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 Senior Living at Golden Ridge not only agrees that a good diet is important for seniors but we practice it every day. Our residents dine on healthy, delicious daily meals served either in the Clubhouse or restaurant-style in our beautiful dining room and prepared by our Executive Chef. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about our beautiful senior living community. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the area’s finest senior living community.
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Research is being done around the world to try and determine the cause of Alzheimer’s disease as well as discover more effective treatments. Thanks to that research, we already know there are several things we can do to enhance the aging process, and may even help to delay or decrease our risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These include staying socially active, avoiding smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, routinely exercising, and eating a healthy diet.
In addition, over the last few decades, scientists have touted the benefits of several “Superfoods” that may help to protect brain health. Some of the foods include dark chocolate (with at least 85% cocoa), turmeric, dark leafy greens, acai and other berries, walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids, red wine and green tea. Now a study from the National University of Singapore (NUS) suggests that including mushrooms into our diets (even consumed in small portions) appears to lower the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This can be important as MCI often precedes Alzheimer's disease. Many people think mushrooms are a vegetable but they are actually fungi and are rich in antioxidants, which are known to protect cell health. The study authors explain that, “Edible mushrooms — both cultivated and wild species — contain a high amount of dietary fiber, antioxidants, and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals.” If you are looking for senior living in the Beaverton, Oregon area, we invite you to take a look at MorningStar of Beaverton. We believe in providing residents a holistic approach to wellness that includes a wide range of care services, routine physical exercise tailored to seniors, and nutritional, tasty meals. Our meals include recipes made with ingredients known to support brain health and have high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon. Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324710.php Often families are confused with the terms “independent living” and “assisted living” and are not sure which one is best suited for their needs. To clarify, the term independent living is used to describe senior living communities that are designed specifically for seniors who want to and are able to live without any help. Assisted living is designed for seniors who still wish to live independently with personal privacy and autonomy, but require a little assistance in their daily lives.
Independent living is ideal for individuals who no longer wish to maintain their own home and desire a more carefree lifestyle. While each community can vary, many offer amenities such as social activities, day trips and meals. Senior independent communities offer residents the freedom to enjoy their retirement years without being tied down with mowing lawns, shoveling snow and other routine chores that need to be done when owning a home. At assisted living communities, residents get help with daily personal care and are provided with an array of services such as housekeeping, laundry, transportation, daily meals, and 24 hour supervision. Generally a community assesses in-coming residents to determine the level of assistance needed that is agreeable to the senior and their extended family. Other amenities offered by assisted living communities may include a range of activities and wellness programs. At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we’re proud to offer 38 Casitas for independent living, 65 suites for assisted living and 35 secure suites devoted to the individualized, specialized care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We are located on an 8.8-acre campus at North 67th Avenue and West Golden Lane, and are convenient to banks, medical facilities, shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the area’s finest senior living community. There is often confusion between the definition of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is not a specific disease. Rather it is the overall term used to describe a wide range of symptoms that cause a decline in memory and other cognitive skills that reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, while vascular dementia, which is caused by the damage from a stroke, is the second most common cause. Other types of dementia may be a result of Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, and a person may have more than one form of dementia. Thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, brain tumors, medication side effects as well as depression, excessive alcohol use and even infectious diseases can cause dementia-like symptoms; however in these cases, once the problem is correctly diagnosed, it is reversible. This is why health care providers state the importance of getting a professional evaluation to determine the cause of your or your loved one’s symptoms. In addition, getting an accurate diagnosis at the onset of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia allows the person to receive the maximum benefit from the available treatments. Furthermore, it gives the person time to plan for their future. MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge is dedicated to providing the finest senior living in Peoria, AZ. Along with independent and assisted living, we offer 35 secure suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of residents with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us to learn more. MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents. We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care. Sources:.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/ask-well-is-dementia-the-same-as-alzheimers-disease/?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Faskwell&action=click&contentCollection=well®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=12&pgtype=collection MorningStar of Beaverton will be celebrating our one-year anniversary in November. As one of the area’s newest assisted living and memory care communities, we fill a well-needed niche for senior housing in Beaverton Oregon, a growing suburb of Portland. Our community has 66 private assisted living suites, and another 38 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases.
