Seniors are not only living longer but are more engaged and active than their parents and grandparents’ generations were during their later years. Now when someone retires, they see it as a time to pursue new interests and hobbies or improve their golf or tennis game. It is a great time to travel, find meaning in life through volunteerism or spend quality time with the grandkids. It is not the time to worry about endless home repairs and maintenance.
Independent living communities like MorningStar of Hillsboro offer residents predictable budgeting, maintenance-free living, an array of luxury amenities, and a broad community of friends. An all-day dining service relieves you of meal prep and clean-up duties, giving you the time to enjoy the pool or take a peaceful walk on our strolling paths. Our onsite bistro/bar is ideal for meeting up with friends before dinner for a cocktail or glass of wine. If you have always wanted to delve into the arts, take advantage of our art studio; get into shape with our fitness center, or participate in one of our wellness programs or activities. If gardening is your passion, help keep the resident garden beds looking their best, or take in a movie at our own theater/chapel. MorningStar of Hillsboro additionally offers full salon services and more. In addition, your apartment will have a handicap-accessible bathroom and a 24-hour emergency call service. For your convenience and safety, we offer secure underground parking; and in case you wondered, we are pet friendly. MorningStar of Hillsboro’s 141 apartments are true homes and include studio; one-bedroom, one bath; and two-bedroom configurations. All come with a full kitchen, washer/dryer and private patio or balcony. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Hillsboro, OR’s MorningStar community may be your answer. Please visit our website for pricing and availability. While you are there, inquire about our Move-in Specials. We look forward to hearing from you. MorningStar of Hillsboro provides the very best in independent living with our distinct 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 to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Hillsboro, OR has to offer.
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Known as the “Minimalists,” Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn spend their time helping people to learn to live with less. They say a typical house contains as many as 300,000 items; and their advice is to rid yourself of items that do not add value to your life. While obviously easier said than done, if you are an older adult who is trying to downsize for a move to senior housing, the following tips may help.
One suggestion is to start by decluttering; not only does it give you more space in your new home but living around clutter has been linked to anxiety and stress. When you throw away or donate stuff cluttering up your home, it gives room for the things you really like. Less stuff lightens your load and helps you get into the habit of not buying things you don’t need. Not only does this mindset save money, but Fields Millburn explains, "Understanding the why behind simplifying gives us the leverage we need to begin to let go and helps us understand what is excess.” The Minimalists recommend letting go of items you are hanging on to under the “just in case” category. Remember most things can be easily replaced if needed and in the meantime your load will be that much lighter. Other suggestions include getting rid of blurry or duplicate photos, junk mail, documents and paperwork no longer needed, and old magazines and newspapers. If you want to further reduce your physical load, scan photos as well as paperwork you wish to save. Throw away broken or damaged items, or missing parts. If you have two hair dryers, choose one to keep and one to donate. Do the same with other duplicates. Get rid of books you will never read, clothes that don’t fit or are uncomfortable, and stuff you never use. Do the same with supplies and equipment from hobbies or sports you are no longer interested in; and if you are retired, downsize your professional wardrobe. Use this mindset when going through the rest of your household items. We would like to introduce you to the newest senior living in Hillsboro, OR. Located in the popular AmberGlen neighborhood, MorningStar of Hillsboro is close to shopping at Tanasbourne Town Center, dining, entertainment and green spaces including Tualatin Hills Nature Park. We offer a refreshing change of lifestyle with predictable budgeting, built-in companionship, 5-star dining, and resort-style amenities. Please visit our website for more information. MorningStar of Hillsboro provides the very best in retirement communities with our distinct 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 to create an atmosphere that promotes a healthy, engaged lifestyle. Please contact us to learn more about the best senior living Hillsboro, OR has to offer. Source: aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/things-to-throw-away.html MorningStar of Pasadena is a 55+ community offering high-quality independent living and assisted living. Additionally we are pleased to offer respite care (short recuperative stays), or trial stays, which are a great way to sample our community and see if we are a good fit. They can extend from a week to a full month depending on availability.
