The Benefits of Daily Stretching

Have you noticed you are no longer as flexible as you used to be and the movements of your limbs and joints feel more restricted? If it is harder to do things like turning your neck to look behind you when driving or getting up from a low chair, you would probably benefit from incorporating stretches into your routine. Experts say daily stretching can make significant improvement in flexibility, the ability of the muscles and tendons to lengthen and stretch in response to movement, and allow a joint to move through its range of motion.         

In addition, being more flexible improves balance and lowers the risk for a fall. Stretching increases the range of movement in the joints, improves posture and eases muscle tension and soreness as well as increases circulation. Along with dedicated stretching exercises, seniors can increase flexibility with yoga, Pilates, swimming, tai chi, dancing and massage. 

A study on a 12-month stretch and flex program for older adults reported by the Journal of Gerontology found “participants demonstrated positive changes in areas like physical fitness, self-efficacy, perceived functioning, and well-being. They also experienced a decrease in pain.”  

It is easy to do stretching exercises as they do not require special equipment and can be done anywhere. However, before beginning any new exercise routine including stretching, consult with your healthcare provider regarding your fitness level. Experts say you should warm up before stretching such as taking a walk around the block, which in itself helps to stretch muscles and tendons. Also, don’t stretch to the point of pain, only to the point of tension; or bounce when stretching. Typically hold the stretch for no more than 30 seconds.

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we offer 61 private assisted living suites in a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 27 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community with resort-style amenities, care services and a range of programs including exercise classes tailored to seniors’ needs.  Visit our website for more information about our beautiful assisted living homes. 

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 the finest senior living in Happy Valley, OR.

Source: healthline.com/health/senior-health/stretching-exercises#Benefits-of-stretching-

morelifehealth.com/articles/regaining-flexibility-guide

Learn More About MorningStar and Our Happy Valley Community

MorningStar of Happy Valley is a part of the MorningStar Senior Living Company whose vision is “to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world.”  This means right from the start we have made a point to staff our loving home with individuals who feel called to serve and understand that seniors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  

In addition, we support MorningStar’s mission of serving others here at home and throughout the world including supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and the Casa Bernabé orphanage in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.  We also support MorningStar’s partnership with “Lifewater,” a non-profit organization that focuses on delivering safe water sources to villages across the globe. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley is also guided by our company’s founding principles that include: 

• Honoring God in our business practices and relationships 

• Valuing all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals 

• Investing generously in our team’s ability to serve well 

Thus our home’s first priority is to create a comfortable, compassionate home while striving to meet residents’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs.  Also, while our company was founded on a Judeo-Christian tradition, we honor all faith systems and worldviews, and understand it is our responsibility to honor spiritual preferences as part of caring for the whole person.

MorningStar of Happy Valley has 61 stylish assisted living suites as well as 27 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Our community is filled with spacious, beautifully appointed common areas both inside and out and include courtyards with barbecue and firepit, strolling paths, chapel/theatre, 24-hour bistro and library.  Chef inspired meals are available all day and served restaurant-style in our lovely dining room. Visit our website to see what sets us apart from other senior living communities, and why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.”

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the very best in assisted living and memory care.  Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide carefree retirement years with a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community.   Contact us for more information about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

Considerations to Make When Looking for Dementia Care

Doctors diagnose dementia by the lack of two or more brain functions without loss of consciousness. Such as memory and language skills being significantly impaired. The loss of these functions directly inhibits the way an individual reacts with the world around them. While it is difficult for the individual to adjust to this new way of life, it is especially difficult for you as the caretaker to acclimate as well. A Dementia diagnosis comes with a large number of considerations to make in regard to your loved ones' care.

Individuals with dementia have significantly impaired brain functioning that interferes with normal activities and communication in relationships. People struggling with dementia lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control. They may experience personality changes and behavioral problems, such as becoming easily angered, having delusions, and hallucinations. These symptoms can make it extremely difficult to handle if you yourself are the spouse of someone with Dementia, the child of, or a close friend of said person. The average person, while ambitious and caring, may not be equipped to handle the many needs of someone dealing with Dementia.

