Experts suggest that a good way to reduce medical errors regarding your care or that of a loved one is to be an active partner in the process whether in a hospital setting, doctors’ office or the pharmacy. The World Health Organization reports “an estimated 10% of patients in high-income countries are harmed while receiving hospital care.” Also according to a 2021 report in StatPearls, “medical errors result in about 100,000 deaths in hospitals and clinics annually.”
Furthermore, studies show the most harmful errors in primary and outpatient health care settings are related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines. Mistakes associated with misdiagnoses resulted in delayed treatment for the real problem and having the wrong drugs prescribed. However it is important to keep in mind that some medical errors are a result of patients failing to disclose all of the drugs they take including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Another problem is the failure to reveal pertinent details regarding a person’s prior medical history as well as lifestyle habits such as smoking, diet and alcohol consumption. Medical professional say to remember the time spent with your doctor is short, so to help prevent errors with care, come prepared to your appointment by putting in writing critical points you wish to discuss. The Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore has a QuestionBuilder app available by AHRQ at Google Play or the Apple App store to help you focus on the questions you need to ask during your appointment. Other things to do before the appointment include putting together a list of medications you take, the dosage, and why you take it. If you worry about forgetting something you were told during the visit, take along a family member or trusted friend. Also ask questions and seek a second opinion if it would make you more comfortable. Most importantly if a medical problem is not getting better; remain persistent in addressing it with your medical team. At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, our home is a family that includes residents, their families and team members. Along with 65 suites for assisted living, we have 38 Casitas for independent living and 35 secure suites devoted to the care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Please contact us to learn more about our amenities, care services, and availability and pricing. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website for more information on trusted independent living & assisted living in Peoria.
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Research clearly shows that getting enough sleep each night is important to our good health and well-being. In fact, doctors say it is as vital to one’s health as is regular exercise and eating a balanced diet, and the benefits extend into most every aspect of our lives.
While scientists are unable to directly link lack of sleep to weight gain, evidence suggests that it may interfere with our body’s ability to regulate food intake correctly. One study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, a publisher of high-impact research reports, commentaries, perspectives, and reviews, found that sleep patterns do affect the hormones responsible for appetite. Getting enough sleep should also be an essential part of an athlete’s training regimen as adequate sleep helps to improve both physical and mental performance. A good night’s rest has been proven to refuel athletes and give them more intensity and energy as well as faster speed. Doctors recommend an average of 7 to 9 hours for most adults and up to 10 hours for athletes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds that getting proper sleep each night allows the body’s blood pressure to regulate, and helps to reduce sleep apnea and promote better overall heart health. A study even suggests that inadequate sleep can result in a reduced ability to empathize with others, while another found a link between lack of sleep and depression. Others report inflammation and sleep may be linked including a recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology that suggests “a link between sleep deprivation and inflammatory bowel diseases.” To get a good night’s sleep, experts recommend going to bed around the same time each night and to avoid sleeping in later than you need to. Try to get plenty of exercise during the day and reduce stress with exercise or other therapies. If you are looking for a relaxing, carefree lifestyle, and a comfy new home to lay your head in each night, we invite you to take a look at MorningStar of Beaverton’s beautiful assisted living and memory care community. Offering senior living residences with stylish, smartly-designed suites, we enjoy a picturesque setting overlooking natural wetlands. Our community was meticulously built from the ground up to address the needs of our residents and to provide a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community. Contact us or visit our website to learn why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home.” MorningStar of Beaverton represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents. Please visit our website for more information about outstanding assisted living and memory care in Beaverton, Oregon. Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325353 A recent study from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) trial concluded that if you want to remain mobile and healthy in old age, you should start walking. Furthermore, it says even if you are already well into old age, it is not too late to reap the benefits.
