Experts say it isn’t just our imagination that losing weight gets harder the older we become, but is most likely due to having less muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat. To help, they offer easy tips on how to painlessly replace calorie-laden foods with healthier, lower-calorie substitutes. In addition to the fact that nutrient-rich foods appear to help individuals be successful in their quest to lose weight, meals do not necessarily have to be smaller than your average intake.
Dietitians suggest an easy food swap is to drink water flavored with lemon slices or sparkling water rather than sugary sodas. One study found by replacing refined grains with whole grains it “improved blood cholesterol levels and decreased percent of body fat in postmenopausal women.” Replacing sugary granola with heart-healthy oatmeal can also help control your weight. Not only is oatmeal a good source of soluble fiber known to reduce cholesterol but it contains magnesium and potassium known to promote healthy blood pressure. Also dietitians suggest trying sprouted grain breads, which many find tastier and healthier than even whole-grain breads. Other ways to get healthier and lose weight is to include more plant-based foods into your diet. Make a pledge to have a couple of meatless dinners each week such and get your protein from bean burgers, lentils, and quinoa instead of hamburgers and steaks. To get more veggies into your diet, top your bean burger with spinach or lettuce, tomato slices and mushrooms rather than cheese. Rather than pasta, use squash or zucchini noodles. At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, we offer a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and security in the form of independent living, assisted living and memory care. We offer amenities such as dining rooms with restaurant-style service including an outdoor dining patio, veranda, bistro bar, life enrichment room, salon, scheduled transportation, parking and more. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living & assisted living in Peoria, AZ. Source: health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/slideshows/11-healthy-food-swaps-to-lose-weight?slide=2
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Currently Shingrix is the only vaccine approved for adults 50 years and older to protect against shingles. This is important as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nearly one in three people in the U.S. develop shingles at some point, and every year an estimated 1 million people are diagnosed with the disease.
Symptoms of shingles include pain, rash, itching, and at first fluid-filled, then eventually crusting blisters. People can additionally suffer from a hypersensitivity to touch or light as well as headaches and fevers. The disease can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and pain is generally most intense in the first few weeks. Some individuals may require pain medication to sleep or get comfort. Medical professionals say now is the time to get a Shingrix vaccine as when it first came on the market in 2017 so many people wanted it; there weren’t enough dosages to meet demand. Now manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline reports there is plenty of supply available for anyone who wishes to get the shot. The vaccine requires two doses given any time between two to six months; and studies show it to be highly effective against the shingles in both older healthy adults and frailer ones. “In a large multicenter study of approximately 27,000 people vaccinated with Shingrix or a placebo, effectiveness ranged from about 90% in frail participants to nearly 96% in non-frail participants.” If you are looking for the area’s finest 55+ community, take a look at MorningStar at Golden Ridge. We offer 38 Casitas for independent living, 65 suites for assisted living, and 35 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Offering all of the amenities, wellness programs, and hospitality and care services, we feel privileged to provide residents with carefree retirement years. Please visit our website to learn more about trusted assisted living and independent living in Peoria, AZ. Source: health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/shingrix-shingles-vaccine?src=usn_nl_yourhealth&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Your%20Health-Sun%20May%2030%2007:49:00%20EDT%202021&utm_term=Your%20Health We often come to think something is true if we hear it stated as if it is a fact. Doctors say this happens in medicine more frequently than we realize. One such disease with lots of misinformation surrounding it is Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder affecting predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms develop slowly over years and may include tremors (mainly at rest); bradykinesia (slowness of movement); limb rigidity; and gait and balance problems.