Respite or temporary care is a great option for seniors who are newly discharged from a hospital stay and recovering from surgery or an illness that still requires some day-to-day support services. MorningStar of Pasadena’s community expertly and compassionately provides just such care including bathing, dressing, and other personal tasks. We also provide recuperating seniors tasty, nutritional meals prepared under the direction of our Executive Chef, 24-hour care, medication management, and opportunities for socialization and meaningful activities. MorningStar of Pasadena’s respite residents are provided a quiet suite and the individualized care needed to comfortably recover their health. Another common use of respite care is to give caregivers a much needed break or when they are busy with other priorities. During your stay, you will have peace of mind knowing help is available 24/7 and that each suite offers safety features such as emergency call systems and handicap-accessible bathrooms. We also offer companionship and community, which we think is just as important to the healing process. MorningStar’s short-term stays are typically 30 days or less and your spouse is welcome to join you; but please contact us to inquire about availability. Community amenities include: all-day, restaurant-style dining; a private dining room; bistro; theatre/chapel; life enrichment room, club rooms, fitness center, wired Internet in each suite; concierge services, community store, scheduled transportation and more. We encourage you to visit our website for contact information to learn more about our respite care, trial stays as well as availability and pricing for the area’s finest independent living and assisted living in Pasadena, CA. We look forward to hearing from you. As we grow older, many people begin to slow down. However we know a lack of exercise and activity can cause reduced muscle strength and flexibility, and lead to health problems that make beginning exercise that much more difficult. In fact a recent government study estimated “nearly 80% of American adults do not get the recommended amounts of exercise each week, with adults 65 and older being the least likely to engage in a regular exercise routine.”
This is why experts recommend older adults make a plan to stay more active and commit to it. Before you begin any new exercise or activity, talk to your doctor as your health challenges may make some physical activities not possible. Guidance from your healthcare providers can help develop a plan most effective in achieving overall conditioning despite any limited endurance. Areas to focus on include strengthening leg muscles to improve mobility and balance, which is part of maintaining your independence as strong legs support so many basic everyday activities, such as sitting down, standing up, and walking. In addition, safe upper body exercises are important in giving a person the strength to get up from an armchair or carrying and lifting items as part of performing routine household activities. Exercises focusing on maintaining or improving balance are also important in reducing a person’s risk for a fall. *Before starting any new exercise, please consult with your healthcare provider. MorningStar of Pasadena is a vibrant 55+ community with 149 bright suites for independent living and assisted living. We are an all-inclusive community, boasting a dining service under the direction of our Executive Chef, a wide range of floor plans to meet residents’ varying needs, and onsite amenities and care services for stress-free retirement years. We invite you to visit our website for information on our community as well as pricing and availability for the area’s top independent living and assisted living in Pasadena, CA. Source: hurusa.com/5-of-the-best-strength-exercises-for-senior-independence As with any group, organization or company; the management team makes a difference in how things are run. This is why MorningStar of Pasadena is so proud to have a management team made up of servant-leaders who recognize the value of service.
At the top of our team in the position of Executive Director is Kevin Taliaferro. He joined the MorningStar team a year ago in December 2020 and, as rich as his healthcare and hospitality experience was, discovering MorningStar is the best thing that has happened to his professional life. Kevin explains he finds his passion for serving seniors and MorningStar’s to be a perfect blend. We are also fortunate to have Sandie Montgomery serve as our Director of Community Relations. She says the first senior she ever loved was Grandma Mary, who despite her many struggles, was always full of joy. Sandie learned to never give up from this beautiful, “tough as nails” Grandma. Sandie has always felt called to serve and is drawn to the guiding wisdom of seniors. She says, “It is so important to honor them for all they have given us.” Our Wellness Director, Rhonda Guzman, explains how much she loves working with seniors under MorningStar’s mission. She knows she can make a difference in their lives by providing a gentle touch or a kind word; listening ear or a caring act in challenging situations. Rhonda says seniors provide us with the wisdom to deal with and enjoy life to its fullest. She is “thankful to be part of the MorningStar Family and can really relate to the mission, vision and core values. MorningStar of Pasadena offers 149 bright, spacious suites designed for independent living and assisted living. If you are looking for respite care, (short recuperative stays) or wishing to sample community living with a trial stay from one week up to a full month, please contact us for availability. Visit our website for further info, list of amenities, floorplans, photos, and map as well as information on availability and pricing for senior living Pasadena, CA families trust. The CDC says February is American Heart Month, making it the time to focus on cardiovascular disease. Experts say this includes: shining a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s National Wear Red Day® is on the first Friday in February. The campaign encourages people to show their support by wearing red and encouraging family, friends and co-workers to do the same.
