Dehydration is a Real Concern, Especially for the Elderly

Dehydration is a real concern especially for the elderly, or for anyone who spends time in the sun. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says over 43% of adults do not drink enough water each day. Although the amount of fluid we need differs, Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian based in Imperial, PA, says on average men should consume 15 cups of fluid a day and women 11 cups.  

Experts say water is the best way to hydrate but for those who find it a chore to drink, there are other healthy alternatives. In fact, statistics show 22% of our daily fluid intake is from foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are especially high in fluid. Some of the most moisture-providing vegetables are lettuce and cucumbers containing up to 96% water. Celery, radishes, spinach and cauliflower are other good choices. Some of the most hydrating fruits are tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon and cantaloupe.

Despite popular folklore, coffee doesn’t cause fluid loss and does provide hydration, but experts say it is still important to limit your amount of caffeine especially toward evening. Drinking too much alcohol does dehydrate the body and one tip to lessen the effects is to consume a beverage high in electrolytes like coconut water. Cold soups are another way to keep your fluid levels high. Oatmeal with berries is a good choice for breakfast as the oats soak up the water they are cooked in and the berries themselves are hydrating. 

At MorningStar at Bear Creek in Colorado Springs, we specialize in providing memory care assisted living for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our home has 48 suites in a variety of floor plans; and we are equipped to care for residents from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Residents receive daily health monitoring and Alzheimer's care as well as healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Visit our website for information regarding our services, amenities and availability. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek represents the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest”.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a home-like setting.  Please contact us to learn more about trusted memory care and assisted living in Colorado Springs.

Source: 

health.usnews.com/wellness/food/slideshows/ways-to-stay-hydrated-besides-drinking-water

Successful Aging in Today’s World

If we are lucky, we are all going to get a lot older, but experts say with a few common sense adjustments, we can live healthier, more productive lives than our grandparents or even parents. Moreover, it is worthwhile to plan for a long life as mortality rates have risen from just an average age of 47 for men and women in 1900 to older adults routinely reaching their eighties, nineties and upward. 

In fact, recent studies report it is possible to grow older without a significant decline in health. Linda Fried, dean of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and director of the Robert Butler Columbia Aging Center, says, “The idea that living longer necessarily means enduring significant declines in health has changed in the last two decades.” She adds, “It’s possible to increase your health span as long as your life span. Some decline in health and function is inevitable. But the image that older life is about decrepitude turns out not to be right.”

Spending decades working in the field of gerontology, Harry "Rick" Moody reminds older adults that even if they are living with health challenges, they should not lose sight of the opportunity for living a meaningful and positive life. He says at 76 his hearing is bad but he compensates by wearing a hearing aid. His advice is "If you compensate, you’ll age successfully. If you don’t, you won’t age successfully.”

Strategies for healthy aging include not limiting yourself by saying you are too old, to keep learning, keep exercising and to eat a healthy diet. Staying close to family and friends, getting enough sleep and using adaptive skills to compensate for things like short-term memory loss and a general slow-down of cognitive and physical abilities are also part of the process.  

At MorningStar of Billings, our goal is to provide seniors the physical, intellectual, spiritual and social connections to lead productive and engaged lives. Along with independent living and assisted living, we also provide compassionate, holistic memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, we encourage you to consider MorningStar.  Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about outstanding independent living, assisted living and memory care in Billings, MT.

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/how-to-age-well

Do Your Elderly Parents Need More Care?

Are you worried about your elderly parents getting the care they need at home? Senior living communities offering assisted living are one way to make sure they get the care they need, while giving family members the peace of mind they need. 

To help ensure the community you choose is a good, all-around fit, experts say the trick is to find one based on your parents’ needs, their lifestyle and budget. A Place for Mom, one of the largest senior living referral websites, says the key to a successful move for mom or dad is to have a frank and open conversation with the family to make sure everyone is on the same page. Be sure your parents have the chance to give their opinion. 

