Not Surprising that Many Older Adults Feel More Isolated in 2020

 

 

We knew even before the pandemic that many older adults felt lonely and isolated. Now with seniors and people with underlying conditions sheltering in place and avoiding crowds in an effort to stay safe, the situation has gotten much worse.

The National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA) out of the University of Michigan followed up on a similar poll they did in October, 2018 with a different sampling of individuals during March to June of 2020. Both surveys interviewed people between the ages of 50 to 80 and focused on questions such as “lack of companionship and isolation (loneliness), social interactions, and health behaviors.”

Researchers found in 2018, 34% of participants said they felt a lack of companionship. In 2020, participants’ responses pushed that number up to 41%. More concerning is the 56% of people in the 2020 survey that reported feeling isolated from others – a number up from 27% in 2018. Also 46% of participants in 2020 said they had infrequent social contact (once a week or less), which was up from 28% who reported similar feelings in 2018.

People who have interacted with others in their neighborhood as well as those who got out in nature reported less loneliness. Researchers say that “while personal interactions and social activities may look different during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., physically distanced, outdoors, or online), providing safe opportunities for regular and meaningful interaction with others and with nature is important to reduce loneliness and maintain social connections.”

At the MorningStar senior living community, our remarkable residents and team members all work together to build our MorningStar family; and throughout the pandemic, we have continued to support and care for one another. Please go to our website for more information about one of the best senior living facilities in Billings, MT for independent living, assisted living and memory care.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents. Please visit our website to learn more about one of the area’s top senior living facilities.

Source:

healthyagingpoll.org/report/loneliness-among-older-adults-and-during-covid-19-pandemic

The CDC Recommends a Shingles Vaccine for Most Older Adults

 

Most of us have heard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health professionals stress the importance of everyone getting a flu shot this year. However, you may not have heard about another important vaccine recommended for anyone over the age of 50. Shingrix is a vaccine designed to prevent shingles and was introduced to the public in 2017. The CDC reports Shingrix is the preferred shingles vaccine as it offers more than a 90 percent success in preventing shingles. However, for the last couple of years, there have been shortages of the vaccine and it was not available to many older adults.

While you should always check with your healthcare provider before getting any vaccine including the shingles’ vaccine, as of July 2020, a company’s spokesman said GSK's Shingrix is no longer on the CDC's shortages list, and there is now a supply “available to meet demand across all distribution channels.” They still suggest you check with your drugstore or doctor to make sure they have the vaccine available.

The CDC says the reason so many older adults are eager to get the vaccine is that “nearly one in three people in the U.S. develops shingles at some point.” They add that symptoms include pain, rash, itching, and first fluid-filled, then eventually crusting blisters that can lead to permanent scarring.

It is recommended that anyone over the age of 50 gets the Shingrix vaccine even if they are uncertain whether they have had chickenpox in the past or have a history of shingles. The CDC also says you should get the Shingrix vaccine even if you got the Zostavax vaccine in the past. Zostavax is a live vaccine and is only about 51 percent effective toward preventing shingles.

Medical experts explain that the Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant vaccine. “This means vaccine manufacturers created it by altering and purifying DNA that codes for an antigen to produce an immune response to fight the virus.” Shingrix requires two shots taken at least two to six months apart. Common side effects from the vaccine include pain, swelling, itching and soreness at the site of the shot, and a small number of people report headaches. The CDC says to consult your healthcare provider to learn whether a Shingrix vaccine is the right treatment option for you.

Our mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other retirement communities Glendale AZ has to offer. 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: healthline.com/health/shingles-vaccine-side-effects#who-should-get-it

Please Remember the Flu can Also be Deadly

 

 

Medical professionals remind Americans that the flu can also be deadly, and say it is especially important for those at risk of serious complications to be on guard against getting it. If fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that during the 2019-20 flu season as many as many as 740,000 Americans were hospitalized. The 2017-18 flu season was an extremely virulent strain and caused approximately 61,000 deaths.

This year doctors worry about an overlap of Covid-19 and the flu; and is why there is such a push to have all Americans get a flu shot. Those more at risk include adults over the age of 65. Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, explains that as we age our immune systems are not as robust. Add to that, about half of those people have another underlying health condition that puts them at risk.

Something like heart disease or a history of stroke increases a person’s risk for heart problems including a heart attack or another stroke during a case of the flu. Diabetics also are three times more likely to die from the flu; and lung conditions such as COPD or asthma can lead to pneumonia or other respiratory infections. Moreover doctors caution those with weakened immune systems and cancer survivors as well as anyone with a body index greater than 40 are more at risk for serious complications from the flu. Talk to your healthcare providers about getting a yearly flu shot and a pneumonia vaccination.

At the MorningStar of Billings, we are proud to be one of the state’s finest senior living facilities and offer residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Our beautiful community has 32 free-standing cottages and another 72 bright suites for independent living; 70 suites for assisted living; and 36 secure suites for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments. Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more about availability and pricing.

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with a unique mission statement of: “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Proving a true home for residents, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care, we invite you to contact us for more information regarding the area’s top senior living facilities.

Source: aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/flu-risk-factors.html

Myths About Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia

Medical experts say it is important that people understand the facts as we know them about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. One misconception is that Alzheimer’s and dementia is inevitable as we age. In fact, the actual number of people in the U.S. afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is 3% for people between the ages of 65 to 74 years old. As we grow older, the figures climb to 17% for people 75 to 84 years old and 32% for those over 85.

The National Institute on Aging clears up another commonly held belief, which is Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same thing. While they say this is somewhat true, as Alzheimer’s is one form of dementia and makes up 60 to 80% of cases, other forms include frontotemporal dementia (FTD), vascular dementia, mixed dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Moreover, while each type of dementia shares some characteristics, they all have a distinct underlying pathology.