Focusing on heart disease is important as it is the leading cause of death in the US for both men and women; and the awareness campaign helps people to realize it is largely preventable. Experts stress that every adult should be aware of their risk and know the healthy choices to make to reduce their chance of heart disease including coronary heart disease, which is the primary cause of heart attacks. The NIH explains your risk of heart disease is higher if you:
Experts say for each risk you have, the higher your overall risk is for heart disease. While some risks cannot be helped such as your gender, age and family history, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk. Also the NIH says it can be helpful to join #OurHearts in Action, a group designed to encourage and motivate heart-healthy behaviors together. The MorningStar of Pasadena 55+ community offers area seniors comfort, security, built-in companionship, and predictable budgeting. With 149 apartments for independent living and assisted living, we have a selection of floor plans and configurations sure to please the most discerning seniors. A broad range of amenities and services are designed to meet residents’ needs. For your safety, each suite is equipped with handicap-accessible bathrooms and emergency call systems. Visit our website to learn more about senior living in Pasadena, CA. Along with the continuing pandemic, winter is the height of the flu season as well as other respiratory and cold viruses. Experts say this means it is more important than ever to boost our immune system to help fight off disease-causing microorganisms.
The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. As it records every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated, our system can quickly recognize and destroy the microbe if/when it enters the body again. Michael Starnbach, professor of microbiology at Harvard Medical School, explains supporting the immune system is multi-faceted, and the first line of defense is to follow a healthy lifestyle. Recommendations to boost our immune systems include:
Research has shown the immune systems of older people are weaker, placing them at a higher risk for contracting infectious diseases. As they are also more likely to die from the disease, they especially need to take steps to protect themselves. Starnbach says this “includes getting the Covid vaccine and booster shot, along with other recommended vaccinations.” He says, “Think of vaccination as a cheat sheet for your immune system. A vaccine introduces the immune system to the invader ahead of time and allows it to develop a battle plan.” If you do get the virus, your immune system is ready to react quickly and perhaps prevent symptoms altogether or at least serious illness. For the best senior living in Pasadena, CA, MorningStar of Pasadena provides a relaxing, carefree lifestyle for residents. Offering independent living and assisted living with resort-style amenities and hospitality and care services, area seniors trust our community for affordability, comfort and companionship. Visit our website to learn more about our home and all that it offers. Be sure to ask about our Move-in Specials Source: health.harvard.edu/blog/4-immune-boosting-strategies-that-count-right-now-202201122669 Medical experts say there are five numbers adults should know that can impact their health. Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, editor-in-chief at the Harvard Heart Letter and part of the interventional cardiovascular programs at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explains, "For my patients, I typically look at their blood pressure, blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides values, and their waist circumference."
