With Sweater Season Around the Corner, Seniors Will Enjoy These Sweater Styles

Fall reintroduces us to spectacularly colored trees, as well as apple cider drinks that warm the heart. The season that runs from early September to late November also introduces us to a chill that dramatically changes our wardrobes. Gone are the days of short-sleeve shirts, and instead, we start to add sweaters to our daily attire. At the MorningStar senior housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, we begin to see a wide variety of sweater styles come out of closets and dress drawers.

Material matters when choosing the best sweaters to wear during the colder months of the year. Cashmere, which is one of the most luxurious feeling sweater materials, contains natural wool fibers that derive from the undercoat of central Asian goats. Traditional American wool contains fibers from several different sources to help trap heat. Cotton provides an unsurpassed level of comfort, which makes it the ideal material for sweaters that are worn as a first layer.

With sweater season around the corner at our assisted living facility, let’s take a look at the most popular styles of sweaters to add to your fall and winter wardrobes.

Cardigan

Often associated with the look of college students, cardigan sweaters work well for the members of any age group that wear this style of sweater over a button-down shirt. Cardigan sweaters feature long sleeves and buttons that run down the front. A shawl-neck knit cardigan sweater includes an extra fabric layer that runs down around the neck to keep the body warm on cold winter days.

Turtleneck

A high collar that folds up or down defines the stylish appearance of turtleneck sweaters. The folding capability of the collar allows you to expose as much of the neck as you want to expose, which comes in handy on days that start warm, but turn chilly in a matter of just a few minutes. Turtleneck sweaters work fashionably well as a layer with blazers and leather jackets.

Crew-Neck

As we grow older, our skin becomes more susceptible to incurring damage, especially in winter when cold, dry conditions make our skin brittle. Wearing a pullover crew-neck sweater ensures the apparel goes easy on the skin. As one of the main symbols of casualwear, wearing a crew-neck sweater allows you the fashion versatility to pair it with a tweed blazer or a button-down Mac coat.

V-Neck

Designed with a wide variety of materials, V-neck sweaters improve the flow of air around the body by exposing the neck and inner shoulders. Often paired with t-shirts on warmer days, you can change your look if the temperature dips by wearing a V-neck sweater as the first layer beneath a heavy coat

Schedule a Tour of the MorningStar Assisted Living Facility in Rio Rancho, NM

Leaving your loved one in the hands of the team members at a senior housing facility in Rio Rancho can trigger stress and anxiety. At our senior housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, we alleviate the concerns faced by loved ones because of our commitment to focus on the little things. We offer three lifestyle options that allow a senior to transition from independent living to assisted living without having to move to another facility. MorningStar offers more amenities than any other senior housing facility in Rio Rancho and beyond.

Schedule a tour today to learn more about our highly-rated senior housing facility.

8 Great Meals That Are Low in Cholesterol

High levels of cholesterol can trigger the development of plaque buildup in the arteries, which is the most common cause of strokes and heart attacks. Medical science research has established that reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol often improves the performance of the cardiovascular system. Older adults are in the most susceptible age group for developing high cholesterol levels, which begs a critically important healthcare question.

Is there a way for seniors to fight back against high cholesterol levels?

The answer is a resounding yes. Lowering high cholesterol levels starts by following a diet that contains ingredients low in cholesterol. At our senior housing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, our team of dieticians and nutritionists recommend five great meals that are low in cholesterol.

What Are Five Great Meals That Are Low in Cholesterol?

At the MorningStar assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, we emphasize the importance of eating healthily by devising menus that feature ingredients that are low in cholesterol. Following a diet consisting of each of the following five meals should keep you on the right path toward achieving low cholesterol levels.

Green Bean and Herb Salad

One of the most effective strategies for staying away from high-cholesterol foods is to avoid anything that comes out of a deep fryer. A green bean and herb salad, which includes fresh herbs, as well as garlic and onion, helps reduce cholesterol levels within a short period. Adding anchovies to this recipe increases the amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in the bloodstream.

Chicken Sausage and Peppers

It might seem counterintuitive to serve sausage as a cholesterol-lowering ingredient for a meal. However, chicken sausage provides the flavor of sausage, without contributing to an increase in cholesterol levels. The fact that this dish is baked on a sheet pan is one factor that helps chicken sausage remain cholesterol-neutral. Add tri-colored peppers to the recipe and you benefit from a cholesterol-reducing meal that also contains an abundant amount of vitamin C.