Another myth is if a family member had Alzheimer’s disease, you will get it. Experts say this is not true as only some forms of dementia have a genetic link such as early-onset Alzheimer’s (getting the disease before 65). This type of Alzheimer’s is uncommon and accounts for just 5.5% of cases.

An unfounded theory started in the 1960s that said food cooked in aluminum pans and drinks in such cans put you at higher risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia has never been found to be true after numerous studies. Many people also automatically assume any memory loss is a sign of Alzheimer’s. While significant memory loss can certainly indicate Alzheimer’s, experts say occasional forgetfulness is normal. This is why doctors advise anyone worried about the possibility of Alzheimer’s or dementia to see their healthcare provider for a full physical evaluation.

As dementia care specialists, MorningStar at Bear Creek creates individualized care plans for each resident intended to stimulate or calm in response to particular moods or situations. Our daily calendar is filled with meaningful activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to help heal and comfort residents. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, please visit our website to learn more about the best memory care Colorado Springs offers.

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. Visit our website for more information about the best memory care Colorado Springs has to offer.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-dementia

MorningStar at Arrowhead is Designed for Your Comfort & Wellbeing

 

MorningStar at Arrowhead’s goal is to be one of the best retirement communities Glendale, AZ has to offer, and we are committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our remarkable residents. To accomplish this lofty goal, our approach takes into account every aspect of senior living from the design of our gorgeous community to a broad range of care services, amenities, and wellness programs. In fact, Ken Jaeger, MorningStar Senior Living’s Founder, had specific ideas on how to foster the ultimate environment for the wellbeing of seniors and it is the guiding spirit in which our community operates on.

For assisted living residents, private suites are available in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Each suite has high-end finishes, a handicap-accessible bathroom, ceiling lighting, high ceilings, and large windows. Suites also include a kitchenette with refrigerator, 24-hour emergency call system, and a private heating & air conditioning system. Cable TV and utilities are included in your monthly fee as well as weekly housekeeping, laundry and linen services, and daily spot cleaning and trash removal.

Add to that, our dedicated team members who are the heartbeat of our community and the kind of people who come to work each day with a smile on their face. They understand it is a privilege to serve and many come to know and treat our residents as they do their own moms and dads. As a true home, we consider our residents, their families and team members to be part of the Arrowhead family.

MorningStar at Arrowhead offers 60 private assisted living suites and 25 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please see our website for more information about our exceptional community. While you are there, you may read the statement from our CEO which details our defense against the coronavirus to help ensure the health of residents and team members during this difficult time.

MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about one of the finest retirement communities Glendale, AZ offers.

MorningStar of Fort Collins Improves Quality of Life in a Variety of Ways

 Rather than diminish a senior’s life, senior assisted living facilities such as MorningStar of Fort Collins help to improve quality of life for residents in a variety of ways.  Along with providing the daily care services residents need to maintain their independence, we provide on-going support to ensure their safety, comfort and continued personal growth.  For our residents’ families, they get peace of mind knowing their loved one is being well-cared for.  

Another benefit of MorningStar’s assisted living is the healthy dining that allows residents to self-manage a variety of dietary restrictions such as low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian or low fat.  Additionally, our medication care management services see to it that residents’ medications are ordered, delivered and dispensed in a meticulous, timely fashion.  Services also include housekeeping, laundry, transportation and more.  

Moreover, as the CDC reports that each year 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, residents at MorningStar of Fort Collins feel comforted knowing that help is just the push of a button away as all suites are equipped with a 24-hour Emergency Call System.  In addition, all bathrooms are handicap-accessible and equipped with grab bars.   

Along with assisted living, MorningStar offers loving memory care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Even now, we are safely accepting new residents and adhering to the changing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and regulatory authorities to ensure the health and well-being of both residents and team members.  Please visit our website for more information about loving senior living in Fort Collins, CO.

MorningStar of Fort Collins’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior assisted living facilities. 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, we provide a true home for residents.

Certain Foods May Help to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

 

 

As we age, many of us unfortunately start to have problems with our eyesight but medical experts say certain foods may help to keep our eyes healthy. Most of the recommended foods are readily available and tasty as well as good for our overall health. One of these foods is blueberries, which are rich in anthocyanins, “potent antioxidants that bolster collagen structure in the retina and provide extra vision protection.”

Another healthy eye food (not a hardship for many of us to eat) is dark chocolate. In a 2018 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, it found adult participants who ate a bar of dark chocolate experienced greater improvement with visual clarity and contrast sensitivity about two hours later than those participants who ate a bar of milk chocolate. Experts explain it is the flavonoids found in dark chocolate that may help improve the vision of people with glaucoma as well as reduce the risk for macular degeneration.

To protect your eyes against the damaging rays of the sun, it is recommended you eat foods high in zinc. Oysters are one of the best sources of mineral zinc but you can also get zinc from lean red meat, poultry, beans, legumes and fortified cereals. Moreover, a list of foods good for the eyes would not be complete without mentioning carrots. A rich source of beta-carotene, carrots contain “an antioxidant carotenoid that your body converts to vitamin A, which is essential for good vision.” Other orange and red veggies and fruits with beta-carotene include winter squash, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots as well as spinach and kale.

Doctors also say almonds are good for eye health as they are a good source of vitamin E. Studies show “people who have relatively high dietary intakes of vitamin E have a 20 percent lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.” Foods other than almonds with high amounts of vitamin E include sunflower seeds, peanuts, and vegetable oils. Other healthy eye foods to include in your diet are eggs, tomatoes, kale and salmon.

MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about one of the finest retirement homes Glendale, AZ offers

Source: aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/superfoods-for-eyes.html