The 2 ½ year trial included more than 1,600 men and women between the ages of 70 and 89, of whom none had exercised regularly; and all were relatively frail. The study authors say half of the participants took part in a daily exercise plan that included walking in addition to strength and balance exercises. The other half of the group did some gentle stretching routines and took part in healthy aging educational workshops. Researchers found that those who were assigned to the exercise group were “28% less likely to have become disabled (defined by the inability to walk about 400 yards without help) compared to those in the education group. They were also 18% less likely to have had any episode of physical disability.” The study’s authors believe the results would be even more marked if those in the “healthy aging workshops” had not discovered the benefits of exercising on their own. Another thing to encourage seniors to exercise is experts consider the ability to walk on one’s own without assistance the key to their independence. Walking is easy to do and does not require special equipment other than a pair of good walking shoes. If you are a senior who wants to start exercising, medical professionals say consult your healthcare provider, and slowly and gradually work your way toward longer distances. Visit the MorningStar of Beaverton website to learn more about our loving senior living community. Here we have direct links for pricing and availability as well as floor plans, a list of amenities and services, and information on MorningStar’s commitment to providing seniors trusted assisted living and memory care. MorningStar of Beaverton’s mission statement of “to honor, to serve, 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 exceptional assisted living and memory care in Beaverton, OR. Source:health.harvard.edu/blog/walking-exercise-helps-seniors-stay-mobile-independent-201405287173 Medical experts say there are things we can do before and after that may help encourage our recovery from surgery. One of the first things says Dr. Charla Fischer, an orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Spine Center in New York City, is to think of surgery not as a sprint but rather as a full marathon or race. She explains, "The surgery itself is just the first part of the race – there is also the recovery after. You want your body to be as prepared as possible, and exercise and good nutrition before and after surgery are part of this."
Before your surgery, your doctor may have you screened for a series of health problems including malnutrition, anemia, diabetes and pain, and then take steps to address them. As exercise is another important part of getting in shape, you should talk to your surgeon about what is safe for you to do. If you feel you need more guidance, ask if you are a candidate for a pre-habilitation program as it can show you the best type of exercise to safely strengthen your body in readiness for surgery. Also be sure to ask about what kind of exercise is safe to do after the surgery. Doctors say typically the quicker you are to move, the quicker you get your strength back. If you find yourself suffering from preoperative anxiety, ask your surgeon to walk you through the experience so you know what to expect including “pre-surgery, during surgery, the hospital stay and recovery after surgery," Dr. Fisher explains. Your post-surgery diet should be rich in protein, and avoid sugary and processed foods. Also stay hydrated. Quitting smoking is another thing that offers big benefits in post-surgical outcomes as “smoking increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen to the tissues that need it and increases stress on the heart.” Finally if something doesn’t seem right about your recovery, contact your surgeon. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about the most trusted assisted living and independent living in Peoria, AZ. Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/tips-for-recovering-from-surgery As we age, socializing opportunities often start to diminish. Many seniors no longer go into an office daily; while others start to feel uncomfortable driving, have mobility issues or physical ailments, have experienced the recent loss of a spouse, or other factors that limits their ability to socialize. Now add in the fact that many seniors are refraining from joining family activities due to COVID-19, it can be a lonely time for many older adults.
Lack of socialization in the elderly has many downsides. Seniors who say they feel isolated and lonely have been found to have higher rates of depression, more anxiety, lower sense of self-esteem, and shorter life-spans. Conversely older adults with a more robust social network appear to benefit from better physical, mental and cognitive health. Studies show socially active seniors handle stress better, which in turn leads to better cardio health and improved immune systems. While many senior communities may not be as open to the public as they were before the start of the pandemic; nonetheless community living provides peace of mind to residents knowing someone is always around. At the MorningStar Senior Living communities, we adhere to the various states’ guidelines in which a particular community is located to keep residents as safe as possible. At MorningStar of Beaverton, we proudly announce we are “OPEN to LIFE WHAT EVER the SEASON” and that “COVID-19 HAD NO POWER TO CANCEL LOVE!” And we practice that philosophy every day. We continue to offer opportunities to socialize and connect with others while still remaining safe. With 66 bright suites for assisted living, MorningStar apartments are true homes that offer residents privacy, comfort, and ease. Please see our website to discover why MorningStar of Beaverton is a step above an ordinary assisted living facility. MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very 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. Please visit our website to discover why MorningStar is a step above an ordinary assisted living facility. An interesting study from geneticists at Stanford University’s School of Medicine is discovering distinct patterns in how people age and say it may offer a path to better navigate the aging process. As one of the lead researchers, Dr. Michael Snyder explains, staying healthy isn’t just about how old you get to, but rather “how you get old.”
