Why Good Nutrition is More Important than Ever for Elderly Adults

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 and Memory Care of Fountain Hills 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. 

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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 learn more about why our new community provides a true home to our residents. 

  

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

nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/benefitsofeatingwell/01.html

 

Bring Your Pet to MorningStar of Fountain Hills

MorningStar of Fountain Hills senior living community is pleased to report that we are pet friendly.  We understand that many seniors have strong attachments to their furry friends, and since our goal is provide a true home for our residents, it means making sure their pet feels right at home alongside them.     

Making the decision to be a pet friendly community was important to us.  We recognize and support the various studies that show a strong correlation between seniors living healthier, longer, and more enjoyable with pets in their lives.  One report published by the American Psychological Association found senior pet owners “fared better on several well-being (e.g., greater self-esteem, more exercise) and individual-difference (e.g., greater conscientiousness, less fearful attachment) measures.”  Their research concludes that pet ownership is an important source of social support and offers many positive psychological and physical benefits. 

Other studies also find pet ownership offers benefits such as reducing stress and lowering blood pressure as well as a means of increasing social interaction and physical activity.  In addition to the unconditional affection and companionship offered by pets, it requires seniors to stay engaged and active in providing the routine care a pet demands such as feeding, grooming, walking and cleaning up after.    

The AgingCare website discusses other intangible benefits pets provide to their owners.  Dr. Jay P. Granat, a New Jersey psychotherapist says, "Dogs and other pets live very much in the here and now. They don't worry about tomorrow. And tomorrow can be very scary for an older person. By having an animal with that sense of now, it tends to rub off on people."  

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills represents the best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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.  We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about newest assisted living community in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.

 

Sources:

http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/a0024506

http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/benefits-of-elderly-owning-pets-113294.htm

Our Doors & Hearts are Open!

Morningstar of Fountain Hills celebrated its “Grand Opening Weekend” on November 4^th – 6^th and we are now all working toward building our family for life.  We are pleased to report that everything is going smoothly and our residents are getting settled in. 

We would like to take a moment to introduce our leadership team, Executive Director Rena Phillips and Director of Community Relations Traci Gregory.  Rena brings her copious elder care and leadership experience to our community and plans to be an advocate to our residents for many years to come.  She says her favorite time of day is when she can sit and visit with a resident and share stories.  Rena has a great deal of respect for their ability to overcome many of the challenges they have faced over their lifetime.

Traci Gregory, our Director of Community Relations is a proud Scottsdale native and was born and raised in the Valley of the Sun.  Serving others has always been a passion, and throughout her career she has made it a priority.  Traci feels honored to serve and love seniors and looks forward to helping our new MorningStar community create an amazing home for our residents.

We encourage you to contact us to learn more about our beautiful senior living community.  One look at Fountain Hills’ monthly calendar and you will see are up and running with a full schedule of exceptional wellness programs and activities.  Our community is comprised of 63 assisted living suites on two levels, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  We also have 28 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills represents the best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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 experience our newly opened assisted living community in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area.  

When is it Time to Consider “Senior Living”

Often a family is not sure whether it would be better for mom or dad to move into a senior living community.  Making the decision more difficult is the fact that many seniors can be resistant to moving, and they do not like the idea of leaving their home and everything familiar to them.  However the most important thing to consider is whether your parent’s current living situation meets their overall health and medical needs, their physical needs, and safety.  If it doesn’t, it is time to start a conversation about making a change.   

Your parents or senior loved ones may no longer be safe at home if they are having falls.  The National Council on Aging reports that one in four adults over the age of 65 have a fall each year and those statistics are higher in older seniors.  In fact every 11 seconds a senior is treated at an emergency room for injuries suffered in a fall.  Other mobility factors that may comprise their safety include struggling to go up and down stairs as well as difficulty getting up from a chair or their bed.   

Another indication your parent may not be functioning well on their own is if you find they are looking disheveled and neglecting their appearance.  You probably will also want to take a look around the house and see if they are keeping it up or is it untidy and disorganized.  Furthermore, are they taking their medications as prescribed and are they eating well? 

The staff at MorningStar of Fountain Hills knows how to take care of these needs as well as to provide a warm, comfy atmosphere to make sure all of our residents feel right at home.  Our beautiful new community offers both assisted living suites and memory care.   

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 learn more about why our new community provides a true home to our residents.     

Strokes are More Common as We Age

Being aware of the warning signs of a stroke could save your life or that of a loved one.  While family history increases one’s likelihood of suffering from a stroke, they can happen to anyone.  As we age, strokes are more common because seniors are more apt to have developed the risk factors for having a stroke.  Statistics show that 75% of strokes occur in adults over the age of 65 and is the third leading cause of death.

A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot.  Part of the brain is shut off from oxygen, and cells in the affected area immediately start to die.  It is critical to get to a hospital to start receiving treatment as doctors are trying to prevent any more loss of brain cells and lessen the impact of the damage caused by the stroke.

Some of the risk factors for a stroke are the following:

• High Blood Pressure­ (HBP) is the number one risk factor for a stroke. It is something that must be addressed by both you and your doctor. If advised, taking drugs to lower your HBP can help, but you may need to change your lifestyle. You will have to lose weight if that is a problem, watch the salt in your diet, and start to exercise.
• Smoking puts you at risk for a stroke as well as heart disease and lung cancer.
• Heart disease can cause blood clots to break off from the heart and travel up through the vessels into the brain blocking blood flow. It is important to keep your cholesterol low and control your weight and eating habits. You may be prescribed medication.
• Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels including those around the brain. Managing you diabetes well is important to maintaining your health.

It is important for you and your family to know the signs of a stroke since receiving the proper care is so essential. The National Institute on Health publishes these warning signs of a stroke: 

• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• sudden severe headache with no known cause 

This post is intended for informational purposes only.  Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. 

At MorningStar of FountainHills, 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:strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/stroke-statistics/

nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stroke/atrisk

ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke_bookmark.htm