4 Benefits of Yoga for Seniors in Assisted Living

Moving your body is beneficial at any age, but especially for seniors in assisted living. Yoga is a wonderful way to decompress, relieve stress, and care for yourself. 

You might not know about some of the surprising benefits of yoga for seniors. Here’s what yoga can do for residents in assisted living. 

1. Reduced Joint Pain

Joint pain is an issue for millions of seniors around the world. As you age, your bones and cartilage can weaken and become stiff. This makes everyday movements especially difficult. 

Yoga takes some of the pressure off your joints and improves your mobility. When you stretch and take deep breaths, your muscles and connective tissues receive more oxygen. This can help heal damaged tissues and regain your range of motion. 

If you’re in assisted living and want to experience joint pain relief, a relaxing yoga session might be just what you need. 

2. Relaxation 

This one might seem obvious, but the importance of stress relief and relaxation cannot be overstated. Seniors benefit immensely from taking the time to slow down and reflect on their daily lives. 

Yoga is one of the most relaxing forms of physical activity. Senior yoga is usually slower-paced and supportive of your joints. Unlike other more intense exercises, yoga doesn’t run a major risk of injury. 

During a yoga class in assisted living, you get to sit back, stretch, and enjoy some calming breathing techniques. 

3. Healthier Blood Pressure 

High blood pressure affects many seniors due to changes in their cardiovascular systems as they age. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other health problems. 

Yoga has been shown to reduce blood pressure in many different age groups, especially seniors. There are a few potential reasons for this. 

Relaxation has a positive effect on blood pressure levels. When you’re less stressed and more mindful, your heart rate and blood pressure go down. Your body also releases less cortisol.

Physical activity, in general, improves blood pressure levels in seniors, so it makes sense that yoga works well for this purpose. 

As long as your yoga sessions are joint-friendly and calming for you, you can reap the blood pressure benefits!

4. Improved Mental Health

Senior mental health is just as important as physical health. Maintaining your peace of mind is especially important when you’re in assisted living. 

Yoga allows you to connect with others, your breath, and your body. Mindfulness has been shown to increase neurological connections in the brain, starting with just five minutes per day. 

Taking a senior yoga class gives your brain a chance to rewire itself in healthy ways. 

Boost Your Health with Yoga in Assisted Living 

Exercise doesn’t have to be stressful on your body (or your mind). Take a yoga class in assisted living to improve your physical and mental health for years to come!

Tips for Using the Internet for Medical Information

Let’s be honest, many of us rely on the Internet for medical advice. While it can supply good answers, doctors also caution you have to be careful what sites you trust. There are many websites providing good medical information but there are also sites with misleading or even dangerous advice.

Dr. Michael Langan, an internal medicine physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, cautions anyone with a blog can dispense information and advice; and a good way to avoid misinformation is to ask your doctor to recommend the sites they trust. Additionally, the National Institute on Aging recommends using health websites sponsored by Federal Government agencies. They say a good place for reliable, up-to-date information is the National Institutes of Health, but at the same time, remind everyone that the Internet is no substitute for seeing your doctor or other health professional who can give you advice that caters to your specific situation. 

Other things to look for include name recognition such as the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic. Moreover, remember sites that end in .gov, identity U.S. government agencies; .edu, educational institutions; and .org, usually designates nonprofit organizations (such as professional groups; scientific, medical, or research societies; and advocacy groups). A .com is a commercial site.

The NIH says to look for the date of the information (often can be found at the bottom of the page) and see if the authors and contributors are identified. If the author is listed, what is his/her background and what is their goal in writing the article or the intent of the organization it is written for. Is there any financial motive for the information? Check out the About Us or Contact Us pages as they provide background information about the organization.   

At MorningStar of Happy Valley we promote a healthy, engaged lifestyle, while providing comfort and security. Our beautiful home has 61 stylish assisted living suites with a choice of floor plans. In addition, 27 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood are devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, availability and pricing.   

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.

Source: nia.nih.gov/health/online-health-information-it-reliable#where

Trying to Lose a Few Pounds?

In addition to the types of food we eat, dieticians say it is also important to pay attention to portion size when attempting to shed a few pounds as it will help us reach our goal.  When trying to diet, sticking to nutrient-dense, relatively low-calorie foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats and poultry are your best choices; but no matter how healthy a food is, you still should not over consume.  

This is where portion control plays a part.  Amy Gorin, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant-Based Eats, a collection of curated meal plans, grocery lists and nutrition tip sheets, explains that whole foods like almond butter and dark chocolate are good for us, they should be eaten in moderation and in proper portions.  In other words, the bottom-line is a large chocolate bar should not be consumed in one sitting.    

However, to complicate matters, experts explain that in many cases, strictly following portion sizes suggested on the container would differ from what a registered dietician would recommend.  The problem with across-the-board portion sizes is they do not address age group, gender, and activity level of the particular person.  Add to that, portion size is a critical component to losing weight especially in foods that are higher in calories.  

Also eating the right amount of food helps to maintain a balanced gut. The Harvard Health Men’s Watch, suggests “a healthy gut microbiome stimulates the body’s immune system and may shield against an array of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.”

MorningStar of Happy Valley provides residents comfort, security, built-in companionship, and predictable budgeting.  Our beautiful community offers assisted living and memory care with a broad range of amenities and services to meet every need including a nutritional, delicious dining service.  Contact us or visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living communities in Happy Valley, OR.

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

Source: health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/portion-control-what-you-should-know

Exceptional Assisted Living & Memory Care at MorningStar of Happy Valley

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s goal is to be the best senior living community in the area. We attribute our success to God’s grace and to staying true to our mission of servant-leadership. To help us accomplish these lofty goals, we are blessed to have a team of individuals with big hearts and a true love for seniors. 

Our founding principles are based on “casting a new light” on senior living and treating each resident with the utmost respect and dignity. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and contribute is ageless; and we act upon this truth daily as we care for, inspire and love the residents under our roof. At MorningStar we want seniors to recognize they are never too old to set a goal or to dream a new dream.

We take great pride in a reputation for excellence and authenticity in both how we serve and why we serve throughout our MorningStar communities in eleven states. Specializing in compassionate memory care delivered by our distinguished team and guided by our proprietary program “Radiance,” we know the highest expression of living is when we are fully engaged in sharing with others our talents, time and energy. 

As people are living longer than any other time in history (by 2055 90 million Americans will be 55+ and the number of people 75 to 85 is set to triple), senior living is quickly becoming a popular option for older adults. Residents appreciate predictable budgeting, resort-style amenities and services, companionship and a home where they can safely age in place.

Seniors’ wellbeing, comfort and safety are something MorningStar of Happy Valley takes very seriously.  Our beautiful community has 61 stylish assisted living suites as well as 27 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to memory care of those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us today to see how we can help support you or a loved one.  

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.