Snyder’s team has discovered what they call body “ageotypes” that offer specific clues to how we experience aging through the course of our lifetime that result in “very distinct patterns” within these various groups. Moreover scientists hope that it may give people information to how they can better take care of themselves to improve their own aging journey. The study looked at the differences between biological age and chronological age of the participants and attributes some of it to lifestyle choices such as a smoker’s lungs or the health of the heart in a chronically obese person. In addition, researchers explain this is not the only factor that influences aging but that different ageotypes may actually define how a person’s body ages, with certain parts aging faster or slower. So far the team has identified four distinct ageotypes: metabolic agers, people whose immune systems age fastest; immune agers; liver agers; kidney agers; and say there will eventually be more types. Right now they believe that once doctors have use of this type of information, they can help their patients make actionably plans tailored to their specific needs to not only live longer but better. For instance if your doctor identified you as a metabolic ager, he could suggest a plan that included eating healthier and exercising. Providing unrivalled senior living in the Peoria area, MorningStar at Golden Ridge is designed to fully support our residents’ to help them live life to the fullest. We offer independent living, assisted living and memory care, and encourage you to visit our website for more information. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted, loving assisted living and independent living in Peoria, AZ. At the MorningStar communities in Phoenix we have assembled a compassionate team of individuals who feel privileged to have careers that allow them to serve seniors. Working together, our dedicated team is helping to create true homes for our residents. Currently we seek like-minded people to apply for a variety of roles including housekeeping jobs in Phoenix’s finest senior living communities.
Unlike working as a housekeeper for a corporation or in a hotel, your position as a MorningStar housekeeper will allow you to make a real difference in the lives of seniors. Furthermore, unlike many other jobs, you will be encouraged to interact and get to know our residents as you clean their homes. In fact, many residents love sharing life stories and memories and showing off their cherished items and photographs. You will also feel good knowing you have contributed to keeping our beautiful communities spotless, and will feel even better when residents let you know how much they appreciate your hard work. In addition, MorningStar offers opportunities to grow both professionally as well as personally. Along with competitive wages, insurance, and training, MorningStar offers a host of other benefits that are designed to enrich and support our employees’ lives on a broad variety of fronts. Just some of these benefits include:
We have deliberately created a culture defined not only by what we do but by the kind of people who bring it all to life – our dedicated team members. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our housekeeping jobs in Phoenix’s exceptional senior living communities - MorningStar at Arcadia; MorningStar at Arrowhead; MorningStar of Fountain Hills; and MorningStar at Golden Ridge. At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Golden Ridge & Fountain Hills communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living options. We are committed to a foundation built upon honoring God and valuing all seniors, and are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve seniors. If you would like to serve, we invite you to visit MorningStar’s Career page for information on a range of positions including housekeeping jobs in Phoenix. Every fall, many of us treat ourselves to a variety of pumpkin dishes from spicy lattes to breads and pies. However this time of year many of our seasonal foods are not only tasty but healthy. The cranberry is one of these foods, which has medical experts giving it at a “super food” status. The Medical News Today website explains that cranberries are high in nutrients as well as antioxidants.