MorningStar at Englefield Green specifically cares for those aged 55 and older with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Since our facility at MorningStar at Englefield Green is specialized and more acclimated to the care of these individuals, we are able to personalize our care to each individual’s needs. To better be able to do so, we offer 24-hour care staff available for our memory care residents. Our community, while on the smaller side, is made of 50 suites including spacious studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as all of the amenities and services to ensure the comfort, safety, and wellbeing of our memory care residents in Boise, Idaho.

To learn more about MorningStar at Englefield Green and the other specialized care regarding Dementia care in Boise, ID, please contact us. 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 memory care facilities in Boise, Idaho.

MorningStar at Englefield 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 Boise, Idaho has to offer.

The Difference Between Normal Aging and Dementia

Experts say perhaps as many as 40 percent of adults over the age of 65 suffer from some level of memory loss, but are quick to add, it does not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. They explain there are some noticeable characteristics separating normal memory loss from dementia.  

For instance, many older adults occasionally forget how to operate a piece of machinery or how to program a remote control if they have not done it in a while; but doctors say this is common and most-likely not a cause for concern. However, it is more concerning when a person forgets how to get home or how to perform routine tasks. 

It is normal to have to pause and think how to communicate a thought or idea but it is not normal to forget what you just said and continuously repeat yourself, or to not be able to finish a thought. Another sign the problem is more serious than normal forgetfulness is using the wrong word to describe something or forgetting the name altogether; as is forgetting names of family and friends. 

Another example of more than normal age-related forgetfulness is forgetting what an object is or what it is for. With normal memory loss, you may forget where you put your glasses; someone with Alzheimer’s may find their glasses and not recognize them as their own or forget they wear glasses. Experts caution even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, people can have balance problems, and as the disease progresses, balance typically get worse. A study found people with dementia were “8-times more likely to fall than older people who have not been diagnosed with a form of dementia.”   

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley has 27 secure suites devoted to individualized care for those with mild to advanced memory impairment.  Our Reflections Neighborhood is designed to accommodate the needs of our residents and encourages and supports their independence while keeping them safe.   If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, please visit our website for more information about our experienced, compassionate memory care in Happy Valley, OR.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in assisted living and memory care with our distinct mission statement – “to honor, to value, 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 within a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Happy Valley, OR.     

Source: activebeat.com/your-health/normal-aging-vs-alzheimers-6-key-differences

Embracing Memory Loss Leads to Better Understanding Dementia

MorningStar at Englefield Green has a fundamental standard in specialized memory care for seniors struggling with Dementia and memory loss. Treatment is individualized for each of our residents dealing with memory impairment. Under our holistic approach, “Lavender Sky,” we hope to aid in the de-stigmatization of memory loss and Dementia. By accepting the diagnosis and symptoms associated with memory loss, we are able to become more familiar and understanding of our residents.

Our mantra that is taught under “Lavender Sky” is to “enter, embrace, and explore” the realm of Dementia and other illnesses related to memory loss. It is important to not fall blindsided by the diagnosis. Instead, we encourage and actively teach our memory care providers to willingly enter into the territory of Dementia.

To better understand memory loss, we must embrace it. With a Dementia diagnosis, how your loved one communicates with you and the world around them will begin to change. Under a “Lavender Sky,” we all should be available to practice stronger empathy and understanding towards the individuals in our care. At MorningStar, we embrace Dementia and other forms of memory loss by customizing and individualizing care for each of our residents in memory care. Needs change on a base-by-base situation and our flexibility and attentiveness allow for comfort and patience during difficult situations. When we better understand our residents, we can better understand the ways in which Dementia and memory loss portrays themselves.

There is no cure for Dementia, but every day we are exploring new ways to combat and handle the diagnosis with care and tenderness that may offer us new breakthroughs in medical understanding of the disease. When we “enter, embrace, and explore” memory loss, we are utilizing an empathetic way to understand our residents and the reality of Dementia. When we show care, attentiveness, and willingness to understand, we can better examine the effects of memory loss on each of our residents.

