Gum Disease May Increase the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers at Tuft University reported a link between gum disease, also known as periodontitis and periodontal disease, to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection within the soft tissue of the mouth, and “about 47.2% of U.S. adults over 30 and 70% over 65 have gum disease,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The study, which was done with mice, discovered the correlation, but researchers hope the findings can be used to someday help reduce cases of Alzheimer’s disease. The authors cite Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), a bacterium that causes gum disease and is already linked to kidney disease, diabetes and coronary problems to be the problem. 

The lead author, Dr. Jake Jinkun Chen, professor of periodontology and director of the Division of Oral Biology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine explains the purpose of the study is to identify and characterize the association of induced periodontal disease with Alzheimer’s disease. He says as F. nucleatum generates “inflammation both locally and systemically, it affects the Alzheimer’s disease phenotype, as Alzheimer’s itself is an inflammatory disease.” Additionally, since the bacteria migrate and penetrate the brain, it can worsen the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Researchers plan further studies in humans and say although there is not a proven link yet; good oral health benefits our overall health. They also say to decrease our risk for Alzheimer’s, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise.  

As Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases progress, a loved one may need more care than they can get living at home. When the time comes for memory care, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Happy Valley, a senior living community offering specialized care for individuals with memory impairment diseases. Our holistic approach is guided by our signature program, Lavender Sky, and we help residents and their families navigate this challenging journey with love and compassion. Contact us or visit our website for more information.

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 in Happy Valley, Oregon.

Source:  medicalnewstoday.com/articles/bacteria-that-cause-gum-disease-may-increase-risk-of-alzheimers#Inflammation-and-Alzheimers-disease

Receive the Care You Need at MorningStar of Happy Valley

Does your elderly mom or dad dismiss the idea of assisted living fearing it would end their independence and life as they know it? Do they think assisted living homes are more like nursing homes of the past? We want to reassure you and your senior loved one that assisted living communities such as MorningStar of Happy Valley are not nursing homes. In fact, we do not offer skilled nursing services but rather provide assistance with the ADLs (activities of daily living), along with engaging activities and other services intended to improve and enhance quality of life.  

It is important to a senior’s overall health that they receive proper care as the website Aging.com reports, “Functional status and the ability to care for oneself have a significant impact on a senior’s quality of life. Unmet needs for help with activities of daily living can lead to malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, isolation, illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTIs), and falls.” In fact, studies show seniors getting assistance with the ADLs allows them to feel like they are in control of their life again and helps them regain a sense of self-worth and purpose. 

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we know seniors have a lot to offer and the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. We act upon this truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Our beautiful community offers 61 graciously appointed suites for assisted living in a variety of floorplans. In addition, the Reflections Neighborhood provides 27 secure suites devoted to the individualized memory care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. 

We also offer respite care for those recovering from surgery or an illness, as well as short-term stays from one week up to a full month to see if we are a good fit. For trusted assisted living or memory care seniors and their families can count on, visit our website or contact us for further information.

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: agingcare.com/articles/activities-of-daily-living-why-this-measure-matters-186853.htm

Optimizing Brain Health in Seniors: A Guide to Eating Right

Your diet has a huge impact on your brain health. Numerous studies show that healthy diets are linked with improved cognitive outcomes in seniors. 

Unfortunately, there’s lots of misinformation out there. How can you know what to eat when every website, book, and magazine says something different?

Eating a brain-healthy diet doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow this guide for optimal brain function as you reach your later years in assisted living facilities. 

The Mediterranean Diet: What Is It, and How Does It Help?

The “Mediterranean Diet” is gaining popularity in the world of medicine and nutrition. Research shows that adults who follow this pattern of eating have reduced risks of age-related health problems later in life. 

Whole Foods 

The Mediterranean Diet includes mostly whole fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. 

Meat and fish are treated as a side dish rather than the main element of each meal. Studies have shown that this reduces your risk for health problems over time. 

The key to following this diet is to avoid processed, refined foods as much as possible. It’s best to eat food grown from the earth whenever possible. 

Healthy Fats

You can eat dietary fats and still follow the Mediterranean Diet. However, your fats should come from healthier sources, like olive oil and fish. 

The Mediterranean Diet doesn’t include many saturated or trans fats, which are often found in the packaged foods you see at the store. 

Protect Your Brain: Anti-Inflammatory Eating Habits

The Mediterranean Diet works so well in part because it reduces the amount of inflammation in your body. 

Your body generates an inflammatory response when you consume unhealthy fats, refined carbs, and added sugars. 

High levels of inflammation are associated with autoimmune diseases and cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Inflammation in your brain can negatively impact your mood, cognitive functioning, and lifespan. 

Whole, unprocessed ingredients do not contribute to inflammation. In fact, they can actually reverse some of the inflammation you already experience. Certain spices, like turmeric, have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. 

Avoid Sweets

Seniors in assisted living facilities should be extra careful to avoid meals and desserts with lots of added and refined sugars. Blood sugar problems can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems as you age. 

Of course, enjoying your favorite treats once in a while isn’t harmful. However, if you make cookies and candy a regular part of your diet, you may experience inflammation and increased blood sugar. 

This is bad news, especially for diabetic seniors in assisted living facilities. Cut out added sugar as much as possible to enjoy better cognitive health for years to come. 

Your Guide to Eating for a Healthy Brain

If you’re concerned with your brain health, you should keep this guide in mind as you make daily food choices for yourself. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and enjoy sweet treats in moderation for optimal brain health.

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.