If you or a loved one is considering a move to assisted living and are wondering how your costs are determined, we can provide you with a general guideline. Assisted living offers seniors 62 years and older compassionate assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in a residential setting and each resident’s care is personalized to address their needs. Even before you move in, MorningStar’s Wellness Director will sit down with you and your family and do a thorough assessment in order to create an individualized care plan. Once you have moved in, your trained Care Managers will see to it your needs are met, and as we do routine Care Plan reviews, any changes to your health will be addressed. You monthly fee is based on a couple of things including your choice of apartment (we offer spacious studios and one-and two bedrooms suites) and its location within the building and views. In addition, we offer five levels of care for assisted living, and your level will be determined by your care plan. MorningStar also offers a range of auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, which are priced a la carte. MorningStar of Beaverton is designed to meet residents’ every need and offers a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Amenities include a bistro, life enrichment room, fitness room, art studio, library 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. Our equally enjoyable outdoor areas include a patio overlooking wetlands, raised garden beds and strolling paths. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. At MorningStar of Arvada, our goal is to be one of the area’s best senior living communities, and the care, comfort and wellbeing of our residents is our greatest priority. This is why we have a group of team members who feel privileged to serve seniors and are the kind of people who come to work each day with a smile on their face. Our dedicated team is the heartbeat of our community and strives to deliver service that represents the mission and philosophy of MorningStar Senior Living, which includes honoring God and valuing seniors as gifted and contributing individuals. Our vision is to create a true home for our residents, and we consider both our residents and team members to be part of the MorningStar of Arvada family. To provide caregivers and other team members with the tools they need to bring their best to the community, our staff receives training in “Radiance,” our proprietary brand of Service Excellence. Radiance embodies the ways we advance our mission and deliver our service - with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. Furthermore, it is reiterated each day during our daily Huddle so as to create a culture that is not only defined by what we do but by the kind of people who bring it all to life – our team members. Our community offers beautiful suites for both independent and assisted living. Additionally, our Reflections Neighborhood has secure memory care suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Both inside and out, you will find a community complete with warm and inviting common areas to sit and enjoy a chat with friends or to enjoy the weather from our outdoor dining deck or the rooftop terrace. In addition, as a resident of MorningStar, you will also discover we have a monthly calendar of meaningful wellness programs as well as creative and social activities to choose to participate in. Please visit our website for more information. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada CO has to offer. The Mayo Clinic reports on research that suggests listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. They explain the reason may be that “musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.” Listening to music can help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation.
Music can bring back memories to those even in the most advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimers.net quotes neurologist Oliver Sacks, who says, “Music evokes emotion, and emotion can bring with it memory… it brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.” When music is incorporated into the everyday activities of someone with dementia, it can help them to recall memories of that activity and improve cognitive ability over time. Research has shown that some of the last two abilities in Alzheimer’s patients are musical abilities and the appreciation of it, which is why it is such an effective way to try and reach the essence of the person. It has also been found to help those in the more advanced stages of the disease to express and share emotions with their caregivers through dancing or moving along with the rhythm. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America says, “When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function and coordinate motor movements.” MorningStar of Beaverton is one of the top assisted living communities in the area offering dedicated memory care. As dementia care specialists, our training and experience has given us a deep understanding of the disease. Our holistic approach includes leveraging the power of dance, music, art, exercise, animals and aromatherapy to heal and comfort. Please contact us to learn about our assisted living and memory care community. MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/music-and-alzheimers/faq-20058173 alzheimers.net/why-music-boosts-brain-activity-in-dementia-patients/ medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321677.php Experts say that one of the most important things you can do for a parent or another loved one in an assisted living community is to commit to visiting on a regular basis. We are not suggesting every day or even every other day, in fact you need to give your loved one time to bond with those in their community, but rather to be consistent with your visits.
If you worry about what you will talk about or do during your visits, A Place for Mom, the largest assisted living referral service, has some tips to help you spend meaningful time together. One of their suggestions is to do a craft project together. You will find all kinds of ideas on the Internet and can use upcoming holidays for appropriately themed projects. Scrapbooking is another idea and will give your parent the chance to reminisce about the past and to share old family stories. Pick up scrapbooking supplies at your local craft store and bring along plenty of photos (be sure to get some of your newer digital photos printed out) to use in the book. Visits to your loved one can be as simply as scheduling the time to coincide with a favorite TV show both you and your parent love to watch. Not only can you enjoy the show together but then discuss the twists and turns that the program is taking afterward. The same can be said for starting a book club, and if your parent’s eyesight makes reading difficult, you can read a chapter or two and then talk about the story. If family members live far away, you could help them set up a video chat as many seniors are not comfortable with the technology to do it themselves. Other suggestions include playing cards or board games, having a picnic on the grounds of the assisted living community, and creating a playlist of favorite tunes and then listen to it together. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Beaverton area seniors are encouraged to consider MorningStar of Beaverton. Our community offers 66 private assisted living suites with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans along with 38 secure suites devoted the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. At our all-inclusive community, we strive to meet seniors’ physical, emotional, spiritual and wellness needs within a comfortable, secure setting. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living 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 our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. Source: aplaceformom.com/blog/assisted-living-activities-for-your-next-visit/ |
At MorningStar Senior Living we strive to create a true home where you can enjoy your retirement years as carefree as possible. Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, our care team is committed to giving residents a quality of life that other senior living communities simply cannot match. Archives
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