MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care : July 2016

Friday, July 29, 2016

Many Seniors Suffer from Loneliness

According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), “18 percent of seniors live alone, while 43 percent report feeling lonely on a regular basis.” They also found that people 60 years or older who reported being lonely had a 45% increase in a risk of death. Furthermore, seniors who felt isolated had almost a 60% increase in the risk of mental and physical decline than those seniors who had more social contact.

There are many reasons that seniors attribute to their feelings of loneliness: retirement, death of a spouse and other family members, and a lack of mobility. Another factor leading to isolation for some seniors is that more people are choosing to not have children, which reduces the number of family members with a stake in their well-being.

A 2009 report taken from data gathered by the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project found that “seniors who feel lonely and isolated are more likely to report also having poor physical and/or mental health.” As such, loneliness is also linked to a faster cognitive decline as well as a greater risk for depression.

Assisted living communities such as MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills will offer seniors not only the security and comfort to age in place but also companionship along with a wide assortment of creative, thoughtful activities. Opening this fall, our monthly calendar will have a steady stream of activities such as exercise classes, cards, word and puzzle games, movie nights, morning hymns, knitting groups, bingo, restaurant-style dining and much more. Contact us to learn more about our beautiful home-like atmosphere and the comfort, wellness and community offered to our residents.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “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…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. We invite you to schedule a visit to see our model suites and learn more about assisted living in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.

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

agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm

Friday, July 22, 2016

Why Socializing is Good for Seniors’ Health

More and more studies support the idea that socializing is good for seniors’ overall health. In fact in an article by the US News & World Report, they point to a study done by the Rush University Medical Center that agrees. The study indicates that “elderly people with the highest levels of social activity -- doing things such as visiting friends, going to parties or attending church -- showed much lower levels of cognitive decline than those who were the least socially active.”

Researchers, from the on-going Rush Memory and Aging Project, studied 1,138 adults, average age 80, for five years. It found that seniors who were the most socially active experienced “only one-fourth the rate of cognitive decline as those with the lowest levels of social activity.” The results were independent of other factors that influence cognitive decline such as age, physical activity and general health.

In another research project called BRAVO, headed by Dr. Nicole Anderson, a clinical neuropsychologist at Baycrest Health Sciences in Toronto, reports that, “"Engaging in more social activities was related to better self-reported health and less loneliness and more life satisfaction.” Dr. Anderson noted that social connectedness seems to help the immune system work better, lower stress hormone levels and offers psychological benefits.

At MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills, we agree that socialization is important. This is why our community is set up to create a home-like environment with comfy sitting areas and restaurant-style dining so our residents have plenty of opportunities to enjoy one another’s company. In addition we offer lots of fun and meaningful activities that encourage socializing. MorningStar of Fountain Hills is one of the newest MorningStar Senior Living communities and will open this fall.

Sources:health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/05/04/socializing-may-keep-elderly-minds-sharp

cbc.ca/news/health/socializing-key-to-successful-aging-1.1260922

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Balance Problems in Seniors

One problem that causes many seniors to seek the advice of their doctor is frequent episodes of lightheadedness and dizziness or feeling like the room is spinning around them when they attempt to stand up. The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains that these symptoms can be a sign of balance problems, many of which are caused by inner ear problems. They note that, “In 2008, an estimated 14.8 percent of American adults (33.4 million) had a balance or dizziness problem during the past year.”

Good balance is important to the well-being of older adults as it helps them to move about without the danger of tripping and to safely participate in their daily activities. There are several disorders that can cause balance problems and the treatments vary according to the disorder.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV is one of these disorders. In BPPV, individuals experience vertigo whenever they shift the position of their head, such as rolling over from left to right when lying down or moving their head to look up or to look down. NIH reports that BPPB occurs most commonly in adults over 60 and is caused when “small calcium particles in the inner ear become displaced and disrupt the inner ear balance sensors, causing dizziness.”

Labyrinthitis is another disorder that creates balance problems. It is caused by an infection or inflammation of the inner ear. Symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss (from mild to total loss of hearing) and vertigo. It is often related to upper respiratory infections including the flu.

Ménière’s disease, Vestibular neuronitis, and Perilymph fistula are other examples of disorders that cause balance problems. The NIH advises that you see your doctor if you are experiencing vertigo, dizziness or other balance problems.

This post is intended for informational purposes only. If you are experiencing health problems, please consult with your health care provider.

Source:nihseniorhealth.gov/balanceproblems/aboutbalanceproblems/01.html

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

MorningStar’s Reflections Neighborhood

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, memory care takes place within our Reflections Neighborhood. We offer 28 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and can accommodate those in the onset of the disease right through to the more advanced stages. The philosophy motivating our care is based on one of MorningStar’s mission statements that says, “To value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals.” From this principle comes our attentiveness to the unique voice, the rights and preferences, of each resident.

We have a deep understanding of the different forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s that helps us to compassionately care for our memory impaired residents and to find the best ways to interact and communicate with them. MorningStar’s specially trained staff uses an array of multi-sensory activities including art, dance, music, aromatherapy, life skills, exercise and animals to heal and comfort.

Furthermore, we take the time to get to know a resident through interviews with their family members in order to learn about their history, vocation, talents and preferences. We then use this knowledge to help us design an individualized care plan for the person.

In addition our Reflections Neighborhood provides daily health monitoring, assistance with meals prepared by our Executive Chef, scheduled outings and special events, and an enclosed, secure patio and courtyard. Our memory care suites accommodate a resident’s own furniture and mementos so they are sure to feel right at home. Contact us to learn more about our beautiful assisted living and memory care community right in the center of the serene desert town of Fountain Hills.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Balance Exercises Can Help Prevent Falls

We know that each year more than one-third of people age 65 or older suffer a fall and many of those incidents cause serious injuries or in some cases even death. This is why preventing falls is extremely important for the elderly, and balance as well as strength exercises can help to prevent falls.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends 5 simple exercises that do not require any special equipment other than a chair (and someone to assist you if needed) that can improve balance and increase lower body strength. The series of exercises include the following: standing on one foot; walking heel to toe; balance walk; back leg raises; and side leg raises.

These easy-to-do exercises can be done throughout the day and only take a few minutes to do each of them. For further instructions on how they should be done, the NIH website offers a video on each exercise. In addition the NIH recommends that seniors try to do three other types of exercises that focus on improving endurance, strength and flexibility.

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we recognize the importance of exercising, and as such, we will be providing our residents with a full calendar of daily activities once we open in the fall of 2016. One look at the monthly calendars of our sister communities shows there is something that is sure to please everyone. Our calendars include: group exercises, moving and grooving, morning strength, balance and posture, flex and stretch, relaxation and chair exercises. We encourage you to visit the models in our newest community in the Valley of the Sun as now is the time to get the best suite selection.

This post is intended for informational purposes only. Before beginning any exercises, please consult with your health care provider.

Source:nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseandphysicalactivityexercisestotry/balanceexercises/01.html