While there are specific recommendations, doctors also say the ideal values are good goals for most people but your doctor may suggest different numbers based on your age and other health conditions. Current recommended blood pressure numbers are less than 120/80 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure is the first number and diastolic blood pressure, the second number, and together they measure how hard your heart is working and the condition of your blood vessels. High blood pressure (HBP) can damage blood vessels and increase a person’s risk for a stroke or heart attack. Your LDL cholesterol numbers should be less than 100 mg/dL and your triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL. A cholesterol test is done through a blood draw after a person has fasted and if both your numbers are high, it increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Another important number is your blood sugar levels, which is how diabetes is typically diagnosed. Doctors say blood sugar levels should be less than 100 mg/dL. Finally the last number you should pay attention to for better health is your waistline measurement. Experts say the circumference should be either lower than: less than half your height in inches; or for women less than 35 inches, and for men less than 40 inches. The problem with big numbers is what doctors call “abdominal or visceral obesity” typically an indication of fat surrounding the internal organs. Use a tape measure placed just above your navel (belly button) to get your number. *Consult with your physician regarding testing to determine your own numbers and strategies to improve them. We would love to introduce you to the newest senior living in Houston, TX. MorningStar at River Oaks will provide assisted living to seniors who require a little help with daily care, a whole range of resort-style amenities, and wellness programs and activities. While fully licensed for assisted living and memory care, our community also appeals to independent seniors who love the idea of carefree living. Staffed by a dedicated team who understands it is a privilege to serve seniors; we invite you to visit our website for more information regarding floor plans, list of amenities, pricing and availability. Source: health.harvard.edu/blog/5-numbers-linked-to-ideal-heart-health-202112162660 As we grow older, not only do our physical abilities slow down but so do our cognitive abilities. We may find ourselves not able to remember facts the same way we used to or have difficulty thinking about two problems at the same time. Professionals say these changes make it harder for us to stay focused and easier to get distracted. You may not recall new information as you did in the past because you didn’t really learn it.
Changes can start as early as in our 50s and 60s but experts say to remember that most age-related memory loss and thinking problems are normal and not necessarily a sign of Alzheimer’s. They explain it can “simply reflect a slower processing speed and poor encoding and retrieval of new memories as a result of diminished attention.” Despite your brain moving a little slower, your judgement is still intact and you have the ability to make sense of what you know and form reasonable arguments. Another thing to consider is even the smallest hearing loss can make processing new information more difficult. Research shows while our ability to concentrate diminishes, there are things we can do to improve it. A 2015 study found participants who played brain games 15 minutes, 5 days a week had a big impact on improving their concentration. Another small study in 2018 saw an improvement in seniors’ visual selective attention (VSA), the ability to concentrate on a specific task while ignoring distractions, after playing video games. Recommended cognitive activities include things like crosswords puzzles, Sudoku, chess, jigsaw puzzles and other memory games. The MorningStar of River Oaks assisted living and memory care community is designed as a true home distinguished by comfort, wellness and love. Residents will enjoy a whole range of luxury amenities, compassionate care services, and wellness programs and activities. Please visit our website for availability and pricing and ask about our Move-in Specials at the finest senior living in Houston. Source: health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-aging-affects-focus If so, you are not alone. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate half of the adults in the U.S. (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg, or are taking medication for hypertension. Experts say sometimes it can be difficult to know if a patient has HBP because of what doctors’ call “white coat hypertension,” which shows up as HBP at a doctor’s office but is otherwise normal. Others have what is referred to as “masked hypertension”, showing up normal in the office but as HBP in normal settings. Given the number of people with hypertension and the chance for inaccurate readings, doctors say monitoring your blood pressure at home is more important for many people.
That being said, professionals offer tips to help achieve a more accurate read. To start with, they recommend a traditional cuff rather than one measuring on the wrist. It should be able to wrap around the arm and have a good amount of Velcro to keep it stable. The American Medical Association has developed the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing to help consumers choose the most accurate devices. Another tip is to bring your device with you at least once a year to a doctor visit to compare it with in-office readings. For the most accurate read at home, be seated and if you need, use the bathroom before you start. Sit quietly for at least five minutes and don’t drink coffee or smoke a cigarette right before reading. Sit upright in the chair with your feet on the ground and your arm relaxed and resting on a table level with your heart. Put the cuff on bare skin, keeping the bottom of the cuff right above the elbow bend. Remain relaxed with feet uncrossed. If you are looking for the best assisted living in Houston, TX, please consider the new MorningStar at River Oaks. Our website is loaded with information including suites, care services and amenities; and led by a dedicated team who understand how to provide residents a quality of life other assisted living communities simply cannot match. As dementia care specialists, our community provides secure suites for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. |
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