Poached Salmon With Shallots and Tomatoes

Salmon is well-known for containing a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids that enhance heart health, while at the same time preventing the development of highly painful inflammation. The key to reaping the heart-healthy benefits of salmon is to poach the fish slowly over low heat.  Toss in nutrient-rich shallots and tomatoes, and you have the perfect low-cholesterol meal.

Apple Slaw

When you think of a slaw recipe, you probably think about the prevalence of celery in the recipe. Although celery remains an integral component of this recipe, slices of fresh apples represent the real cholesterol-lowering star. Apples contain high amounts of pectin, which is a highly effective type of substance in reducing cholesterol levels. Adding walnuts to this recipe blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Beef and Broccoli

As a staple in kitchens throughout the world, beef and broccoli can be a meal that helps you decrease cholesterol levels. However, you have to cook low-saturated fat flank steak in a pressure cooker to enjoy the heart-healthy benefits of this meal. Adding broccoli can help you reduce LDL cholesterol levels, as well as boost the amount of good cholesterol that pumps into the heart.

Heart-Healthy Menus at the MorningStar Assisted Living Facility

One of the primary goals at our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM involves helping residents maintain healthy lifestyles. Discover how our dieticians and nutritionists create menus with items that are low in cholesterol by scheduling a tour of our senior housing facility.

Assisted Living Offers Many Benefits

For many families, assisted living is a new concept and they don’t know if it would meet their loved one’s needs. While services may depend on where you live, there are similarities regardless of your zip code. The first thing families should understand is assisted living is not skilled nursing care but rather intended for seniors who require a “helping hand” with daily care activities. Seniors need to understand assisted living does not take away their independence but rather enhances it.  

Assisted living communities offer an environment to safely age in place while receiving an array of senior care services, companionship and programs to improve quality of life. Residents enjoy not having to worrying about home maintenance and yard work as well as preparing meals and driving. Assisted living communities are maintenance-free and provide meals and scheduled transportation to medical appointments or trips to area shopping and restaurants.

Another big benefit to assisted living is the resident no longer feels like a burden to their family. Now when a son or daughter comes for a visit, it is just that. There isn’t a list of chores to do or the need to help with personal care or meal prep but time can be spent enjoying one another. 

When you are searching for assisted living, one of the services listed should include help with the ADLs (activities of daily life). ADLs include things like medication management, bathing, dressing, grooming, transference (help getting in and out of bed to wheelchair, walker etc.)  As an incoming resident, your loved one’s level of care will be based on the ADLs to create a Personalized Care Plan.    

At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we provide a full range of senior care and hospitality services, luxury amenities and wellness programs to engage residents physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially. For assisted living Scottdale/Fountain Hills seniors can count on, please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar of Fountain Hills 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 the finest assisted living Scottdale/Fountain Hills has to offer.

Does Your Loved One Need Memory Care?

A Place for Mom’s website offers some advice to families regarding the need for memory care for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. They explain early-on in the disease, many individuals are capable of living independently with family members overseeing some of their care. However, they also warn symptoms can vary from day to day and it can be difficult to know exactly when a person requires more supervision for their safety and wellbeing.

Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says when speaking to families, he centers the conversation regarding additional care for their loved one on the “ability to perform activities of daily living and safety.” ADLs include things like dressing, bathing, eating and toileting.

Other questions doctors may ask to evaluate a person’s ability to live on their own include: is he or she having trouble finding their way back home from familiar neighborhood routes? Are they forgetting to eat or drink and take medications? Is the person’s safety at risk? Have they left the stove on, have unexplained bruises, or had several falls recently?

Medical experts say it is important to let the person’s healthcare providers know as soon as you suspect a problem. They can do tests to rule out other conditions that may be causing the confusion or memory loss; and take a look at the person’s medications to see if they are the problem. Also, if a diagnosis is made early-on, the person has the chance to weigh-in regarding care options down the road.

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Fountain Hills has 28 suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation. Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents. Visit our website for more information about trusted senior living in the Scottdale area.

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 senior living Scottsdale/Fountain Hills offers.

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/is-it-time-for-memory-care

Financial Scammers Often Target Elderly Adults

Each year elderly seniors fall prey to ruthless schemes that rob them of their money and identity. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), In 2021, there were over 92,000 older victims of fraud resulting in $1.7 billion in losses. The sad part is that it is often a result of a senior’s trusting nature or feelings of isolation and loneliness; or in some cases, a senior may have cognitive issues that impair their judgement and decision-making skills.   

Experts explain there are several reasons why seniors are more susceptible to fraudulent schemes starting with the fact they tend to be very trusting.  Our elderly population was typically raised to be polite and agreeable to others, which in turn can make them more susceptible to fraud. Lonely seniors can easily be preyed upon as they are willing to stay on the phone and engage in conversation with a stranger.  