In fact “research has linked the nutrients in cranberries to a lower risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), the prevention of certain types of cancer, improved immune function, and decreased blood pressure.” Other studies have found cranberry supplements to be beneficial in reducing a person’s body mass index (BMI) as well as improve HDL (high density lipoprotein) levels (good cholesterol). There are also tasty substitutes to help flavor food rather than using salt or sugar. Fresh garlic is one of these. The National Cancer Institute lists garlic “as food that may help fight stomach and colon cancers in some folks.” Other studies have found it may have a small effect on lowering the body’s blood cholesterol. Cinnamon is another seasoning that adds lots of favor to fall dishes. Beyond its good taste, several recent studies show it may help to lower blood glucose levels for people with Type 2 diabetes, which would be great news for the almost 85 million prediabetes in the country. Adding cinnamon to our diet is as easy as putting a dash in a cup of coffee, tea or cider or sprinkling it on apple slices. Ginger is another food easy to incorporate into many different dishes and medical experts say it great for the digestive system and helps lessen nausea and motion sickness. Great in Asian dishes and can be added to salad dressings or used in a sauce over grilled fish. Also if you haven’t yet discovered the benefits of turmeric, now would be a good time to do so. Containing curcumin, it has been shown to offer “potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties in animal and laboratory studies.” At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, we pride ourselves on providing residents with a lifestyle of comfort and wellness including our 5-star food service. Meals are prepared largely from scratch and contain fresh foods and seasoning of which some are locally sourced. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our 38 Casitas designed for independent living, 65 private suites for assisted living, and 35 secure suites devoted to caring for seniors with memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living & assisted living in the Peoria area. Source:medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269142#:~:text=Many%20people%20consider%20cranberries%20to,function%2C%20and%20decreased%20blood%20pressure.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2018-10-22/6-healthy-fall-ingredients-and-how-to-use-them?src=usn_nl_yourhealth We have all gone through the ups and downs of dealing with a pandemic over the last 8 months or so. Just when we think things are getting better, your community has a resurgence of COVID or your family is struggling with a job loss or other problems. Experts say this is why it is important to keep ourselves mentally fit and to remember that constant stress can also have an impact on our physical health. Stress is linked to a wide range of health problems including heart disease as well as affects our mood, sleep and appetite.
An article by Harvard Medical Publishing says doctors are not sure exactly how chronic stress affects the heart but speculate it may likely trigger inflammation, which is a “known instigator of heart disease.” While we may not fully understand the role stress plays in our health, doctors say we do know that stress can cause people to act in ways that increase their risk for heart disease including poor eating habits and a lack of energy for healthy habits such as exercising. It is also believed that not handling stress well can lead to other unhealthy heart behaviors like drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs, and smoking. The article suggests a few changes in our way of thinking may help individuals deal with stress better. The first piece of advice is to stay positive and to find ways to add laughter into your life. “Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase "good" HDL cholesterol.” Other tips include practicing meditation and exercising. Both help reduce blood pressure and stress. Another key suggestion is to unplug and escape from the world for a period of time each day. Do something that gives you pleasure such as listen to music, take a warm bath or work on a hobby. Another good way to reduce stress is to get out and enjoy nature. MorningStar of Arvada offers the very best in senior living with a 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 as we work toward creating a true home for residents amidst a serene setting. Visit our website for pricing and availability at the most trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada, CO offers. Source: health.harvard.edu/heart-health/5-ways-to-de-stress-and-help-your-heart Hopefully you have had or are planning to shortly get your annual flu shot, but even if you have had yours, you may still want to know the difference between the flu and COVID-19. Doctors say in order to know for certain, you need to get tested. While symptoms are similar and include fever, aching muscles, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, and headache, the biggest differences is in the case of the flu. a person typically feels the sickest in the first week of the illness. COVID-19 is characterized by feeling much worst in the second or third week of the disease and can take much longer to recover from.
One symptom unique to COVID is the loss of smell and taste. While not everyone experiences this symptom, it is one of the unique features of the disease. With the flu, the incubation period is much shorter as a person can begin to feel sick within one to four days after contracting the virus. The coronavirus can take anywhere from two to 14 days from infection to begin to feel symptomatic and is a much more contagious disease. Another concern of doctors is that someone could become infected with both viruses at the same time. However health experts hope that with the type of precautions we are taking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus such as mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing, it will also help to prevent the spread of the flu. The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community has 65 private assisted living suites and another 35 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments. Additionally tucked into their own private neighborhood, our 38 independent living Casitas are designed to meet the needs of active seniors. To keep all those beneath our roof safe from disease, we have rigorous protocols in place throughout every phase of our operation as well as follow safety measures for accepting new residents. For complete information regarding our loving community please visit our website. MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We are in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted assisted living and independent living in Peoria, AZ. Source: cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm |
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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