To learn more about MorningStar at Englefield Green and the other specialized care regarding Dementia care in Boise, ID, please contact us. 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 memory care facilities in Boise, Idaho.

 
MorningStar at Englefield Green 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 Boise, Idaho has to offer.

Take Precautions to Prevent Falls but it’s Important to Keep Exercising

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, one out of every five Americans aged 65 years and older has a fall that results in an injury such as broken bones or a head injury.  However, medical professionals say while it is important for seniors to take precautions to prevent falls as injuries can be serious, they also remind us that regardless of how old we are, it is beneficial for our overall health to keep moving.  Experts explain that failing to engage in “mild exercise on a regular basis results in reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination, and reduced flexibility.”

They go on to say that despite commonly held beliefs, falls are not a normal part of aging and there are things you can do to help keep you on your feet and mitigate the risk of a fall.  Their first advice is to talk to your doctor about your risk and prevention.  Tell them if you have fallen and discuss your medications to see if side effects include dizziness or sleepiness that could contribute to falls.  

While falls are common in seniors 65 years of age and older, individuals with dementia are at an even greater risk.  Researchers say there are several reasons for this including gait and balance issues as well as problems concentrating and with staying focused on the task at hand.  Other issues that may increase the risk of falls include poor eyesight and chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, and arthritis or numbness in the feet.  If you often feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing or suddenly sitting up, ask your doctor if you might have postural hypotension, and find out how you can alleviate the symptoms.    

Further tips to reduce your risk include having your eyes checked annually and updating your glasses when needed.  In addition, talk to your doctor about the best footwear for inside the house as well as outside.  Check your home for trip hazards (the CDC has a list of tips) and install grab bars in the bathroom.  Finally, ask your doctor about exercises to strengthen your leg muscles as well as balance-training exercises to improve balance.   

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, our community was built to accommodate our residents’ every need and to see to their comfort as well as their safety.  Contact us or visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other seniors living in Rio Rancho, NM.

MorningStar of Rio Rancho provides the very best in assisted living and memory Care with our distinct 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 to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle.  Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.

Sources:  cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/

agingcare.com/articles/falls-in-elderly-people-133953.htm

alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/alzheimers-disease-increases-the-risk-of-falls/

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Rio Rancho

Today’s assisted living is not just another term for a nursing home, which is intended for people who require skilled, around-the-clock medical care and supervision. Rather assisted living, the most popular and fastest growing long-term care option for older adults in the U.S., is designed for seniors who cannot get the help they need or afford while living at home or in an independent living community. The first community in the U.S. opened in the late 1980s. The concept quickly took hold out of consumers’ distaste for nursing homes and the desire for something offering the services, safety and amenities seniors required while still supporting and encouraging their independence.  

Assisted living recognizes seniors as productive, contributing individuals who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Moreover, unlike nursing homes, assisted living communities offer private suites and most are equipped with kitchenettes. At communities such as MorningStar of Rio Rancho, meals and transportation are provided, and residents can get help with activities of daily living including bathing, grooming, dressing, transferring, toileting, etc.  Residents feel comforted having the security and safety of 24-hour support, and families’ rest easy knowing that a trained, caring staff is available to help whenever their loved one needs it. 

Residents of MorningStar appreciate the ease of built-in social connections and predictable budgeting as well as activities designed to engage them physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. Amenities include a bistro, theater/chapel, fitness room, library, salon and much more. Throughout our community, you will find inviting areas to sit and have a chat with friends or family or the perfect spot to find some solitude and just enjoy the day.

If you are looking for exceptional senior housing, Rio Rancho NM’s MorningStar community may be the place for you.  If you would like to see if we are a good fit, we offer short-term stays (from one week up to a full month) and respite care for those recovering from an illness or surgical procedure. Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

MorningStar of Rio Rancho 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 to learn more about the finest senior housing Rio Rancho, NM has to offer.