One common misconception regard PD is it only affects a person’s movement. Doctors explain this is untrue as symptoms can also include: cognitive impairment or dementia, depression and anxiety, sleep dysfunction, pain, apathy, sexual dysfunction, and bowel incontinence. Another thing many people believe is levodopa, one of the most effective treatments for PD, is only effective for a certain amount of time. However experts say it is not the drug that becomes less potent but the fact that the “key enzyme that converts levodopa to dopamine (aromatic acid decarboxylase or AADC) is predominantly found in the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra, which are lost during progression of the disease.” People should know tremors are not always a symptom of PD, and that some people with PD never get them. In terms of the trajectory of the disease, it varies with individuals. Also research suggests staying physically active can slow progression and reduce symptoms. Although the cause of the disease is not known or is there a cure for it, there are treatments used to improve symptoms and allow people to have a good quality of life. While current therapies don’t slow or stop PD, researchers are working to identify biomarkers to enable earlier detection and hope to find better treatments. At the MorningStar of Arvada senior living community, we offer the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about trusted independent living, assisted living and memory care in Arvada, CO. Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-parkinsons-disease Several studies are showing links to our dietary habits and our risk for Alzheimer’s. The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.
Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar. Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.” One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads. The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily. MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berries at least twice a week. Red meat is reduced to less than four times a week, cheese to less than one serving per week, while poultry and fish consumed twice or once a week respectively. Other recommended proteins include nuts and beans. Oil should be mainly from olive oil and butter or margarine reduced to less than a tablespoon a day; and fried or fast food eaten less than once a week. MIND includes a glass of wine a day but limits pastries and sweets to less than five times a week. The Mayo Clinic says study results also found you do not have to strictly follow the diet to gain benefits. For example, “adults in the study who followed the diet most closely (an average score of 9.6 points out of 15) saw the biggest drop in their Alzheimer's risk, the ones who scored in the middle (7.5 points) still cut their risk by over a third.” At MorningStar of Beaverton senior living community, our many services and amenities include 5-Star dining. Our delicious meals are prepared largely from scratch and include the freshest, healthiest ingredients. In addition, our nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat for residents to self-manage. Our beautiful home offers suites for assisted living in spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Additionally, the Reflections Neighborhood has secure suites devoted to the specialized care of residents with memory impairment. Please contact us 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.” 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. Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/15-simple-diet-tweaks-cut-alzheimers-risk/art-20342112 If the pandemic caused you to gain a couple of pounds or waylaid your efforts to get to the gym or take a walk, now is the time to resume your resolve to be a better you. “Research shows that the start of any new phase — be it the resumption of post-pandemic life, turning a year older or the invigorating days of spring — can serve as powerful psychological motivation to kick-start new habits. It’s called the fresh-start effect.”
In fact according to behavioral experts, anytime we have a change in our lives such as the stage we are now going into is a good time to think about habits we want to change. However they advise many of our actions are habitual and many of us may need more than motivation to create new habits. One tip to healthier habits is to gradually lay the foundation for a new habit by setting realistic and specific goals. For example if a goal is to begin walking, start by putting on your walking shoes every day at a time anchored to something you already do such as right after dinner. From there evolve your habit into actually walking. Professionals say it is easier to adopt a new habit into your routine if it is something you enjoy. Adding a social component like walking or taking an exercise class with a friend can make exercise more pleasurable. Studies find people who team up with an “exercise buddy” have more success, and researchers say it is a probably the combination of enjoyment and accountability. MorningStar at Golden Ridge in Peoria, AZ is a beautiful senior living community offering older adults a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. We have 38 Casitas for independent living (quadraplexes with attached garages) and 65 private assisted living suites in a range of floorplans as well as compassionate memory care. Remarkable for our exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities, we are most proud of our dedicated team who understands it is a privilege to serve seniors. Source: aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/creating-healthy-habits.html If you have trouble getting to sleep at night or staying asleep, you are not alone. Millions of people report having insomnia at some point in their life, and while it may not seem significant, lack of sleep can negatively affect every aspect of our lives.