When you begin the actual search, remember assisted living is not a nursing home or memory care. To determine the best community for them, start by addressing their ADLs’ (activities of daily living) needs. Keep in mind the amount of help they need right now and how much help they will most likely need over the next couple of years. After all, you do not want to go through the process of moving them into a community to have to move them out in a few years once their needs cannot be met. 

Determine your parents’ budget, and if you need help in that area, seek advice from an elder care financial service or attorney. At MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care of Fort Collins, we have partnered with Elderlife Financial Services to present different financial resources commonly used to pay for senior living. 

Another important step is to visit the community (either virtually or personally) and to get to know the staff. Narrowing down your choices includes considering things such as how convenient will it be for the family to visit and is it located close to medical facilities, shopping and other services.  Furthermore, find out if the community is accepting new residents, and if not, you may want to go on their waiting list.    

At MorningStar of Fort Collins, we offer a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, second to none.  In addition to assisted living and memory care, we offer respite care and short-term stays (from one week up to a full month) that are ideal to see if we are a good fit. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

MorningStar of Fort Collins’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

If I Don’t Need Any Assistance, Why Should I Consider Community Life as a Senior?

The stereotype of gray, dull nursing homes that seem to be devoid of life is a myth of the past. Retirement communities today are modern and host a wide array of amenities to keep seniors’ lives active, healthy, and enriching. It is never too early to consider senior living, even if you aren’t in need of medical attention from nurses or family members. Being able to have your own choice in what community you would want to live in is what is going to be ultimately most rewarding for you going forward. Here are some reasons to consider retirement homes and senior living even if you are not in need of medical assistance.

You are able to keep your independence in senior living at MorningStar in Glendale, AZ. Seniors can enjoy a stress-free environment and a change of lifestyle and routine by moving into a retirement community. In our communities, we offer built-in companionship and the growth of new friendships. Hobbies are able to be explored while the usual mundane worries of house management are taken off your shoulders. Our retirement homes at MorningStar offer exciting and nutritious meals, community involvement, and modern living arrangements that you are able to fully decorate to your own liking and comfortability. If you are looking for a refreshing change of lifestyle, consider a retirement home and a new community with MorningStar.

There are other benefits that come with independent senior living, such as cost-effectiveness. Perhaps finances are what is holding you back from the decision to move to a retirement community. You do not have to live alone in a senior living community. With Companion Living at MorningStar at Arrowhead, the expenses of a suite can be split between two people. MorningStar retirement communities in Glendale, AZ have floorplans ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites that are spacious for roommate situations or living with a spouse. Alternatively, if you do not have a friend or relative to share a suite with, we will carefully pair you up with another senior who shares your interests and background.

Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar at Arrowhead and our senior living options. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have. Our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission and what sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ offers. 

MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Glendale, AZ has to offer.

How Seniors Can Stay Cool this Summer

The summer is a great time to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy a little sun outside. As we get deeper into the summer, so too do we begin to experience higher temperatures during the day and drier air. While you may believe to be accustomed to hot summers, as we age it’s important to be mindful of activities you may be participating in outdoors and for how long. These easy reminders below can help you stay cool this summer and refrain from any heat-related dangers such as heat stroke.

Heatstroke is the most fatal to individuals that are 50 years of age and older, according to The National Institute of Aging. Certain health problems, such as heart problems, high blood pressure, and kidney disease can increase one’s chances of experiencing heat stroke. Even the prescription drugs you take may put you at risk of heatstroke if you are in high temperatures for long periods of time.

In order to have a safe and comfortable summer, it is important to drink a lot of fluids such as water and juices to stay hydrated. Try to minimize your intake of alcohol and caffeine while being in the heat as this can dehydrate you. It is also a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothing during the summer so that body heat can escape. A major rule in the summer is to remember to keep your home cool by using AC if possible and keeping blinds closed during the hottest times of the day. Having fans to circulate air may also be helpful.

