, he asserts that, “Self-efficacy and your belief in your ability to achieve an outcome is very important for predicting performance outcomes and a person’s behavior.”   

At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care, our residents have plenty of opportunity to stay active both physically and mentally.  We provide a full monthly calendar of wellness activities along with special outings and events.  Our community offers 55 suites for assisted living and 29 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

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.        

 

Source:washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/02/03/do-or-decline-an-athletes-age-may-be-less-important-to-performance-than-persistent-practice/?utm_term=.221660a00ccd 

Osteoarthritis in Seniors

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition of the joints that affects over 30 million Americans, and while it can occur at any age, the risk of developing OA increases with age.  OA is caused by damage or breakdown of joint cartilage between bones.  It is believed there is a hereditary component that predisposes some people to OA, and that being overweight can contribute to the severity and early onset of the disease.

Cartilage is the firm, rubbery tissue that lines the joints and allows them to move smoothly as well as cushion the bones.  Stress placed on joints over the years wears away the cartilage causing stiffness, swelling, and pain.  OA most commonly affects hips, knees, hands, feet, and spine but can affect any joint.  Sports injuries and fractures can cause OA later on in life and certain jobs that are strenuous on joints (kneeling or standing for long periods of time) can put you at added risk. 

While there is no cure for OA, it is treated with pain management, strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint, and reducing the weight on the joints.  An occupational therapist can teach you ways to move to lessen the pain without adding more stress to the joint.  A physical therapist will show you the exercises to do to strengthen your muscles and work to improve things like walking and posture.  Some OA sufferers have turned to alternative therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, relaxation, and massage techniques

. 

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

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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: 

cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm

webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/osteoarthritis-basics#1

We Invite You to Visit Our Loving Community

Newly opened in September 2015, MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead is located in the Phoenix area on the north side of Glendale in the popular residential neighborhood of Arrowhead.  Designed by the Phoenix firm of Thoma-Holec Design, the contemporary décor of MorningStar’s common areas and spacious suites offer seniors a lifestyle second to none. 

Once you take a look at our gallery of photos posted on our website, we are sure you will agree that MorningStar at Arrowhead is a step above the ordinary assisted living community.  With 60 private assisted living suites on two levels, we offer the choice of spacious studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In its own wing, our Reflections Neighborhood has an additional 25 secure suites devoted to the care of those living with memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. 

All of MorningStar residents are treated to a host of creative programs and resort-style amenities and services.  Our promise of a carefree lifestyle includes a beautiful, relaxing outdoor patio complete with fireplace, transportation that makes it easy to get out and about, and a full calendar of wellness programs and activities.  Furthermore, we have an Executive Chef on staff and residents are served three healthy and delicious meals daily in our elegant dining room.  Additional on-site services include a full salon, massage room, bistro, library, general store, theatre, fitness center, and spa bath.   

However while our facilities are beautiful and the range of amenities incredible, what we are the most proud of is the fact that our staff and residents share a community built on respect and love.  MorningStar offers residents a chance to live carefree lives in the comfort and security of our loving community.  Contact us to schedule a tour and discover why MorningStar at Arrowhead is a great place to call home.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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.

Good Nutrition is Important for Healthy Aging

Unfortunately many seniors do not eat well and are at risk for poor nutrition and even malnutrition, which is often misdiagnosed as a disease or illness. In fact the A Place for Mom website states “Malnutrition is seen in varying degrees in the elderly, along with varying vitamin deficiencies.”  

There are a number of reasons seniors do not eat well including physiological changes such as a decrease in basal metabolic rate and physical activity that reduces caloric needs.  In addition older adults experience changes in kidney function and a redistribution of body composition, gastrointestinal issues, dental problems and a change in taste and smell. 

All this can depress appetite which means the foods elderly adults do eat is more important than ever.  The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that “a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers. As you age, you might need less energy. But you still need just as many of the nutrients in food.”  They recommend elderly adults avoid foods high in empty calories such as cookies, soda, potato chips and alcohol and instead concentrate on a diet of nutrient-rich foods low in saturated and trans fats as well as cholesterol.       

Not only does a nutritional diet help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, bone loss, type II diabetes, and some cancers, it can help people to better manage those diseases.  A healthy diet can also give seniors more energy and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. 

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Jordan not only agrees that a good diet is important for seniors but we practice it every day.  Our residents dine on three healthy, delicious daily meals served restaurant-style in our beautiful dining room and prepared by our Executive Chef.  We encourage you to contact us to learn more about our resort-style amenities and loving, caring staff.     