Harvard Health Publishing explains sleep cycles change as we age, and for many, it may mean an interrupted night’s sleep. Most common in older men, medical experts say just because we are not getting a full night’s sleep, doesn’t mean we don’t need it. Dr. Lawrence Epstein, associate physician with the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital says, “"Research has shown that your sleep needs stay constant throughout adulthood." He adds, poor sleep has more to do with changing habits, not need. He cautions against routinely using over-the-counter sleep aids as they can quickly lose their effectiveness and do nothing to address the underlying problem. Sleep apnea; restless leg syndrome (RLS) and the need to use the bathroom at night may all be interfering with your sleep. Other culprits include depression, lack of exercise and pain. The doctor offers some tips to improve quality of sleep starting with a bedtime ritual an hour or so before a scheduled bedtime. He recommends relaxing with a warm bath and perhaps reading a book or another quiet pastime other than watching TV. Make sure the room is dark, and run a sound machine if helpful. Don’t get into the habit of napping too long during the day, no more than 20 to 30 minutes, and avoid caffeine and alcohol at least two hours before bedtime, or earlier if it is a problem. MorningStar at Golden Ridge is one of the area’s top senior living communities and has 38 Casitas, quadraplexes with attached garages, for independent living, and 65 suites for assisted living in our main building. For those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we have 35 secure suites for memory care. We invite you to visit our website for pricing and availability. The John Hopkins Medical Center recently published an article regarding senior cardiac patients that said “those who kept a personal health record enjoyed better health—perhaps because they and their caregivers could better see their health picture.” Doctors say especially in emergency situations, having up-to-date records readily available is extremely helpful for healthcare providers.
For many, the older we get means we have accumulated quite an extensive medical history, and keeping it in order may seem somewhat daunting. This is where some tips from the medical community will be welcomed. The first suggestion from John Hopkins’ geriatric medicine physician Alicia Arbaje, M.D., M.P.H., is to create a Doctor Directory of every healthcare provider you see. Record their specialty and why you see them as well as contact information. The next step is to create a current file for this year’s medical records. This should include: summaries of your doctors’ visits; hospital discharge summaries, test results; and pharmacy print outs of medications you are taking. Dr. Arbaje recommends including insurance forms related to treatments as well as a copy of your living will and medical power of attorney. Older records can be stored away and brought out when the need arises. If you have a chronic disease, experts recommend keeping a log of symptoms and side effects. This would include things like blood pressure readings and blood sugar numbers. When taking a new medication, include any information regarding how you are responding to the new drug. To make it easier to update and manage your medical file, take advantage of apps designed for that purpose and check if your healthcare providers offer online medical charts that are available to you. At the MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community, we offer a lifestyle of comfort, wellness, and security in the form of independent living, assisted living and memory care. Please visit our website to learn more about 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 to learn more about trusted independent living & assisted living in the Phoenix area. Source: hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/medical-records-getting-organized 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. John Hopkins published a study that found mild hearing loss doubles the risk for dementia. The nearly 12 year study included 639 adults and further reported that a moderate hearing loss tripled the risk, and people with severe hearing loss were five times more likely to develop dementia.
The study was headed by Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., who explains that the problem may come from the fact that many people who experience hearing loss deliberately avoid being around others and socially isolate. A hearing loss makes it difficult for the person to follow conversations and they don’t like to put themselves in social situations that make them uncomfortable. Another problem is it actually makes our brain’s work harder as it mutes some of the subtle sounds our ears intuitively use to help us safely walk. Dr. Lin says his group has another study planned to determine if hearing aids help to mitigate some of the negative effects of hearing loss including the higher risk of dementia. He does add that hearing aids certainly help individuals get back into the conversation and to enjoy being around their friends and family again. Statistics show that while almost 27 million Americans age 50 years and older have some level of hearing loss, only one in seven people use a hearing aid. If you think your hearing may be diminished, you should make an appointment with an audiologist for a complete hearing check. Doctors also encourage individuals not to fall prey to the many myths involving hearing aids including worrying about looking older by wearing one as today’s hearing aids are less conspicuous and smaller than ever. And yes, doctors do say there is a breaking in period for a hearing aid but most doctors and hearing centers offer a trial period to make sure it is the right fit for you. 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. Source: hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss 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 |
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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