MorningStar retirement communities in Glendale, Arizona are not unfamiliar with the heat that is associated with this climate. In order to keep our community safe, MorningStar retirement communities in Glendale AZ pride themselves on having modern floorplans ranging from spacious studios to comfortable two-bedroom suites. When outdoors, MorningStar at Arrowhead keeps our senior living safe during the summer by encouraging proper intake of fluids, healthy foods, and breaks from the outdoors through our staff and 24/7 nurse access.

Please contact us to learn more about MorningStar at Arrowhead and our retirement living options. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have and our website also provides information on our company’s history, vision, and mission as well as what sets us apart from other retirement homes Glendale, AZ offers.

MorningStar at Arrowhead proudly provides the very best in assisted living and memory care 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 for more information about one of the finest retirement homes Glendale, AZ has to offer.

MorningStar of Fort Collins Offers a True Home

MorningStar of Fort Collins is part of a company founded on authenticity, and a reputation for excellence. Setting our home apart from other senior living communities is the fact we understand the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon this truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Additionally, we have an extraordinary team who feels privileged to serve and help create an environment where life is enriched, stories are shared, and lives are cherished. 

Our beautiful community has 55 private assisted living suites and another 24 secure suites devoted to specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.  In assisted living, residents receive various levels of support with the activities of daily living, based on a thorough assessment with our Wellness Director, and in agreement with the senior and their extended family. Care includes around-the-clock Care Managers to ensure residents’ safety and wellbeing as they work to meet expressed (and even unexpressed) needs. 

MorningStar’s memory care uses a holistic approach, which is encompassed under the expanse of possibilities we call “Lavender Sky.” Under a Lavender Sky, our ambition is to thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore as we find ways to daily celebrate life regardless of the extent of memory loss. Moreover, we understand the essence of the person remains and treat each with the utmost respect and dignity as we walk alongside the individual and their family throughout this difficult journey. 

To learn more about our exceptional community, we encourage you to visit our website. You will find extensive information including photos, floorplans, and amenities. For a quick response, use our Virtual Assistant to inquiry about availability, pricing and/or to set up a tour. We look forward to hearing from you. 

MorningStar of Fort Collins’ mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. 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 outstanding assisted living and memory care. 

MorningStar of Fort Collins Offers Specialized Memory Care

Caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be a very stressful job. If you think it is time to consider other care options, rather than feeling disappointed in yourself, remember the job of a caregiver is tough and it may be in yours as well as your spouse, mom, or dad’s best interest to move them into memory care.

If caring for a loved one requires more effort on your part than you are able to give physically or mentally, please reach out and get the help you need as your own health and wellbeing may be aversively impacted. Also, experts stress that while there is no downside to placing someone in memory care in the earlier stages of the disease there could be drawbacks to waiting too long. Remember the more advanced stages bring with it a significant decline in everyday functioning.

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Fort Collins offers 24 suites for the care of residents with memory impairment from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages. Our Reflections Neighborhood is staffed by a team of individuals who through purposeful training and experience are dementia care specialists. Our team understands the unique needs of each resident and delivers that care with compassion and thoughtfulness. Additionally, every aspect of our home has been designed to accommodate those needs.

Keep in mind as the disease progresses; it becomes very difficult for a family to keep up with the increasing needs as the person requires more and more assistance with daily care activities such as bathing, toileting, and eating. Other signs of advanced dementia include reduced mobility, wandering, and falling, which may require home modifications. Professional memory care homes such as ours are equipped to deal with these issues and have 24/7 caregivers available.

So rather than feel like you let your loved one down by not caring for them yourself, placing them in a multi-faceted community designed to attend to their changing needs may be the most loving thing you can do. Please visit our website for more information about the finest memory care and assisted living Fort Collins has to offer.

MorningStar Senior Living’s communities across the U.S. have a passionate commitment to serving seniors, earning a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. If you are looking for the finest memory care or assisted living Fort Collins offers, we encourage you to consider MorningStar.