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 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: aplaceformom.com/blog/seniors-nutritional-needs/

nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/benefitsofeatingwell/01.html

Discover our Broad Range of Special Events

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care at Arrowhead, our goal is to provide seniors a true home where they can enjoy their retirement years as carefree as possible.  As such, our community offers all kinds of activities and entertainment in an atmosphere that fosters companionship, socialization, and just pure fun.  

For example, by taking a quick look at the January newsletter, you can see our residents had an opportunity to enjoy themselves and support the Red Cross last month.  All month the community revisited the 1920’s. Residents were invited to reminisce, share, and craft about the roaring twenties. Fun was had by all who dressed up and enjoyed our Evening at the Speakeasy on the 26th!

On January 4th Morningstar at Arrowhead hosted a blood drive to support the American Red Cross Blood Services.  The Red Cross is constantly working to increase the availability of blood and blood products and MorningStar at Arrowhead was pleased to participate.

And looking ahead at February we will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week beginning Feb. 12^th and Forever Friends Day on Feb 26^th.  Residents will be finding extra ways to show their friends and neighbors how much they are loved!  Another special event for our residents will be the Reflections Family Night on Valentine’s Day with special entertainment by Patrick NcNally.  And on Fat Tuesday, Feb 28 we will kick off Mardi Gras in style including masks and beads.

This is just a sampling of some of the special events that are in addition to our regularly scheduled activities that take place every month at MorningStar at Arrowhead.  We invite you and your family to schedule a tour to come and experience firsthand our gorgeous community and discover why so many seniors are glad to call it home. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to value, 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.

Aging Increases Likelihood of High Blood Pressure

The older you become the more likely it is that you will be diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP).  Hypertension is a blood pressure reading of over 140 (upper number or systolic pressure), and higher than 90 (lower number or diastolic pressure).  Systolic pressure is the number measured when your heart beats and diastolic is the number when your heart is at rest between beats.   You can have HBP for years and not experience any symptom which is why it is known as the silent killer.  HBP is the blood pushing against artery walls more forcefully (higher pressure) which is how damage is caused over a period of time.   People with HPB are at an added risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and other serious complications.

Blood pressure should be checked on several different occasions over a period of a couple of weeks.  Blood pressure can be checked at home with a home blood pressure measurement device or monitor. It is important that you know how to use the monitor correctly and that the cuff fits you properly. For example, a cuff that is too small may give you a reading that is higher than it actually is.

Once it is established that you have suffer from hypertension, there are a number of things you can do to improve the situation.  It is recommended that you:

• Limit your intake of sodium (some studies suggest no more than a teaspoon a day)
•  Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
•   Control your weight, and if you have a high BMI, try and reduce your weight
• Follow the DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension which is a low-fat diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and grains

There are several different categories of drugs that are used to treat hypertension.  Sometimes a doctor may prescribe a combination of drugs.  Even with taking the medications, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle. 

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: aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/high-blood-pressure/

nihseniorhealth.gov/highbloodpressure/symptomsanddiagnosis/01.html

Senior Living Communities Offer Companionship

We know that many seniors in the U.S. admit to feeling lonely.  One factor may be that 11 million people (28%) aged 65 years and older lived alone in 2010 as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.  Also the older people get, the greater the likelihood their spouse or other supportive family members have passed away.  AARP reports another reason is more and more aging adults do not have children, which means they do not have as big of a safety net to rely on.  Also seniors can lose their mobility, which makes it harder to participate in social activities, and many seniors no longer can or want to drive. 

Senior isolation and loneliness is a serious problem and has even been associated with a higher risk of mortality in adult 52 years and older as reported in a 2012 study by the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).  The researchers explain that “people who live alone or lack social contacts may be at increased risk of death if acute symptoms develop, because there is less of a network of confidantes to prompt medical attention.”  They say that efforts to reduce isolation are key to addressing the issue of mortality.

In another study by Dr. John T. Cacioppo and Louse C. Hawkley, the authors suggest that feelings of loneliness are linked to poor cognitive performance and quicker cognitive decline. Their research indicates that “perceived social isolation (i.e., loneliness) is a risk factor for, and may contribute to, poorer overall cognitive performance, faster cognitive decline, poorer executive functioning, more negativity and depressive cognition.”

While MorningStar at Jordan is honored to provide seniors with a comfortable, safe place for carefree retirement years, our community also provides residents the opportunity for healthy socialization.  Whether it is sitting in one of our inviting common areas chatting with a friend or participating in one of our wellness programs or activities, residents have the level of privacy they need while easily interacting with others.  We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our community.  Then give us a call to set up tour to experience firsthand our beautiful home.

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:

aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/

pnas.org/content/110/15/5797.full 

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752489/