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) alerts the public to scams targeting seniors so if you have a parent or other elderly loved ones who may be at risk, look at the information and discuss the various schemes used with them.  One scam frequently used is for a thief to call unsuspecting victims and pretend to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration, or Medicare. They have many angles such as saying the individual has unpaid taxes or their Social Security or Medicare benefits are in danger of being cut off.  They then demand payment (in the case of unpaid taxes) or ask for personal identifying information, which is then used to commit fraud. These impersonators often “spoof” the actual phone numbers of the government agency, or call from the same area code for Washington, DC, tricking the victim into believing the call is legitimate.

The NCOA says there are ways to avoid getting scammed such as never giving out your personal information to anyone but a trusted family member, friend or your professional financial advisor.  In addition, never make big financial decisions without consulting with one of those trusted people.  Also, do not give out personal PIN numbers, or Medicare and other financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call or know the person.  

Other commonsense advice includes being wary of high-pressure salespersons, never signing a contract until you understand it entirely, and to be suspicious of unexpected announcements of winning money, trips, or other prizes.  Experts say it is most likely a hoax.  Always take your time when making financial decisions and do not give blanket approval to a vendor for medical equipment and other purchases.  

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, 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. 

Source: ncoa.org/article/top-10-financial-scams-targeting-seniors

Are You Worried About Memory Loss?

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that anyone worried about memory loss to make an appointment with their health care provider.  While we all know it is scary just thinking about the possibility of having Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, the Alzheimer’s Association has a list of reasons why it is to your advantage to know.  

The process for getting a diagnosis starts with a full evaluation with a healthcare provider that includes your medical history and any medications you are taking as well as a series of mental status tests.  If the initial evaluation indicates problems, your doctor will recommend further physical and neurological exams, diagnostic tests and brain imaging.

One of the top reasons to be evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease is your symptoms may be from another treatable cause.  If it is determined you have Alzheimer’s, experts explain that while there is no cure for the disease, there are treatment options that can lessen the symptoms including memory loss and confusion for a limited time.  Also, they say an early diagnosis gives you a better chance of benefiting from treatment.

An early diagnosis also means you may be eligible for clinical trials that could provide some medical benefit.  In addition, research suggests that certain lifestyle changes such as “controlling blood pressure, stopping smoking, participating in exercise, and staying mentally and socially active, may help preserve cognitive function.”   

Perhaps most importantly you will have more time to plan for your future and to do things now, rather than wait.  Planning for the future also helps family members know what your wishes are and prevents future feelings of guilt or arguments over your care.  The Alzheimer’s Association adds that an early diagnosis can save your family and the U.S. Government money spent on care.        

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley provides holistic memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. With activities, programs and meal services tailored to our residents’ special needs, we bring a deep understanding of the disease to our care.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information about trusted senior living in Happy Valley, OR.

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: alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/why-get-checked

MorningStar of Happy Valley Is Senior Living at Its Best

MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Happy Valley is committed to the comfort, wellbeing, and safety of our residents.  Once you learn more about our community, we are sure you will agree that MorningStar of Happy Valley is senior living at its best.  In fact, the MorningStar Senior Living Company was founded by Ken Jaeger as the fulfillment of his dream to create senior housing defined by the human touch and a sense of family.  We believe our community has achieved that dream and is a true home for our remarkable residents.  

To ensure we meet our residents’ needs, we are deliberate about the individuals we hire to become part of our distinguished team.  Every new employee is carefully vetted and chosen for virtues such as kindness, selflessness, and character.  We look for people who are committed to perfecting the art of anticipating needs and willingly go the extra mile to serve.  

Once team members are hired, they are trained in “Radiance,” which is much more than just a customer service program but rather an attitude of the heart.  With a tagline of “Service Becomes Us,” it is used to guide the way we deliver service – with sincerity and depth of purpose.  Also, its precepts enhance the loving atmosphere of our home.

We encourage you to visit our website and view our video that shows off our beautiful spaces as well as gives more information about MorningStar Senior Living.  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.    Looking at the images, can you imagine yourself sitting in our attractive full-service dining room eating delicious meals created by our Executive Chef or enjoying a film in our comfy theater? 

MorningStar of Happy Valley offers 61 stylish, private assisted living suites in a variety of floor plans to meet our residents’ preferences and needs.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, we provide another 27 suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please visit our website for more information about exceptional senior living at MorningStar.

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.